Breiðafjörður — "the broad fjord" — stretches between the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the south and the West Fjords to the north. This vast, shallow bay shelters thousands of islets and skerries, colonies of seabirds and one of Iceland's largest seal populations. The port of Stykkishólmur is its main gateway.

Quick facts

• Access: Stykkishólmur is roughly 180 km from Reykjavík via Route 1, then Route 54.
• Ferry: the Baldur connects Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur (West Fjords) with a stop at Flatey Island — crossing takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the stop.
• Recommended duration: half a day for a boat excursion from Stykkishólmur; a full day to include Flatey.
• Best season: May to September for boat excursions and birdwatching.

What you'll see

The bay contains between 2,700 and 3,000 islets according to estimates — a figure so high that Icelandic legend says you can never count them the same way twice. The shallow waters teem with wild scallops, prized throughout the country. Harbour seals and grey seals bask on rocks at low tide.

The cliffs shelter puffins, guillemots, Arctic terns and white-tailed eagles. The latter, Iceland's largest bird of prey, nests regularly in the bay.

History and context

Breiðafjörður appears in several Icelandic sagas. Flatey Island, at the heart of the bay, was one of the country's most important cultural and religious centres in the Middle Ages. It housed an Augustinian monastery and a library where the Flateyjarbók, one of the greatest manuscripts of Norse sagas, was copied — now preserved in Reykjavík.

In the 19th century, Flatey was still the most populated settlement in the West Fjords. Today, only a few families live there in summer.

Highlights of the visit

Boat excursion from Stykkishólmur

Several operators offer two- to three-hour trips through the islets. Local guides know the seal rocks and nesting zones. Some excursions include a tasting of locally caught scallops.

Flatey Island

Accessible by the Baldur ferry, Flatey is an island village suspended in time: colourful wooden houses, a single main street, no cars. The 19th-century church features frescoes painted by the artistic couple Baltasar and Louisa Samper in the 1960s.

Birdwatching and seal spotting

The bay is one of Iceland's finest birdwatching sites. The white-tailed eagle is observable here with rare regularity. Seals are visible from excursion boats or from certain accessible coastal points on foot.

View from Súgandisey hill

In Stykkishólmur, the volcanic hill of Súgandisey offers a panorama over the bay and its islets. A white lighthouse marks its summit. The climb is short and accessible.

Photography tips

Raking light at morning and evening (long in Icelandic summer) bathes the islets and waters in golden tones. From the boat, opt for a telephoto lens for seals and eagles. On Flatey, the colourful houses photograph beautifully in late afternoon, with light from the west.

Location and access

Stykkishólmur, the bay's main town, sits on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Route 54 leads there from Route 1. The Baldur ferry departs from Stykkishólmur port; booking is recommended in high season, especially for vehicles.

The bay is accessible by private car to Stykkishólmur; the islets require a boat. Accessibility for people with reduced mobility is limited on excursion boats — check with local operators.

Nearby places to combine: Snæfellsnes peninsula and Snæfellsjökull glacier.

Nearby attractions

• Snæfellsjökull Glacier — glaciated volcano at the peninsula's tip, made famous by Jules Verne.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula — cliffs, black lava beaches and fishing villages spanning 90 km.
• West Fjords — accessible by the Baldur ferry from Stykkishólmur, deep fjord landscapes.
• Helgafell — sacred hill of the sagas a few kilometres from Stykkishólmur, linked to the Eyrbyggja saga.