Iceland: How Much Time in the Westfjords?
 

Hello, Thorn Tree Friends!

My family will be traveling the ring road over two weeks summer 2018. We will be traveling counterclockwise around the Island. From Vatnsnes into the Westfjords I have located highlights we want to see, but the remoteness of the area makes me question how to approach this part of Iceland. Here are my thoughts on itinerary. Help!

Option One A: Ferry over and ferry back. Take time to see all we want to.

Day 11: Drive from Vatnsnes to Stykkisholmer. 3 hours.
Ferry at 3:45. Arrive around 7PM. Drive 1 hour to Rauðisandur beach. Stay here somewhere.

Day 12: Patreksfjordur (40 min), Dynjandi, Arnafjordur, Hellulaug. Total drive time 4.5 hours. Stay somewhere around Hellulaug/ Brjanslaekur in order to catch the ferry the next day.

Day 13: Catch 12:15pm ferry to Stykkisholmur

Option One B: Ferry over and back. See just a few highlights. (we miss the Raudisandur beach)

Day 11: Drive from Vatnsnes to Stykkisholmur. 3 hours.
Ferry at 3:45. Arrive around 7PM. Drive 1.5 hours to Arnafjordur. Stay here somewhere.

Day 12: See the fjord and Dynjandi and make it back to the ferry for the 7PM. Arrive in Stykkisholmur around 10PM and stay here.

Option Two: Drive to the Westfjords and ferry back to Stykkisholmur.

Day 11: Drive from Vatnsnes to Dynjandi, Arnafjordur. Stay here somewhere. 4.5/5 hours.

Day 12: Drive from Arnafjordur and see Patreksfjordur, Rauðisandur Beach, Hellulaug and end up staying around the ferry that night.

Day 13: Catch the 12: 15PM ferry to Stykkisholmur.

This option is a little cheaper probably since we don't pay for a ferry both ways.

ps....are we crazy not to see the Latrabjarg cliffs? I'm sure we will see lots of puffins and birds at all the other places around the country. This is so far out of the way.....

Thank you so much for your input! It is greatly appreciated.

Chrissie