Sjóferðir - Ísafjörður

Inge R.

It was a great experience with the crew. The staff was super friendly and really enthusiastic. Ofcourse we got to see plenty of whales from up close 🤩

Manfred S.

Hatten gestern das Vergnügen mit einer Waltour draußen zu sein. Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. Von unserer Seite ein Top Anbieter und Betreiber. Zu jedem Zeitpunkt machte das Personal eine professionelle Arbeit und ging auf alles ein was man zu Ihnen sagte. Konnten die Tour auch ohne den Kreuzfahrtlinien Betreiber extern schon buchen und haben dabei sehr viel Geld gespart.

W R.

Booked the 4.5 tour to Hesteyri, in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. We were greeted by an arctic fox, and saw a few more fox cubs at the abandoned whaling station. The local guides told us stories and toured us around, dropping us off at the cafe for coffee and delicious crepes and cakes.
The boat was enclosed with uncovered space at the back, you can stay dry and warm inside and still pop out for photos.
Overall a great tour!

Rich C.

My wife had booked a trip to Vigur Island (off the coast of Isjafordur), through West Tours - for whom this company are the boat operator). When she booked it (months in advance), there were limited options time wise, so 1330 was the only tour time which would bring us back to the port in time to make the last tender to our cruise ship - 1630 arrival back at portside for 1700.

It soon became apparent that our boat was running behind (with the blame being laid at the door of Princess Cruises for having a late tender earlier in the morning). We were told it would only be 15 minutes late departing so again assured by the boat operator at quayside that there was absolutely no chance we would be late.

Given the concerns of those on our cruise (of whom around 15 in number were from our cruise ship), the tour boat owner assured us that she would take all our names, pass them to Princess Cruises, and ensure they waited for us. This was assured to us as a given, and was a massive relief.

It soon became clear that our boat would be even later, and would now be departing after the 1400 sailing! This was the point where things went badly wrong, and were handled completely unprofessionally - and in my view wrongly - by the owner of the boats.

Firstly, (and I must advise this is an assumption on my part) despite those people queuing for the 1400 boat not being on our cruise - as you would not take that risk of missing the 1700 tender - the 1400 departure passengers were allowed to board that boat and sail on time, whilst we were left with no boat (it had still not arrived at 1410). Why would you not put the 1330 passengers on the first boat (so on the 1400 sailing), and put the 1400 passengers on the second boat?

At this point, and still with no boat in sight, the owner of Sjoferoir Boats then came out of her office and advised that she could not now in any way guarantee that we would be back in time for our sailing, and that we were either left with the option of a full refund from whomever we booked with (in our case West Tours), or take the chance of going on the tour and potentially missing our cruise ship, which would be a very expensive risk, involving car/taxi hire, a hotel stay, and the huge inconvenience of trying to catch up with the ship at its next port of call.

She stated that Princess Cruises could give absolutely no assurance of waiting, and would not put their name to any such scheme.

Having spoken to one of the senior Princess Cruises staff managing the tender operation at quayside, it was explained very clearly that unless the tour was organised by the ship, they would indeed give no assurance whatsoever of delaying their departure. For them to do so would run the risk with the port authorities of a massive fine, which makes the decision completely understandable.

Given that by now it was 1415, my wife and I made the gut wrenching decision not to take the tour, we just did not want to take the risk, as all enjoyment of the tour would be negated by the worry and constant clock watching as to whether we would arrive back in time.

Whilst I can have no particular criticism of West Tours, the way the delay was handled by the boat operators was totally unprofessional and incompetent. Don't put the blame on a late tender (these things happen). Take ownership of the situation, put a plan in place, and ensure that paying customers are treated properly and fairly, this was not a cheap tour.

I cannot in all good conscience recommend this company, as whilst these have been my only dealings with them, the situation was handled appallingly, and left both my wife and I angry, frustrated, and extremely upset.

It is to be hoped that those who decided to make the trip did get back in time on what was by now presumably a much foreshortened tour.

Dante

Von hier aus kann man tolle Bootstouren buchen.

Jan S.

We booked a whale watching tour here during our cruise.
Everybody, whether in the office or on board is very friendly.
The guide said that the whales can tell the boats apart. They avoid those who harass them. Since that was not the case, I'd say they're doing it the right way.
Overall it was a fantastic experience.

Gylfi M.

Þjónusta Sjóferða er 100%, hjálpleg og greiðvikin með alla hluti.

Whether you are a descendant of the native Hornstrendingar on a “pilagrim journey” to your roots or just like cruising the majestic coastline, I can highly recommend sailing with Sjóferðir. Their professional service together with their helpful and friendly attitude will enrich your travel with joy.

E C.

Booked a tour with them and they cancel.