IslandEast Iceland

Hvalbakur

Q: How do I get to Hvalbakur?

Hvalbakur is in East Iceland. Most Icelandic islands are reached only by boat — a scheduled ferry where one exists, otherwise a private or chartered vessel. Crossings depend on the weather and are cancelled in rough seas, so check the marine forecast and never assume you can leave on schedule.

Q: Can I visit Hvalbakur?

It depends on access and protection status. Some Icelandic islands are open by ferry or summer boat tour; many are uninhabited seabird colonies where landing is restricted during the nesting season. Where visits are allowed, go with a licensed operator and keep your distance from nesting birds.

Q: When is the best time to visit Hvalbakur?

Summer (June to August) is when ferries and boat tours run their full schedules, seas are calmer and seabird colonies are active. Many operators do not run in winter, so plan an island visit for the warmer months and book ahead in peak season.

Q: Is Hvalbakur inhabited?

Most of Iceland's islands are uninhabited, with no facilities, shelter or scheduled transport — Heimaey in the Westman Islands is the notable exception. Treat any small island as a place with no services: bring supplies, tell someone your plan and allow flexibility for the weather.

East Iceland, Iceland< 1 km²Boat / ferry access

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IslandEast Iceland

Hvalbakur

East Iceland, Iceland< 1 km²Boat / ferry access

About

Hvalbakur is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Iceland and is the country's easternmost point. It is located in the Austurland region, 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the mainland.

A unique Icelandic experience. Worth your time.

Check local conditions before visiting. Iceland's weather changes fast.

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Plan your visit to Hvalbakur

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Map of Hvalbakur

Hvalbakur is in East Iceland at 64.5958°N, 13.2750°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

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Plan your visit

Off the main road: 36.5 km from Route 1
Nearest town: Stöðvarfjörður — 39.4 km away
Distance from Reykjavík: 420 km in a straight line

Hvalbakur weather and conditions

At Hvalbakur in East Iceland, conditions as of 31 August 2026, 17:45 (Iceland time): 8°C (feels like 4°C), overcast, wind 5 m/s. Daylight today: 14 h 51 m (sunrise 05:28, sunset 20:19). Check road status before driving on live road conditions.

Data verified 31 August 2026, 17:45· source: Open-Meteo at this location’s coordinates · refreshes hourly

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Visit now · Open year-round · 30 min stop · Visibility —

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East Reykjavík South Coast West North Westfjords Reykjanes Highlands

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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation

KEF airport pickup 24/74.8

SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic

12,750 kr15,000 kr/day

Reserve −12%

Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

Tours near Hvalbakur

Free cancellation

Small groups

Culture & city

Abandoned Fjords Super Jeep Tour

Starting the excursion, we drive from Eskifjörður along mountain treks over into long abandoned fjords where we get a look into…

Duration5 hours

HighlightsEast Iceland

Blue Ice Discovery

Step off the beaten track and onto ancient ice with our Crystal Blue Ice Glacier Hike — a half-day glacier adventure that brings…

Duration4 hours

HighlightsSoutheast Iceland

Breidamerkurjökull Glacier Hike

Set out on a 3-hour guided glacier hike on Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull.

Duration3 hours

HighlightsSoutheast Iceland

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Frequently
asked
questions

How do I get to Hvalbakur?

Hvalbakur is in East Iceland. Most Icelandic islands are reached only by boat — a scheduled ferry where one exists, otherwise a private or chartered vessel. Crossings depend on the weather and are cancelled in rough seas, so check the marine forecast and never assume you can leave on schedule.

Can I visit Hvalbakur?

It depends on access and protection status. Some Icelandic islands are open by ferry or summer boat tour; many are uninhabited seabird colonies where landing is restricted during the nesting season. Where visits are allowed, go with a licensed operator and keep your distance from nesting birds.

When is the best time to visit Hvalbakur?

Summer (June to August) is when ferries and boat tours run their full schedules, seas are calmer and seabird colonies are active. Many operators do not run in winter, so plan an island visit for the warmer months and book ahead in peak season.

Is Hvalbakur inhabited?

Most of Iceland's islands are uninhabited, with no facilities, shelter or scheduled transport — Heimaey in the Westman Islands is the notable exception. Treat any small island as a place with no services: bring supplies, tell someone your plan and allow flexibility for the weather.

Nearby

km column = your drive

Waterfalls

#1.Gilsárfoss

48 km·~57 min drive

A waterfall in East Iceland.

#2.Fjárdrápsfoss

50 km·~59 min drive

A waterfall in East Iceland.

#3.Beljandi

50 km·~60 min drive

A waterfall in Iceland.

#4.Svartagil

51 km·~61 min drive

A waterfall in East Iceland.

4 waterfalls near East Iceland

Hot Springs

#1.Geothermal hot spring near Fjarðabyggð

39 km·~46 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

#2.Natural hot pot near Múlaþing

48 km·~58 min drive

Swimming_pool hot spring

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Fáskrúðsfjörður

51 km·~61 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

#4.Djúpavogskörin

51 km·~61 min drive

Hot spring in East Iceland. Natural geothermal bathing spot.

4 hot springs near East Iceland

Campsites

#1.Tjaldstæði Stöðvarfjarðar

38 km·~46 min drive

East Iceland campsite in the remote and beautiful Eastfjords. Fewer tourists means better…

#2.CampEast - Stöðvarfjörður

38 km·~46 min drive

The camp site is in the eastern part of the village.

#3.CampEast - Breiðdalsvík

41 km·~49 min drive

A central and cozy campground behind Hotel Bláfell

#4.Berunes

47 km·~57 min drive

Berunes is by highway no 1 in eastern Iceland. There is also a youth hostel, restaurant…

4 campsites near East Iceland

Supermarkets

#1.Kaupfjelagið

41 km·~49 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#2.Kjörbúðin

49 km·~58 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#3.Nesbakki

64 km·~77 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#4.Krónan

66 km·~79 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near East Iceland

Gas stations

#1.Stöðvarfjörður

39 km·~47 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#2.Breiðdalsvík

41 km·~49 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Djúpivogur

49 km·~58 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#4.Fáskrúðsfjörður

52 km·~62 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near East Iceland

Tours

#1.Abandoned Fjords Super Jeep Tour

5 hours

Starting the excursion, we drive from Eskifjörður along mountain treks over into long abandoned fjords where we get a look into…

from 42.000 ISKView tour →

#2.Blue Ice Discovery

4 hours

Step off the beaten track and onto ancient ice with our Crystal Blue Ice Glacier Hike — a half-day glacier adventure that brings…

from 24.900 ISKView tour →

#3.Breidamerkurjökull Glacier Hike

3 hours

Set out on a 3-hour guided glacier hike on Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull.

from 15.309 ISKView tour →

3 tours near East Iceland

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community