Skjálfandi Flói and Tjörnes peninsula, north east Iceland

Skjálfandi Flói (“Shaky Bay”) is a large bay on the north east coast of Iceland situated between the unnamed peninsula between Eyjafjörður in the west and the Tjörnes peninsula in the east. The original name of “Shaky Bay” is thought to derive from local seismic activity but there hasn’t been a real earthquake here for over 100 years.

Two large rivers flow in to Skjálfandi Flói: the Laxá and the Skjálfandafljót.

Skjálfandi Flói is well known for its wildlife and especially its whales. A hive of cetacean activity, Skjálfandi Flói, together with its harbour town of Húsavík, is often regarded as one of the best whale-watching places in Europe with the local boat companies offering practically guaranteed sightings over the summer months.

Tjörnes is a stubby peninsula situated in north east Iceland between Öxarfjörður and Skjálfandi Flói. It is one of the best-known geological locations in Iceland and layers of fossil shells and lignite can be found on the coastal cliffs. Colonies of Puffins and other sea birds nest on the cliffs along the eastern coast.

Date: 3rd June 2015

Location: view from road 85 north of Húsavík