Westfjords Strandir – Private

Westfjords reward the patient. This private day trip from Reykjavik takes you far from Iceland’s busiest routes, with remote Strandir scenery and small coastal settlements that feel wonderfully removed from the usual sightseeing circuit. I like the personal format, and I like that the day ends in a warm pool beside the North Atlantic. The main drawback is the distance: 10 to 12 hours in one day makes for a long outing.

I also like the mix of stops. You get ice cream at a dairy farm, a glimpse of Strandir’s local center in Hólmavík, an abandoned herring village at Djúpavík, and time to swim at Krossneslaug. The route is especially appealing if you want quiet roads and stories of old Iceland rather than another crowded waterfall stop.

Five things that define this Strandir day trip

• A private car for up to four people: Your party travels together, rather than joining a large coach group.
• A very remote Westfjords route: Strandir feels far removed from Reykjavik and Iceland’s better-known circuits.
• Krossneslaug beside the sea: The warm outdoor pool looks directly toward the rough North Atlantic.
• Djúpavík’s abandoned herring works: The old factory and rusted remains of the ship Ms. Sudurland give the visit a powerful sense of place.
• A stop at Erpsstaðir Creamery: This working dairy farm is known for its ice cream, a welcome treat during a long drive.
• Wildlife can vary by season: Puffins and humpback whales may be seen at the right time of year, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Why Strandir is worth the long ride from Reykjavik

Strandir is part of the Westfjords, one of Iceland’s least developed and least visited regions. It is not the easiest corner of the country to reach, and that is exactly the point. The roads take you toward small settlements, open water, mountains, and broad stretches where human activity feels scarce.

This is not a quick highlights tour. You spend much of the day in the vehicle, watching the scenery change as Reykjavik gives way to rural Iceland. The reward is a more peaceful view of the country, one shaped by fishing, farming, weather, and isolation.

I think the private format matters here. On a remote route, a fixed group itinerary can feel restrictive. With only your party in the vehicle, the day should feel more personal, and you can focus on the places that interest you most. The available vehicle depends on group size: one to four people ride in a five-seat car, five to nine use a 10-seat vehicle, and larger parties of eight to 16 use a 16-seat bus.

The tour costs $1,274.47 per group of up to four people. That is a serious price, but a group of four brings the cost to about $318.62 per person. You are paying for a private vehicle, a driver-guide, transport from Reykjavik, entrance to Krossneslaug, and a full day reaching a place that is awkward to visit without your own transport.

For one or two people, the value is harder to defend. For four friends or family members who want a private Westfjords day without driving themselves, the price becomes more reasonable. Lunch is not included, so you will need to plan for food during the day.

Erpsstaðir Creamery starts the day on a sweet note

The first listed stop is Erpsstaðir Creamery, a dairy farm in northwest Iceland known for its ice cream. You have about 30 minutes here, and admission is included at no extra cost.

This is a small stop, but it gives the trip a pleasant local character. Instead of beginning with a major viewpoint or a standard roadside attraction, you visit a farm tied to Icelandic food production. The ice cream also breaks up the drive in a simple, useful way.

Do not expect a long farm tour based on the information provided. The stop is brief, so think of it as a refreshment break with a taste of rural Iceland. If you are lactose intolerant or simply not interested in ice cream, this part may feel less important than the later coastal stops.

Still, I like the choice. A good Iceland day is not only about dramatic scenery. Small food stops can make the route feel more connected to the people who live there.

Hólmavík gives you a look at everyday Strandir

You spend about an hour in Hólmavík, the largest settlement in Strandir and a center of commerce for the area. Compared with the tiny places farther along the coast, Hólmavík is the practical heart of the region.

This stop helps put the remote coast into context. Hólmavík is not simply a photo stop. It is a place where people shop, work, and conduct daily business in a county with few large settlements. That makes it a useful pause before the road grows more isolated.

The town is also home to the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. The tour information does not state that museum admission is included, so you should confirm the arrangement if visiting it is important to you. The listed stop itself has no admission charge.

I would use this hour to stretch your legs, look around, and get a feel for the area. If you want a packed schedule of major attractions, Hólmavík may seem quiet. If you appreciate small towns and local context, it gives the day a more grounded rhythm.

Djúpavík turns an abandoned factory into a history lesson

Djúpavík is the most atmospheric stop on the route. You have about an hour to see a village that once filled with workers during the great herring period and later became nearly deserted.

The abandoned herring factory is the main sight. Its presence shows how quickly Icelandic coastal communities could grow around a successful fishery, and how sharply they could decline when the industry changed. The rusted remains of Ms. Sudurland add another striking reminder of the village’s working past.

This is where the route feels most different from a standard Iceland excursion. You are not simply looking at untouched scenery. You are seeing the remains of a community built around a resource, then left behind when that way of life faded.

The word ghostlike is a fair description, but do not expect a large open-air attraction with a long menu of activities. Djúpavík’s appeal comes from its setting and its remains. The hour should be enough for a look around, photographs, and a quiet pause beside the old industrial buildings.

