My Town
Húsavík, Iceland
Dr. Charla Jean Basran enjoying the picturesque views of the harbour area in Húsavík. Photo by Magdalena Migdal.
Dr. Charla Jean Basran (BSc’11) is a UBC Okanagan alum who has lived in Húsavík for the past 10 years. A marine biologist, Charla specializes in whale research at the University of Iceland’s Research Centre in Húsavík.
What three words best describe Húsavík?
Picturesque. Relaxed. Nordic.
How did you come to live in Húsavík?
My passion for marine biology and whale research led me to Húsavík originally to conduct fieldwork for my master’s degree. Those initial few months drew me into the town, and over the next several years opportunities arose for me to build a happy life and career here.
What do you like most about living there?
I enjoy living in a small town where the general attitude is very relaxed and where it is possible to feel connected to nature. I love that the town overlooks a beautiful bay where whales come to feed every year, and you can watch the midnight sun touch the ocean in the summertime and the northern lights shine in the wintertime.
The northern lights over Skjálfandi Bay.
Photo by Yann Kolbeinsson.
A humpback whale breaching in Skjálfandi Bay — one of the best places to spot whales in Iceland.
Photo by Charla Basran.
The midnight sun over Skjálfandi Bay from the top of Húsavík Mountain.
Photo by Yann Kolbeinsson.
Describe your favourite neighbourhood.
I like the harbour area the best. It is lively with people and boats coming and going in the summer and offers a beautiful view all year round.
If you could change one thing about Húsavík, what would it be?
As Húsavík is a small town that relies heavily on tourism in the summer, there are few places that are open and substantially fewer things to do in the wintertime. It would be nice to have more activities and opportunities to socialize during winter.
What might surprise a visitor about Húsavík?
For a town of only approximately 2,400 residents, there is a lot to enjoy here during the summertime, including several nice restaurants, a local brewery, geothermal pools, and of course opportunities to go whale watching, which is something Húsavík is known for.
What are your favourite hidden gems or activities that only locals know about?
There is a lovely park and pond in the middle of town — Skrúðgarður (known simply as Húsavík Park in English) — and a hike leading up to Botnsvatn, a lake on Húsavíkurfjall (or Húsavík Mountain), which are mostly only enjoyed by locals.
What’s the most overrated tourist hotspot?
Within Húsavík I don’t think there is an overrated hotspot.
How easy is it to meet new people?
During the summer months, you can easily meet people from all over the world who come to work in the tourism industry, especially for the whale-watching companies. The easiest way to meet locals is to go to the swimming pools and the brewery.
What issues are particularly important to the people of Húsavík?
The town’s future development is particularly important. It can be difficult to find housing, and both housing prices and the general cost of living are high. Finding ways to develop and diversify the town while preserving the culture and surrounding natural environment is always a hot topic.
What is one local custom that every visitor should know about?
In Húsavík and all over Iceland, people generally really appreciate the birdlife in the country, and it’s important that visitors do as well. You will find many gardens with seeds and apples to attract the birds and, in Húsavík specifically, it is actually illegal to let your cat roam outdoors. Many Icelandic songs and poems refer to birds, and the European golden plover is considered the sign that spring is arriving.
Visitors enjoying the outdoor geothermal pools at GeoSea in Húsavík, which offers a stunning view of Skjálfandi Bay. The natural underground heat keeps these saltwater pools between 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.
© Claudia Egger / Adobe Stock.
A shot of the European golden plover, whose arrival signals the start of spring in Iceland.
Photo by Yann Kolbeinsson.
The pond at Skrúðgarður, or Húsavík Park, with a view of Húsavík Mountain in the background.
Photo by Charla Basran.
Charla poses in front of a whale mural in Húsavík. The town of ~2,400 is often referred to as the “whale-watching capital of Iceland."
Photo by Magdalena Migdal.
A serene view of the boats and buildings in the harbour area — Charla's favourite part of town — with Húsavík Mountain in the background.
Photo by Magdalena Migdal.
Looking to connect with your UBC alumni community?
If you live outside our campus communities in the Lower Mainland and Central Okanagan, visit the Global Alumni Network page to see if there’s an alumni ambassador or social media community where you live.
Alumni volunteers also host fun My Town Meetups in locations around the world. Check out our Meetups page to see if there’s a gathering near you — or sign up to host one in your location!
