Circumnavigating Iceland

There is an eerie charm about the remote village of Djúpavík, at the edge of the Westfjords. A vast abandoned herring factory contrasts with a stunning rural setting. A guided tour of the old herring factory should not be missed.

Explore these magical surroundings on foot and take a short and invigorating hike to the waterfall just above the old factory.

Today we cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, to Akureyri, Iceland's northern capital. It’s a prime area to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises.

Stroll the interesting streets of Akureyri, which feature charming, colorful houses. Learn about the city’s history at the Akureyri Museum and visit Norðurslóð (Into the Arctic), a museum dedicated to Iceland’s settlement, culture, and daily life.

Further inland, visit the picturesque Goðafoss (‘God’s Waterfall’), where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. You can also seek out eider ducks and Harlequin ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland’s most active volcanic areas.

Grímsey is steeped in folklore, including tales of the island’s first settler, Grímur. This remote and windswept island is home to just 60 people and is renowned for its Atlantic Puffin colonies.

Grímsey may be best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island—the only part of Iceland to do so. You’ll have the opportunity to step across that line, hopping over to the Arctic and back.

Hike to the Orbis et Globus sculpture, a huge concrete sphere that is repositioned each year to fit the northward movement of the Arctic Circle. In fact, by 2050, Grímsey will lie outside the Arctic!

Today, you will discover Húsavík, a fascinating town that is one of the best places in the world for whale-watching.

Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi Bay, a hotspot for humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises—the elusive blue whale even makes appearances here. If you’re lucky, you might see one or more of these giants at sea. Learn more about them at Húsavík’s Whale Museum.

You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at Geosea, which overlooks Skjálfandi bay, and pep yourself up with a beer at the local microbrewery.

Your Iceland cruise continues to Bakkagerði, a tiny settlement off the beaten track. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk (meaning 'hidden people').

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

Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off the Iceland’s southern coast. It has a fascinating history and still bears the scars of the powerful 1973 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 8 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.