VIDEO: YTRI TUNGA – THE BEACH WHERE YOU CAN MEET SEALS IN ICELAND
Aktualizováno: 4. 9.
I have been to Iceland almost thirty times. And yet, for many years, I had never even heard of a place called Ytri Tunga. I discovered it only during my most recent visit to Iceland in 2025, when we were driving around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We spotted a sign by the road with a seal symbol. Ytri Tunga was not originally on our itinerary. We were simply curious, so we turned off the road to see what was there. It turned out to be well worth the detour.
When an ordinary road sign leads you to seals
We arrived at Ytri Tunga without any great expectations. From the parking area, the coast is just a short walk away – during our visit, the seal beach was practically right in front of us, no more than about 100 metres from the car.
Parking is paid. This has become increasingly common at popular tourist sites in Iceland, and Ytri Tunga is no exception. The car park uses automatic number-plate recognition when vehicles enter and leave. The current fee for a passenger car with up to five occupants is 900 Icelandic króna. According to the operator, visits of less than ten minutes are not charged.
The walk to the coast is not a demanding hike. The officially mapped route from the car park to the shoreline is approximately 1.67 kilometres because it includes the entire section along the coast; the elevation gain is only a few metres.
The name Ytri Tunga may sound a little unusual to English-speaking visitors. In Icelandic, tunga literally means “tongue”, but in place names it is more commonly used for a piece of land extending into the sea. The word ytri means “outer”. Ytri Tunga can therefore be loosely translated as “outer point” or “outer headland” – which fits the shape of this coastline quite well.
And we were lucky
Our visit could hardly have been better.
The weather was beautiful, and seals were basking on rocks rising from the sea. Suddenly, it was obvious why people come here.
But don't expect an Icelandic version of a zoo. There is no guarantee that you will see seals when you arrive at the beach. They are wild animals, and neither their behaviour nor their presence can be planned.
The information signs at the site make exactly this point. Nature is not a tourist attraction with a scheduled programme. You may arrive in beautiful weather and find seals resting on the rocks. You may just as easily arrive and not see a single one.
And you need to be prepared for that.
Official information says that seals can be seen at Ytri Tunga throughout the year. Your chances are generally best when lower water levels expose the rocky areas where the seals can rest.
Why Ytri Tunga?
Ytri Tunga is unusual even by Icelandic standards because of the appearance of its beach.
While much of Iceland's coastline is associated with black volcanic sand, here you will find pale, golden-coloured sand. The site is also about more than the beach itself. The most important feature is the rocky shoreline, where seals can rest while remaining just a short distance from the sea.
That combination of rocky coastline, land and easy access to the water is one of the reasons seals regularly spend time here.
Two seal species are most commonly encountered in Iceland – the harbour seal and the grey seal. Both breed in Icelandic waters, and both can be observed around Ytri Tunga.
Don't get closer than necessary
This is more important at Ytri Tunga than at most ordinary tourist attractions.
Seals are not tame animals, and you should never try to get as close as possible just to take a better photograph.
Official guidance recommends keeping a minimum distance of 50 metres from the nearest seal. If pups are present, the recommended distance is even greater – 100 metres.
If a seal becomes alert, starts moving because of your presence or makes a sound, that may be a sign that you are disturbing it. In that case, it is better to move away.
It is also extremely important never to position yourself between a seal and the sea. The animal must always have a clear route back to the water.
For photography, a longer lens or zoom therefore makes much more sense. Flash photography is not recommended, and you should always move calmly and keep quiet.
When is the best time to visit Ytri Tunga?
I would be careful about claiming that there is a “right time” when you are guaranteed to see seals.
There isn't.
Seal watching depends on a combination of the tide, weather, time of day and, above all, luck.
Generally, lower water levels are considered favourable because they expose rocky areas where seals can rest. Official information about Ytri Tunga also states that the site is accessible throughout the year.
Personally, however, I would think twice about visiting in very poor weather. Not only because strong winds and rain make spending time on the coast rather unpleasant. The main reason is that you are not coming to Ytri Tunga for a guaranteed show. If conditions are bad, the experience can be considerably less rewarding.
It is therefore worth checking the weather forecast as well as the current tide times before you set off.
🌊 WHEN DO YOU HAVE A CHANCE OF SEEING SEALS?
The best conditions are often around low tide, when rocky areas where seals rest are exposed.
Check the tide times.
🌦️ Check the weather forecast.
