Iceland Northern Lights & Whales

Your Iceland combination tour will begin in Reykjavik, the vibrant and unique Icelandic capital. Having arrived in Reykjavik independently you will make your way to the Old Reykjavik Harbour, a five minute stroll from the main squares, to board your expedition vessel. We recommend spending some time either pre or post-cruise to explore the world’s northernmost capital city and we have a number of programmes and extension tours available should you wish to do so. We can also provide details of air and ground packages for convenient and hassle-free arrival to Reykjavik.

Embarkation will begin in the early evening and after having familiarised yourself with your home for the next 3 nights we will leave the harbour behind and begin our sail northwards. As we sail out of Reykjavik we recommend spending some time on deck as the spectacular Northern Lights may well make their first appearance for us!

The first stop on our Icelandic adventure will be the small town of Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellnes Peninsula. Thanks to its spectacular diverse landscapes, Stykkisholmur is often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature” and this is the perfect place from which to begin our exploration of this unique country. We will board our Zodiacs here to make land to discover this beautiful area that is home to the bird-rich Breidafjordur Bay and the Snaefellsjokull glacier, which sits atop a 700,000-year-old dormant volcano that was featured in the Jules Verne novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Numerous optional activities and excursions are available here including a fascinating boat tour with delicious sushi served “Viking style”, a bus tour around the peninsula, and a Snow Cat tour on the Snaefellsjokull glacier. Please note that these tours should be booked in advance and are not included in the cost of your package. Please enquire for rates and availability.

Day 3 of our Iceland cruise will take us to the idyllic town of Isafjordur, the largest town in the Westfjords region. Here we will discover awe-inspiring views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation. This remote peninsula, connected to the Icelandic mainland by only a narrow strip of land, offers ample opportunities for exploration and optional extras include a kayaking tour in Flateyri where you will have the chance to see an abundance of birdlife whilst paddling through the frigid waters surrounded by a spectacular mountain backdrop. A boat tour of the scenic island of Vigur, and a bus tour to the magnificent Dynjandi waterfall are other options here.

In the evening we will board the Ocean Diamond again for our last night onboard, and make sure to spend some time on deck as there will be excellent chances of more sightings of the Northern Lights.

In the early hours of this morning we will sail into Skjalfandi Bay and Husavik, the “Whale watching capital” of Iceland. The town’s offshore waters are home to 15 different whale species, as well as dolphins, and this is quite simply the best place in Iceland to see these gentle giants at close range. Watching these graceful ocean giants in their Arctic habitat is an exhilarating experience, and after breakfast you will bid farewell to the Ocean Diamond and join your included whale watching RIB boat tour.

While you have been on your exciting whale watching cruise your luggage will have been transferred to the awaiting coaches for the land portion of your tour. After your whale watching experience you will board the coach to begin your 3 day guided bus tour, beginning with a trip to the beautiful Lake Myvatn area with lunch provided en-route. In the evening we will check into our hotel in either the Lake Myvatn area or Husavik. Your hotel for the night will be a good standard 3-star hotel and will include a tasty evening meal.

After breakfast at the hotel, this morning we will board the coach again for a full day guided tour of the north and north-western areas of Iceland. As we make our way through the spectacular scenery of this diverse part of the country highlights will include a visit to the impressive Godafoss, “the waterfall of the Gods”. Lunch will be provided on route.

After a full day of exploring this evening we will check in to a 3-star hotel in the northwest Icelandic countryside to enjoy a tasty dinner and a great night’s sleep.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will board the coach for the last day of our guided coach tour. Today we will make our way back to Reykjavik, passing some remarkable sights along the way including Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world. We will enjoy lunch whilst admiring the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls and will have time to stop at Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world’s first parliament.

Upon arrival in Reykjavik you can enjoy an included tour of this unique city at the top of the world before checking in to your 4-star hotel for your included overnight stay. Please note that dinner tonight is not included in the cost of your package and can be taken at your leisure. You may wish to enjoy dinner in one of the city’s excellent eateries, and we can offer advice on the best places to go.

This morning sadly signals the end of your Iceland tour. If you have opted for an optional air & ground package then you will be transferred to the airport for your flights home. Alternatively, there are multiple options available for extending your stay in Reykjavik and we will be happy to share details of these with you. You could explore inland areas like the Golden Circle and its famous Gullfoss waterfall, take a helicopter tour of the silver circle, visit the famous Blue Lagoon and Geysir areas, or simply relax in the city and soak up the unique atmosphere and hospitality.