Discover Iceland's modern capital

Your expedition cruise starts in Reykjavík – a laid-back city of art, culture and history, delightful Reykjavík is well worth spending some time getting to know.   

Take a stroll along Laugavegur with its boutiques and outdoor shops, gaze in awe at the striking Hallgrímskirkja   

Church, and drop in on the fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum.    

Your expedition ship awaits you in Reykjavík Harbour. After being welcomed aboard and collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to settle into your cabin before enjoying your first dinner aboard.    

If you have the time, we recommend booking a Pre-Programme with us and discovering some of Iceland’s natural highlights before your cruise begins. 

Discover the town that defied a volcano

Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, found off the south coast of Iceland. It has a fascinating history, and still bears the scars of a powerful volcanic eruption that nearly destroyed the island.  

Visit Eldheimar, a museum that features an excavated home frozen in time, and learn more about the eruption and its aftermath. Or why not take a hike to seek out puffins at Stórhöfði, where around eight million nest every summer. Don’t miss climbing Mount Eldfell – at the volcano’s summit you’ll have incredible views of the town below. 

See ice-capped volcanoes and awe-inspiring fjords

If weather conditions allow, we’ll start the day cruising along the coast to marvel at Öræfajökull, the largest active volcano and highest peak in Iceland. Completely covered by ice, the mountain is part of the Vatnajökull ice cap, one of the biggest in the world outside of the polar regions.  

In the afternoon, we’ll call at the village of Djúpivogur on the Búlandsnes peninsula at the entrance to the breathtaking fjord of Hamarsfjörður. Djúpivogur has been an important trading centre in Iceland for over four centuries. Learn more about the town’s commercial history at the Heritage Museum, housed in an 18th-century warehouse.  

Expedition day in Iceland’s far east

With quaint villages, dramatic coastlines, roaring waterfalls, towering mountains, and narrow fjords carved in some of the oldest rocks in the country, east Iceland is simply stunning.  

There are several ways to explore and experience this remarkable area, including hiking, small boat cruising and kayaking. Be ready for adventure as your Captain and Expedition Team decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.    

Perhaps we’ll land at a nature reserve, call at a remote village, or search for puffins at a nesting colony. Whatever we do, it’s sure to be a thrilling experience. 

Discover geology and mythology side-by-side

Today you’ll discover Húsavík, a pleasant small town famous for its whale-watching opportunities. The town looks out over Skjálfandi bay, which enjoys visits from humpback and minke whales, as well as white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and occasionally blue whales. 

Geology and mythology come together at nearby Ásbyrgi canyon, a horseshoe-shaped canyon which, according to Norse mythology, was created when Odin’s horse Sleipnir accidentally put one of his eight legs down on the ground. Also not far away is Dettifoss waterfall – probably the largest in Europe.  

See dramatic moonscapes and waterfalls

 Gaze at snowcapped peaks as we cruise into Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord. Together with neighbouring Skjálfandi bay, it's one of the best places in Europe to spot whales.  

Iceland’s so-called 'Northern Capital’, Akureyri sits at the fjord head. Here, you can enjoy the oasis of a botanical garden and visit local eateries and museums.  

 A little further afield, witness the picturesque Goðafoss waterfall, where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. You'll witness geology come to life around Lake Mývatn, an active volcanic area and one of the few places to see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge up close. 

Exploring northwest Iceland, expedition-style 

One of the best things about expedition cruising is the feeling of freedom. We plan to spend the day in Iceland’s Northwestern Region, but as conditions can vary, there's no preset plan.  

We may go ashore in our small expedition boats for a hike or a beach clean-up. Or perhaps we’ll launch our kayaks. If we spot a pod of whales as we sail, we may stop to enjoy the sight. Be ready for anything!  

Don’t forget, you can also join onboard lectures, visit the Science Center, get tips from our professional photographer, or soak in a hot tub. 

Birdwatching, waterfalls and hiking

Westfjords is a wild region with deep fjords and barren plateaus created by molten rock and shaped by ice. In a country where active volcanoes are found almost everywhere, the tectonic forces are surprisingly at peace here. Be prepared for ancient rock formations, majestic landscapes, and thriving birdlife as you explore the most remote corner of Iceland.  

We’ll call at Patreksfjörður, a small fishing port in a beautiful setting. Here, you’ll learn all about the fishing traditions in Europe's most westerly village. You can also explore the surrounding area on a hike in the mountains, and birdwatchers shouldn’t miss a visit to Látrabjarg cliffs, where in season, birds nest in their thousands.  

Explore a bay of islands and birdlife

Breiðafjörður is one of the two large bays in western Iceland. Bordered by the Westfjords in the north and Snæfellsnes peninsula in the south, this spectacular bay has thousands of islands, coastal cliffs where birds nest in abundance, beautiful inner fjords, and well-known landmarks such as the Kirkjufell mountain and the snowcapped Snæfellsjökull volcano.   

Our Captain and Expedition Leader will decide on the best landing sites based on the day’s conditions. Perhaps we’ll head to Hvammsfjörður, a picturesque inner fjord at the southeastern corner of Breiðafjörður, or one of the many remote islands in the bay. We may even call at the stunning Snæfellsnes peninsula. 

Enjoy Reykjavík at your leisure

Your Iceland expedition cruise concludes back in Reykjavík. This is a great opportunity to see the places you missed when you first arrived.  

Relaxing with friends in a heittur pottur, or geothermal pool – literally a “hot pot” –is part of Icelandic culture. Before you leave, why not visit Iceland’s most famous place for doing just that – the Blue Lagoon – one of the true natural wonders of the world – and experience the blend of silica, algae and minerals in its geothermal waters.  

If you want to discover more of Iceland, you can also join our Post-Programme before you head home.