Northern Lights & Whales: Sea & Land

Use your leisure time in Reykjavik to uncover the unique charms of the world’s northernmost capital. The Ocean Diamond docks in Old Reykjavik Harbor in the heart of the city, a five-minute stroll to the main squares, shopping and dining. In the evening the ship sets course for the Snaefellsnes peninsula. In the evening comes your first opportunity to see the northern lights.

In the morning the ship reaches Stykkisholmur, the jumping off point of your adventures on the picturesque Snaefellnes Peninsula. Often called “Iceland in Miniature” since this region contains nearly all different kind of Icelandic scenery. By nightfall set sail for Westfjords with good opportunities to observe the mystical northern lights.

Optional Activities (not included in your cruise fare - please contact us for details):

• Boat Tour - Viking Sushi Adventure - Look forward to a bird and nature watching tour. Experience a huge variety of birds and fantastic basalt rock formations. And if you have never tasted a fresh scallops straight from the sea you‘ll get the chance to do so on this tour.
• Bus Tour around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula - This excursion includes views on the Snaefellsjökull Glacier, the dramatic rock formations of Snaefellsnes, as well as the Londrangar Rock pinnacles, which are remnants of a large volcanic crater. En route you also visit the small fishing village of Arnarstapi and the Shark Museum in Bjarnarhöfn.
• Snaefellsjokull Glacier - By Snowcat your experienced guide takes you up to 4,600 feet (1,400 m) on Snaefellsjökull Glacier! In good weather you can enjoy a fantastic view over Hellissandur and Breidafjördur Bay. On especially clear days you can even spot the far-off Westfjords. The famous novelist Jules Verne once chose Snaefelljokull Glacier as entrance on his “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

Today‘s destination is the idyllic town of Isafjordur, capital of the Westfjords region. This secluded peninsula is connected to the rest of Iceland by only a narrow strip of land. Even by Icelandic standards, the area can be described as unusually isolated. The landscape is characterized by mesas and dramatic fjords that cut deep into the landscape.

Optional Activities:

• Sea Angling from Flateyri/Sudureyri - The waters along the Westfjords are extremely rich in marine life due to special current conditions and sustainable fisheries policy. This sea angling tour allows you to benefit from these factors to catch cod, haddock, and halibut of stately size. The boat trip starts in either Sudureyri or Flateyri fishing village, 25 min. drive from Ísafjördur, and takes you out to a sandbank off the coast.
• Boat Tour to Vigur - Enjoy a short trip to Vigur. This serene little island, which boasts only five inhabitants, is a perfect location to observe an array of birds in their natural surroundings including puffins, eider ducks, arctic terns, and black guillemot. While on the island, you can also visit Iceland‘s only extant windmill which dates from the 19th century. The boat tour takes about 35 minutes each way.
• Bus Tour - Thingeyri and Dynjandi Waterfall - This tour leads to Iceland’s most sparsely populated areas. On this daytrip you will explore the Westfjords, a historic village and a magnificent waterfall. With a population of about 260 inhabitants Thingeyri is both the area‘s first trading post and one of the oldest settlements. At the end we stop at the thunderous Dynjandi, the highest and most impressive waterfall in the Westfjord region.
• Kayak in Flateyri - Enjoy kayaking between the mountains and birdwatching from a different angle amid wonderful scenery. Flateyri is a 25 min drive from Isafjördur.

In the early morning hours steam into Skjalfandi Bay and Husavik. After disembarkation explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir and the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. The pseudo craters were formed by gas explosions when boiling lava flowed over the wetlands. Last but not least visit Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park. Lunch is provided on the way. Dinner and overnight in the Husavik area.

Husavik is often called the “whale watching capital” of Iceland. The town’s offshore waters are home to 15 different whale species, as well as dolphins. Watching these graceful ocean giants in their Arctic habitat is an unforgettable experience. An exciting trip with RIB boats (Rigid Inflatable Boat) to search for the gentle giants awaits you. On your way to Akureyri visit the impressive Godafoss, “the waterfall of the Gods”. In the year 1000, the Icelandic parliament (Althing) decided to give up their pagan religion in favor of Christianity. The story goes that the idols of the ancient Nordic religion (godars) were then thrown from the top of the waterfall (foss). The cascade retains its name, Godafoss in memory of this event. Lunch is provided on the way. Dinner and overnight in West Iceland.

On the way back to Reykjavik pass Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world. A stop is made to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, before continuing to Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world’s first parliament. Your journey ends after a city tour in Reykjavik. Lunch is provided along the way.
Overnight in Reykjavik.

Individual departure.