Öndverðarnes Lighthouse
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Name and Location
Öndverðarnes Lighthouse is a minor coastal light located at the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. Its coordinates are 64°53′06.7″ N, 24°02′39.5″ W.
Construction and History
The construction date of Öndverðarnes Lighthouse is not officially recorded, but it is believed to have been erected in the mid-20th century to improve local navigation in summer fishing grounds.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse has a simple mast or skeletal tower painted orange/red, with no lantern room. The structure appears to be made of steel on a concrete foundation. The height of the tower is not formally recorded, but the focal plane is approximately 11 meters above mean sea level.
Light and Navigation
The light of Öndverðarnes Lighthouse is white and has a characteristic of flashing every 3 seconds (Fl W 3 s). It has a range of 7 nautical miles. The light is fully automated and serves as an aid to navigation for local fishing vessels and pleasure craft entering Breiðafjörður and the surrounding fjords.
Accessibility and Visiting
The site is open 24 hours, but there are no visitor facilities or guided tours. Visitors can walk to the base of the lighthouse, but it is not possible to climb the structure. The site is accessible via a gravel road and a short footpath from Highway 54.
Notable Views and Landscape
From Öndverðarnes Lighthouse, there are panoramic views over the North Atlantic to the west. To the north lies the Skagi Peninsula and Breiðafjarðarhaf, while to the south, the Snæfellsjökull glacier is often visible on clear days.
Anecdotes and Folklore
Local fishermen have shared stories of sudden mists rising around Öndverðarnes Lighthouse even on clear days, a hazard that the light was intended to mitigate. There are no recorded major shipwrecks directly at this point, but nearby, the cape has claimed small craft in stormy weather.
Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is managed by the Icelandic Coast Guard/Maritime Administration (Vogavernd or Vegagerðin). It is an active aid to navigation only and does not serve as a museum.
Further Information
Details
| Name | Öndverðarnes Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Country | Iceland |
| Coordinates | 64.8852051, -24.0443095 |
| Events | Shipwrecks: No major recorded wrecks directly at this point, but the nearby cape has claimed small craft in stormy weather. |
| Historic significance | Local fishermen speak of sudden mists rising around Öndverðarnes even on clear days—a hazard the light was intended to mitigate. |
| Stories | Local fishermen speak of sudden mists rising around Öndverðarnes even on clear days—a hazard the light was intended to mitigate. |
| Construction material | "Steel-framed tower on concrete foundation" |
| Focal height | 11 |
| Access description | Road access: Öndverðarnesvegur (Route 579) off Highway 54; the headland is reached via a gravel access road and short walk over low lava fields. |
| Accessible | false |
| Landscape type | Wind-swept basaltic cliffs, low lava fields, coastal heath |
| View description | Panoramic westward view over the North Atlantic; to the north the Skagi Peninsula and Breiðafjarðarhaf; to the south Snæfellsjökull glacier often visible on clear days |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | No visitor facilities or guided tours |
| Nearby attractions | ["Snæfellsjökull National Park (10–15 km east)","Hellissandur Radio Mast (Historic tower, 1918)","Vatnshellir Lava Cave (guided tours)"] |
| Light characteristic | "Fl W 3 s" |
| Light range | 7 |
| Automated | true |