Garðar BA 64 Shipwreck

Garðar BA 64

Westfjords

The Garðar BA 64 is Iceland's oldest steel ship, a 1912-built Norwegian whaling vessel that was run aground in the Skápadalur valley along the shore of Patreksfjörður in 1981 after being declared unfit for service. Now resting at a steep angle on the tidal flats, the rusted hulk stretches roughly 73 metres and is one of the most photographed shipwrecks in the country. Originally named Globe IV, the ship later served as a fishing and whaling vessel under Icelandic registration before ending its working life. Entry and parking are completely free, with a large gravel parking area right off Road 612. To reach the wreck, drive west on Route 62 from Patreksfjörður, then turn onto Road 612 and continue about 3 kilometres south along the fjord shore. Road 612 is an unpaved gravel road, not an F-road, so a standard car can manage in dry summer conditions, though a 4x4 is advisable in wet weather or winter. The shipwreck sits at beach level and can be approached on foot from the parking area in just a few minutes. For safety reasons, do not climb inside the hull — structural integrity has deteriorated significantly over the decades. The wreck is accessible around the clock and makes a striking subject at any light, but the window between May and September brings the most reliable weather and longest days. During storms the wreck takes on a particularly dramatic character, though conditions on this exposed fjord can shift quickly. Photo: Eric Kilby / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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