Suðureyri, a small fishing village in the Westfjords, Western Iceland, has a rather unusual petting zoo, of sorts: A lagoon on the outskirts of town is home to a small population of friendly cod. The fish are so friendly they swim right up to the small pier in the lagoon to eat out of the palm of visitors' hands. The friendly cod even likes to be petted!
A favourite among locals of all ages
A small school of cod lives in the lagoon by the main road into the village. The cod was released into the lagoon several years ago, and can swim freely between the lagoon and the ocean, but always returns back into the lagoon. Elías Guðmundsson, who runs the local Hotel Fisherman, tells us the fish are a favourite among locals of all ages and of course travellers.
Elías constructed a small pier by the lagoon two years ago to make it easier to meet these aquatic inhabitants of Suðureyri, and he tells us visitors can buy feed for the fish from local fishermen, down at the pier.
The hotel restaurant, The Talisman, named after a vessel which crashed in 1922 close to Suðureyri, also offers excellent fish courses, although none are made from the cod in the lagoon, we are assured by Elías: Fishing in the lagoon is strictly forbidden!
A hidden gem
Suðureyri is a small fishing village (300 inhabitants), 20 minute drive north-west of Ísafjörður. It stands by Súgandafjörður, a narrow picturesque fjord. If you are driving the West-fjords you should not miss out on this unique opportunity: When is the next time you get a chance to say hello to pet cod in an Icelandic fishing village?
Suðureyri, a small fishing village in the Westfjords, Western Iceland, has a rather unusual petting zoo, of sorts: A lagoon on the outskirts of town is home to a small population of friendly cod. The fish are so friendly they swim right up to the small pier in the lagoon to eat out of the palm of visitors' hands. The friendly cod even likes to be petted!
A favourite among locals of all ages
A small school of cod lives in the lagoon by the main road into the village. The cod was released into the lagoon several years ago, and can swim freely between the lagoon and the ocean, but always returns back into the lagoon. Elías Guðmundsson, who runs the local Hotel Fisherman, tells us the fish are a favourite among locals of all ages and of course travellers.
Elías constructed a small pier by the lagoon two years ago to make it easier to meet these aquatic inhabitants of Suðureyri, and he tells us visitors can buy feed for the fish from local fishermen, down at the pier.
The hotel restaurant, The Talisman, named after a vessel which crashed in 1922 close to Suðureyri, also offers excellent fish courses, although none are made from the cod in the lagoon, we are assured by Elías: Fishing in the lagoon is strictly forbidden!
A hidden gem
Suðureyri is a small fishing village (300 inhabitants), 20 minute drive north-west of Ísafjörður. It stands by Súgandafjörður, a narrow picturesque fjord. If you are driving the West-fjords you should not miss out on this unique opportunity: When is the next time you get a chance to say hello to pet cod in an Icelandic fishing village?
