Explore the Wilderness: Unique adventures in the Westfjords

Borea Adventures stands out as a leading adventure guiding company based in Ísafjörður, the vibrant heart of the Westfjords of Iceland. Established in 2006, the company embodies a lifestyle deeply rooted in the untamed beauty of its surroundings. I am delighted to add the company as a new partner; sign up for the Stuck in Iceland newsletter to receive a discount code that gives you 10% off the price of tours booked online. There is nothing quite like having adventures in the Westfjords. You can imagine how glad I am to make the region more accessible for my subscribers.

The founders, Rúnar Karlsson and Nanný Arna Guðmundsdóttir, both natives of Ísafjörður, have poured their extensive outdoor experience into creating a company that offers a wide range of activities, from day trips to exclusive expeditions in the Arctic. Their commitment to sustainability, low-impact traveling, and the use of local resources underscores a philosophy of respecting and preserving nature.

The company’s guides, a mix of Ísafjörður locals and those who have made it their home are experts in backcountry skiing, sea kayaking, hiking, and more. They are passionate about sharing the unique wilderness and culture of the North Atlantic with guests, ensuring experiences that are both enjoyable and in harmony with the environment.

With an emphasis on “silent” trips that avoid motorized vehicles, Borea Adventures encourages physical activity across all ability levels, from leisurely sailing and hiking to more challenging action sports. This approach minimizes environmental impact and amplifies the wilderness experience for guests. The Westfjords is a spectacular region, and I was delighted to get the opportunity to chat with Borea’s Experience Manager, Michican-born Justin Brown, Experience Manager,Justin  Brown, Experience Manager who has made the Westfjords his home.

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to work with Borea Adventures

There are so many things, but the best reason is that I fell in love with Isafjordur and don’t want to live elsewhere. As for why Borea Adventures, It’s the job that best fits my diverse skill sets and interests (guiding, cooking, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, sailing, and mechanics). I have worked for government and private environmental agencies and got burnt out. I love working for a family-run company that values being out in nature and sharing meaningful experiences with guests.

Borea Adventures commits to sustainability and low-impact traveling. How is this philosophy reflected in your daily activities and tours?

We like to focus on small, intimate group tours. The biggest reason for this is that it increases our likelihood of being able to see and interact with the start of Hornstrandir, the Arctic Fox. Still, these small groups also reduce the wear and tear on the local trails and give more space per person. This makes the wilderness of Hornstrandir seem like it’s so much more just because no one else is around. We also encourage our guests to be quiet and enjoy nature’s sounds without cell phones, cars, snowmobiles, super jeeps, or any other modern conveniences. A trip to Hornstrandir is an escape like no other.

You offer a wide range of adventures in the Westfjords. Which activity is the most popular among your guests and why?

After crunching some numbers, I found that the tour “Traverse” is the tour that guides spend the most time on. Traverse is a three-day (two-night) tour based in Hornvik. Guests stay in a comfortable base camp on a sandy beach just south of the Hornbjarg cliffs. Everywhere you look in Hornvik is awe-inspiring. Guests spend two days exploring the area around Hornvik before hiking over the Hafnarskard pass to be picked up in Veidileysufjordur.
Our kayaking tours are also becoming more and more popular. The unique coastline here in the northern Westfjords makes for some exciting experiences. Being in a kayak offers a unique opportunity to interact with the diverse marine wildlife in the area. It’s tough to pick one tour. All of our tours offer something different, but what they all have in common is the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Westfjords.

What can you expect when booking a trip with you?

Guests can expect that our guides are true professionals. This means they are current on all of their required first aid and guiding certificates. Because our company leaders have grown up or spent so much time here, the company has tremendous experience in reading local weather patterns to provide alternative routes or make recommendations for other activities in the area. About a quarter of our guides have attended the local University and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Marine Management. This long-standing relationship has led to some exciting research for the University because students can get access to remote areas and interesting datasets to explore new questions about our local environment.

Expect an immersive experience.

I like to do something for my guests: get to know them. What are their interests? Why did they book this tour? Where are they from? I use that information to tailor each tour and conversation. Let’s say that I have a group of people interested in birds. I will emphasize that on the tour by allocating more time to looking for different bird species in various habitats.

Apart from that, our guests can expect an immersive experience. There is no sugarcoating it. Our trips can be challenging, but the rush of getting to the top of a mountain pass, seeing thousands of seabirds, and hearing a Fox call at night during the summer solstice is unbeatable. Even though we always do these tours, the magic of those things I just listed has yet to be lost on us. Many of our guides return yearly because it’s an extraordinary place that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

What are your favorite places and activities in the Westfjords?

1 Hornstrandir Nature Reserve  – It’s a giant Playground
2 Isafjordur – It’s a giant Playground
3 Flateyri – because of the Outdoor Ice Skating Rink in the Winter
4 Isafjardardjup – I own shares in a sailboat, my Michelle owns a Kayak, and we are both avid SCUBA divers
5 Bolungarvik Swimming Pool – The most excellent pool in the area. It is good to relax sometimes

What advice would you give someone wanting to experience adventures in the Westfjords for the first time?

Easy… Pack for four seasons and keep an open mind for your adventures in the Westfjords. You never know what the weather will do, what you might find, or how long you’ll be here. I planned on staying in Isafjordur for nine months… 7 years later, I can’t think of anywhere else I’d want to live.