Visit for the day
In 2026 we will be operating tours of Vigur from May until the end of September
Online booking for tours in summer 2026 will open in January
From May to September every year we are delighted to welcome day-visitors from all over the world to Vigur to witness the eiderdown harvest and processing, to enjoy the ideal opportunities to get close to rare Arctic birdlife, to learn something of Vigur’s Icelandic heritage and to relax with some traditional Icelandic coffee and cake accompanied by the best view in the North!
Before you leave don’t forget to mail a postcard from our tiny Post Office (the smallest post office in Europe!), take a look inside historic Viktoríuhús at the heritage displays, buy a tasteful souvenir from the shop or try our Hjónabandssæla (a special generations-old Vigur recipe of this favourite Icelandic treat) - all in the knowledge that any proceeds from your visit are used to ensure the future protection of this Arctic island paradise for new generations (of both humans and ducks) to enjoy through the work of the Vigur Island Foundation.
Photograph of the farm on Vigur taken some time after 1958
The tour…
Whether you have arrived by expedition ship or by boat from ĺsafjorður on a day visit, you will be welcomed to the island by a member of our expert team. They will accompany you on a guided walk around the island to see the abundance of birds in their natural environment and to share stories of Vigur’s fascinating past.
A visit to Vigur is one of the best opportunities in the Westfjords to get close to over 60 species of bird, especially puffins, black guillemot and the eider ducks which are nesting all over the island. You are welcomed into the eiderdown processing house to learn about the ancient tradition of the eiderdown harvest, which is almost unique to Iceland. You can explore one of Iceland’s oldest timber buildings (the stately home of ĺsafjarðardjúp), its oldest seaworthy boat and its only remaining heritage windmill.
Complementary refreshments are served in the converted cow shed (Fjósið) which now houses the island’s post office (the smallest post office in Europe) and shop as well as the toilet/restroom facilities.
In order to protect the wonderful bird life and fragile environment on Vigur we kindly ask that you do not bring dogs with you, use drones or smoke (in any form) during your visit. We also ask that in the interest of reducing waste (which all has to be shipped back to the mainland) you kindly do not leave any rubbish on the island, particularly disposible plastic bottles of water - we instead are happy to offer you unlimited spring water from Vigur’s very own delicious freshwater spring.
Thank you so much for your understanding and help.
Stay overnight
Visiting on our day tours from ĺsafjorður:
Online booking for tours in the summer of 2026 will open in January.
A short boat ride across the whale-filled fjord of ĺsafjarðardjúp will bring you directly to the island of Vigur where a member of the island’s naturalist team will be waiting to welcome you on a tour of this unique haven of Arctic nature and heritage. Tours are timed to ensure a return to ĺsafjorður that fits comfortably within any cruise ship schedule while enabling you to maximise your day - so you will not need to worry.
Income from these visits directly funds the future conservation of the island so we greatly appreciate your interest in what we do and your support. Thank you!
Visiting with third party operators:
We are aware that there are some local kayak and boat operators advertising various trips to Vigur but please be advised that these trips are not arranged in collaboration with us and therefore do not contribute anything to the safe-keeping of this wonderful environment. These trips do not land on Vigur as they must, by law, remain a stipulated distance from the island's shore so as not to disturb birdlife feeding on the water or nesting on the shore. Please lend us your support by not participating in activity that undermines our efforts to safeguard this special place and we thank you for your help.
Visiting by private boat/yacht:
If you plan to visit Vigur independently please see ‘Guidance for visiting ships, yachts and kayaks’ for vital information. Vigur is a private home, a working historic farm, a fragile wildlife sanctuary and an eider colony protected under Icelandic law - landing anywhere on the island, mooring or resting at anchor, undertaking activities such as snorkling, SUP and diving is only allowed with prior permission from the Vigur landowners. Please help us look after this prescious place by not landing, paddling along the coast or resting at anchor unless you have spoken to us first. Thank you.
