Population
8,700 (2018 estimate)
Iceland's only native land mammal species
Arctic Fox: Iceland's Only Native Land Mammal
Iceland's only native land mammal, the Arctic fox has called the island home since the end of the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago.
Location
Nationwide
Best viewing in Westfjords (Hornstrandir)
Quick Answer
The Arctic fox is Iceland's only native land mammal, with an official estimate of about 8,700 for 2018. Hornstrandir in the Westfjords offers the closest views, June-August.
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), known as "refur" or "tófa" in Icelandic, is the only native terrestrial mammal in Iceland. It arrived during the last Ice Age, walking across frozen sea ice from Scandinavia. With no natural predators on the island, the Arctic fox adapted to Iceland's harsh environment over thousands of years, developing a diet centered on seabirds, eggs, and marine resources. The 2018 estimate was about 8,700 Arctic foxes, distributed from coastal cliffs to the highland interior, though the Westfjords remain the stronghold for wildlife viewing.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
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Best Viewing
Hornstrandir
Protected reserve in the Westfjords where foxes are least wary
Color Morphs
White & Blue
Two-thirds of Icelandic foxes are the blue (dark) morph
What to Expect
Population and conservation
The Natural Science Institute estimates about 8,700 Arctic foxes for 2018. The population is managed through a controversial hunting program outside protected areas. Hornstrandir has been protected since 1975.
Best viewing: June-August at Hornstrandir
Summer in the Hornstrandir nature reserve (Westfjords) offers the highest chance of close encounters. Use binoculars and follow local viewing rules; close approaches can disrupt their feeding and denning.
Specific viewing locations
Hornstrandir (Westfjords) is the main site. The Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík has exhibits and rescue foxes. Winter sightings occur along the Snæfellsnes coast and in the Eastfjords.
Pup season: May-July
Cubs are born in May (litters of 5-10) and emerge from dens in June. Early summer at Hornstrandir offers the best chance of seeing families with playful, curious pups.
Two color morphs
Two-thirds of Icelandic foxes are the blue (dark) morph, an unusually high share compared to other Arctic regions. White morph foxes transform from brown-grey in summer to pure white in winter.
Year-round presence
Foxes are present across Iceland year-round but most visible in summer when concentrated near seabird colonies. Winter sightings take more effort, but a white coat against snow is worth it.
Where to See Them
The Hornstrandir nature reserve in the Westfjords is the best place to see Arctic foxes in their natural habitat. Reach Ísafjörður by domestic flight from Reykjavík (45 minutes) or by driving Route 1 to Route 61 (5-6 hours). From Ísafjörður harbor, boats operated by Borea Adventures and West Tours depart to Hornstrandir landing points (mid-June to mid-August). Book well in advance. The Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík is a 20-minute drive from Ísafjörður on Route 61 and offers year-round exhibits and sometimes rescue foxes. For winter sightings without the Westfjords journey, foxes are occasionally spotted along the Snæfellsnes peninsula coast, near Dynjandi waterfall, and in the Eastfjords around Borgarfjörður eystri.
Best Time to Visit
Arctic foxes are present year-round. June: Cubs emerging from dens at Hornstrandir; boat services beginning; foxes at their most approachable near nesting seabird colonies. July: Peak viewing month, with fox families active, wildflowers in bloom, and long daylight hours at Hornstrandir's northern latitude. August: Cubs growing and exploring wider territories; boat services continue. September-November: Foxes dispersing; white morph coat change beginning; harder to find, though the autumn scenery helps make up for it. December-March: White-coated foxes against snow landscapes; most visible near coastal areas and farmland where they forage; the Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík remains open year-round. April-May: Mating complete; pregnant vixens denning; foxes less visible.
A population estimate with a reference year
The Natural Science Institute’s fox account gives about 8,700 animals for 2018. This estimate comes from the ages of hunted foxes and retrospective population modelling. The institute warns that uncertainty is widest for the most recent year. It is not a live 2026 count or a prediction of your chance of seeing a fox.
The Wild North wildlife code advises at least 40 metres from foxes and dens. Keep an escape route clear, avoid feeding and move farther away if the animal shows disturbance.
Planning help
Arctic Fox FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Where is the best place to see Arctic foxes in Iceland?
The Hornstrandir nature reserve in the Westfjords is the best place. Foxes there are protected and have become less wary of humans. The Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík on the Westfjords also provides information and sometimes has rescue foxes. In winter, foxes may be spotted in lowland areas across the country as they search for food.
What do Arctic foxes eat in Iceland?
Icelandic Arctic foxes are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet includes seabirds and their eggs, rodents (field mice), berries, insects, and marine invertebrates washed up on beaches. Coastal foxes rely heavily on seabird colonies during summer, while inland foxes depend more on ptarmigan and rodents.
Do Arctic foxes change color in Iceland?
Yes. Arctic foxes have two color morphs: white and blue. White morph foxes turn pure white in winter and brown-grey in summer. Blue morph foxes are dark brown-grey year-round, becoming slightly lighter in winter. In Iceland, the blue morph is more common than in most Arctic regions, comprising roughly two-thirds of the population.
Are Arctic foxes dangerous to humans?
Arctic foxes are not dangerous to humans. They are small (3–5 kg) and naturally shy. However, foxes habituated to humans in tourist areas may approach closely. Never feed wild foxes as it alters their natural behavior and can make them dependent on humans. Keep food stored securely when camping.
For more context on Iceland’s people and rural life, explore our Iceland statistics.