Discover Sandgerði: Art, Water and Birdlife

Sandgerði brings together a work commemorating fishing history, a swimming pool and diverse birdlife. These themes appeal to different interests: Hvirfill gives art a specific location on Austurgarður Pier, while ponds and beaches offer their own birdwatching opportunities. The swimming pool adds a competition pool, slides and other facilities. When planning your trip, you can choose your own focus among culture, water and nature.

Water at the swimming pool

The swimming pool in Sandgerði has a 25-metre competition pool, two water slides, two hot tubs, a sauna and a cold-water pool. This variety can help you decide whether swimming, slides or the sauna best matches your travel interests; it offers several distinct options rather than just a single pool. As facilities may change over time, check the current details before making plans.

Hvirfill: Art with a connection to fishing

Hvirfill, by Jón Þórisson, stands on Austurgarður Pier in Sandgerði. The artwork is made of stainless steel and moves in the wind. It commemorates 100 years of motorized fishing vessels. Here, a precise location and a clear commemorative purpose come together: the pier anchors the work in Sandgerði, while its dedication points to the history of fishing. Its movement in the wind is also part of the work, making the material more than a mere detail. For travelers interested in culture, Hvirfill brings form, material and local memory together in a specific motif. Its commemorative purpose offers a historical perspective, while the stainless steel and wind make the work tangible as a moving form.

Ponds and beaches as bird habitats

Birdwatching in Sandgerði varies by location and season. The beaches beside the old fish factory are resting places for wading birds. Numerous ducks breed at the larger pond in summer. In recent years, Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Green Sandpipers (Tringa ochropus), Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii) and Bonaparte’s Gulls (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) have been observed at the small ponds. The information about the ponds offers different seasonal perspectives: duck breeding is explicitly associated with summer, while the species list for the small ponds is based on observations from recent years. It does not guarantee that you will see any particular species during your visit. The beaches are therefore known for resting wading birds, the larger pond for summer breeding, and the small ponds for observations of various species.

Choose your travel focus

Hvirfill connects art with a tribute to fishing, the swimming pool brings together several specific facilities, and birdwatching varies by location and season. Consider whether you would rather focus on cultural connections, the swimming pool or observing nature during your stay. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sandgerði, this can be a useful starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Njardvik, Grindavík, Vogar, Kálfatjörn, Reykjanesbær, Hafnir, Gardur

For the broader travel overview: Suðurnes.