A long and narrow arm of the sea with steep sides that is carved by glacial activity is called a fjord. Fjords are considered as the very symbol of Norway by many people. Norway contains some of the longest, deepest, and most beautiful fjords in the world. The famous fjords of Norway were selected as the number one unspoiled travel spot from a list of 115 destinations around the world in a survey conducted by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. Interestingly, other fjord coasts in New Zealand and Chile had also scored well in the survey.
10. Howe Sound
Howe Sound is situated immediately northwest of Vancouver. It is the southernmost fjord of North America. Howe Sound is surrounded by towering peaks that rise straight out of the sea. Howe Sound is Vancouver’s playground for fishing, camping, sailing, diving and a host of other recreational activities. Many islands are incorporated in this fjord. Among them there are three islands which are large and mountainous in their own right.
9. Kenai Fjords
Kenai Fjords is located on the Kenai Peninsula in south-central Alaska. It is a 650,000-acre National Park which dramatic landscape includes spectacular mountains with great glaciers flowing down between them to the sea. There are mile-deep fjords that provide a habitat for thousands of nesting seabirds and smaller marine mammals such as sea otters sea lions and harbor seals.
8. Lysefjord
The Lysefjord is located in the south-western Norway. It is a popular tourist spot. Two points along the length of Lysefjord are popular along with the extraordinary scenery of the fjord itself. Located above a vertical drop of 604 meters, The Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) is a plateau, which offers a magnificent view of Lysefjord and the surrounding mountain scenery.
The Kjerag Mountain is a popular hiking destination with even more spectacular drops. It is located at the end of the fjord.
7. Aisén Fjords
The Aisén Region is in Southern Chile. The landscape is marked by several glaciations that formed a lot of lakes, channels and beautiful fjords. One of its most popular tourist destinations is The Laguna San Rafael National Park. It is reachable only by boat or plane. The park contains some of the higher mountains of Patagonia.
6. Misty Fjords
Misty Fjords is situated on the southern tip of the Alaska Panhandle. It is a remote and wild National Monument. The narrow and steep-walled fjords make it impossible for the large cruise ship to navigate through it. But these fjords offer excellent sea-kayaking opportunities, although the tides and frequent storms can make boating challenging. We keep this at number six in our list of top 10 most beautiful fjords in the world.
5. Ilulissat Icefjord
The Ilulissat Icefjord is located on the west coast of Greenland. It is 250 km north of the Arctic Circle and very close to Ilulissat town. The fjord runs 40 km (25 miles) from the ice sheet of Greenland toDisko Bay. The area around the head of the icefjord is a very amazing site. Here icebergs from one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers (19 meters per day) create very fantastic and dramatic scenery.
4. Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is situated on the south-western corner of New Zealand’s South Island and considered as at 4th in this list of top 10 most beautiful fjords in the world. It is a very large fjord best known for its wilderness and wildlife. Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fjords in Fordland National Park and it is 3 times longer and 10 times larger than the more famous and accessible Milford Sound.
3. Nærøyfjord
The Nærøyfjord is a branch of the Sognefjord which is the largest fjord in Norway. It is considered to be the wildest and most beautiful among all the other branches of Sognefjord. This fjord is 17 km long and its narrowest point is only 250 meters wide. The passage through Nærøyfjord is considered as one of the most dramatic fjord trips in Europe.
2. Milford Sound
One of The most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand is Milford Sound and it has claimed the number one spot for TripAdvisor’s 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards. It is located at the most northern and accessible end of Fiordland National Park.
With its dramatic peaks and dark blue waters, Milford sound offers some of the world’s most staggering coastal scenery. The frequent downpours of the area only enhance the beauty of this South Island by sending numerous waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.
1. Geirangerfjord
Of all the famous fjords of Norway, Geiranger is the most beautiful. It is called the crown jewel of Norway. The snow-covered mountain peaks, the lush green vegetation, the beautiful waterfalls and the deep blue waters all add to its beauty. 130 cruise ships come here every year for the experience.
The fjord can be explored by booking on one of them. Or you can visit the fjord by taking the car ferry between Hellesylt and Geiranger, which is a small town that lies at the head of the Geiranger Fjord.
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