Welcome to the only tour to Vigur Island from Ísafjörður operated by the owners and guardians of the island. Your support of this tour directly contributes to the work of the Vigur Island Foundation for conservation and research of Vigur's natural and cultural heritage. Thank you! 

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 stretching back to the original settlement of Iceland in the 9th Century, introduce some of the historic structures that can be explored (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 on Vigur 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. All the birdlife on Vigur is wild so we ask for your understanding that we have no control over the movement or behaviour of the birds - but we can guarantee a wonderful experience of the authentic Westfjords at the edge of the wildness of the Arctic. There is always something memorable to see.

If your visit coincides with low tide, you can visit our seal observation point to view the seal colony hauled out on the rocks and there are good opportunities to observe whales from the shore.

The tour ends at the post office (the smallest Post Office in Europe!) coffee room and shop where you can send a postcard or 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 where you met the boat. The pier for tenders returning to ships that are at anchor is immediately next door (less than 1-minute walk) and it is a 6-minute walk to return to a ship that is alongside at the cruise port. 

Please know that we are acutely aware of the importance of a timely return. All our tours are planned to fit within the time that cruise guests have on shore in Ísafjörður. We will not allow a tour to depart unless we are completely confident of its timely return. The majority of our guests have arrived to Ísafjörður by cruise ship (and we are regular cruise travellers ourselves) so we understand the anxiety and make it our guiding principle that no guest to Vigur should be worried about missing a ship.

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.