The stop also shows why a guide can add value. A place like Djúpavík is more meaningful when you understand what the factory did and why people lived there. The available information identifies Gunnar as a guide who has driven parties through the Westfjords, including steep and high roads. If he is leading your tour, his experience on this demanding route could be especially useful.

Krossneslaug is the day’s big payoff

Krossneslaug is the signature stop. You have about 90 minutes to relax in a warm outdoor pool while waves roll along the North Atlantic coast. Admission is included.

The setting is the reason to come. Many pools in Iceland are social places in towns, but Krossneslaug puts the focus on the meeting of warm water and cold ocean air. You can sit in the pool and watch the sea at the edge of one of Iceland’s most remote coastal areas.

This is also a clever way to finish a long drive. After hours in the vehicle, a warm soak gives the day a clear change of pace. The contrast between comfortable water and rough ocean makes the stop memorable without needing a long list of activities.

You should bring suitable swimwear and a towel, although the supplied details do not specify towel arrangements. Since the pool is outdoors and the tour requires good weather, conditions will affect how enjoyable this part feels. The pool is comfortably warm, but the surrounding air and sea can still be cold.

The 90-minute stop is generous enough to swim and rest rather than rush through a quick photo opportunity. For me, this is the strongest reason to choose the Strandir route over a more ordinary sightseeing day.

Wildlife sightings depend on the season

Puffins and humpback whales may be seen along the way, depending on the time of year. That possibility adds interest, but you should treat wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise.

The tour data does not give exact wildlife dates or guarantee sightings. Ask the operator about seasonal timing if birds or whales are a major reason for booking. You may see them, but the tour’s dependable rewards are the villages, old industrial remains, open roads, and Krossneslaug.

This uncertainty is normal for nature-based touring. It is also one reason the private arrangement is useful. Your group can keep its attention on the scenery and coastal setting without feeling like the entire day depends on checking off a wildlife sighting.

What the long schedule feels like

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. from Geirsgata 7a in central Reykjavik and returns to the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, which can make the start easier if you are staying at an eligible Reykjavik hotel, but confirm the exact pickup details when booking.

A 10 to 12 hour day is a substantial commitment. You will spend a large share of it on the road, even though the stops break up the journey. That makes this a better choice for people who enjoy scenic driving than for anyone who wants continuous walking or a fast series of attractions.

The supplied vehicle is air-conditioned, and all fees and taxes are included. Because the day is private, only your own party participates. That is useful for families, couples traveling with friends, or anyone who prefers not to adjust to the pace of a larger group.

The route may also involve steep and high roads in the Westfjords. A guide response specifically refers to driving those roads, so you should be prepared for a remote route with changing road conditions. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions make the trip unsafe.

Who will get the most from this private tour

I would recommend this experience to people who have already seen Reykjavik’s nearby sights and want a quieter side of Iceland. It is also a strong match for a small group that does not want to rent a car and manage a long, unfamiliar drive through the Westfjords.

You are likely to enjoy it if you value:

• Remote coastal scenery over famous roadside stops
• Small villages and old fishing sites
• A private guide and vehicle
• A long but varied day
• A warm pool in an unusual setting
• The chance of seasonal puffin or whale sightings

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, want a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or prefer a relaxed half-day outing. The route is ambitious for a single day from Reykjavik, and the cost is easier to justify with four people than with one or two.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is also near public transportation, though the activity itself uses the supplied vehicle. If mobility needs are important, confirm the vehicle and stop arrangements before booking, since the route includes rural sites and a swimming pool.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The operator may cancel because of poor weather or because the minimum number of people has not been met. In those cases, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Because lunch is not included, plan that part of the day in advance. The supplied details do not specify a lunch stop, so ask Friend In Iceland Tours what food options are available along the route.

Should you book the Strandir route?

Book it if you want a private, full-day push into one of Iceland’s quieter regions and you like the idea of combining remote roads, local settlements, industrial history, and an oceanfront swim. Krossneslaug and Djúpavík give the day two memorable anchors, while Erpsstaðir and Hólmavík keep the route connected to everyday Iceland.

The best value comes with four people sharing the vehicle. I would also check the expected weather and ask about the day’s food plan before committing. If you can accept a long drive and flexible wildlife prospects, this is a thoughtful choice for seeing Strandir without driving yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Geirsgata 7a, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, at 9:00 a.m., and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup from a Reykjavik hotel offered?

Yes, pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement with the tour provider when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 to 12 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private activity is available for groups of up to 16 people. Groups of one to four use a five-seat car, groups of five to nine use a 10-seat vehicle, and groups of eight to 16 use a 16-seat bus.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is admission to Krossneslaug included?

Yes. Admission to Krossneslaug is included.

Can I see puffins or humpback whales?

You may see puffins or humpback whales depending on the time of year, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the tour canceled in poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.