Hvannasund: Guided Boat Tour with Fishing

Fishing beside Viðoy’s steep northern coast is the heart of this four-hour boat trip. You head out from Hvannasund, pass near Viðareiði, look for seabirds and perhaps seals, and cast for cod, haddock, whiting, or saithe. If conditions allow, the boat enters a grotto, the engine stops, and coffee is served in the quiet.

I like the combination of active fishing and close-up scenery, since you are not simply sitting back for a sightseeing ride. I also like the tiny group size, limited to five people, and the chance to take home your catch. Guide Samson has been praised for his clear explanations, though fishing depends on luck and the weather can force a change of route or cancellation.

Key points at a glance

• Fish near North Atlantic cod spawning grounds: Rods, bait, tackle, and a fishing license are included.
• Enter a sea grotto when conditions allow: The engine may be switched off so you can hear only water and seabirds.
• Start at Hvannasund on Viðoy: The marina is reached by car, just north of the dam and bridge.
• See Viðareiði and abandoned Múli: The route combines dramatic cliffs with a glimpse of a deserted settlement.
• Keep the fish you catch: Cod, haddock, whiting, saithe, and possibly other species are found in these waters.
• Prepare for North Atlantic weather: The trip may leave from Árnafjørður instead, or be cancelled with a full refund if conditions are unsafe.

Setting out from Hvannasund on Viðoy

The trip begins at the small boat marina in Hvannasund, on the island of Viðoy. After crossing the dam or bridge to Viðoy, turn left and continue to the small marina north of the dam. You need to arrange your own transport, since pickup from your accommodation is not included.

This is a useful meeting point for a self-drive day in the northern Faroe Islands. The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule before building the rest of your day around it. The activity ends back at the same marina after about four hours.

The boat carries no more than five participants. That matters here. Fishing rods are easier to share, questions are easier to ask, and the guide can keep an eye on everyone when the boat moves close to cliffs and caves. You will wear a flotation suit, boots, and a life jacket, so dress for wet, cool conditions rather than for the forecast at your hotel.

Cruising toward Viðareiði’s cliffs

From Hvannasund, the boat travels north along the shores of Viðoy. Near the village of Viðareiði, the coast becomes the main show: steep rock faces, narrow gorges, and openings cut into the shoreline by the sea.

This is not a distant viewpoint experience. The appeal comes from seeing the cliffs from water level, where the gorges and grottos reveal their size and shape more clearly. Bring a camera, but keep it secure. Spray, wind, and sudden movement are part of any small-boat trip in the Faroe Islands.

Seabirds are another part of the ride. Puffins may be seen, along with other seabirds that use the cliffs and water around them. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so treat sightings as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. One outing also included seals, which gives you an idea of the variety possible on the water.

The guide also explains the marine environment as you go. That adds value to the scenery. Instead of seeing only rock and waves, you get some context about the waters, local fish, and the coastal setting.

Coffee inside a sea grotto

If the wind and waves cooperate, the boat enters one of the grottoes. This is one of the trip’s most memorable details, but it is also the part most directly controlled by weather and sea conditions.

Inside, the outboard engine can be turned off. For a few minutes, the setting changes from a moving boat trip to a quiet pause surrounded by rock, water, and seabirds. You receive coffee inside the grotto, a simple touch that makes the stop feel different from a standard sightseeing cruise.

The caves can also offer strong photo opportunities. One outing included beautiful blue water and colorful shellfish around the cave area. The exact colors and visibility will depend on light and water conditions, but the close view of the rock and shoreline is the point.

Do not expect a long cave visit or a guaranteed entrance. The guide will make the call based on wind, waves, and safety. That restraint is sensible. A missed grotto is preferable to an uncomfortable or unsafe approach.

Casting for cod, haddock, and saithe

Fishing takes place in waters close to North Atlantic cod spawning grounds. The usual species include Atlantic cod, haddock, whiting, and saithe. You may also encounter something less expected, such as the redfish caught on one outing.

The operator supplies the fishing rods, jigs, tackle, bait, and fishing license. You do not need to bring specialist equipment. The guide shows you how to cast and helps with the basic setup, making this suitable for someone who enjoys trying a new activity rather than someone seeking a serious fishing expedition.

The fishing is active, but it is not predictable. You might catch several fish, or you might spend much of the time waiting. That is the honest trade-off. The scenery and marine explanations keep the trip worthwhile when the fish are not biting, but you should not book solely for a guaranteed meal.

If you catch something, you can keep it. The catch can be cleaned and prepared for a meal at home. One particularly successful outing produced cod, haddock, two other species, and a redfish. The fish were cleaned on the boat, some were fed to the seagulls, and the rest were filleted ashore.

That detail is useful because it shows the experience can extend beyond the boat. You are not only taking photographs and leaving with a story. If luck is on your side, you return with food from the waters you have just explored. You will need to handle the fish afterward, so make sure you have a suitable way to transport and prepare your catch.

Crossing the fjord toward Múli

On the return journey, the boat crosses to the other side of the fjord and sails toward Múli, an abandoned village. This changes the mood of the trip.

