Vigur Island & Adalvik
The amazing weather stayed with the National Geographic Explorer this morning as we visited a unique island along the fjords of the northwest coast of Iceland. Our morning stop was at the small island of Vigur in Isafjardardjup Bay. The same family has lived here for over 100 years and has helped to create a lucrative eider down business.
The common eider is a handsome duck like bird that nests on the island in large numbers. At this time of spring both the males and females are present. The island is also home to large numbers of other birds including the Arctic tern, black guillemot, greylag goose, and the most numerous and charismatic of all, the Atlantic puffin.
While half the group west ashore to see the eiders, the other half enjoyed a Zodiac cruise around the island in search of the “other” birds while all eyes were on the puffin. There were thousands of them in the air, water, and on land. They are pairing up right now so large numbers flew around in sweeping circles checking each other out, like kids just getting out of school.
Our afternoon plans changed when nice conditions were sighted in Adalvik Bay, a large open mouthed bay on the west coast of the northernmost peninsula of Iceland. The layered basaltic rocks were a great backdrop for kayaking and walks along the cobble beaches of the glacially carved fjord. The breezy conditions held off long enough for those who kayaked to enjoy a paddle while the walkers passed summer cottages before stretching their legs along the valley.
In the late afternoon the ship set sail for destinations east into cloudy conditions. Hopefully the weather will hold for our next adventure.
