Adventures Reviews

Arctic Adventures | Small Group Iceland Tours & Adventure Holidays

3.87
90 reviews
Great Rating
Based on 90 user experiences

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AI Review Summary Based on 90 reviews

The majority of reviews for Adventures are highly positive, with customers praising the knowledgeable and friendly guides, the quality of glacier and ice cave tours, and the overall organization. A significant number of guests highlight specific tours like glacier hikes, snorkeling, and the Golden Circle as fantastic experiences. However, a substantial portion of reviews detail serious issues with Arctic Adventures, including alleged false advertising, refusal of refunds for canceled tours, poor communication, and unprofessional conduct. These negative reviews report financial loss and distress, indicating a major conflict between the company’s practices and customer expectations. The overall experience is therefore split between exceptional tour delivery and systemic business problems.

What customers love
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Glacier tour quality
  • Ice cave experience
  • Great organization
Common concerns
  • Refund issues
  • False advertising
  • Booking problems

Last updated 2 months ago

E

Utter shambles

Utter shambles Booked fully refundable tour and it was cancelled due to covid They wont give a refund and have said their financial restructuring is now extended until June 2021 So they have had my money 600 for over a year They are so terrible it actually puts me off going back to Iceland Will anyone use them in the future since they ve treated their customers so poorly I certainly wont
Y

THIS COMPANY STOLE MY MONEY

THIS COMPANY STOLE MY MONEY I confirmed with this company 3 yes 3 times that group tour purchases were refundable in case of cancelation ALL 3 TIMES the lady working there said yes it is all refundable Well they canceled the group tours and said they re keeping the money due to COVID jardship because their government is allowing them too That is literally what their email said THIS COMPANY IS UNETHICAL AND QUITE FRANKLY HORRIBLE HUMAN BEINGS TO BOLD FACE LIE AND SAY IT S ALL REFUNDABLE IN ORDER TO COLLECT MY MONEY
D

STAY AWAY

STAY AWAY Booked a tour start of 2020 Pandemic happened all flights were grounded and UK has advised not to travel anywhere Contacted Arctic Adventures Extreme Iceland after a long debate with we had reached an agreement that we will re-book the tour in the future and they issued a voucher code with no expiry date Now without any communication they have refunded 50 and after contacting and asking what has happened to our agreement to rebook the tour they are not agreeing within it even though we have it in writing We asked for a rebook or a full refund now They are standing by saying they will keep our 50 of the money These people are delusional
S

Horrible company

Horrible company - do NOT recommend If zero stars could have be given My experience with Arctic Adventures can be described very shortly as I do not want to give them any more of my time but need to warn other costumers Arctic Adventures is UNRELIABLE My experience was burdened by disrespect for people and their money lack of service and extremely bad communication Dont use your money on this company but support the small and reliable companies instead
M

Stay away from this company

I paid 230 to this company to give me possibly the ultimate scuba dive in Lake Silfra I arrived at the designated time and the company vans had just turned up so I had to wait until the dive gear was set up The dive instructor handed me the correct size of dry suit and we started to kit up I noticed the wrist seals were different colours which means they didn t change both seals at the same time as recommended Before we went into the lake I started to do the safety check taste the air and check the pressure in the cylinder etc but the dive leader wasn t interested Upon entry Immediately knew something was wrong because I couldnt maintain buoyancy which has NEVER happened to me before even whilst training I decided to abort the dive because my concerns about the safety of the hired kit Upon leaving the lake my suit was filled with water hence the stability issue One of the wrist seals was perished and under pressure water poured in Furthermore I d purchased the two continents T-shirt but they never brought to the dive site I was in Reykjavik the following day and they said I could collect it from their office there So I walked two miles to the office address they supplied to find it closed They gave me the wrong address Despite my valid complaint they simply offered me a 5 discount on another experience No thanks I intend to report this company to all the relevant diving associations because their slip shod approach to dive safety is going to kill someone
C

If zero stars was available

If zero stars was available Absolutely shocking false advertisement Waste of money Basically criminal The advertisements of what to expect are so false Post customer service is terrible I even told the tour guide I was unhappy with the tour and what I d received yet no one cares
G

Waiting for refunds

Booked several tours in February 2020 Cancelled in April Still waiting for full refunds Parent company now says they won t refund until at least April 2021 but I m guessing they will just extend the date again given low occupancy in their hotels over winter We shouldn t be forced to give them these long term no interest loans to cover their losses in other areas
D

