Map of the Húnaflói Bay area
Type of wildlife experience
The Húnaflói Bay area has a very rich wildlife both on land and sea. It´s mixture of fjords, peninsulas, fresh water lakes and rivers, high mountain tops and deep valleys makes it a unique place to enjoy Icelandic wildlife and flora at it's best. Birds and seals are the areas main attraction, but other animals such as the arctic fox are often seen, expecially during the summer months.
Seals are the main theme around the Vatnsnes Peninsula, and there you will find some of the most accessible seal colonies in Iceland. In the village of Hvammstangi you will find The Icelandic Seal Center and Áki Nature Tours, that offer seal watching tours by boat.
Good birding destinations can be found all over the Húnaflói Bay area.
The arctic fox is not a rare site over the summer months, and whales can often be spotted in the inland fjords, even from land.
Popular destinations
Hafnir (on Skagaheiði) - A beautiful bird- and seal watching spot with majestic views.
Gauksmýri Bird Watching Pond - A reclamed wetland with a very rich bird life. Footpath accessible for wheelchairs.
The Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammtangi - Exhibition about seals around Iceland, Tourist information. Áki seal- and bird watching tours from Hvammstangi harbor.
Illugastaðir Seal Colony - A seal watching destination on Vatnsnes peninsula. Wheelchair accessible walking paths.
Grímsey Island in Steingrímsfjöður Fjord - A perfect birding destination, trips awailable with boat Sundhani from Drangsnes harbor.
Season
- Birding: April - August
- Seals: All year
- Arctic fox: All year
- Whales: June - August
Wildlife experience companies
- Hvammstangi Tourist Information - info@selasetur.is
- Hólmavík Tourist Information - upplysingar@holmavik.is
- Áki Nature Tours - Seal- and bird watching tours from Hvammstangi harbor.
- Sundhani Boat Tours - sundhani@simnet.is. Birding trips to Grímsey Island from Drangsnes Harbor.
- The Icelandic Seal Center - Exhibition about seals around Iceland.
- Northwest.is - Information page about North West Iceland
Common birds and animals
| Sea mammals | Land mammals | |
| Harbor seal | Porpoises | Arctic fox |
| Grey seal | Minkie whale | Mink |
| Dolphins | Humpback whale |
Birds
| Sea gulls | Teal | Godwit |
| Fullmar | Whooper Swan | Snipe |
| Kittiwake | Sea Eagle | Whimbrel |
| Puffin | Falcon | Plover |
| Shag | Merlin | Ringed Plover |
| Guillemot | Red-necked Phalarope | Wren |
| Black Guillemot | Slavonien Grebe | Dunlin |
| Little Auk | Red-throated Diver | Redshank |
| Arctic Skua | Great Northern Diver | Oystercatcher |
| Tufted Duck | Greylag Goose | White Wagtail |
| Eider Duck | Pink-footed Goose | Redwing |
| Mallard | Barnade Goose (Spring) | Meadow Pipit |
| Harlequin Duck | Arctic Tern | Redpoll |
| Widgeon | Raven |
