Suðureyri in the West fjords

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity again to work with the locals in Suðureyri, a small fishing village in the northern part of the West fjords.

Volunteers will be working with few locals trying to develop tourism in the area, as fishing becomes less important, tourism has become an alternative source of income for many communities in Iceland and they are trying to attract more visitors to this beautiful and isolated area.

SEEDS volunteers will be working creating walking paths and building walls out of stones. Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors, the work is physically demanding and requires a great level of energy and enthusiasm.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house; in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning.  Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The work camp is located in a small fishing village situated at the mouth of Súgandafjörður, one of the most westerly fjords of the West Fjords. The village is located on the southern shore of the long fjord and is built on some of the oldest rock formations in Iceland. The village is part of Ísafjarðarbær municipality along with several other communities which are connected through a series of road tunnels.

Suðureyri is a friendly located about 500 km away from Reykjavík. It is surrounded by spectacular mountains and on the north shores trees grow high up the mountain slopes - a rare sight in Iceland. Fishing and fish processing are the main activities, but tourism is increasing, a variety of interesting places are to be explored and deep sea angling is popular.

Many small boats are equipped and run from Suðureyri, characterising the village, especially during the summer.

Hot water is in the ground at Laugar near Suðureyri and is used to heat buildings and houses and provides the water in the swimming pool in Suðureyri, which is very popular as the only outdoor thermal pool in the vicinity and can be used on hot and cold days.  Inhabitants: 300.

The residents of Súgandafjörður are known as cheerful people who enjoy life and volunteers are sure to have that cheerfulness rubbed off on them. 

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic Airport: Ísafjörður (IFJ)

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros).

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and to participate in the different tasks related to the project.

SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area for the volunteers. This might include sight-seeing, hiking etc.

There are countless opportunities to discover by foot or to hike the surroundings of this extraordinary beautiful area. Volunteers will also have a chance to visit a lagoon, which is full of fish that can be fed. They are very tame and might even take food from the hand. 

Age: 18+