Discover Iceland’s modern capital.

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

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

Church, and drop by 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 on board.

If you have the time, we recommend booking a Pre-Program 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 the 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. You could also take a hike to find puffins at Stórhöfði, where nearly eight million of them nest every summer. Don’t pass up the chance to climb Mount Eldfell to the volcano’s summit, where 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 stop at the village of Djúpivogur on the Búlandsnes peninsula at the entrance to the breathtaking fjord of Hamarsfjörður. Djúpivogur has been an important trading center 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 the far east of Iceland

With quaint villages, dramatic coastlines, roaring waterfalls, towering mountains and narrow fjords carved into 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, stop 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, harbor porpoises and occasionally blue whales.

Geology and mythology come together at nearby Ásbyrgi canyon, a horseshoe-shaped canyon that, 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 neighboring Skjálfandi bay, it’s one of the best places in Europe to spot whales.

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

A little further on, 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 pre-set schedule.

We may go ashore in our small boats (RIBs) for a hike or a beach clean-up. Or maybe we’ll launch our kayaks. If we spot a pod of whales as we’re sailing, 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 stop at Patreksfjörður, a small fishing port in a beautiful setting. Learn about the fishing traditions in Europe’s westernmost 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 birds nest by the thousands in season.

Explore a bay of islands and birdlife

Breiðafjörður is one of 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 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 stop at the stunning Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Enjoy Reykjavík at your own pace

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

Relaxing with friends in a heittur pottur, or geothermal pool – literally a ‘hot pot’ – is part of Icelandic culture. Before you leave, visit the most famous place in Iceland to do just that: the Blue Lagoon – one of the true natural wonders of the world. 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-Program before you head home.