Iceland Circumnavigation

Transfer to the port for embarkation this morning and set sail. You’ll cruise into Hvalfjördur, a beautiful fjord just north of Reykjavik with wide areas of flat verdant land along majestic mountains, and beaches cut with creeks. The area is rich in bird life and is home to seals, perfect for zodiac cruising, kayaking and hikes.

Travelling north you will reach the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where basalt cliffs provide a popular hang-out for Atlantic puffins, thick-billed murres and black-legged kittiwakes. A full day ashore allows plenty of time to explore the lava formations, ravines and grottoes of Arnarstapi, and the shark museum of Bjarnarhofn.

Travelling north you will reach the volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where basalt cliffs provide a popular hang-out for Atlantic puffins, thick-billed murres and black-legged kittiwakes. A full day ashore allows plenty of time to explore the lava formations, ravines and grottoes of Arnarstapi, and the shark museum of Bjarnarhofn.

In pictures

The dramatic West Fjords boast towering rock walls carved by ancient glaciers. Take in this spectacular coastal scenery from the water, before heading ashore to hike in the pristine Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Uninhabited and with no road access, here you may encounter the thriving population of Arctic fox, as well as countless bird species. The West Fjords are home to two of the largest bird cliffs in Europe, so keep your binoculars close to hand.

The dramatic West Fjords boast towering rock walls carved by ancient glaciers. Take in this spectacular coastal scenery from the water, before heading ashore to hike in the pristine Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Uninhabited and with no road access, here you may encounter the thriving population of Arctic fox, as well as countless bird species. The West Fjords are home to two of the largest bird cliffs in Europe, so keep your binoculars close to hand.

In pictures

Picturesque Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city with a superb snow-capped mountain backdrop. Explore the old town, with its beautifully maintained period houses before heading inland to nearby Mývatn region – an area said to be the most geologically active area in Iceland.

Cross into the Arctic Circle to arrive at Grimsey Island, where abundant birdlife far outnumbers the 100 or so residents that call this northern outpost home. From Grimsey head back towards the mainland to cruise through Skjálfandi Bay near Húsavik – known as Iceland’s ‘whale watching capital’. The bay hosts up to 24 different whale species, as well as dolphins and 30 variety of birds.

Cross into the Arctic Circle to arrive at Grimsey Island, where abundant birdlife far outnumbers the 100 or so residents that call this northern outpost home. From Grimsey head back towards the mainland to cruise through Skjálfandi Bay near Húsavik – known as Iceland’s ‘whale watching capital’. The bay hosts up to 24 different whale species, as well as dolphins and 30 variety of birds.

In pictures

Take in the isolated fishing villages, traditional farmsteads, sparkling lakes and dense forests of the beautiful East Fjords. Hidden between Nordfjördur and Seydisfjördur mountains lies the narrow Mjóifjördur, known for its sheer cliffs and spectacular waterfalls.

Take in the isolated fishing villages, traditional farmsteads, sparkling lakes and dense forests of the beautiful East Fjords. Hidden between Nordfjördur and Seydisfjördur mountains lies the narrow Mjóifjördur, known for its sheer cliffs and spectacular waterfalls.

In pictures

Today visit Europe’s largest national park, the beautiful Vatnajökull. Iceland’s largest ice cap tumbles into around a dozen glaciers, providing a spectacular and diverse natural landscape. At over 300m tall, the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier calves into Jökulsárlón lagoon, where icebergs wash up on the black sand beach creating countless photo opportunities.

Today visit Europe’s largest national park, the beautiful Vatnajökull. Iceland’s largest ice cap tumbles into around a dozen glaciers, providing a spectacular and diverse natural landscape. At over 300m tall, the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier calves into Jökulsárlón lagoon, where icebergs wash up on the black sand beach creating countless photo opportunities.

In pictures

Lying off the southern coast of Iceland, the fascinating Westman Islands are an example of the constant geological battle being waged underground. The 15 islands and 30 islets were formed by a succession of underwater eruptions, and only Heimaey is inhabited today. Dominated by the Eldfjall (‘hill of fire’), Heimaey offers a rugged landscape of vertiginous cliffs and sea caves reefs, as well as an abundance of sea birds.

Lying off the southern coast of Iceland, the fascinating Westman Islands are an example of the constant geological battle being waged underground. The 15 islands and 30 islets were formed by a succession of underwater eruptions, and only Heimaey is inhabited today. Dominated by the Eldfjall (‘hill of fire’), Heimaey offers a rugged landscape of vertiginous cliffs and sea caves reefs, as well as an abundance of sea birds.

In pictures

Your voyage of discovery concludes today with the return to Iceland’s charming capital city.