🦭 Seals can be seen here throughout the year.
⚠️ Their presence is never guaranteed.
The two species you are most likely to see are the harbour seal and the grey seal.
📏 HOW SHOULD YOU BEHAVE AROUND THE SEALS?
Ytri Tunga is not a zoo. The seals live here, and you are the visitor.
Keep at least 50 metres away.
If pups are present, keep at least 100 metres away.
📷 Use binoculars or a telephoto lens.
Never position yourself between a seal and the sea.
🤫 Don't shout or disturb the seals.
🚶 Stay on designated paths and follow the instructions on the information signs.
Remember: You don't visit Ytri Tunga with the certainty that you will see seals. You visit for the chance to observe them in the wild.
How much time should you allow for Ytri Tunga?
If you are driving around Snæfellsnes, there is no need to plan half a day for Ytri Tunga.
The walk to the coast is easy, and if you are lucky and the seals are clearly visible on the rocks, half an hour may be more than enough. If you don't see any seals, however, it can be worth waiting for a while and walking along the shoreline.
That is what makes Ytri Tunga somewhat different from many of Iceland's better-known attractions. You don't need to set aside several hours. It can simply be one of the shorter stops during a day exploring Snæfellsnes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there seals at Ytri Tunga all year round?
Yes. Seals can be seen at Ytri Tunga throughout the year. However, their presence is never guaranteed. They are wild animals and their movements depend on conditions at sea and along the coast. If you are lucky, you may see them resting on the rocks just offshore.
When is the best time to see seals?
There is no particular time of day when you are guaranteed to see seals. Lower water levels can provide better conditions, as they expose rocky areas where seals may rest. Before visiting, it is therefore a good idea to check the local tide times as well as the weather forecast.
Is Ytri Tunga free to visit?
Visiting Ytri Tunga itself is free, but parking is subject to a fee. At the time of the latest update, the fee for a passenger car carrying up to five people was 900 Icelandic króna. The car park uses automatic number-plate recognition. According to the operator, stays of less than ten minutes are not charged.
How far is Ytri Tunga from the car park?
The coast is only a short walk from the car park. During our visit, the area where the seals could be seen was approximately 100 metres from the car. The officially mapped walking route is longer because it continues along the coastline.
How much time do you need at Ytri Tunga?
Allow approximately 30 to 60 minutes for a visit. If you spot seals quickly, a shorter stop may be enough. If you do not see any, however, it is worth waiting for a while and walking along the coast. This makes Ytri Tunga an easy stop to include when travelling around Snæfellsnes.
Do I need a 4×4 to visit Ytri Tunga?
No, you do not need a 4×4 for a normal visit to Ytri Tunga. The site can be reached by a regular passenger car, and there is an easy walk from the car park to the coast. In winter or during bad weather, of course, always adjust your driving to the current road and weather conditions.
Ytri Tunga is about more than seals
The chance to see seals is obviously the main reason tourists come here. But the coastline itself is impressive.
The light sand, sea, rocks and surrounding landscape create a completely different atmosphere from Iceland's black-sand beaches.
And because Ytri Tunga is located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it can easily be combined with other places in the area. It does not have to be a destination in its own right – it can simply be one of several stops during a full day exploring Snæfellsnes.
Is Ytri Tunga worth visiting?
In my opinion, yes.
But with one important condition: don't come expecting to definitely see seals.
I have been to Iceland almost thirty times, yet I only discovered Ytri Tunga during my most recent visit. All it took was one inconspicuous sign by the road and a short detour from our route.
And we were lucky.
Beautiful weather, calm seas and seals resting on the rocks several dozen metres from the shore. These are exactly the kind of moments that make Iceland continue to surprise me, even after so many journeys.
For me, Ytri Tunga is therefore not a place I would visit simply to tick another tourist attraction off a list.
It is more like a small Icelandic stop that can offer a big experience – if nature happens to be on your side.
And sometimes, the unplanned detours are the ones that turn out to be most worthwhile.
About the Author
Iceland has fascinated me for many years. Over the course of numerous journeys across the island, I have driven tens of thousands of kilometers, experienced storms that changed travel plans within minutes, and witnessed days when choosing the right route meant discovering places that most visitors never see. I documented many of these experiences in my documentary film Island in the North.
Through this website, I share practical travel advice, up-to-date information, and firsthand experiences from the field to help others explore Iceland more safely and gain a deeper understanding of its unique landscapes and ever-changing nature.
Komentáře