Hafnarfjörður is an attractive harbor city located just a few kilometers from the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik. Arriving by sea, see fishing boats moored in Hafnarfjörður's bays and volcanic rocks. Hafnarfjörður is built on an ancient field of lava flow. In the town center, basalt rocks point you in the direction of the historic houses of Sivertsen and Siggubær: their interiors and period furniture bring old Iceland back to life before your very eyes. Not far from here is a spectacular coastal walk and warm geothermal pools.

Optional Excursions:

Guided walk on Vigur Island - Vigur is a lovely island, 1.2 miles long and 400 m wide, a green oasis in the blue waters of the fjord Isafjardardjup. The island is a nesting place for countless birds. It has been the home of the same family since 1884, and today 3 generations still live there under the same roof. They are farmers and live off the treasures of the island.

After a 30-minute boat tour to Vigur, take a leisurely walk around the island and get a perfect opportunity to see an abundance of birds in their natural environment. Eiderducks nest here in great numbers. The farmer protects the nests and is rewarded with the down from the nests, but the ducks pluck their own chests for down, to shelter their eggs. See puffins, arctic terns, black guillemots, and various other birds in large numbers.

Some relics of old farming methods are preserved in Vigur, including Iceland's only windmill, built in 1840 and used until 1917 for grinding imported wheat from Denmark. The windmill has been carefully preserved along with the 200-year-old 8-oar rowing boat, which is still in use to ferry sheep to the mainland. The houses also date back to the last century. Viktoria House was erected in Vigur in 1862, made of wood, which was pre-cut into shape in Norway. In 1993 the house was restored by the National Museum of Iceland.

Maritime Culture & Traditions - Begin your excursion by driving through the center and taking the narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik where there is a chance to visit the church. Your next stop is at Osvor, a former fisherman's home that was restored in 1988 and once harbored boats. Osvor is a stunning example of nature's grandeur and perfectly illustrates just how difficult life was for Icelandic fishermen up until the 20th century. Drive alongside these impenetrably deep waters to return to Isafjordur via the valley of Tungudalur. On your return, pass through the historic old town and its 18th-century buildings before visiting the Maritime Museum. This is one of Iceland's oldest houses, a monument in itself, next to three other buildings that have also been renovated and date back to 1780. A typically Icelandic tasting is served at the end of your visit, giving you an opportunity to savour local specialities such as Schnapps, dried fish, and locally canned fish cooked the Icelandic way. 

Calm Fjord Kayaking - Sea kayaking is not only a healthy and rewarding way to spend your day, it is also a perfect way to get to know the Icelandic nature up close. So grab a paddle and get ready for a great adventure. The surroundings around the town Isafjordur are one of the best kayaking areas in Iceland and the West Fjords as a whole have earned themselves a great reputation as an appealing kayaking center offering both easy and difficult areas to challenge the inexperienced and of course, the professionals. The reason is the endless possibilities for kayaking in the fjords and bays that are close by but still so remote.

This trip, a calm discovery of the fjord, is perfect for those looking for an introduction to the sea kayaking. Kayaking between the mountains is an unforgettable adventure. Birdwatchers love kayaking as it gives them a different angle and a quiet and subtle way to approach the bird life. Paddling under the magnificent mountains towering over the town around Isafjordur, the traveler experiences the closeness of nature and the beauty of the landscape from an exciting angle and in a safe environment. From the pier, a 15-minute walk leads you to the kayak starting point. Begin with a short lesson in paddling and put the boats out behind the Maritime Museum and paddle a circle inside the fjord while keeping a sharp lookout for various bird species and seals.

Grimsey is the northernmost island of Iceland surging from the Arctic Ocean, with the Arctic Circle running through the island. Its contrasted contours are surprising. From Grímseyjarhreppur, the island’s only town located on the west coast, then heading due south, you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs inhabited by sea birds stand proud.

The elegant city of Akureyri is located very close to the Arctic Circle, tucked away in the Eyjafjörður fjord. It displays a stunning palette of colors: blue waters in the harbour, bronze mountain ash on the squares, and brightly-colored houses in the historical center. As you walk along the cobbled streets, come across rows of terraces with wooden furniture, where you can sit and try some scrumptious cream donuts with a cup of coffee. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads you up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church. Be amazed by the very beautiful botanical garden made possible by a microclimate.

Optional Excursions:

Godafoss & Akureyri - During a short sightseeing tour, view what remains of the old town of Akureyri before crossing the fjord and heading on to Godafoss, "Waterfall of the Gods". The name marks the historical event that took place at these falls in the year 1,000 when the Chieftain, Thorgeir, made a public declaration in favor of Christianity by throwing his carvings of the Pagan Gods into the falls. Thorgeir was also President of the Althing or Parliament at that time and it was he that had the difficult task of deciding the Nation's fate in regard to its choice of religion.

