Hafnleysa

About the museum

Hafnleysa is a maritime heritage museum in Vík í Mýrdal, founded in May 2017. Vík has never had a harbour. Surf and shallow beaches make it nearly impossible for ships to land, and many ships have run aground on the black sands of the south coast.

The centre of the museum is the oak ship Skaftfellingur, which carried people and goods along the south coast between 1918 and 1939. During the Second World War the ship sailed the Atlantic, and it is known for having rescued the crew of the German submarine U-464, which sank in 1942. The artist Sigrún Jónsdóttir from Vík saved the remains of the ship in 2001 and brought it home to Vík.

The museum also has an exhibition on shipwrecks on the south coast and a documentary with old photographs from Vík. It is run in connection with Kötlusetur and is open every day at the same times as Kötlusetur.

Highlights

• The oak ship Skaftfellingur from 1918
• Accounts of shipwrecks on the south coast
• Documentary with old photographs from Vík
• Costumes for children to dress up in

Permanent exhibition

• Skaftfellingur og hafnleysið á suðurströndinni – The oak ship Skaftfellingur and accounts of shipwrecks and seafaring along the harbourless south coast.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Kötlusetur / Mýrdalshreppur

Admission & discounts

Adults ISK 500 (senior citizens free); ages 12–16: ISK 200; under 12 free; 20% discount for groups of 8 or more.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum suits families well: children can dress up in costumes, look at the ship up close and watch a documentary.

Getting there & parking

The museum is opposite Kötlusetur, in Brydebúð at Víkurbraut 28 in Vík.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.