Iceland's Westfjords & North Coast

Reykjavik - Reykjavik

Iceland
July
8 Nights

Choose Your Departure Date

Reykjavik in Iceland in the winter
Reykjavik - Reykjavik
Jul 28 2025 - Aug 05 2025
8 Nights

Price from per person

£6,236

Cruise Overview

Iceland, one of the youngest countries geologically, offers a dramatic landscape teeming with wildlife, culture, and history. On this voyage, you'll venture into the Westfjords, one of Iceland's most remote and untouched regions, perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and spotting whales.

Experience a wide array of landscapes, from powerful waterfalls and steaming lava fields to verdant valleys stretching to the horizon. Iceland's Atlantic puffins, with their vibrant beaks and charming demeanor, nest in large colonies here, providing ample opportunities for close encounters.

Note: To fully immerse in Iceland's breathtaking scenery, some shore excursions will require coach travel inland from the coast.

Iceland's Westfjords & North Coast

Cruise Highlights

Cruise Highlights

  • Explore the cliffs at Latrabjarg, Europe's easternmost point, where you'll find a large colony of nesting puffins.
  • Several shore excursions on this itinerary will involve inland coach travel from the coast to fully immerse yourself in Iceland's breathtaking scenery.
  • Hike on Vigur Island to observe rare Arctic birdlife up close.
  • Be captivated by the impressive series of cascades at the dramatic Dynjandi waterfall.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Reykjavik Iceland
Day 1

Arrive in Reykjavik

Upon arriving in Reykjavik, check in at our group hotel near the airport. Stop by the hospitality desk to pick up your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team. 

They will provide important information about pre-embarkation procedures.Ensure you label your luggage tags clearly with your name and ship cabin number.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense. 

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Reykjavik 

Greg Mortimer Observation Deck
Day 2

Embarkation

This morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is labeled with your name and cabin number. Your luggage will be picked up from the hotel, transported to the port for clearance, and delivered to your cabin before your arrival on board. Remember to keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.

After breakfast and check-out, join us for an insightful tour of the Golden Circle and Iceland's geothermal energy sites. Iceland stands out with 85% of its electricity generated from renewable sources, showcasing exceptional sustainable energy practices.

Our excursion takes us to the renowned Golden Circle landmarks: the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, the erupting geysers at Geysir, and the historically significant Thingvellir National Park. Additionally, we'll explore sustainable energy production at the Geothermal Energy Exhibition and Ljósafossvirkjun Power Station, one of the world's largest geothermal power plants.

In the evening, mingle with your fellow travelers, expedition team, and crew at the Welcome Dinner, celebrating the start of our exciting adventure.

Isafjörður - Iceland, Pia Harboure
Day 3

Arnarstapi / Grundafjordur

Arnarstapi is renowned for its diverse landscapes, lava fields, fjords, and abundant birdlife. The highlight is the ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, a 700,000-year-old dormant subglacial volcano visible from Reykjavik on clear days and immortalized in Jules Verne’s "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

Choose from three shore excursions to suit your interests and fitness levels:

Option 1 - Highlights of Snaefellsnes

  • Duration: 8 hours, including lunch
  • Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
  • Visit Djúpalónssandur beach, with its black sands and rock formations
  • Explore the picturesque hamlet of Búðir and Búðakirkja church
  • Enjoy lunch at Hotel Búðir, known for fresh, local cuisine
  • Tour Snæfellsjökull National Park and hike or drive through its stunning landscapes
  • Visit Mount Kirkjufell, a favorite among photographers and a filming location for "Game of Thrones"

Option 2 - Natural Wonders of Snaefellsnes

  • Duration: 8 hours, including lunch
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Hike the coastal trail between Arnarstapi and Hellnar, a National Reserve
  • Visit Vatnshellir Cave with its fascinating rock formations and colorful volcanic rocks
  • Receive a guided tour of the cave, complete with safety equipment and instructions
  • After lunch, visit Mount Kirkjufell and its nearby waterfall

Option 3 - Snaefellsnes Adventure

  • Duration: 8 hours, including lunch
  • Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
  • Explore Pufubjarg bird cliff and the Londrangar basalt cliffs
  • Hike through moss-covered lava fields to Malarrif lighthouse and beach
  • After an early lunch, visit Eldborg crater and hike to its summit for stunning views
  • Conclude the day at the Gerðuberg Cliffs, known for their hexagonal basalt columns

Choose the excursion that best fits your interests and enjoy a day of exploration and adventure on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Westfjords
Day 4

Patreksfjordur - Westfjords

Over the next three days, we'll immerse ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Westfjords, characterized by dramatic fjords sculpted by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains descending into the sea, and lush North Atlantic vegetation.

