Iceland Circumnavigation on Ocean Endeavour

Board the Ocean Endeavour for an evening departure after enjoying a day of self-guided exploration in Reykjavík.

Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital, Reykjavík was established in the year 874 CE.

Powered by geothermal energy, Reykjavík is widely considered one of the cleanest, greenest cities on Earth.

Explore one of Iceland’s most amazing coastlines, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a region known for its dramatic beauty and fascinating geological history.

Delight in the many opportunities to observe seabirds and marine life as you stroll, hike, or take a Zodiac cruise.

Be among the lucky few to explore the Westfjords, a region known for its jagged bird cliffs and multihued beaches—only about ten percent of the rest of Iceland’s visitors ever make it here!

Soak up the coastal fjords, immense mountains, and tiny villages that embrace a traditional Icelandic lifestyle.

Travel to far-flung Grímsey, which lies upon the Arctic Circle (66° 33’ North) and earns Iceland its title as one of the world’s eight Arctic nations—just barely!

Take a Zodiac cruise around the island, brimming with a million seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and gulls, that far outnumber its small human population.

Visit resurgent Siglufjörður that, in its heyday, bustled with activity as the centre of the herring fishing industry.

Enjoy a wonderful re-enactment at the Herring Era Museum and make some time to pop into the bakery, chocolate factory, brewery, and Icelandic folk music centre, too.

Walk up to the steps of Akyureyri’s monumental Lutheran church to catch the full view of Iceland’s second-largest urban area—it will be well worth it!

Poke around and explore the city’s shops, cafés, and restaurants and take your pick from a selection of ten museums to discover.

Stroll through Akuyeri’s botanical gardens that are among the northernmost in the world and miraculously grow several thousand plant species.

Tour Húsavík’s Skjálfandi Bay, known as the whale capital of Iceland.

Be sure to bring your binoculars to spot the fifteen different whale species frequent the area, as well as dolphins and dozens of varieties of birds.

Take advantage of Húsavík’s diverse museums offerings, including the Whale Museum, the Húsavík Museum, and the Exploration Museum, which houses artefacts from Apollo astronaut training in the area.

Enjoy the chance to explore Seyðisfjörður, nestled at the tip of its namesake fjord.

Stroll the picturesque town of 700, known for its flourishing art scene, cobbled rainbow road, and excellent handicrafts, or take one of the numerous opportunities for hiking, including a walk up to Tvísöngur sound sculpture on a nearby hill.

Visit nearby Skálanes Nature Reserve, which is family-owned and operated. Learn about the centre’s research and interpretation of Iceland’s environment and cultural history that’s a model for sustainable tourism.

Soak in the sights of south Iceland, home to some of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions.

Explore a unique mix of volcanoes, lagoons, and glaciers—as well as hot springs, geysers, and spectacular waterfalls—either ashore on foot or by Zodiac cruise.

Learn about the compelling history of this volcanically active area that has experienced two major eruptions in recent times.

1963 saw the formation of the island of Surtsey and the Eldfell eruption ten years later destroyed much of Heimaey, the largest of the Vestmannaeyjars and the only island here that is inhabited.

Enjoy a beautiful Zodiac cruise searching for the numerous species of seabirds, including the famous puffin, that nest in the steep rock faces along the ocean cliffs here.

Complete your journey back in Reykjavík and disembark the Ocean Endeavour in the morning.

Take one last chance to explore this special city where food, culture, and nightlife abound.

If you have the time, be sure to visit the National Culture House, which preserves treasures like the Poetic Edda and the Norse Sagas in their original manuscripts.