Iceland & Scoresbysund

Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, was founded around 870 C.E. as the first permanent settlement on the island. Today, it is home to about 200,000 people, representing nearly 60% of Iceland’s population. It is the world’s northernmost national capital and is known for its clean streets, green initiatives, and safe environment. The city emphasizes sustainability through energy-efficient buildings and low pollution levels, reflecting its eco-conscious approach.

Grundarfjordur is a small fishing village on the Saefellsnes Peninsula, with easy access to Stykkisholmur, Saefellsnes, and Saefellsnes National Park. Its most famous landmark is Mt. Kirkjufell, also known as “Church Mountain,” which is one of the most photographed peaks in Iceland. In summer, a Viking Village is set up in town for re-enactments, and the A godri stund stund festival decorates homes in bright colors.

Included in your visit is the Snaefellsnes National Park experience. Explore Djupalonssandur black beach, walk along the cliffs at Malarrif lighthouse, and see the rock pillars at Londrangar. Take a coastal walk at Arnarstapi to view unique geological features and birdlife. Stop for lunch locally, then visit Helgafell, a site of cultural and historical significance. The tour continues with a scenic drive to Stykkishólmur before returning to Grundarfjordur.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests are allowed to participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description. Weather in Iceland is very unpredictable and views are weather permitting. It is recommended to wear sturdy, non-skid footwear, warm, waterproof outerwear always comes in handy. Terrains in some areas have rocky, narrow paths and some terrain is either sand or gravel. Kindly take caution when walking at some sites. Please be sure to book your included experience in advance as space may be limited on your specific choice.

The small village of Patreksfjordur serves as gateway to the Westfjords peninsula in northeastern Iceland and some of the country’s most spectacular attractions. Fishing is the main industry here, although tourism is quickly growing thanks to Patreksfjordur's proximity to such natural wonders as Dynjandi waterfalls. Dynjandi — which translates as “thunderous” — rivals Gullfoss in sheer spectacle, cascading more than 325 feet down a series of increasingly wider steps; the rocky footpath to the top passes seven smaller falls. Látrabjarg, a rocky promontory that marks the westernmost point of Europe (not counting the Azores), is recognized as one of the best birdwatching spots on the planet. Látrabjarg’s four rugged, wind-battered cliffs — stretching for nearly nine miles and reaching close to 1,500 feet in height — are home to more than 1 million birds, including massive colonies of colorful puffins and around 40 percent of the world’s nesting razorbills. The red sands of Rauðasandur beach are a stark contrast to most of the country’s black volcanic beaches, while the wreck of Gardar BA 64, Iceland’s oldest steel whaling ship, lies in rusting ruins along Patreksfjordur's shore.

Included Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs Experience
Walk on Europe’s largest bird cliff, the stunning Látrabjarg, the western-most point of Europe. Enjoy the amazing world of bird life and incredible nature. Látrabjarg is the largest seabird colony in the northern Atlantic. Walking on the cliff with local guidance and enjoy the majestic pristine Icelandic nature. It is an unforgettable adventure. Látrabjarg is claimed to be the best place in the world to photograph puffins. It´s a wonderful place to fill your soul and camera with memories. On the way back, you stop at the Heritage Museum at Hnjotur and learn how the local people lived in the old days, utilized the bird cliffs, and even rescued foreign fishermen from stranded ships.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests are allowed to participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. Many bird species migrate away from the Látrabjarg Cliffs at the beginning of August; bird sightings may be limited thereafter. Wear sturdy hiking boots. It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Views are weather permitting. The ride out to the cliffs is approximately 1 1/2 hours as is the return. Please be prepared that it is a long drive on a gravel road. Please be sure to book your included experience in advance as space may be limited on your specific choice.

Included Patreksfjordur Walking Tour with Fish Tasting Experience
Patreksfjöður village has a long history of fishing as on old base of English, French and German fishermen. The village is full of life with eco-friendly long line fishing and fish processing, as the key livelihood. Fresh, frozen and salted cod, haddock and Atlantic catfish are exported to key markets in Europe and US. Enjoy a guided walk through Patreksfjordur fishing village and the harbor area. On the way, you enjoy a fish tasting with a few delicious stops, tasting many different types of fresh fish and traditional sweet dishes. You visit the main fish factory in Patreksfjordur to learn about the whole process of first class fish products. Although visiting inside is not permitted, you can have a full explanation just outside the factory of how the fish are processed for market. Traditionally, fish were hung to dry on specially built wooden frames. You continue this tradition with a tasting of dried fish, paired with Icelandic butter.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests are allowed to participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description. Please be sure to book your included experience in advance as space may be limited on your specific choice.

Dynjandi, Iceland
Nestled in the Westfjords, a remote and rugged section of Iceland, Arnafjörður, a long fjord branches in many directions.

One of the highlights of the fjord is the impressive Dynjandi Waterfall. Also known as Fjallfoss, it cascades for about 100 m (300ft) down the side of a mountain and from a distance it resembles a bridal veil. Dynjandi and the grasses that grow along its base provide important habitat for various species of sea birds and ducks. A visit to any of the levels of the falls is a true adventure.