In Patreksfjordur, we will join a coach excursion to the Latrabjarg cliffs, Europe's largest bird cliff. Here, millions of seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, fulmars, and guillemots, make their home. Experience the area's rich natural wonders and pristine environment. Latrabjarg is also Europe's westernmost point, facing the east coast of North America across the Atlantic.

In the afternoon, enjoy the serene landscapes and abundant wildlife as we travel north, keeping an eye out for whales and other marine life along the way.

Dynjandi Waterfall
Day 5

Thingeyri

Thingeyri, a charming village nestled on a slender strip of land along Iceland's picturesque Dýrafjörður fjord, embodies a culture deeply intertwined with the sea. Surrounded by towering mountains, it's often likened to the "Alps of the Westfjords." This idyllic setting blends coastal simplicity with a dramatic backdrop, creating a captivating Icelandic portrait.

Explore the powerful Dynjandi waterfall, then choose from two shore excursion options:

Option 1 - That Viking Thing Experience

  • Duration: 2 hours + free time
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Step back in time to explore Viking life and visit a recreated Viking settlement.
  • Discover the ancient Viking meeting place, or "Thing," and engage with interactive exhibits in the Viking Museum.
  • Dress in Viking attire, sample Icelandic Viking beer, bake Viking bread, and delve into Viking history.

Option 2 - Sandafell Mountain Hike

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
  • Embark on a hike up Sandafell Mountain for stunning views of Thingeyri, surrounding peaks, and the fjord below.
  • Experience Iceland's rugged beauty with rocky peaks and deep valleys, ideal for enthusiastic hikers.

Choose your adventure and immerse yourself in the natural and cultural wonders of Thingeyri and its surroundings.

Day 6

Akureyri

Nestled amidst a stunning snow-capped mountain backdrop, Akureyri is Iceland's second-largest city outside the capital area.

Choose from three shore excursions tailored to your interests and fitness level:

Option 1 - Góðafoss, Lake Myvatn & Baths

  • Duration: 8 hours including lunch
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Visit the impressive Góðafoss waterfall and enjoy a brief, easy walk to the main viewpoint.
  • Explore Lake Myvatn and its surroundings.
  • Relax at Mývatn Nature Baths, immersed in geothermal waters.
  • Conclude with a transfer to Húsavik, the renowned whale watching capital.

Option 2 - Góðafoss, Lake Myvatn & Dimmuborgir

  • Duration: 8 hours including lunch
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Begin with Góðafoss waterfall and a short, easy walk to its main viewpoint.
  • Discover Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters at Lake Myvatn.
  • Explore the lava formations of Dimmuborgir.
  • Enjoy lunch and continue exploring before heading to Húsavik.

Option 3 - Hverfjall Volcanic Crater Hike, Dimmuborgir & Dettifoss

  • Duration: 8 hours including lunch
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Explore the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and hike up Hverfjall Crater's steep slopes.
  • Marvel at otherworldly views from the crater rim.
  • Visit Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall.
  • Conclude with a return to Husavik, the departure point for whale watching adventures.

Select your adventure and delve into the natural wonders surrounding Akureyri, capped off with an unforgettable return to Husavik in the late afternoon.

Siglufjordur
Day 7

Siglufjordur

Siglufjordur, the northernmost town on Iceland’s mainland, is steeped in fishing history, its fortunes intertwined with the fishing industry. Surrounded by mountains and the fjord, it offers breathtaking natural beauty.

In the morning, our expedition team will guide you on a hike tailored to your fitness level. After lunch, enjoy free time to explore this charming town at your own pace. Visit its many galleries, museums, artisanal workshops, and the local church. If we're fortunate, we might even get to sample some local beer.

Puffins
Day 8

Vigur Island

On Vigur Island, birdwatchers can delight in spotting a variety of species, while others can embark on walks and hikes of different difficulty levels, taking in the island's breathtaking scenery.

National Park Iceland
Day 9

 Reykjavik

In the early morning, we arrive in Reykjavik and disembark around 8:00 am. Say farewell to your Expedition Team and fellow travelers as you continue on your journey. A transfer to Keflavik airport will be provided.

Note: We advise against booking flights departing before 12:00 pm on the day of disembarkation due to potential delays at the end of the voyage.

Activities

Activities

Zodiac Cruising

Take advantage of zodiac cruises included in your voyage enabling us to visit secluded shorelines, navigate shallow inlets, and discover rare wildlife.

Your Ship

Your Ship

Sylvia Earle

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