After a panoramic journey by boat through the spectacular westfjords scenery and whale-filled waters of Ísafjarðurdjúp, you will be welcomed to the Arctic paradise of Vigur by expert guides from the island. They will introduce you to something of the island‘s history, which stretches back to the original settlement of Iceland, and to the uniquely Icelandic tradition of harvesting eiderdown, before leading a walk to the bird colonies and the best locations for getting close to the abundant birdlife on Vigur.
Hosting more than 45 different bird species, Vigur is known by some as Bird Island or Puffin Island. It is home to 100,000 puffins from mid-April until early August, 10,000 common eider ducks, Europe’s largest colony of black guillemot and more arctic terns than anyone can count. The route of the walk across the island will depend on bird activity, breeding season and the time available but is always accompanied by the informative insight of our naturalist guides. There is also the possibility to see seals that haul out on the beaches at low tide and outstanding whale watching opportunities from the shore. The tour will bring you to the Vigur cafe and post office shop for complimentary home-baked rhubarb cake and time to mail a postcard from the smallest post office in Europe, before the return journey to Ísafjörður by boat.
(Tours are in English but can be provided in Icelandic if requested at the time of booking.)
Highlights include:
· Get close to a colony of 100,000 puffins resident from mid-April to early August.
· Learn about Iceland’s oldest seaworthy boat, it’s only windmill, one of its oldest timber houses and the unique Icelandic tradition of collecting eiderdown.
· Post a card from Europe’s smallest post office while sampling traditional Icelandic cake, as well as browsing arts and crafts on sale in the shop.
· Watch for seals at low tide plus outstanding whale spotting opportunities from the shore.
