Schedule June 22:

10:30 Departure with ‘Sjóferðir' from the Ísafjörður marina, which is on the east side of the spit, 5-10 minutes' walk from the town centre.
11:00 - 14:00 ca in Vigur island
14:00 - 15.30 Sailing in Ísafjarðardjúp
16:00 Arrival in Ísafjörður

 

Description:
This tour by boat will take us to the island Vigur and we will also spend some time cruising in the inner parts of the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord.

 

Vigur is one of the most popular destinations in the region, about 30 minutes' boat ride from Isafjordur. Here we will make a stop of about 3 hours. With its 19th century houses and the windmill, which is the only one Iceland today and now belongs to and is preserved by the National Museum of Iceland, the island is unique in Iceland. One family still lives here.

 

Our visit will start with a stroll around part of the island. Vigur is the perfect place to observe the life of birds, the island being the habitat of an abundance of eider duck, arctic tern, puffin and black guillemot, to mention a few.

 

The island is also known for Vigur-Breiður, a traditional and legendary wooden boat, which dates back to the early 1800´s, or even earlier. It is still in use today by the inhabitants of the island.

 

After our walk, it will be time for lunch. We will now enter the so-called Viktoríuhús, ie Viktoria´s house, named after a lady who lived here in the 1890's. The house was built in 1862 and was restored some years ago by the National Museum. At the same time the guest salon was added to the building and in here the farmer's family will treat us to a filling soup served with home-baked bread. After the meal coffee will be served and we will enjoy listening to tenor Peter John Buchan sing some songs composed by Sigvaldi Kaldalóns.

 

Before we board the boat again you will also have an opportunity to send a postcard from the smallest post office in Europe, which is to be found here in Vigur.

 

The latter part of the tour will be spent cruising the inner parts of the Ísafjarðardjúp and hopefully getting close to Kaldalón. This fjord is by many considered to be the most spectacular fjord in the area, known for its varied and imposing scenery with eyots, moraines and mud flats, a rich birdlife as well vegetation. Behind Kaldalón is Drangajökull, the only glacier left in the region. The beauty of Kaldalón inspired medical doctor and composer Sigvaldi Kaldalóns who lived at Ármúli, close to Kaldalón, for 11 years and to take up the name Kaldalón. A memorial is to be found here.

Recommended equipment:

• Good walking shoes or light hiking boots
• Wind / rain proof garments
• Warm hat and gloves
• Warm sweater (fx fleece)
• Binoculars

Length of tour: ca 5,5 hrs.

Price: ISK 9,000. Included in price: boat tour, soup + bread, coffee and music performance in Vigur island.

 

Registering and paying: Please contact the University Centre, phone +354 4503040 or send an e-mail to pernilla@uwestfjords.is. Deadline 16 June.