Region
Westfjords
20 km from Isafjordur
Sudavik: Home of the Arctic Fox Center
A fishing village near Isafjordur, home to the Arctic Fox Center and a memorial to the devastating 1995 avalanche.
Population
~200
Westfjords • Near Isafjordur
Quick Answer
Sudavik, a Westfjords village of about 200 near Isafjordur, is home to the Arctic Fox Center, which studies Iceland's only native land mammal.
Sudavik sits on a bay just south of Isafjordur, the Westfjords capital. The small fishing village survived the devastating avalanche in 1995, and is now home to the Arctic Fox Center, dedicated to Iceland's only native land mammal.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Sudavik is a short drive from Isafjordur. Check the Arctic Fox Center's seasonal hours and arrange winter visits ahead.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~200
Rebuilt after 1995 avalanche
Known for
Arctic Fox Center
Research and exhibition center
Top Attractions in Sudavik
Arctic Fox Center
Learn about Iceland's only native land mammal
Avalanche Memorial
Honoring the 14 victims of 1995
Scenic Fjord Views
Mountain and sea views along the fjord
Village History Walk
See original and relocated sections
Fishing Heritage
Traditional Westfjords fishing community
Photography Spots
Mountain backdrops and wildlife
How to Get to Sudavik
By car: 20 minutes from Isafjordur along Route 61. Scenic coastal drive with mountain views.
Via Isafjordur: Fly to Isafjordur from Reykjavik, then drive or take a taxi to Sudavik.
Day trip: Easily combined with a visit to Isafjordur and other nearby villages like Flateyri.
Best Time to Visit Sudavik
Summer (June-August): Longer days for a village visit. Check exhibition hours and road conditions.
Year-round: Contact the Arctic Fox Center before a winter visit; its published notice asks for advance arrangements.
The fox center: exhibition first, wildlife expectations second
The municipality locates the center in Eyrardalur, between the old and new parts of Sudavik. Its exhibition covers fox biology and the changing relationship between foxes and people, including hunting and research. A museum visit and a trip to look for wild foxes in Hornstrandir are different plans.
The center’s hours notice, checked September 10, 2026, lists 09:00–16:00 from September 1 to October 15, with winter visits arranged in advance. Use the contact page to confirm your date. The website also describes a resident fox, but that undated description is not a guarantee of an animal encounter on arrival.
Planning help
Sudavik FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Sudavik?
Sudavik has approximately 200 residents, a small fishing village in the Westfjords near Isafjordur.
What does Sudavik mean?
Sudavik means 'South Bay' in Icelandic, referring to its location on a south-facing bay.
What is the Arctic Fox Center?
The Arctic Fox Center in Sudavik is a research and exhibition center dedicated to Iceland's only native land mammal, the Arctic fox.
What happened in the 1995 avalanche?
In January 1995, a devastating avalanche struck Sudavik, killing 14 people. The village was partially relocated and has a memorial to the victims.
How far is Sudavik from Isafjordur?
Sudavik is only about 20 km from Isafjordur, approximately 20 minutes driving along the scenic fjord road.
Why was Sudavik relocated?
After the 1995 avalanche, parts of the village were moved to safer locations away from avalanche-prone slopes.
What services are available in Sudavik?
Sudavik has the Arctic Fox Center, a small shop, and guesthouse accommodation. Most services are in nearby Isafjordur.
Can I reach Hornstrandir from Sudavik?
Boats to Hornstrandir typically depart from Isafjordur, but Sudavik makes a good base for exploring the area.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.