Arctic Fox Centre Súðavík: Meeting Iceland’s Only Native Land Mammal

A Research Centre Built Around One Animal

The Arctic Fox Centre (Melrakkasetur Íslands) in Súðavík is a small, non-profit research and exhibition centre devoted entirely to the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) — the only land mammal native to Iceland. Locals founded it in 2007, and it opened to the public in 2010 in a renovated farmhouse near the harbour. Inside, exhibits cover the fox’s biology, its 10,000-year history in Iceland, and the ongoing field research the centre conducts in the Westfjords, including in the remote Hornstrandir nature reserve where foxes live largely undisturbed by humans.

What You’ll See

The exhibition space is compact but detailed, with mounted specimens, skulls, and displays on fox colour morphs, denning behaviour, and diet. The centre sometimes takes in orphaned or injured fox cubs for rehabilitation, and when that happens they may be viewable on site — but this isn’t guaranteed year to year, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a promised sighting. A café on the premises serves coffee and light food, making it an easy stop to break up a day of driving around Ísafjarðardjúp.

A Short Detour from Ísafjörður

Súðavík sits on the northern side of Ísafjarðardjúp, about 20 km — roughly a 20-minute drive — from Ísafjörður along Route 61. The road hugs the fjord for most of the way, so the drive itself is scenic without requiring a detour. Most visitors combine the Arctic Fox Centre with a walk around Súðavík’s small harbour or continue on toward other points around the Djúp.

• Getting there: about 20 km / roughly 20 minutes’ drive from Ísafjörður via Route 61
• Duration: allow 45–60 minutes for the exhibition, more with the café
• Season: open roughly May through September; June–July hours are typically around 09:00–18:00, with shorter hours in May and September — check current hours before visiting
• What to bring: a light layer even in summer, as the exhibition building and café are unheated to Icelandic-summer standards; cash or card for the café
• Good for: families and travelers with limited time who want one focused wildlife stop rather than a long hike

Where to Stay

The Ísafjörður Inn puts you in the middle of Ísafjörður itself, an easy 20-minute drive from the Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík and a convenient base for exploring the rest of Ísafjarðardjúp the same day. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.

Photo: MoZie via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.