Sail to Historic Hesteyri

by boat & on foot

An approximately one-hour boat ride takes you from Ísafjörður to one of the most beautiful and remote areas in Iceland. Along the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the fjord and, weather permitting, may catch a glimpse of the Drangajökull Glacier. Keep your eyes open for seabirds such as puffins or Arctic terns, which are known to nest in the tall cliffs nearby. On rare occasions, whales and seals can also be spotted in the surrounding waters.

Your destination is the abandoned village of Hesteyri, accessible only by boat and therefore wonderfully unspoilt — a place where time seems to have stood still for decades. This roadless landscape, free of cars, offers untouched nature where native flora, fauna, and wildlife have flourished since the area was declared a nature reserve.

Until the 1950s, Hesteyri was home to a small, scattered community supported first by whaling and later by a herring-processing plant, which eventually closed in 1940.

As you go ashore, your visit provides insight into the isolation and hardships faced by those who lived on this remote peninsula of the Vestfirðir. In time, these challenges became too great, and the community made the collective decision to abandon their homes and seek new lives elsewhere. Around a dozen houses are still maintained as summer residences by former villagers and their descendants.

Your guide will lead you on an informative walk around this remarkable place. Before rejoining your boat for the return journey to Ísafjörður, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a snack in the former doctor’s residence.