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The blue lagoon in Iceland

Circumnavigation of Iceland

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Diamond
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Journey to Iceland, a nature lover’s paradise, on this 11-day cruise on the small ship Ocean Diamond. Explore the country’s fabled Golden Circle—Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Center. Meet the residents of colorful fishing villages and stroll through archaeological sites that recall the heyday of Viking exploration. Photograph Iceland’s stunning landscapes—bubbling hot springs, glittering glaciers, soaring volcanoes, and plunging waterfalls. Cruise by Zodiac to search for whales, seals, breeding seabirds, and other marine mammals that congregate here in the summer months.
Locals of Iceland perform a traditional dance.View of the steaming hot springs in Iceland.The breathtaking scenery of IcelandBig blue icebergs at glacier lagoon on IcelandThe blue lagoon in Iceland
Highlights
  • Explore Iceland’s fabled Golden Circle, including Thingvellir National Park
  • View vast colonies of breeding seabirds - kittiwakes, murres, and more!
  • Meet the residents of fishing villages and stroll archaeological sites
  • Photograph Iceland’s stunning hot springs, glaciers, volcanoes & waterfalls
  • Cruise by Zodiac to search for whales, seals, and other marine mammals
Activities
Places Visited
Trip Type:
  • Small Ship
Activity Level: Relaxed
0

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland

Arrive in the Icelandic capital this morning and transfer to your hotel. Lunch and the remainder of the day are at leisure to enjoy this fascinating and colorful city. Gather this evening for a welcome reception followed by dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 2: Reykjavík | Embark Ocean Diamond

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, set out to explore Iceland’s classic scenic wonders known as the Golden Circle. Begin with Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by mountains and encompassing a vast lava plain of green moss and wildflowers. Continue to Gullfoss Waterfall where the Hvita River drops 96 feet in two voluminous cascades. The Geysir Center is a huge geothermal field of both boiling and tranquil multi-hued hot springs and bubbling mud pools. Then visit a traditional farm where Icelandic horses are raised. After lunch in these picturesque surroundings proceed to the pier, making a photo stop at a scenic viewpoint before boarding the Ocean Diamond.

Day 3: Flatey Island | Látrabjarg

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
By Zodiac, trace the coastline of Flatey Island before going ashore for a walking tour of the village. View the uniquely painted island church and the restored houses of islanders who earn a living fishing for cod and lumpfish. This evening sail past Iceland’s westernmost cape, the Látrabjarg cliff, a breeding ground for millions of seabirds. 

Day 4: Vigur Island | Ísafjördur

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast take a walking tour of small, verdant Vigur, the summer home to vast numbers of puffins, black guillemots, arctic terns, and eiders. The tiny community dates back to the late 1800s and boasts Iceland’s only windmill. During lunch on board, cruise northward to Ísafjördur, the trading and cultural center of the West Fjords. A cultural tour reveals the history and daily life of one of Iceland’s oldest fishing settlements and visits the region’s scenic highlights. This afternoon, enjoy free time in town to browse the local shops.

Day 5: Grímsey Island | Siglufjördur

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Though Grímsey Island sits astride the Arctic Circle, it enjoys a mild climate and is covered with rich vegetation. Weather permitting, go ashore to visit the Viking hamlet of Sandvik, home to about 100 permanent residents who earn their living from fishing and fish processing. A Zodiac cruise along Grímsey’s basaltic cliffs provides an exhilarating view of the incredible birdlife including kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, and puffins. In the afternoon, visit Siglufjördur, once the undisputed herring fishing capital of the Atlantic. The Herring Era Museum vividly depicts this period and a lively song and dance reenactment, accompanied by local delicacies, brings the herring boom era to life. 

Day 6: Akureyri | Húsavík

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After an early breakfast, depart on a full-day inland tour of the Mývatn region. Thousands of years ago, volcanic eruptions created this dramatic landscape of labyrinthine lava formations, seething sulfur pits, and boiling mud pools. Oasis-like Lake Mývatn sits on the edge of a vast highland lava desert; one of Europe’s richest waterfowl breeding areas, it supports enormous numbers of breeding ducks and whooper swans. Continue to Húsavík to reboard the Ocean Diamond. Be on deck this evening to watch for humpback, minke, fin, orca, and sei whales, along with dolphins and harbor porpoises.

Day 7: Thistilfjord Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
From stunning Thistilfjord Bay, set out on nature walks and take in the views from the cliff tops. Explore this area by Zodiac, cruising past chiseled headlands and dramatic sea stacks that rise from the bay. 

Day 8: Seydisfjördur

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The 11-mile cruise along Seydisfjördur showcases a scenic wonderland of stunning geology, cascading waterfalls, and soaring mountains. At its head, a natural harbor shelters the fishing town of the same name, renowned for its brightly painted 19th-century wooden buildings. Options this morning include Skalanes Nature Reserve to view an important archaeological site and search for 47 species of birds, or a hike to the magnificent Hengifoss Waterfall.

