About this experience
Take a boat to Vigur Island to experience the wild nature of the Arctic Westfjords alongside Icelandic heritage in one of the country's most beloved locations for birdlife, particularly PUFFINS!
Highlights
- Witness how eiderdown has been sustainably collected on Vigur for centuries
- Your visit directly supports the future conservation of Vigur Island.
- A chance to experience the real Westfjords and traditional way of life.
- Spectacular wildlife watching opportunities, particularly puffin and whales.
- Visit historic buildings, Europe's smallest post office and Icelands oldest boat
What's included
- Return boat transfer between Ísafjörður and Vigur.
- Commentary on the boat and expert guide on the island. (Commentary and tours are offered in English and also in Icelandic on request.)
- Access to the island, the historic structures, the wildlife observation points and Puffin Path.
- Non-commercial photography permission (Please contact us in advance of your visit if you intend to take photographs or footage for professional or commercial use).
- Coffee and cake.
- Special sticks or flags to carry above the head for deterring Arctic Terns are provided to guests when required (generally only needed in July).
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
Welcome to the only tour to Vigur Island from Ísafjörður operated by the owners and guardians of the island.
Your tour begins at the 'Nordic Star', the ex-ferry boat that will bring you to Vigur Island. The boat is easy to find in the tiny harbour of Ísafjörður. If you are arriving by cruise ship, the Vigur boat is a 6-minute walk, if you are arriving by tender from a ship at anchor, the Vigur boat can be found at the pier immediately next door - a 1-minute walk at most. Our team will be ready to welcome you on board and provide any assistance needed.
There is room for everyone to have inside seating on the scenic 30-minute boat ride across the majestic fjord of ĺsafjarðardjúp. Along the way, commentary provides interesting insight of life in the fjord both today and in the past. Information will also be given about any wildlife spotted including whales and, as we draw nearer to Vigur Island, the numerous seabird species we will see.
Guests are welcomed to Vigur on arrival by one of the island’s resident family or naturalist guides who will explain something of the eventful history of Vigur, introduce some of the historic structures (which includes Iceland's only remaining windmill and oldest seaworthy boat) and the uniquely Icelandic tradition of harvesting eiderdown which still thrives on the island today. Then it is time to explore the island on a walk to the best locations for getting close to the abundant birdlife including the stunning Lundaleiðin (Puffin Path).
Please note that some 100,000 puffins are resident on Vigur from mid-April to early August but from mid-August, sightings of puffin become increasingly uncommon. There are more than 60 bird species on Vigur – which is internationally recognised as an IBA (Important Bird Area) - including large colonies of puffin, eider, black guillemot and Arctic tern. Exactly what you see depends on the time of year of your visit and the weather on the day but we can guarantee that there is always something memorable to see.
The tour ends at the post office (the smallest Post Office in Europe!) coffee room and shop where you can enjoy complimentary home-baked ‘Happy Marriage Cake’ and coffee before free time to enjoy the various wildlife viewing points or the historical exhibitions.
The same boat will return you to the same pier in Ísafjörður harbour.
Kindly note that this is the only tour operated by the owners and caretakers of this precious nature reserve and wildlife area. Therefore, you can be reassured that not only is the tour conducted responsibly, safeguarding wildlife and the environment, but your visit is also directly contributing to future research and conservation through the work of the Vigur Island Foundation. We greatly appreciate and value your support. Please do not support tours by operators that disturb birdlife while it is feeding or at rest on the waters close to Vigur - either by boat or by kayak. We thank you for your help in discouraging irresponsible practices.
Terms & conditions
Will the puffins be home during my visit? The colony of around 100,000 puffin arrive on Vigur in mid-April. They begin to depart for the winter in early August. By mid-August onwards sightings are few but we start to see increasing numbers of other bird species through to the end of September. Whale and seal watching is year-round.
How long is the walk from my ship to the boat that will take me to Vigur? Ísafjörður is a very small and quickly navigated harbour. It is a 6-minute walk to the Vigur boat from ships that are docked alongside and a 1-minute walk from tenders.
What is the accessibility of the island and the boat? Access onto the boat requires using steps with handrails. There is no ramp or lift access onto the boat. Tours on the island involve walking on mowed grass paths or wild grass trails that can be uneven. Every tour offers flexibility for guests with a range of mobility with alternative routes and easy access observation points available.