Sources · Destination Guide

Seydisfjordur and El Grillo

A wartime wreck beneath Iceland's creative Eastfjord, accessible to divers only by permit.

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Destination Guide Sources For Seydisfjordur and El Grillo

Reference links used to build and maintain this guide.

40 sources • Updated Oct 29, 2026

Written by DiveJourney. Built from public sources and local operator knowledge. Last updated Oct 29, 2026.

Ports of Mulathing, harbour regulations (approved 2025-05-14) - Article 8 prohibits unpermitted diving in the port, restricts El Grillo permissions to qualified depths, and forbids removal of wreck material without ministry permission; supersedes older harbour regulations.
Ports of Mulathing, Seydisfjordur harbour contacts - Active commercial harbour and harbour office contact +354 470 2360; operational and vessel-traffic context.
Icedive, El Grillo dive site and charter - Current operator page: permit-dependent on-request guided dives, minimum two divers, individual pricing, drysuit and depth requirements, technical and recreational limits.
DIVE.IS, El Grillo dive site notice - Operator explicitly suspends its El Grillo tours due to an oil spill; historic depth figures. Older promotional paragraph on same page contradicts suspension notice.
Visit Iceland, diving in Iceland - National tourism recognizes the El Grillo wreck in Seydisfjordur, but does not confirm current bookable access.
University of Iceland, 2026 El Grillo oil contamination assessment - April 2026 peer-reviewed environmental sampling; PAHs below chosen reference thresholds but copper and zinc exceeded threshold levels, not an access clearance.
Government of Iceland, El Grillo pollution response (2021) - Contamination response and reported historic wartime munitions concern; should not be construed as a current inspection report.
RUV, 75 years since the oil tanker bombing - History of the February 10, 1944 sinking of El Grillo at Seydisfjordur.
Visit Austurland, Seydisfjordur destination - Primary regional tourism overview: Blue Church, rainbow street, arts, waterfalls, fjord scenery, trails and visitor base.
Visit Austurland, Gufufoss waterfall - Local waterfall and road approach near Seydisfjordur.
Visit Austurland, Skaftfell Centre for Visual Art - Seydisfjordur contemporary art destination with changing exhibitions and cultural programming.
Eastfjords Adventures, local tours - Local land-based guided hiking, e-bike, jeep and seasonal excursions; verify specific departure dates.
Trollanes, boat-tour booking and season - Advertises three-hour non-diving fjord boat tour, May to September, at ISK 13,500 per adult; not evidence of El Grillo charters.
Trollanes, boat trip itinerary - Fjord and coastal sightseeing along Skalanes with seabird observation opportunities, not guaranteed encounters.
Visit Iceland, East Iceland seasons and geography - Official regional guidance: landscapes, walking, culture and spring/summer seabirds; no validated El Grillo dive season.
Visit Iceland, Iceland in summer - General summer daylight, travel and seasonal access context.
Visit Austurland, hiking in winter - Regional trail season guidance, including limited summer hiking windows and winter caution.
SafeTravel Iceland, winter driving - Official advice on winter road conditions, rapid changes, vehicle equipment and road closures.
Iceland Road and Coastal Administration, traffic - Live road conditions for Fjararheidi / road 93; must be checked rather than relying on seasonal averages.
Icelandic Met Office, forecasts and warnings - Official local weather and hazard monitoring, forecasts and weather warning service.
Visit Iceland, Egilsstadir access - Egilsstadir regional air gateway and road access to Seydisfjordur; approximately half-hour trip in ordinary conditions.
Icelandair, Egilsstadir flight and hotel - Regional airport EGS and domestic service from Reykjavik domestic airport RKV; verify actual itinerary and date.
Smyril Line, Norrona sailing schedule - International car/passenger ferry serving Seydisfjordur from the Faroe Islands and Denmark; seasonal changes and possible disruption.
Smyril Line, reaching Seydisfjordur - Transfer context for Norrona passengers; ferry is not a dive liveaboard.
Straeto, route 93 service updates - Bus connection between Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur and season-dependent departure changes.
Visit Austurland, getting around Austurland - Car hire and bus limitations for the Eastfjords; schedules require verification.
Visit Iceland, passport and visa rules - Official general Schengen entry guidance; exact documentation depends on citizenship and residency.
Skatturinn, Iceland lodging tax - Since January 2025 Iceland lodging tax generally ISK 800 per accommodation unit for hotels/guesthouses and ISK 400 for qualifying campsites.
Visit Austurland, Icelandic krona and payment - Icelandic currency, common card payments and ATM guidance in eastern towns.
Visit Reykjavik, currency and tipping - Cash/credit card practices and the fact that tipping is not customary.
Electrical Safety First, Iceland electrical standards - 230V, 50Hz, European plug types C and F.
Government of Iceland, mobile networks - National mobile network guidance; local fjord and mountain reception must not be presumed.
Health Institution of East Iceland, contact directory - Regional health care provider: Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur clinics; official helpline 1700. The primary web page may restrict automated access.
Health Institution of East Iceland, hospital services - Regional hospital facilities including Neskaupstadur, not evidence of a local hyperbaric chamber.
Iceland emergency services, 112 - 24-hour national emergency number for urgent rescue, police, fire and medical emergencies.
Divers Alert Network, travel medical preparation - Dive emergency response, fitness, evacuation arrangements and DAN emergency hotline information.
Vok Baths, opening hours and prices - Egilsstadir-side geothermal baths; listed adult entry ISK 7,690 and distinct summer/winter opening schedules.
Visit Iceland, Seydisfjordur swimming pool - Local public indoor pool/hot-tub option with changing seasonal opening hours.
Destination hero photo by Spike (historical) - Seyðisfjörður fjord and settlement, East Iceland. Photo: Spike / Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. Cropped and resized. Cropped image retains the same license.
Destination hero photo by Ýlona María Rybka - A large body of water surrounded by snow covered mountains. Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license). Photographer: https://unsplash.com/@yloryb. Cropped and resized for the cover.