Viking Homelands & Majestic Iceland

Discover the wild beauty of Iceland’s northwest corner, and the culture and history of the region’s small towns. Embark on a scenic drive around Ísafjördur, the principal town of the Westfjords peninsula. Surrounded by mountains that offer endless opportunities to enjoy nature and wilderness during all seasons of the year, the town is also known throughout the country for its rich cultural life. The fishing industry, however, has traditionally been the mainstay of the town and surrounding municipality, known as Ísafjardarbaer. Visit the Ósvör Maritime Museum, a fascinating replica of an old fishing outpost that offers a glimpse of how life treated the Icelandic fishermen until the beginning of the 20th century. Continue to Bolungarvík and enjoy a guided tour of the village before returning to Ísafjördur.

Discover the area’s natural beauty by kayak against a stunning backdrop of sweeping mountains. Meet your guide for the short walk to the kayak base, where you will don your life jacket and helmet and receive a safety briefing. Then, grab your paddle and head out into the calm waters of the Ísafjördur. This region has earned its reputation as the kayaking center of Iceland, and during this tour you will certainly discover why. Experience nature and the beauty of your surroundings as you gently glide your paddle through the water. A delight for nature fans and bird-watchers, you will have the opportunity to witness some of Iceland’s wildlife up close. Keep your eyes peeled for seals as their heads bob playfully in the water. Upon your return to base, change out of your gear and return to your awaiting ship.

Enjoy the stunning scenery of Iceland’s landscape and visit a local turf farm to learn about how locals once lived. Drive along the Ísafjardardjúp, Iceland’s largest fjord, and admire the stunning scenery from the comfort of your motor coach. After a photo stop, arrive at the remote Litlibaer turf farm; its location in the remote Icelandic countryside offers spectacular vistas and the chance to witness local wildlife in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for friendly seals lounging on the rocks. Meet your host and learn about life here in the early 1900s, and gain insight into how residents survived in such harsh conditions. Watch a demonstration and try your hand at churning fresh cream into butter. After a tour of the farm, return to your awaiting ship.

Ascend into hard-to-reach places and admire panoramic views around Ísafjördur on an exhilarating ATV excursion. Meet your guide and get outfitted with the necessary gear. After a short introduction to your two-person all-terrain vehicle and safety briefing, start your engines and drive out into the rugged terrain of the Westfjords peninsula. As you travel along old gravel paths, you will ascend into the mountains at a leisurely pace. Immerse yourself in your remote location and bask in the serene beauty that surrounds you. Stop to enjoy magnificent views over the port city of Ísafjördur and the stunning Skutulsfjördur. Relish your bird’s-eye view, perhaps taking photographs, before boarding your ATV and making the return journey down into Ísafjördur and back to your ship. Please note: A valid driver’s license is necessary to drive an ATV.

Head out into the open waters of one of Iceland’s largest fjords in search of the gentle giants of the sea. Take a short walk along the pier to your embarkation point, where you will meet your guide and climb on board your Rigid Inflatable Boat or RIB—a speedy open vessel that brings you closer to nature. After a safety briefing, your captain will guide your vessel onto the open waters of the fjord. Keep watch for sightings of the marine wildlife who make their homes here, including puffins, seals and the whales who are often spotted here. During your cruise, your captain will seek out quieter waters, then cut off the engine and direct your gaze toward any whale activity; you may see a spout of water rise, or a swish of a tail as it breaks the ocean surface. At the end of your journey, return to shore and head back to your awaiting ship on foot.

Take to the open waters off the Westfjords peninsula in search of whales and other wildlife. Meet your guide and take a short walk to the pier, where you will meet your experienced crew and board your whale-watching vessel. On board, take a seat—inside the cabin or outside on deck—as your captain sets out for the waters of the Ísafjarðardjúp, one of the largest fjords in Iceland. Admire the striking natural beauty as you sail along the cliffs of Snæfjallaströnd, keeping watch for whales, such as humpbacks and minkes that feed in these nutrient-rich waters. You may see a spout of water rise, or a swish of a tail as it breaks the ocean surface. You may also encounter seals and dolphins, as well as different birds, including puffins (depending on the season), around the island of Vigur. At the end of your cruise, return to the pier and your ship.

Learn about local food production in the remote village of Sudureyri. Iceland’s Westfjords lie amid a rugged landscape, and the inhabitants of their surrounding communities have embraced a sustainable way of life in order to maintain and secure their locally sourced food supply. Discover how the residents’ ingenuity has enabled them to adapt to their environment and the work of the skilled fishing community, supplying fresh fish not just in Iceland but also reaching the shelves of retailers across Europe just 36 hours later. During your tour, you will visit some of the village’s retailers and sample a selection of their delicious, freshly prepared produce. Enjoy a taste of fish cakes with tartar sauce, fish jerky and smoked or cured salmon. After your tour, you will return to your ship.

Discover the quaint fishing village divided by an avalanche and learn about Iceland’s only native land mammal. Depart from Ísafjördur and travel by motor coach to Súdavík. This small, charming fishing village stretches along the coast and is divided into two halves—the Old Town, which was hit by an avalanche in 1995, and the New Town, which was built up after the avalanche under the beautiful mountain Kofri. You will visit Súdavík’s historic church—originally a gift from Norwegian whalers—and  enjoy a live Icelandic music program before continuing to the Langeyri peninsula to view whale bones and learn about aquaculture in the fjords. Continue on your tour and visit the Arctic Fox Center—a research center, museum and cozy coffeehouse—and learn about the only native terrestrial mammal in Iceland as you enjoy a cup of coffee.

Discover the remote beauty of the harsh Icelandic landscape in the Westfjords. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach as your guide regales you with tales of Iceland’s Viking past. You will stop to witness the magnificent Dynjandi waterfall, the largest in the Westfjords and considered one of the most beautiful in Iceland. Should you choose, you may take the short walk to the edge of the waterfall and be rewarded with the sight of its bridal veil cascading over the ridge and 300 feet down to the water below. After time for refreshments, continue your tour to Sudureyri. In this tiny fishing village nestled in the remote Westfjords, you will see how the locals embrace a sustainable approach to food. Meet with residents and embark on a seafood trail of discovery as you enjoy a taste of Iceland’s finest export before returning to your ship.

Grab your camera and binoculars and set sail around Ísafjarðardjúp Bay to view its diverse wildlife. Depart your ship and board your vessel for a guided boat journey. Take in the views of towering peaks as you sail and listen as your guide shares insights about the Westfjords. Cruise along deeply indented coastlines lined with towering mountains and learn about the array of bird and marine life that make their homes here as you traverse the abundant waters of Ísafjarðardjúp Bay. Stay alert for sightings of marine birds in the surrounding fjords or soaring overhead; the islands in the bay are home to the largest colony of black guillemots in Iceland, as well as thousands of eiders. If you are lucky, you may also spot humpback whales or seals playing in the water during your excursion. After your journey back to shore, you will return to your ship.