VanLife Iceland- SE & E Diary & Highlights

I spent 4 days exploring the unimaginable SE and E of Iceland in my motorhome. Right here’s my day-to-day vanlife in Iceland diary so you possibly can observe alongside.

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Table of Contents

Day 1 of Vanlife Iceland

The ferry arrived in Seydisfjordur at round 09.30 and I used to be pleasantly shocked to see plenty of blue skies and sunshine. I began as I imply to continue- by stopping on the Netto to purchase recent meals (you’re not allowed to deliver recent meals into Iceland), plus a caramel doughnut.

This was swiftly adopted by the unintentional discovery of Iceland’s worm (cousin to the Loch Ness Monster apparently) and an excellent larger unintentional introduction to the notorious Icelandic gravel roads…

In reply to the query I had earlier than I arrived: sure, a 2WD motorhome can get down a gravel street, however I don’t suggest it in your coronary heart well being. Not simply because gravel roads will not be enjoyable to drive, however as a result of the Icelanders drive loopy quick down them!

I spent the evening at a Viking Cafe, which was round £12pppn and had each unbelievable views and waffles!

Days 2 & 3 of motorhoming in Iceland

Day 2 began early. The discuss I attended about Iceland on the ferry over stated one of the best ways to take care of fixed daylight is to get right into a rhythm and stick with it. Additionally they recommended getting up early to do essentially the most touristy issues, so you possibly can see all the things earlier than the tour buses arrive.

Due to this fact, I booked myself onto the very first rib boat tour of the day on the Glacier Lagoon. Excitedly, I awoke at 6am… and located myself in thick fog. It was, as we might say in Jersey, a correct peasouper. Nonetheless, as I drove in direction of the Lagoon parking, the fog appeared to hug the coast, however not go too far inland, that means once I rounded a nook I had the jaw-dropping expertise of seeing the glacier proper in entrance of me.

It’s arduous to place it into phrases in the event you’ve by no means seen a glacier earlier than. The sheer scale of it’s huge, and the fantastic thing about this specific one set in opposition to the mountains and sea is particularly breathtaking.

After which I rounded one other nook and noticed the Glacier Lagoon with all its icebergs. I’ll be trustworthy, I virtually got here to a whole cease within the street. It’s STUNNING. The solar was low and made the ice sparkle and the water was so still- it was unimaginable.

I managed to get the drone up earlier than the tour, which was unbelievable. My advice is unquestionably to do the rib boats moderately than the massive yellow ducks- you’ll get a lot additional into the lagoon and nearer to the glacier. We even noticed a seal sunbathing on an iceberg. 🙂

Afterwards, I handled myself to presumably the world’s costliest crepe (£12.50 for ham and cheese!)- however it was scrumptious and warming after the chilly wind on the rib.

I headed again anti-clockwise, stopping at one other beautiful campsite with views over the ocean and mountains- simply £12 for the evening. Actually, I favored this one a lot that I made a decision to remain right here one other day to calm down and have a day of not driving- essential while you’re doing lengthy journeys.

Day 4 of vanlife in Iceland

Right this moment’s mission- discover a sea geysir and two waterfalls.

Though the day began in mist and low cloud, it cleared up rapidly. The NE nook is named ‘Majorca’ by the Icelanders as a result of it’s usually sunny right here – that’s definitely been my expertise. The ocean geysir was a bust.

After strolling all the way down to the spot and ready for 20 minutes, I concluded the ocean was both too calm to make it go off, or it solely goes off very sometimes. Both approach, I moved on to discover a waterfall you may stroll behind.

This was very practically a bust too. It’s referred to as Gilsarfoss and there are not any indicators apart from a tiny handmade one… which I missed. The issue with lacking this signal is I discovered myself on a really slim gravel coastal street.

Turning the motorhome round was unimaginable for a number of miles- and even once I managed it, it was very dodgy (and the drop was steep as I reversed in direction of it!) I virtually didn’t trouble to return.

However I’m so glad I made the trouble. This waterfall was fantastic. A couple of 10-minute hike to a crystal clear pool, and you may stroll behind the falls. I want I’d purchased a picnic and my swim gear to benefit from the place longer- there wasn’t anybody else round the entire time I used to be there.

On my strategy to the subsequent cease, I handed one other superior spot. Proper on the principle street, it’s subsequent to a waterfall whose title stays unknown, however was a stunning view for lunch.

Ultimately made it to Hengifoss, one in every of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls- and it didn’t disappoint. The hike will not be notably lengthy, however STEEP. You possibly can select the left or proper aspect of the canyon- I went proper and was glad I did as a result of it had higher views.

Lastly, I drove one other 90 minutes to Borgarfjörður- a beautiful campsite proper on the East coast which is simply £8pppn!