Elemental Iceland Circular Saga from Reykjavik

Discover Iceland’s modern capital.

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

Stroll past the boutiques and outdoor shops along Laugavegur, 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 time, we recommend booking a Pre-Program with us to discover some of Iceland’s natural highlights before your cruise begins.

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes

The majestic Kirkjufell mountain, one of the best-known landmarks of Iceland, rises just two miles west of the small harbor of Grundarfjörður, a quaint fishing town in Breiðafjörður bay.

Nearby lies Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park, with the striking, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano at the peninsula’s western tip. Its wide array of landscapes has earned it the nickname ‘Little Iceland’.

At the national park, you can visit Djúpalónssandur’s black sand beach and the Saxhóll crater. Or, take a guided underground tour along a gigantic lava tube.  

Explore Westfjords’ beautiful harborside town

Flanked by towering mountains on all sides, Ísafjörður is a nearly perfect natural harbor and an excellent gateway to the Westfjords region. Stroll around to see the architecture, shop for local handicrafts, and see some of the oldest houses in Iceland.

One of these historic 18th-century buildings is home to Westfjords Heritage Museum, where you can learn about the maritime past of this fascinating port. Or if you prefer something more energetic, you could take the steep hike up to Naustahvilft – the Troll’s Throne. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a stunning panoramic view at the top.

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.

Cross the Arctic Circle and go whale watching

Húsavík is a pleasant small town famous for its whale watching opportunities, and we’ll be stopping here in the morning. The town looks out over Skjálfandi bay, which enjoys visits from humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and occasionally blue whales. If you’re lucky, you might see one or more of these giants at sea, and you can learn more about them at the Húsavík Whale Museum.

Húsavík is also regarded as the gateway to many of the highlights of the north, including Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, the waterfall of Dettifoss and the horseshoe-shaped valley of Ásbyrgi, which according to Icelandic myth was made by Odin’s eight-legged horse. Later, we’ll sail along the coast of Grímsey island without landing, crossing the Arctic Circle as we do so, before continuing to our next destination.

Explore a place beloved by puffins and elves

Your Iceland cruise continues to the tiny, remote settlement of Bakkagerði. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk, meaning ‘hidden people’. Walk around town to explore this magical place.

This popular hiking area features lush valleys and gorgeous scenery among colorful rhyolite rocks. In season, the coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eiders and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi, a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

Discover the town that defied a volcano

Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off Iceland’s southern coast. 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.

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. You can even relax with friends in a heittur pottur, or geothermal pool – literally a ‘hot pot’ –  an important part of Icelandic culture.