Two Fjords Discovery

The bay of Isafjardardjup offers excellent kayaking for both beginners and experienced kayakers. The serene beauty of the fjord system is well known by locals but unfamiliar to the outside world. The coast of Snaefjallaströnd really gives you the feeling that you are close to the Arctic Circle with its snow cowered hills and the fifth largest glacier in Iceland just around the corner. The Folafotur (e. Horse Leg)a small peninsula between the sheltered fjords of Seydisfjordur and Hestfjordur, is a beautiful place to paddle around in a long day, enjoying the marine wildlife and the coastline from a unique angle.

The tour starts with a 40 min car drive from Isafjordur to the head of Seydisfjordur. After a short introduction and safety briefing, we will prepare the kayaks and begin the kayaking portion of the trip inthe calm waters along the coast. At the end of the peninsula, we make a landing on the sandy beach to see the unusual rock formations caused by erosion as well as visiting the abandoned farm houses. We will keep a good look out for seals and whales on the way as this is a place where they are often seen. Paddling along the coast of Hestfjordur is our next mission and we make landfall by the main road. Drive back to Isafjordur.

Discover the beauty of the Westfjords with us. Check availability by choosing a date.

• Available: Aug. - Sep.
• Duration: 10 hours
• Activities: Kayaking
• Difficulty: Demanding
• Minimum age: 14 years old
• Languages: English, Icelandic
• Highlights:

  The Westfjords are the westernmost part of Iceland and the whole of Europe. The Westfjords are home to some off the most beautiful natural gems and off the beaten track attractions in Iceland.

  The Westfjords are a wide area stretching as a peninsula to the northwest of the mainland. The peninsula is all mountainous with numerous fjords of varying length.

  The town Isafjordur in the fjord Skutulsfjordur serves as the capital of the region, with around 3000 inhabitants. There are many fishing villages in the fjords, as good fishing banks are found around the Wesfjords.

  The agriculture is very scant, due to the steepness of the mountains and the lowland is limited. Below are some of the best natural attractions you can find in the Westfjords.

  Hornstrandir nature reserve

  Many places in the Westfjords are now deserted, such as the northernmost part of the peninsula: Hornstrandir. Hornstrandir is a holy place for travelers who seek solitude, wildlife, breathtaking scenery and great hiking trails. Don´t miss it if you´re looking for peacefulness.

  Dynjandi waterfall

  Dynjandi ('Thunderous') is one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. This is really a series of waterfalls, seven altogether, with a cumulative hight of 100 meters. The trapezoidal shape of its main uppermost tier is particularly notable (40 m wide at the top, 60 m at the bottom.  

  Latrabjarg Birdcliff

  Europe’s westernmost part is in The Westfjords, the massive vertical seacliff Latrabjarg, over 400 meters high with millions of seabirds nesting there. In 1947 a British trawler stranded there. Local farmers managed to safe most of the fishermen by heaving them by rope 190 meters up into the air. This heroic deed has been filmed.

  Raudisandur Beach & Sjounda

  The beach by the cliff is called Raudisandur, rare for its pale red, almost pink sand. Along with many seabirds, the beach also features hundreds of seals.

  Innermost of Raudisandur are the remnants of the farm Sjounda. At the beginning of the 19th century it was a site for one of Iceland’s most famous murder cases. 

  Two farmers lived there with there wives but the one farmer fell in love with the other's wife and she with him and they were later sentenced to death for murdering their spouses. This dramatic event later served as an inspiration for Icelandic author Gunnar Gunnarsson's masterful novel Svartfugl (The Black Cliffs).

  Westfjords,

   

  Isafjardardjup ('Icefjord's Deep') is a large fjord in the Westfjords of Iceland. The north side of the fjord has one inlet, Kaldalon, but the south one has several fjords of its own.

  The fjords of the south side are Skutulsfjordur (home of Isafjordur town, capital of the Westfjords) Alftafjordur, Seydisfjordur, Hestfjordur, Skotufjordur, Mjoifjordur and Isafjordur (not to be confused with the aforementioned town).

  Isafardardjup has three islands. Aedey and Vigur have one farm each by Borgarey is uninhabited. The area is rich with seals and birdlife and offers magnificent scenery. In Skotufjordur there's a restored farm, originally built in 1894, with an exhibition about the farmers' life in former times.

  Ísafjarðardjúp

• Transfer, guide, delicious lunch package and all kayaking equipment.

• It is recommended you wear wool or fleece bottoms and tops underneath the waterproof kayaking clothing. Bring spare trousers and a sweater for safety.