The whale watching capital of Iceland
Legend has it that Husavik (which translates as ‘the bay of houses’) was originally settled by Swedish explorer, Garðar Svavarsson, in 870 AD, who sheltered there over the winter several years before the Vikings arrived from Scandinavia en masse, making it the oldest recorded settlement in Iceland.
Once a sleepy fishing port and agricultural hub relatively unknown to outsiders, Husavik – around an hour’s drive north of Akureyri – has developed a reputation over the past few decades as one of the best whale watching destinations not just in Iceland, but anywhere in the world. The nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay are home to more than 20 species of cetacean, including Humpback whales, Minke whales, Orcas, and even Blue Whales – the largest animal on the planet.
Husavik has also been catapulted into the international spotlight in recent years after featuring as one of the main filming locations in Netflix’s 2020 musical comedy, ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’, starring Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell. It’s one of the highlights of the Diamond Circle route, which passes between five of northern Iceland’s must-visit attractions, and therefore an excellent base (or a pit-stop) for thrilling adventures in this wild, remote and jaw-droppingly beautiful part of the country.
Once a sleepy fishing port and agricultural hub relatively unknown to outsiders, Husavik – around an hour’s drive north of Akureyri – has developed a reputation over the past few decades as one of the best whale watching destinations not just in Iceland, but anywhere in the world. The nutrient-rich waters of Skjálfandi Bay are home to more than 20 species of cetacean, including Humpback whales, Minke whales, Orcas, and even Blue Whales – the largest animal on the planet.
Husavik has also been catapulted into the international spotlight in recent years after featuring as one of the main filming locations in Netflix’s 2020 musical comedy, ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’, starring Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell. It’s one of the highlights of the Diamond Circle route, which passes between five of northern Iceland’s must-visit attractions, and therefore an excellent base (or a pit-stop) for thrilling adventures in this wild, remote and jaw-droppingly beautiful part of the country.
Explore our map of Husavik