Through the wide-open valley Fnjoskadalur, drive into the part of the valley known as Dalsmynni. Formations on the hillsides suggest that a once large pro-glacial lake occupied the valley only to be let down by stages as the ice melted. Next, continue to the Laufas Folk museum, originally served as a manor farm and vicarage. Upon arrival in Akureyri and before heading back to the pier, visit the Botanical Gardens which house examples of every species indigenous to Iceland and an extensive collection of high-latitude and high-altitude plants from around the world.

Incredible Lake Myvatn - The tour leads from Akureyri, the cultural and commercial center of the North, towards Godafoss, "Waterfall of the Gods". Continue to Lake Myvatn. This large (37 sq. km) lake is one of Iceland's natural treasures. Dormant Hverfell looms over the East side and a protected nesting area to its northwest is a nesting home to tens of thousands of birds, representing dozens of species variety of ducks. The striking geothermal field, next to Namafjall Mountain, is another highlight of this tour, full of mudpots, steam vents, sulphur deposits, boiling springs and fumaroles. The tour continues along the shores of Lake Myvatn and then heads back to Akureyri, where a short city tour is made before joining the pier and your ship. Lunch is served in one of the local restaurants of the Myvatn Area.

This land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the Vestmann islands, and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the Stórhöfði road, look out over gray sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic Ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You can visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the volcanic eruption experienced in Heimaey in 1973.

Optional Excursions:

Pompeii of the North - Leave from the perfectly formed natural harbor with its tall cliffs inhabited by multitudes of birds. Both the birds and their eggs have been an important source of food for the islanders. From there, drive from the pier into the Herjólfsdalur Valley where ruins of old farmhouses dating back to the settlement can be found. The tour then continues along the scenic western part of the island, providing an opportunity to view the outer islands of the archipelago. The youngest island, "Surtsey", was formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963; it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Your next stop is the site of the largest colony of Atlantic puffins on Stórhöfði; here puffins nest during spring and the early summer months. The tour continues to two volcanoes, the 5000 years old Helgafell, "Holy Mountain", and the considerably younger Eldfell, "Fire Mountain". Stop here and walk to the viewpoint for a panoramic view, about 10 minutes. Then, visit the new Eldheimar - 'Pompeii of the North' Museum where the history and aftermath of the 1973 eruption is explored. After the visit to the museum, head to the notorious Eldfell volcano to continue with your study of the fateful events before returning to your ship.

Circumnavigation of Heimaey - Begin your tour from the harbor that for a long time has been a shelter for the Icelandic fishing fleet but was almost lost in the volcanic eruption on the island in 1973. After 15 minutes of walking, embark a boat to discover the island from the sea. Sail past the cliffs surrounding the harbor to start an interesting and informative journey passing bird colonies with millions of inhabitants and exploring caves that can only be visited by boat. After viewing the island and bird cliffs from every angle, the boat tour (approximately 1 1/2 hours) ends by sailing into Klettshellir (Cliff Cave) where a musical instrument is played on board. The acoustics in the cave provide a sensational experience. From there, return to the harbor.

Optional Excursions:

Geothermal Landscape and Viking History - Your tour starts from the pier, crossing the picturesque town of Hafnarfjördur. Continue through this surreal lava landscape, along the enchanting Kleifarvatn Lake, with the cairns marking out ancient trails that criss-cross the landscape, onwards towards the Reykjanes peninsula. Next head to Krysuvik, a colorful hot-springs area, which contrasts sharply to the sand and the lava fields of the area. 

Then be guided over the lava-covered Reykjanes peninsula to the outskirts of the little town Njardvik, where you find the newly built Viking museum in which stands "Icelander" (Islendingur), a fully seaworthy replica of an average-sized Viking vessel which would have carried a crew of 70. To commemorate the thousandth anniversary of countrymen navigating to and discover­ing North America, the shipbuilder Gunnar Eggertsson traveled on the "Icelander" to America and back again in the year 2000.

The Golden Circle - This classic excursion encompasses the "Big Three" - Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir. They are collectively known as the Golden Circle and provide a look at some of the scenic wonders for which Iceland is justly renowned. On departing the port, your journey begins with a drive inland to Thingvellir National Park, about 30 miles from Reykjavik. Your visit allows you to experience one of the most outstanding sceneries in the country. Thingvellir ranks at the top of Iceland's tourist attractions. Leaving Thingvellir your tour continues to the Gullfoss waterfall. The "Golden Waterfall" is the most famous of the country's many waterfalls. Here the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two falls, creating an awesome spectacle.

During your next stop at the geyser area, be able to see hissing springs and other geothermal phenomena. The active geyser "Strokkur" projects water every few minutes. Here, amongst these scenic surroundings lunch is served in the Geysir-area. After lunch, and on your way back to the capital, a comfort stop is made at Hveragerdi or at Thrastalundur. Back in Reykjavik, a short stop is made at the Pearl vantage before arriving back at the pier.  

Disembark after breakfast and continue your independent trip back home.