Akureyri

About This Anchorage

Akureyri (population ~19,000) is Iceland's second-largest city and the undisputed capital of the North — a remarkably cosmopolitan small city 60km up Iceland's longest fjord from the open sea. The city has an international airport, hospital, university (University of Akureyri), botanical garden, a thriving café culture, excellent restaurants, and a lively music scene. The position 60km inland at the head of Eyjafjörður gives Akureyri a sheltered microclimate that is significantly warmer and drier than coastal Iceland — the botanical garden (free entry) grows plants that seem impossibly exotic for 65°N, including roses and even some sub-tropical species in the shelter of south-facing walls. Akureyri is the natural base for N Iceland exploration: Lake Mývatn (volcanic landscape, geothermal pools, birdlife), Dettifoss waterfall (Europe's most powerful), and the Highlands are all accessible by road.

Hazards

• !60km fjord approach: the 60km passage up Eyjafjörður from the open sea is straightforward but long — the fjord narrows with some shallow sections requiring the marked channel; allow 10–12 hours from the outer Eyjafjörður to the marina
• !Katabatic Eyjafjörður winds: the valley above Akureyri can channel powerful overnight katabatic gusts down to the harbour; in clear conditions with cold plateau temperatures, gusts of 30–40 knots have been recorded in the marina area; double all lines for overnight
• !Cruise ship wash: Akureyri is a major cruise ship destination in July–August; cruise ships manoeuvring in the adjacent commercial harbour create significant wash; ensure the boat is well fendered and lines are not under tension when a cruise ship arrives
• !Shallow fjord sections: Eyjafjörður has shoal areas near the N shore; use the marked navigation channel throughout the 60km approach; do not cut across marked bends

Skipper's Tips

• →Akureyri Botanical Garden: the northernmost botanical garden in the world (free entry) blooms with hundreds of plant species — the contrast between arctic latitude and the sheltered microclimate creates a remarkable display; open June–September
• →Mývatn day trip: hire a car from Akureyri (100km by road) for a day at Lake Mývatn — one of Iceland's most geologically extraordinary landscapes; pseudocraters, lava formations, geothermal vents, and outstanding birdlife; the Mývatn Nature Baths are less crowded than the Blue Lagoon
• →Akureyri Christmas: the city is famous for its Christmas decorations and heart-shaped traffic lights (a tradition started to improve the city's mood during dark winters); a quirky detail that delights visitors
• →Sæfari ferry connections: the Sæfari car ferry from Akureyri serves Hrísey island and continues to Dalvík (30nm N) — a useful crew transport option if crew need to catch flights from Akureyri Airport

Nearby Anchorages