Holtsfjara Beach Travel Guide

Holtsfjara sand spit and pier from above. Photo: Steinninn, CC BY-SA 4.0

Holtsfjara beach is a long, pale golden sand beach and dune system that curves out into Önundarfjörður in the Westfjords, directly across the fjord from the village of Flateyri. It takes its name from Holt, the old church farm and parsonage above the shore (*Holtsfjara* means "the Holt beach").

A long wooden pier, Holtsbryggja, runs out from the sand into the fjord and has become a popular photo stop. The regional tourist board describes Önundarfjörður as a particularly pretty fjord, even by Westfjords standards, partly because of this beach.

Key Takeaways About Holtsfjara

• Golden-sand beach and dune spit on the south shore of Önundarfjörður, across the fjord from Flateyri
• The wooden Holtsbryggja pier is a popular photo stop and an old landmark of the fjord's fishing and transport history
• About 20 km / 20–25 minutes from Ísafjörður via Route 60 and the Vestfjarðagöng tunnel; free parking by the pier
• Dunes are an eider nesting ground: keep to the sand from 15 April to 14 July
• No facilities on the beach; Holt Inn nearby, services in Flateyri (10 km by road)

Why visit Holtsfjara

Golden sand is rare in Iceland, where most beaches are black volcanic grit. Holtsfjara is a sweep of light sand backed by marram-grass dunes, running out as a spit that almost closes off the inner fjord.

The water inside the spit is shallow and sheltered. For most visitors it is simply a long, quiet walk ringed by the steep mountains on both sides of Önundarfjörður.

The dunes are an important eider duck nesting ground. From 15 April to 14 July the nesting areas are fenced or marked and visitors are asked to keep out of the dunes and stay on the sand so the birds can sit undisturbed.

Dune grass beside Önundarfjörður. Photo: Hornstrandir1, CC BY-SA 4.0

Holtsbryggja, the wooden pier, is an old landing stage that served the fjord's fishing and transport in earlier generations and is now a place to walk out over the water and a photo stop in all seasons.

Holt itself is one of the historic church sites of the Westfjords. The present Holtskirkja church dates from 1869, and the farm was one of the richest parsonages in the country for centuries.

Brynjólfur Sveinsson, who grew up at Holt, where tradition says he was born in 1605, became Bishop of Skálholt and gave the medieval manuscript Flateyjarbók to the Danish king in 1656; a memorial to him was raised at Holt in 1975.

The former school buildings now house Friðarsetur, a church and community centre, and Holt Inn, a small family-run hotel.

How to get to Holtsfjara

Holtsfjara beach is on the south shore of Önundarfjörður, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) and 20 to 25 minutes' drive from Ísafjörður. From Ísafjörður take Route 60 through the Vestfjarðagöng tunnel, taking the left fork inside the tunnel for Önundarfjörður and Flateyri.

After the tunnel the road drops to the fjord; Route 64 branches off for Flateyri, while Route 60 crosses the causeway at the head of the fjord to the south shore.

Shortly after the causeway, turn right at the sign for Holt; the beach and the pier are a short distance along this side road.

There is a small gravel parking area by the shed near the pier, and the walk from the car to the sand takes a minute or two.

Önundarfjörður in the midnight sun. Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0

From Reykjavík the drive is 400 to 470 kilometres (250 to 290 miles) depending on the route, either Route 60 over Dynjandisheiði or Routes 60 and 61 through Hólmavík and along Ísafjarðardjúp, and takes roughly 6 to 7 hours without stops. The alternative is a flight of about 40 minutes to Ísafjörður and a short drive.

Flateyri, with a swimming pool, café, shop and campsite, is about 10 kilometres away by road around the head of the fjord, although it is much closer across the water from the end of the spit. Holt Inn, which has no restaurant, is the nearest accommodation on the beach side.

The road is open all year, but Westfjords roads can close in storms; check road.is in winter.

Best time to visit

June to August is the season for walking the whole spit, walking out on the pier and seeing the dunes in flower, with almost continuous daylight in June. Keep off the dunes until 15 July to protect the eider nests.

September and early October give empty beaches and low light. In winter the beach is reachable when roads are open, but the wind is severe and the sand can be iced.

Safety and practical tips

• The sea is cold even in high summer, and the inner fjord has tidal currents around the spit. Swim close to shore and never alone; there are no lifeguards.
• Respect the eider nesting closures from 15 April to 14 July and keep dogs on a lead. Nesting eiders are protected by law in Iceland.
• There are no toilets, bins or shelter on the beach itself. The nearest facilities are at Holt Inn and in Flateyri.
• The pier is unlit, unfenced and slippery when wet; take care with children and in wind.
• Access is free and there are no opening hours.