Included Battle Museum Town Walk Experience
Take a stroll around Sauðárkrókur, the largest town in Northwest Iceland, renowned for its sheep, horses, and Viking heritage. Your local guide leads you to all the interesting sites on the way to the only Virtual Reality Battle Exhibition in Iceland.

Stops include the old part of town, where you can enjoy views of the fjord and the town's church. Savor a taste of local delicacies before visiting the 1238 The Battle of Iceland exhibition.

The exhibition centers around the most famous part of the Icelandic Sagas – The Sturlungur Era (1220-1264), which took place in Skagafjörður. This era is known as the bloodiest and most violent in Icelandic history.

Welcoming to people of all ages, the exhibition offers guests the chance to see and participate in history through virtual reality.

This is the end of your tour; guests can either enjoy free time in the town or return to the pier on their own.

Please note:
Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests are allowed to participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description. It is recommended to dress in layered clothing and wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour involves approximately 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) of walking, with some uneven surfaces and gradual slopes. Please be sure to book your included experience in advance as space may be limited on your specific choice.

Relax aboard Seabourn Venture and enjoy Arctic views, seabirds, and marine life as you sail between destinations.

The small Greenlandic town of Ittoqqortoormiit sits at the entrance to Scoresby Sund, the longest fjord on Earth. Although founded in 1925, the original colonists to the area were Palaeo-Eskimo peoples 4,000 years ago.

Housing 500 people, Ittoqqortoormiit derives its name from Greenlandic meaning ‘Big-House Dwellers’. A walk through town, reveals a vibrant Greenlandic culture. Seal, muskox and even a polar bear skin can be seen drying on racks outside of private homes. Greenlandic sled dogs sit patiently on their leashes in front yards, awaiting winter, their wooden sledges propped against buildings. In the local food store seal and whale meat are among the regular traditional foodstuffs laid out beside common western items. Ittoqqortoormiit has a post office where you can purchase Greenlandic stamps and mail your postcards as well as a quaint church, its gabled interior painted in white and sky-blue. The entire community, in fact, is a picturesque kaleidoscope of color, each building painted in bright hues of red, blue, yellow and green.

In Scoresbysund everything is bigger. Mountains rise to 2,000 meters in dark basalt that loom over the ice-filled water of the fjord below. Huge icebergs drift with the currents and pile up in crowds choked white, in huge quantities and volumes that take your breath away. If you are lucky, a polar bear might appear, like a small speck in this vast, remote, and wild area. Scoresbysund, or Scoresby Sound was named in honor of the English explorer William Scoresby who mapped the area in 1822.

Enjoy a day at sea aboard Seabourn Venture, taking in Arctic scenery, spotting seabirds, and observing marine life.

Join your Expedition team for a Zodiac cruise around the bird cliffs of Heimaey Island. Keep your eyes peeled for the clowns of the sea, the puffins. This cruise offers an excellent chance to observe these unique birds up close. The journey takes you to a tranquil inner bay near the town and if weather permits, towards the seaside of the cliffs.

Heimaey Island is the largest in the Westman Islands located four miles off the south-west coast of Iceland. One of the most visually impressive islands in Iceland, it is ringed by tall, vertical sea cliffs many hundreds of feet high. Heimaey is also the home to over eight million Atlantic puffins, more nesting puffins than anywhere else on earth. A local story tells that puffin chicks, taking their first flights at night, often become stranded in the village streets, where the local children rescue them and set them free the next day.

In January of 1973 the island received the nickname, ‘Pompeii of the North’ when a volcanic eruption and lava flow destroyed half the town. This caused a crisis when the town’s only harbor was nearly blocked by advancing lava. Nowadays it is a lively place with a vibrant culture and over four thousand residents. Archaeological excavations suggest that people lived on Heimaey as early as the 10th Century.

Included Heimaey Island & Reception Experience
A short drive brings you to Herjolfsdalur valley, where ruins of old Viking houses dating back to the year 900 AD can be seen. Continue on this scenic drive to Cape Storhofdi (Great Cape) to enjoy magnificent views over the island and majestic glaciers of the Icelandic mainland.

You pass through the town of Skansinn and see the wooden church donated to the people of the Westman Islands by the state of Norway to commemorate the millennium of Christianity in Iceland. Finally, a special reception welcomes you to the Eldheimar Museum. The museum is built around the remains of one of the homes impacted by the volcanic eruption in 1973.

Please note: Weather in Iceland is unpredictable and views at some sites are weather permitting. It is recommended to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear and waterproof outerwear. Binoculars are recommended should you wish to get a closer look at the local bird life on the Heimaey cliffs.

Steeped in history and bursting with contemporary flair, Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, was founded around 870 C.E, marking the birth of the first permanent settlement on this island nation. Today, it is home to approximately 200,000 inhabitants, making up nearly 60% of Iceland's population. Reykjavík holds the title of the world's northernmost national capital, and it takes pride in its reputation as one of the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities globally. Its commitment to sustainability and eco-consciousness is evident in every corner, from its energy-efficient buildings to its pollution-free skies.