The wild, wild, north

It’s safe to say that Iceland has developed quite a reputation for being one of the most environmentally spectacular (and Instagram-friendly) countries on earth. With mountains decorated by cascading waterfalls, the stunning Aurora Borealis of the night sky, and the summer’s midnight sun, Iceland offers visitors a world of aesthetic delight. But the country offers more than that, of course, and a side to Iceland that not too many tourists know about is its rich wildlife in the northern region.

A WILDLIFE MECCA

North Iceland stretches from the town of Borðeyri to Bakkafjörður (or roughly two hours north of Reykjavík to three and a half hours east of Akureyri). Because of the region’s location and geography, it is home to a diverse wildlife ecosystem encompassing over 300 species of birds, 23 species of marine mammals, 7 land mammals, and even the odd, non-native, polar bear. Sheep and Viking horses also roam the northern countryside during summertime, making for some excellent riding opportunities. And of course, there are also a large number of bird communities, including puffin and arctic tern that add brilliant soundtracks to the great outdoors. Taking all this into consideration it’s no surprise that Iceland’s animal population far outnumbers its humans!

North Iceland, in particular, is considered one of the best areas for spotting whales due to favorable weather and sea conditions. The town of Húsavík and the surrounding Skjálfandi Bay is well known as “The Whale Watching Capital of Europe,” and for good reason. Daily boat outings during the summer bring visitors up close to humpback, minke and even blue whales. Lucky viewers might even be able to catch a whale breaching!

North Iceland is also a hot spot for seal watching, with the Vatnsnes Peninsula and Hvítserkur considered the best places to go to catch a glimpse of these delightful, timid creatures in their natural habitat; it is not unusual to see large numbers of them lounging on the rocks and beaches, or playing in the shallow waters close to the coast.

POLAR BEARS!?

While it’s true that polar bears are not native to Iceland, they do turn up in the north from time to time, usually after a long journey from Greenland. When polar bears do arrive, they usually do so on a piece of ice. Otherwise, they swim here. Polar bears can swim up to 10 km per hour and more than 100 km at a time—and they always arrive hungry! So, if you spot a polar bear, do not approach it!! Even though they may appear adorable, polar bears are a big danger to people and livestock. In 2015 an adolescent bear came within 500 meters of an inhabited farm in Skagafjörður—an event that made the national news!

WILDLIFE AWARENESS

The vast wildlife of North Iceland has sparked a growing number of museums and organizations whose goals are driven by promoting sustainable tourism and ecological awareness. The Icelandic Seal Center (Selasetur Íslands) in the sealwatching hub of Hvammstangi is one example… dedicated to researching seals and teaching visitors about their threats.

The museum’s permanent exhibition is a fantastic window into the lives of these generally peaceful and playful sea creatures and even includes a live biological laboratory. The Seal Center is also an enterprise with a cause, regularly running research projects on the effects of tourism on wildlife in the North Atlantic region and beyond.

The Whale Museum in Húsavík is another example of an organization with a purpose. As a non-profit organization, the museum’s aim is to provide a wealth of information about whales and their habitat. But that’s not all. The Whale Museum also carries out a series of research projects in collaboration with the University of Iceland, and it’s even developed a children’s “Whale School,” inviting students all around the northern region to participate in classes that teach about the life of whales in Icelandic oceans.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF TOURISM

Now that Iceland is very much in the international spotlight as a fabulous tourist destination, visitors are broadening their reasons for visiting the country and looking for sustainable ways in which to do so. An increase in awareness of climate change and Iceland’s delicate ecosystem is very much a part of this shift, and North Iceland has certainly taken advantage of this newfound appreciation of the natural environment. So if you’re heading to Iceland and want to venture beyond the Golden Circle, be sure to plan a trip to the wild, wild north. Sign up for a bird-watching, a whale watching, or a seal watching tour, and get to know a different side of Iceland.

by KT Browne