Active Pursuits in Stykkisholmur and Breidafjordur

The dominant tour operator in Stykkishólmur is Seatours, Smiðjustígur 3 (tel. 433-2254; www.seatours.is), and their most deservedly popular offering is a 2-hour cruise called the Viking Sushi Adventure (departures daily May 15-Sept 15; 7,090kr, free for children under 15). Breiðafjörður's endless islands, abundant birds and seals, and unusually strong tides are encountered aboard a 120-passenger catamaran with a serviceable restaurant. Nets are dropped overboard so that passengers can slurp the celebrated local scallops straight from the shell. For travelers based in Reykjavík, Reykjavík Excursions (tel. 580-5400; www.re.is) and Iceland Excursions (tel. 540-1313; www.icelandexcursions.is) incorporate the Unique Adventure Tour into bus tours of Snæfellsnes, while Eagle Air (tel. 562-4200; www.eagleair.is) cruises into bus tours of Snæfellsnes, while Eagle Air (tel. 562-4200; www.eagleair.is) combines the tour with aerial sightseeing.

Bird-Watching -- Breiðafjörður has 65% of Iceland's rocky shores and 40% of its mudflats, attracting a rich concentration of seabirds, waders, geese, and -- the most coveted sighting of all -- white-tailed eagles. The free, informative brochure Birdlife in Breiðafjörður is easily found in Stykkishólmur. Flatey Island and Seatours' "Unique Adventure Tour," for 7,900kr, are sure to please bird-lovers. Seatours also schedules 3-day nature cruises of Breiðafjörður, departing from Reykjavík, with 2 overnights on Flatey.

Sea Angling -- Seatours (tel. 433-2254; www.seatours.is) leads 2-hour fishing trips for 4,400kr ($70/£35), with daily departures from May 15 to September 15. Seatours also rents fishing equipment for casting from the pier.

Kayaking -- Breiðafjörður's countless islands and shallow waters are kayak heaven. Seakayak Iceland (tel. 690-3877; www.seakayakiceland.com) leads various excursions from Stykkishólmur; a half-day excursion is 6,000kr ($96/£48).

Whale-Watching -- Whale-watching tours depart from Ólafsvík.