Flateyri
Flateyri village · Önundarfjörður · avalanche barriers village
66°02.3'N 023°30.7'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m in 3–8m on mud and sand. Good holding in the sheltered Önundarfjörður basin. NW is the fjord-axis exposure direction; in strong NW conditions swell can enter the harbour from the outer Ísafjarðardjúp. The avalanche barriers above the village change the local wind patterns — turbulent eddies behind the barriers have been reported. Use 60m radius to accommodate tide and any surge.
About This Anchorage
Flateyri is one of the most affecting villages in Iceland — a community that survived destruction and rebuilt with extraordinary determination. On 26 October 1995, a massive avalanche from the Skollahvilft mountain above destroyed 23 houses and killed 20 of Flateyri's inhabitants. The avalanche barriers — enormous Y-shaped concrete deflection walls on the hillside, visible from miles away — were built afterward and represent one of the most significant post-disaster engineering projects in Iceland. The village has recovered and maintains a small harbour. Önundarfjörður is a beautiful fjord with the classic Westfjords character: sheer fjord walls, scattered farms on the lower slopes, and the silence of an extreme latitude settlement. The old general store and trading post (a remarkable single-room shop that seems unchanged since the 1960s) is worth a visit.
Protected From
N · NE · E · SE · S · W
Exposed To
NW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free — small community harbour with no formal fee structure for visiting yachts
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Small community harbour — be respectful of fishing and local boat operations. No VHF radio watch kept at the harbour; contact Ísafjörður harbour master (VHF Ch. 12) for any harbour information. No discharge within 300m of shore. Avalanche barriers are a private engineering structure — do not climb on them.
Hazards
- !Avalanche history: the Skollahvilft mountain above Flateyri has a documented avalanche history; the barriers protect the village but do not guarantee complete protection; do not anchor directly below steep snow-laden slopes in winter/spring; the summer sailing season (Jun–Aug) has low avalanche risk
- !Katabatic and barrier turbulence: the avalanche barriers create wind eddies and turbulence in strong N–NE flows; gusts behind the barriers can be 1.5–2x the open fjord wind speed; be prepared for confused wind in the anchorage near the barriers
- !NW fjord exposure: strong NW conditions send swell down Ísafjarðardjúp and into Önundarfjörður; the harbour provides reasonable shelter but in sustained strong NW weather the anchorage can be uncomfortable
- !Isolation and limited services: Flateyri has no fuel, no provisioning, no medical facilities; plan accordingly and carry complete self-sufficiency for any stay here
Skipper's Tips
- →Avalanche barriers visit: walk up to the base of the Y-shaped concrete barriers — the scale only becomes apparent close up; they are 15–20m high and the engineering ingenuity that deflected a potential second disaster is remarkable
- →Community resilience: speak to local residents if the opportunity arises — the story of how Flateyri recovered from 1995 is one of extraordinary Icelandic community spirit; the village chose to rebuild rather than abandon the site
- →Old cooperative store: the Flateyri cooperative store is a remarkable time capsule — original wooden fittings, old stock, and a proprietor who can explain the history; buy something even if you don't need it
- →Önundarfjörður hiking: the fjord arms around Flateyri offer short hiking access to high plateaux with panoramic views over Ísafjarðardjúp; the summer wildflowers on the lower slopes are impressive
Facilities
Flateyri has a small shop/cooperative store with very basic supplies. No fuel for visiting yachts. No restaurant in the normal sense though the old store may sell snacks and drinks. Stock up in Ísafjörður (12nm) before visiting. This is a remote community stop for the experience, not for provisioning.
Nearest provisions: Ísafjörður (12nm E by sea) (12nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August
June–August. Flateyri is primarily interesting as a cultural and historical stop on a Westfjords passage, not as a provisioning or extended stay harbour. Best visited as a day stop from Ísafjörður base.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
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