Húsavík, a fishing village of 2,500 inhabitants on the eastern shores of Skjalfandi Bay was the first place in Iceland to offer whale-watching cruises and is many travelers sole purpose for visiting. It is known as the whale watching capital of Europe. Bird-watching and sea angling trips are also popular as are a wide variety of winter diversions
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Being just south of the Arctic Circle it enjoys almost 24 hours of daylight in summer. During the long nights of winter the sky is frequently decorated with millions of stars and flashing Aurora Borealis.