The sea caves and fishing provide movement and activity. Múli offers a quieter look at settlement and isolation in the northern Faroe Islands. You see the remains of a place that was once inhabited, set against the same stark scenery that makes this part of Viðoy so striking.

The stop is described as part of the route rather than a long shore visit, so do not expect an extended walking tour through the village. Its value is in seeing it from the water and understanding how remote communities fit into the geography of the islands.

Because the trip returns to Hvannasund, you can use the rest of the day for nearby sightseeing if your schedule permits. Just allow time for the four-hour activity itself, possible weather changes, and the drive to your next stop.

The guide, language, and group size

The tour is available with a live guide in English, Danish, Norwegian, or German. Samson is specifically associated with a successful outing, and his explanations were valued for their detail and clarity. The supplied information does not guarantee that Samson leads every departure, so confirm the guide when booking if that matters to you.

The maximum group size is five. This is a strong advantage for a small boat. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide can give more direct help with fishing gear and local questions.

The light meal, water, and coffee are included. The meal is described as light, so bring an extra snack if you know four hours on the water will leave you hungry. Coffee in a grotto is the unusual food-and-drink moment here, while the meal keeps the outing practical.

Price and what the $258 covers

At $258 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The value depends on how many parts of the experience you will use.

You are paying for four hours on a small boat, a guide, flotation gear, boots, a life jacket, fishing equipment, bait, tackle, a fishing license, water, coffee, a light meal, and any fish you catch. The price also covers a route that combines several activities: coastal sightseeing, marine interpretation, cave exploration when possible, and fishing.

I would consider it a better value for someone who genuinely wants to fish than for someone who only wants a scenic cruise. A passenger who never touches the rod is still receiving the boat trip and cave experience, but much of the tour’s character comes from casting a line and handling the catch.

The group limit improves the calculation. You are not paying for a crowded excursion with little contact with the guide. You are paying for a more personal outing with equipment already arranged. Still, fishing success is not part of the price, and the weather may change the route.

Weather is part of the itinerary

Faroe Islands weather can alter outdoor plans quickly. The tour depends on safe wind and wave conditions, especially when the route includes small sea caves and open coastal water.

If conditions are unfavorable, the trip may operate from the nearby village of Árnafjørður instead. That means the experience can continue with a changed starting point and route when conditions allow. If the weather is not safe at all, the activity is cancelled and you receive a full refund.

You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while planning, but it does not remove the need to check the forecast and confirm the meeting details.

I would avoid placing a tight, unmovable plan immediately afterward. The stated duration is four hours, but weather decisions and small-boat conditions deserve some breathing room.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you like active sightseeing. It suits people who want to see cliffs and caves but also want something to do with their hands. Fishing beginners can use the supplied equipment, while more experienced anglers may enjoy the chance to try northern Faroese waters.

It also works well for small groups, couples, and families with older children who can manage a fishing rod and follow boat safety instructions. The limited capacity keeps the atmosphere personal, though the activity is not recommended for people with impaired mobility.

Choose a different outing if you want a guaranteed wildlife tour, a long walk ashore, or a predictable schedule unaffected by weather. Puffins and seals may appear, but no wildlife sighting is promised. The grotto visit is also conditional.

Practical advice before you go

Wear warm layers and expect spray. The flotation suit, boots, and life jacket are supplied, but your clothes underneath should still be comfortable in cold conditions. Keep cameras and phones protected from water.

Arrive at the small boat marina in Hvannasund rather than waiting for hotel pickup. Transportation from your accommodation is not included. Use the provided map location and check the starting time carefully, since departures vary.

Think about what you will do with a fish before you board. Any catch is yours to keep, and the fish may be cleaned and filleted, but you still need a practical way to take it away and prepare it.

Finally, leave room in your plans for the weather. The best parts of the trip, including entering a grotto and fishing in open water, rely on safe conditions.

Should you book the Hvannasund fishing tour?

Book it if you want more than a coastal cruise. The mix of small-group fishing, sea caves, seabirds, and local explanation gives the four hours a clear sense of purpose. The chance to bring home cod, haddock, or another catch makes it especially appealing if food and place matter to you.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, calm seas, or a fixed route. At $258, the tour earns its price through the equipment, guide, small group, meal, fishing license, and varied itinerary, but only if you take part in the fishing. For an active visitor who can accept North Atlantic weather, this is one of the more hands-on ways to experience the northern coast of Viðoy.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour begin?

It begins at the small boat marina in Hvannasund on Viðoy. After driving over the dam or bridge to Viðoy, turn left and continue to the marina north of the dam.

How long does the activity last?

The boat tour lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Does the tour return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the Hvannasund meeting point.

Is transportation from my accommodation included?

No. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the Hvannasund marina.

What fish might I catch?

The typical fish in these waters are Atlantic cod, haddock, whiting, and saithe. A redfish and other species may also be possible.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

Yes. Any fish you catch is included and can be taken home to prepare.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may operate from nearby Árnafjørður if conditions are not suitable at Hvannasund. If the weather is unsafe for the activity, the tour is cancelled and you receive a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for people with impaired mobility?

No. The activity is not recommended for people with impaired mobility.