TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Introduction
This website is operated by North Tides ehf. These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our website and the purchase of our guided tour and equipment rental services in Iceland. By using our website or purchasing a tour, you agree to be bound by these Terms. 

2. Definitions

  • "North Tides", "we", "us": Refers to North Tides ehf., the operator of this website and provider of guided tours and equipment rental. 

  • "User", "you": Refers to any person accessing or using our website or purchasing our services. 

  • "Services": Includes all guided tours and equipment rental offered by North Tides. 

3. Booking Process
Bookings for our guided tours and equipment rental are made through our website, or via third party resellers. Bookings can be processed either via our online booking partner, Bókun, or manually through direct contact when opting for payment by bank transfer. By placing a booking, you confirm that all information provided is accurate and that you have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement. Bookings are subject to availability and are only confirmed once you receive a confirmation email from North Tides. Bookings made via third parties are subject to these terms and conditions.

For multi-day tours, booking is made through a contact form. Once suitability for the trip has been confirmed, payment of 30% of the total trip price must be paid as a deposit to confirm the booking. The remainder must be paid no later than 60 days prior to departure. If the remainder is not paid on time, North Tides reserves the right to cancel the booking without refund of the deposit. Bookings made within 60 days of departure will require payment of the total trip price to confirm booking.  

4. Payment
Payments for our services can be processed through two methods: 

  • Online Payment: For bookings processed through, your payment details are securely handled by our payment provider. 

  • Manual Bank Transfer: For select bookings processed manually, payment is made via bank transfer. In such cases, you will receive specific instructions regarding the bank transfer process. Your booking will be confirmed only after full payment is received. Please note that bank transfers may incur additional processing times and any applicable bank fees are the payers responsibility. 

5. Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellation and refund policies fall into two categories: cancellation by North Tides, or cancellation by the client.

Cancellation by North Tides

North Tides reserves the right to cancel tours at any point prior to departure. Where this is due to factors beyond the client’s control e.g. adverse weather, vehicle malfunction etc., a full refund will be offered. Where cancellation by North Tides/your guide is due to actions of the client, no refund will be offered (see section 6).

Once a tour has departed, no refunds will be offered. This applies whether the tour has to be shortened due to e.g. adverse weather, or if the tour turns back due to the actions of clients (inability to follow instruction, alcohol consumption etc.).

Non-adherence to these terms and conditions, the rules of Vatnajökull National Park or governing laws of Iceland will result in cancellation of the tour without refund.

Cancellation by client

When cancellation is made by the client prior to departure, the following terms apply:

Day tours (client cancellation):  

  • For cancellations more than 48 hours prior to departure: 95% refund. 

  • For cancellations less than 48 hours prior to departure: 0% refund.    

Private day tours (client cancellation):

  • Cancellations > 7 days prior to departure: 95% refund

  • Cancellations < 7 days prior to departure: 0% refund

Multi-day tours (client cancellation): 

  • Cancellation within 48 hours of booking: 100% refund (including the deposit). 

  • Cancellation prior to group confirmation: 100% refund (including the deposit). 

  • Cancellation greater than 59 days prior to departure: 70% of the total tour price is refundable. 

  • Cancellation between 30 and 59 days prior to departure: 30% of the total tour price is refundable. 

  • Cancellation less than 30 days prior to departure: 0% of the total tour price is refundable. 

Equipment rental: 

  • Equipment rental is subject to availability. North Tides reserves the right to cancel equipment rental at any point prior to the agreed date of rental for any reason e.g. damaged equipment, extreme weather forecast etc.    

6. Restrictions and Right of Refusal

Clients must be physically fit enough for the chosen activity (in line with our activity ratings) and notify the guide of any medical conditions which may be relevant for safe operation of the tour. The minimum age limit for our tours is 14 years.

Your guide has the right to refuse your participation in the tour for reasons including, but not limited to:

  • Arrival after the departure time shown on the confirmation ticket.

  • Inappropriate clothing/footwear: this is a safety issue and no concessions will be made.

  • Suspected consumption of alcohol/drugs.

  • Verbal/physical abuse of the guide or other participants.

  • Insufficient physical fitness level for the booked tour.

  • Exceeding the kayak weight limit or inability to fit into the provided drysuit: these are safety issues when paddling in cold water and no concessions will be made.

In such cases, no refund will be provided.

7. Use of the Website
Your use of our website is subject to these Terms and all applicable laws. You agree not to misuse our website, including interfering with or damaging the website or its services. Unauthorized or improper use of the website may result in termination of your access without notice. 

8. Intellectual Property
All content on www.northtides.is, including text, images, logos, and design elements, is the property of North Tides or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited license to access and use the website for personal, non-commercial purposes only. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution of the content is prohibited. 

9. Limitation of Liability
While North Tides strives to provide accurate information and high-quality services, we cannot guarantee that the website will always be error-free or uninterrupted. North Tides shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or inability to use our website or services.

Participation in our tours is at your own risk, and you acknowledge that natural conditions may affect your experience. Glaciers and their surroundings are dynamic environments which may change rapidly, with risks including but not limited to: glacial outburst flooding, volcanic eruption, rockfall, icefall, iceberg instability, iceberg inversion, strong winds, cold exposure etc.; North Tides is not liable for any loss, injury or death resulting from natural hazards, aforementioned or otherwise.

Clients are wholly responsible for the personal possessions that they choose to bring on the tour, and North Tides accepts no liability for loss or damage of these possessions.

10. Third-Party Services
Our website may include links to third-party websites or services, such as the Bókun booking system. North Tides is not responsible for the content, practices, or policies of these third parties. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any external sites you visit. 

North Tides may utilise the services of third-party operators, guides and drivers to conduct tours. North Tides accepts no liability for any incidents caused by these third-parties.

Third-party sellers may sell tours conducted by North Tides. North Tides accepts no liability for loss or damages due to incorrect information provided by third-party sellers. Tours sold through third-parties are subject to these terms and conditions; where these terms and conditions conflict with the terms provided by third-party sellers, the terms and conditions stated herein take priority.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Iceland. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Iceland. We encourage you to contact us directly to resolve any issues amicably before seeking legal recourse. 

12. Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us at info@northtides.is or via our website at www.northtides.is.