Description
Summary
Description
Discover the hidden gems of East Iceland on this private tour to Vodlavik Bay and the historic Helgustadanama spar mine. With a local guide, no crowds, and access to remote places most travelers miss, this easygoing experience brings you closer to Iceland’s quiet beauty.
With no large buses or packed crowds, this Eastfjords private tour is perfect for travelers seeking solitude. You’ll explore dramatic landscapes at a relaxed pace, far from Iceland’s busy tourist routes.
Your 5-hour adventure begins in Eskifjordur, a peaceful fishing town at the base of Holmatindur in the Eastfjords. Here, you’ll meet your guide and begin a scenic drive across a mountain pass with incredible views of the fjords, cliffs, and valleys that define East Iceland.
This route is rarely traveled, giving you the freedom to enjoy every moment of the landscape without distractions. You might see sheep on the hillsides and changing light across the mountains.
At the end of the road lies Vodlavik Bay, an abandoned black sand beach with Snaefugl and Hestshaus Mountains on both sides. Its remote location and unspoiled surroundings make it perfect for travelers looking to reconnect with nature.
Walk the shore, feel the wind off the sea, and hear stories of how this once-inhabited bay shaped local life. The moss-covered cliffs and black sands create a stunning contrast perfect for photos.
Your guide shares stories about Vodlavik’s past, once home to a small, isolated community. You’ll learn how families survived in this remote corner of Iceland, defined by the sea and the steep, unforgiving landscape around them.
From the coast, you’ll head toward Helgustadanama, one of the most famous spar mines in the world. A short trail leads you up the hillside to the mine entrance. It’s a bit uneven, so sturdy shoes are recommended, but the walk remains manageable.
Once at the mine, your guide explains how Iceland spar from this very spot once powered scientific breakthroughs in optics and navigation in the 18th and 19th centuries. These crystals helped scientists study the properties of light and contributed to major discoveries in physics, chemistry, and geology.
You’ll walk among old mining walls, see pieces of Iceland spar in the ground, and look out over sweeping views of the fjord. While collecting spars is no longer allowed, exploring the mine site is a fascinating look into Iceland’s geological past.
This tour offers a crowd-free journey through East Iceland. With scenic drives, meaningful stops, and a quiet pace, it’s a rewarding way to explore one of the country’s least-visited regions.
Escape the crowds and explore Iceland’s quiet side on this private Vodlavik Black Beach tour from Eskifjordur. Check availability now by choosing a date.
