Wildlife Tour Of Vigur Island - Kayaking In The West Fjords

Witness the wildlife of Vigur Island on this kayaking tour through the Westfjords. If you want to see seals, puffins, other seabirds and perhaps even a whale or dolphin while exposing yourself to stunning nature, this is the tour for you.

The excursion begins when you meet your guides and group at a cafe in Ísafjörður. Once you are all gathered, you’ll be driven forty minutes through beautiful nature to where your kayaks are waiting, at Eyri in Seyðisfjörður fjord. After getting comfortable, your guide will lead you out into the water.

You will first paddle out to the headland Folafótur. En route, you’ll keep a keen eye out for seals; the Westfjords have a high population of these adorable animals, and they are often as curious about you as you are of them. If you are lucky, you might even see a whale or dolphin; humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and even blue whales and orcas are all occasional visitors here.

At Folafótur, you will disembark, and have a pre-prepared picnic on the beach, to recharge and appreciate the nature. Once you’re ready, you’ll set out into the waters once again, this time to head to Vigur Island.

This is the second biggest island in Ísafjarðardjúp, the bay outside Ísafjörður, and home to a wealth of seabirds throughout summer. These include eider ducks, guillemots, razorbills and, of course, puffins. You will stop on the island to surround yourself with them, perfect for a photo opportunity, especially considering the lack of fear puffins have around people.

This lack of fear is especially the case on Vigur, as for generations, the farmers here have collected down from the puffins' nests in exchange for protecting them against predators.

After enjoying your time here, you’ll return to your kayaks. En route back to Ísafjörður, you’ll hug the coastline where many seals will be hauling out in a colony.