WARNING WARNING DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY

WARNING WARNING DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY They supplied the wrong coordinates and meant sending me 1 3 hours in the wrong direction on a very dangerous road Tried calling and phone doesn t work Tried messaging and emailing to get a response a few days later When I did find the meeting point the staff who were lovely tried to put the coordinates in and was wrong had the same issue with someone day before Tried to get my money back as particularly went up for the trip and they offered me 10 off a future trip 2 days later I was warned about this company but based on the reviews which I now doubt are real I would highly suggest going else where A friend did it with icelandic mountain guides the following day and loved it I am fortunate to travel a lot and this was the only bad review I have ever written
N

We ordered a glacier hike but was not

We ordered a glacier hike but was not able to join the hike the current day and reached out to them to get it postponed to the next day which said it has available spots on their website They were not very helpful and kept referring to the terms on our purchase in which no refund was possible at that point in time That is the definition of a company that is only in it for the money and not happy customers I could understand if they had actually had costs related to our tour but it was a tour in which they bring 30 people up the glacier with small groups meaning they split up at some point with multiple guides I suggest trying another company for your trips on Iceland
H

We booked a 7-day complete tour

We booked a 7-day complete tour expecting to have a comprehensive experience of Iceland especially witnessing the Northern Lights However our tour guide was of no help We were left on our own to monitor and chase the aurora in extreme cold in the middle of the night Our tour guide showed no concern whatsoever Only five of us were able to catch a glimpse of the aurora because we stayed out late monitoring the app The rest of the people in our tour missed out for the entire duration Some had to pay for another tour with a different company just to see the aurora The whole group could have experienced it if the tour guide had made an effort Disappointing A waste of money time and resources Additionally our assigned tour guide was rude unenthusiastic and unwelcoming He allowed us to exit the bus even when there was strong wind without any warning As a result my mom ended up tumbling over and injuring her hand and leg Dont book any tour with them

About Adventures

Arctic Adventures is an adventure tour operator based in Iceland offering various activity tours around Iceland. Established in 1983, we specialize in hiking, rafting, snorkeling, snowmobiling and much more.

United States

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Frequently Asked Questions

Arctic Adventures offers multi-day tours, day tours, private tours, and self-drive tours.

Featured activities include glacier tours, ice cave tours, snorkeling tours, Golden Circle tours, hiking and trekking tours, and wildlife experiences such as whale watching.

Tours are available across the South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Highlands, Westfjords, and locations around Reykjavik.

Small group tours, with groups typically ranging from 6 to 19 participants, ensure a personalized and high-quality experience with expert, certified guides.

Yes, Arctic Adventures frequently runs promotional deals, including significant discounts on summer tours, with limited-time offers such as reduced rates for June and July tours.
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About Adventures

Arctic Adventures: Iceland’s Premier Tour Operator

Arctic Adventures is Iceland’s largest adventure tour operator, offering group tours and Icelandic holidays designed for travelers seeking unforgettable nature experiences. With over 40 years of experience, the company specializes in creating memorable journeys through Iceland’s wild landscapes. The official website, adventures.is, serves as a central hub for discovering and booking a wide variety of adventure tours across the country.

Diverse Tour Offerings and Activities

The company provides a comprehensive selection of tours and activities, allowing visitors to engage with Iceland’s most iconic natural features. Key tour categories include glacier hiking, ice cave exploration, snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure, and Golden Circle sightseeing. Specific tour types are tailored to different interests and durations, from single-day excursions to extensive multi-day adventures.

  • Adventure Tour Types:Options include multi-day tours, day tours, private tours, and self-drive tours, catering to various travel styles.
  • Featured Activities:Popular choices are glacier tours, ice cave tours, snorkeling tours, Golden Circle tours, hiking and trekking tours, and wildlife experiences such as whale watching.
  • Regional Focus:Tours are available across diverse regions, including the South Coast, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Highlands, Westfjords, and locations around Reykjavik.

Special Offers and Travel Information

Arctic Adventures frequently runs promotional deals, including significant discounts on summer tours. These offers are prominently displayed on the website, encouraging travelers to book during peak seasons. The site also provides extensive travel resources, including detailed guides on Iceland’s weather, the best times to visit, packing lists, and information on phenomena like the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights.

  • Seasonal Deals:Limited-time offers, such as reduced rates for June and July tours, are regularly updated to provide value for budget-conscious travelers.
  • Educational Content:The blog features articles on topics like hiking, puffin watching, climate, and solar eclipses, helping visitors plan smarter and safer trips.
  • Customer Support:The company offers daily support with a dedicated team available seven days a week, along with specific contact lines for general inquiries and private tour planning.

Company Credentials and Focus

Arctic Adventures emphasizes its position as a leading, award-winning operator committed to sustainability and responsible travel. The company highlights its use of expert, certified guides and its focus on small group sizes, typically ranging from 6 to 19 participants. This structure is presented as a way to ensure a personalized and high-quality experience for all guests exploring Iceland’s natural wonders.