Day 9: Djúpivogur

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Djúpivogur is the gateway to Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. Choose from several full-day excursions highlighting the area’s natural wonders. Cruise among spectacular icebergs at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, take an exhilarating snowmobile ride across the Vatnajökull glacier, or join a guided hike through the supremely scenic Valley of the Waterfalls.

Day 10: Heimaey Island | Surtsey Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
On Heimaey Island, visit the Herjolfsdalur Valley to view ruins of farmhouses dating back to 650 A.D., and from Storhofdi, the views over the island are simply breathtaking. You also pass between two volcanoes, one 5,000 years old, the other born only in 1973, and drive right across the new volcano’s crater and into the town known as the “Pompeii of the North.” Later this afternoon circumnavigate Surtsey Island, a fire-and-brimstone result of a 1963 undersea eruption. Today, approximately 56 species of vascular plants grow on the island and seals haul out to breed on its shores. Nearly 90 species of migrating birds use the island as a rest stop.

Day 11: Reykjavík | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark for a fascinating tour of Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant—learn about geosciences, geothermal technology, and the environmental history of the area. Continue to the famous Blue Lagoon for lunch before departing for the airport and your independent flight homeward.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Diamond

Explore Antarctica aboard the Ocean Diamond
Ocean Diamond
Carrying a capacity of 189 passengers, the Ocean Diamond is the latest in polar vessels to explore Antarctica. The Ocean Diamond is the first carbon-neutral ship in the polar adventure industry. Guests can enjoy the many indoor public spaces, spacious cabin arrangements and fine dining aboard the Ocean Diamond.
Ocean Diamond
Ocean Diamond's reception and lobby.
Ocean Diamond's dining room.

Reykjavik - Hotels

Centerhotel Plaza
Centerhotel Plaza
Centerhotel Plaza is located by the main square in the heart of Reykjavik. At Hotel Plaza you will find 201 bright and comfortable rooms and a spacious lobby area with a hotel bar where you can relax after an eventful day in Reykjavik.
Centerhotel Skjaldbreid
Centerhotel Skjaldbreid
Located in a convenient and central spot on Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street, Centerhotel Skjaldbreid presents the ideal backdrop for your trip whether it is for business or leisure.
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Fosshotel Reykjavik
This 4 star hotel in Reykjavik is the largest in Iceland and located close to downtown and the City Center. A short walk away you find Reykjavik's main shopping area, business district, and stunning architecture. Sixteen floors offer impressive views over the city. Relax in the beer garden or Haust restaurant after your Iceland touring.
View of Reykjavik from the Church Tower
More Reykjavik Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$8,980
Ocean Diamond's Triple Cabin.
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Triple
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet. Two twin beds and an upper bed, two portholes, and private bath with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Twin Cabin.
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Twin Obstructed View
Captains & Upper Decks, 200 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, picture window with a partially obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Twin Cabin.
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Twin Window
Upper, Main & Captain´s Decks, 183-200 sq feet. One double bed or two twin beds, picture window, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Single Porthole Cabin.
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Single with Porthole
Lower Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, two portholes, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Single Cabin.
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Single Obstructed View
Captain's Deck, 200 sq feet, one double bed, picture window with obstructed view, and private bathroom with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Suite.
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Suite
Main Deck, 400 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, two picture windows and separate sitting area with sofas, two easy chairs, small table and two private bathrooms with shower.
Ocean Diamond's Balcony Suite.
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Balcony Suite
Observation Deck, 325 sq feet, one double bed or two twin beds, window and sliding glass door, private 96 sq ft deck, and private bathroom with shower.

Notes

For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You will need to climb, unaided, in and out of Zodiacs for excursions ashore. Many of the landings will be “wet” and require that you wear waterproof, knee-high boots. Ashore, you must be able to walk moderate distances, unaided, over occasionally rough and often slippery terrain. We’ve designed our shore excursions to accommodate both those who enjoy gentle strolls and those who prefer more active hikes. Temperatures throughout will range from lows in the 40s°F to the high 50s°F. Please note that temperatures on the water may feel cooler. Flexibility is a must, as itineraries are subject to change, and landings may be tidal or weather dependent.

Included:
  • Port activities and excursions including cultural tours, nature walks, and Zodiac cruises
  • All gratuities
  • All accommodations 
  • World-class lecture and expedition team
  • All onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner
  • All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges 
  • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates
  • Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear and reading materials
  • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance

Excluded:
  • Airfare from your home city/Reykjavík and Reykjavík/home city
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Airport arrival and departure taxes
  • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures
  • Passport and/or visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, (other than listed above), and other incidentals
  • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges

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