Vigur is a small island in the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord, in the Westfjords of Iceland, just south of the Arctic Circle. It is around 2 km long and 400 m wide, and a single farm remains on it. The island is known for its seabird colonies — puffins, black guillemots and Arctic terns — and for traditional eiderdown production. Timber buildings from the 19th century, a windmill from around 1840 and the smallest post office in Iceland stand beside the farm. Access is by boat, on a guided tour.
Vigur
The windmill on Vigur was built around 1840 and is the only historic windmill still standing in Iceland — it may also be the northernmost in the world.
- Entrance
- Paid guided tour only; over US$200 per person in summer 2026.
- Difficulty
- Easy — a guided walk on flat paths; about 3 hours including the boat
- Transport
- No public transport. The island is reached by boat, as part of a guided tour.
- Advance booking
- Required — book the boat tour in advance
- Hours
- Summer only — tours run mid-June to late August (island closed late May–mid-June for nesting)
- Address
- Vigur, Ísafjarðardjúp
What makes it special
Vigur is a working farm island, and almost everything on it is still in use. Around 3,500 pairs of common eider nest here each year. The farmer collects the down from the nests once the chicks have left, then dries, sorts and cleans it by hand, by methods centuries old. The birds are the other half of the island: one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland, a rare colony of about a thousand black guillemots, and 880 breeding pairs of Arctic terns. The buildings match. Viktoriuhús, a two-storey timber house from 1860, is among the oldest wooden buildings in the country and belongs to the collection of the National Museum of Iceland. Vigurbreiður, the oldest seaworthy boat in Iceland, is kept here. So is the smallest post office in the country.
Good to know
- Guided only — you see the island on foot with the owners. Wandering off on your own is not allowed.
- Arctic terns — hold the stick handed out at the start above your head. It stops the birds diving at you.
- Puffins stay distant — bring binoculars or a long lens. A phone camera will not reach them.
- The boat — it is crowded, and the windows are small and foggy. Do not count on seeing whales from it.
- Coffee and cake — the owners serve homemade rhubarb cake and Icelandic coffee. Coffee is the only drink on offer.
Getting there
Vigur lies in Ísafjarðardjúp, and the only way on is by boat with a tour. The crossing is advertised at 30 minutes and can run closer to 50, which cuts into the time ashore. Once landed, you walk the island with the owners as guides — the whole visit is about three hours, boat included.
Best time to visit
Better: April to the beginning of August, the window the tour gives for puffins on the island.
Avoid: dates outside that window. The colonies are the reason people come, and by late summer the puffins have gone. A summer visit also catches the farm at work: eider down is only collected after the chicks have left the nests. Set expectations before you book — the puffins are watched from a distance, not up close, and that is the single thing most visitors wish they had known.
Things to do nearby
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Vigur on the map
Arctic terns nest on Vigur and dive at the heads of anyone who comes near them. Hold the stick handed out at the start of the tour above your head and keep it there. It works.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Vigur on your own?
No. Access is by boat as part of a tour, and on the island you walk with the owners as guides. Wandering off on your own is not allowed.When can you see the puffins?
The tour gives April to the beginning of August as the puffin season on the island.How close do you get to the puffins?
Not close. You need binoculars or a powerful camera; a smartphone camera is of little use for them.How long does the trip take?
About three hours in total. The boat crossing is advertised at 30 minutes, but it can take nearly 50.Is there anything to eat on the island?
The owners serve homemade rhubarb cake and Icelandic coffee, and sell souvenirs. Coffee is the only drink.