The White-Tailed Eagle Center in Kroksfjardarnes has permanently closed and no longer welcomes visitors. Iceland’s white-tailed eagle remains the country’s largest bird of prey, and you can still spot one in the wild around Breidafjordur bay. Read on to learn about these majestic birds and where to see them.
The White-Tailed Eagle Center (Arnarsetur Íslands) was a small museum in the settlement of Kroksfjardarnes, at the base of the Westfjords, dedicated to the preservation of the white-tailed eagle. It has since closed permanently, so it can no longer be included as a stop on a Westfjords itinerary.
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Even though the center is gone, the white-tailed eagle is still very much a part of Iceland’s wildlife. The species nearly vanished from the country in the 20th century but has slowly recovered, and travelers driving through West Iceland and the Westfjords still have a real chance of seeing one soaring overhead.
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by LG Nyqvist. No edits made.
Key Takeaways About the White-Tailed Eagle
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The White-Tailed Eagle Center in Kroksfjardarnes has permanently closed and can no longer be visited.
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The white-tailed eagle is Iceland’s largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters).
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The species has been protected in Iceland since 1914 and began recovering in the 1970s.
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About 75 percent of Iceland’s breeding pairs nest around Breidafjordur bay in West Iceland.
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You can look for white-tailed eagles year-round while exploring the Westfjords and the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
About White-Tailed Eagles in Iceland
Photo from Wiki Creative Commons by Andreas Weith. No edits made.
The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is the largest bird of prey in Iceland, with a wingspan that can reach around 8 feet (2.5 meters). It hunts fish, seabirds, and small mammals, and it is most often seen along the coast and near lakes.
Iceland’s eagles came close to extinction by the middle of the 20th century, largely because of poison put out to control foxes. The species has been protected by law since 1914, but the population only started to climb again after poison bait was banned in the 1970s.
Today the population is monitored by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History (Natturufraedistofnun). Recent counts put the number of breeding pairs at around 80, the highest level in more than a century.
Where to See White-Tailed Eagles in Iceland
The stronghold of the Icelandic white-tailed eagle is Breidafjordur, the wide bay that separates the Westfjords from the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Roughly three out of every four breeding pairs nest around this coastline, which makes West Iceland the best region to look for them.
Eagles are present year-round, so there is no single best season, though calm, clear days make spotting them easier. Scan the skies and shoreline as you drive along the fjords, and keep a respectful distance, as the birds and their nests are protected.
Exploring the Westfjords and Breidafjordur Area
Kroksfjardarnes sits close to Route 60 (Vestfjardavegur), the main road into the Westfjords, about 76 miles (123 kilometers) north of the town of Borgarnes. The wider region rewards a slow road trip, with quiet fjords, rich birdlife, and small communities.
Nearby points of interest include the Eiriksstadir Viking Longhouse and the old agricultural school at Olafsdalur, as well as the settlement of Reykholar further into the Westfjords. A rental car gives you the freedom to explore the area and watch for eagles at your own pace.
Plan Your Trip Through West Iceland
While the White-Tailed Eagle Center can no longer be visited, its namesake bird is still one of the most rewarding sights in Iceland’s wild landscapes. A journey through the Westfjords and around Breidafjordur offers the best chance to see a white-tailed eagle in its natural habitat.
Browse self-drive tours to plan a road trip through West Iceland and the Westfjords, and read more about the country’s birdlife before you go.
