Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve is a protected area of approximately 20,000 hectares in the southern Westfjords. The area was protected in 1975 and includes a varied landscape of birch and rowan woodland, wetlands, rocky highlands, rivers, lakes and coastal habitats.
Around four-fifths of the reserve is rocky and sparsely vegetated highland, while the lower slopes and valleys support some of the most extensive natural woodland in this part of the Westfjords. The combination of woodland, mudflats, freshwater and coastline creates habitats for a diverse range of plants and wildlife.
Around twenty bird species remain in the area throughout the year, and visitors may also encounter Arctic foxes, seals and other wildlife. Salmon are found in Vatnsdalsá and trout in Vatnsdalsvatn. During late summer, wild berries including Arctic blueberries can be found in parts of the reserve.
The geology of Vatnsfjörður reflects the wider Westfjords landscape. The basalt bedrock is approximately 10–13 million years old, and glaciers shaped the valleys and mountains during the Ice Age. Geothermal activity is also found in the area and has long been used locally for bathing and heating.
Vatnsfjörður has an important place in Icelandic history. According to the Book of Settlements, Hrafna-Flóki spent a winter here during one of the earliest recorded attempts to settle Iceland. After climbing a mountain and seeing a fjord filled with sea ice, he is said to have given the country the name Ísland — Iceland.
The area is also associated with the medieval Gísla saga. At Hörgsnes is Gíslahellir, a cave traditionally said to have been used as a hiding place by Gísli Súrsson. Ancient cairns and old routes across the surrounding mountains are reminders of centuries of travel through the area.
Vatnsfjörður is also a useful base for exploring the southern Westfjords. Dynjandi is around a 30-minute drive away, while Látrabjarg and Selárdalur can be reached in approximately 90 minutes. Brjánslækur, the departure point for the ferry to Flatey and across Breiðafjörður, is nearby.
One of the area's most important geological sites is Surtarbrandsgil, where fossilised plant remains are preserved in ancient lignite layers between the basalt formations. Access to the canyon is restricted in order to protect these fragile geological formations, and visits should follow current official guidance.
Hellulaug
Hellulaug is a geothermal pool, located just off the highway, close to the beach in Vatnsfjörður. It is quite lovely to chill out in the pool (38°/100,4 F) while looking out over the fjord. The pool cannot be seen from the road, but there is a parking lot next to the path that leads to Hellulaug. The pool is 60 cm deep.
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Lignite canyon
Surtarbrandsgil (e. Lignite canyon) was put on the Icelandic environment protection list as a natural phenomenon in 1975. The main reason for the protection was to pretect the fossils of the flora which was to be found in mud and lignite layers between the basalt layers. Thease plant fossils are from the tertier time.
The Environment Agency of Iceland’s exhibition on the nature reserve Surtarbrandsgil in the old priest’s lodgings in Brjánslækur is open daily from 10. June until 10. August. Entrance is free for everyone.
In relation to the exhibitions opening hours, hikes to the canyon led by a land ranger are available during these times:Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 13:00.
Please note that hiking up the canyon is prohibited unless accompanied by a ranger. For further information, call 822-4080 or 831-9675.
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Flókalundur
Iceland owes its name to Hrafna-Flóki or Raven-Floki. After a long navigation from Norway, he took land in Vatnsfjörður fjord. As a navigational aid, he brought some ravens along, which he let loose at sea, directing him to land (hence the nickname). Flóki only stayed for one winter, as he was not prepared for the cold and hardship. They lost many animals during the stay and understandably got disgruntled. In the spring, Flóki hiked to a nearby mountain top. Seeing the surrounding fjords all full of ice, he announced that this cold and inhospitable place should be called Iceland.
There is a hotel at Flókalundur with a restaurant and gas-station. A memorable natural pool is down by the sea. Flókalundur is about 6 kilometers from Brjánslækur where the ferry Baldur docks.
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Hotel Flókalundur
Hótel Flókalundur is a small family-run hotel in Vatnsfjörður, on the south coast of the Westfjords. The hotel was built in 1966 by the Local Region Association Barðstrendingafélagið, but prior to that, a restaurant was in operation on this location since 1961 and Vatnsfjörður has always been a popular visiting place for tourists in the area.
Hotel Flokalundur has 27 single or double bedrooms and one suite. All rooms are equipped with a bathroom.
All rooms are fully furnished and breakfast is included in the price.
One room is accessible by wheelchair.
A small Restaurant is located at Hotel Flokalundur and is open every day from 7:30 till 23:00 for all guests in the area.
A Breakfast Buffet is served from 07:30 till 10:00.
Lunch is served from 11:00 till 14:00 where the Meal of the Day is available, along with a menu of small dishes that can be ordered through the whole day.
Dinner is served off the Dinner Menu from 18:00 till 21:00 with emphasis on fresh seafood, local game and other meat dishes. The Restaurants offers a selection of alcoholic beverages. The bar is open until 23:00.
The Camping Site, with it’s beautiful view over the fjord, is situated close to the Hotel.
On the Camping Site there is ample space for tents and camping trailers.
There is access to electricity and in a Facility Hut there are WC, hot and cold water faucets, showers and facilities for dishwashing.
The Camping Site is open from June 15th till September 10th.
Next to the hotel we have a small fuel station (automatic pumps) and a minimarket that is open between 11:00 and 18:00 during the summer.
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Þingmannaá Waterfall
The Þingmannaá river flows from the Þingmannadalur valley down to Vatnsfjörður fjord, featuring charming waterfalls within its canyons. Explorers can walk behind one of the waterfalls and view it from behind the cascading water.
One of these waterfalls had a role in the television show Nonni and Manni from 1990. A parking lot is conveniently located about 100 meters from the road, and from there, it's just a five-minute walk to reach the waterfall.
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