The Westfjords are best from June to August, when highs reach the low to mid 50s°F (about 11 to 13°C) and the summer markets run in the villages. Most of the other months are colder and wetter, so the trip you want decides the month.
The sea stays cold all year, and the winter months bring highs around freezing.
At a glance
- Best window: June to August
- Warmest month: July, high 55°F (13°C)
- Wettest month: November, 5 inches (120 mm)
- Driest month: May, 1 inch (29 mm)
- Warmest sea: August, 48°F
When is the best time to visit the Westfjords?
June, July and August are the months to pick for most travelers. Highs run from 51°F to 55°F (11 to 13°C), and rain stays between about 1.4 and 2 inches (35 to 48 mm) a month. May is the driest month at 1 inch (29 mm), though highs only reach 46°F (8°C).
The sea is not a beach draw here. Even in August it averages 48°F, so a swim is a brief dip for the hardy, and the coast is for looking at.
For sightseeing and walking, July and August are the mildest, with lows above 43°F (6°C). June is a little cooler but still gentle. September drops to a high of 48°F (9°C) and gets wetter, at 3 inches (78 mm).
Summer is also when events cluster. The Westfjords Way Summer Markets run in Búðardalur on July 6, Hólmavík on July 14, Patreksfjörður on July 15 and Ísafjörður on July 26. Fitting your dates around one of them adds local handicrafts and food to the trip.
- If you want the beach, no month gives warm water; August is the mildest at 48°F.
- For sightseeing or walking → July and August
- For quiet → May or September
- For markets → July
The Westfjords weather by month
| Month | Average high | Rain | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 4.4 in (113 mm) | 37°F (3°C) |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.7 in (93 mm) | 37°F (3°C) |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 3.6 in (93 mm) | 36°F (2°C) |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 2.9 in (73 mm) | 37°F (3°C) |
| May | 46°F (8°C) | 1.1 in (29 mm) | 40°F (4°C) |
| June | 51°F (11°C) | 1.5 in (37 mm) | 44°F (7°C) |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 1.4 in (35 mm) | 47°F (8°C) |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 1.9 in (48 mm) | 48°F (9°C) |
| September | 48°F (9°C) | 3.1 in (78 mm) | 48°F (9°C) |
| October | 42°F (5°C) | 4.5 in (114 mm) | 45°F (7°C) |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.7 in (120 mm) | 42°F (5°C) |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.9 in (99 mm) | 40°F (4°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
The year runs cold for most of its length, with a short mild stretch in summer. Highs stay under 40°F (4°C) from November to April.
November brings 5 inches (120 mm) of precipitation.
Winter is hardest on anyone planning to be outdoors much. January and December have highs near 34°F (1°C), and
When can you swim in the Westfjords?
No month passes 68°F (20°C). The sea near Ísafjörður reaches 48°F in August and stays above 46°F from July to September.
At the start of the season, in May, the average is 40°F, and by June it reaches 44°F. In March it falls to 36°F, the low point of the year. Since these are monthly averages, a cold spell can bring the water lower than the figure.
Plan on a quick dip at most, and bring a towel and a warm layer for after.
When is the Westfjords cheapest and least crowded?
Going off-peak gets you more room.
The trade-off is that some places are tied to summer. Hotel Heydalur has three summer cottages, and Hotel Bjarkalundur is a summer hotel operating since 1947.
November and December are the toughest months, with 5 inches (120 mm) and 4 inches (99 mm) of precipitation and lows below 28°F (-2°C). They are hard for anyone relying on outdoor plans.
Festivals and events in the Westfjords through the year
Spring market and festival in Ísafjörður
Aldrei fór ég suður is held in Ísafjörður on March 24, 2027. March is cold, with highs near 34°F (1°C), so dress for it.
Summer markets and village festivals
The Westfjords Way Summer Markets offer handicrafts, food products and produce. Hólmavík’s market runs July 14 from 3 to 6 p.m.
The Dalbær Festival 2026 is held during the Merchants’ Weekend on Snæfjallaströnd.
Autumn films and open houses
October is wet at 5 inches (114 mm), so the cinema is a good use of a rainy day.
Sources
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/en/food-accommodation/accomodation/hotels), checked 2026-10-30
- vestfirdir.is (https://www.vestfirdir.is/is/verkefni/atvinnuthroun-og-nyskopun/gullkistan-vestfirdir), checked 2026-10-30
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/historical-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/marine-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/is/upplifun/vidburdir/westfjords-way-summer-market), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/dalahyttur/), checked 2026-10-30
- westfjords.is (https://www.westfjords.is/en/experiences/events/dalbaejarleikar-2), checked 2026-10-30
- isafjordur.is (https://www.isafjordur.is/is/vidburdir/vormarkadur-a-isafirdi), checked 2026-10-30