Seal Lookout is a roadside stop on Route 61 in the Westfjords, at Litlibær, a few minutes' drive north of the historic Litlibær farmhouse and cafe. From the viewing area above the water, seals can be seen resting in grass beds on the far shore and swimming close in. Pups are in the water through the summer, and common eiders raise chicks on the same stretch. It is a wildlife stop and a break on a long drive rather than a destination in its own right.
Seal Lookout
Local name: Selskoðun
In early summer common eiders bring their newly hatched chicks to the same shore where the seals lie.
- Parking
- Free car park off Route 61, about 150 metres from the viewing area.
- Difficulty
- Easy: about a three-minute walk from the car park to the viewing area.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
- Address
- Litlibær, Route 61, Ísafjarðardjúp, Westfjords
What makes it special
Seals are the reason to stop, and they are not always where you expect. Some rest in the grass beds on the far side of the fjord, small at that distance and easy to miss without binoculars. Others swim close to the viewing area, pups among them. The rest of the wildlife is part of the draw. Common eiders bring newly hatched chicks to the same water in early summer, and a whale has surfaced in the fjord in view of the lookout, showing its tail.
Good to know
- No toilets. There are no restrooms at the stop, so plan around it on a long drive.
- Bring binoculars. Seals often rest in grass beds across the fjord. A long lens helps if you want photographs.
- Allow half an hour. Thirty minutes is enough to spot several seals and pups on a good day, but sightings are luck rather than a guarantee.
- Children and dogs. The stop suits children, and dogs are allowed.
Getting there
Arrival is by car. Seal Lookout is a pull-off on Route 61 at Litlibær, a few minutes' drive north of the historic Litlibær farmhouse and cafe. The car park is set back from the water rather than at the viewing point, so the last stretch is on foot. A short walk leads from the car park to the viewing area beside the fjord.
Best time to visit
Best: sunny days in early summer, when the eider chicks are on the water and seal pups are about.
Avoid: arriving dressed for the car. Even in July the shore here turns windy and cold.
Seals come out of the water to lie in the sun, so a bright day puts more of them in the open.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Your whole travel map in one place
Get inspired by new places around the world and find the ones worth the journey
Frequently asked questions
Are the seals always there?
No. Sightings vary. Some visits give several seals and pups within half an hour, others a single animal in the water and two more resting in the distance.Do you need binoculars?
They help. Seals often lie in grass beds on the far side of the fjord and are hard to make out with the naked eye. A long lens is worth having for photographs.Are there toilets at Seal Lookout?
No. There are no restrooms at the stop or at the car park.What else can be seen besides seals?
Common eiders with newly hatched chicks in early summer, and other wildlife along the shore. A whale has been seen surfacing in the fjord from the viewing area.Can you bring a dog?
Yes. Dogs are allowed, and the stop suits children.