Enter a world of Norse mythology, wild, dramatic coastlines, and seabirds in their thousands as you voyage from Iceland, crossing the Arctic Circle and encountering the fringes of the sea ice, with good possibilities of viewing seals, whales, and a lonely polar bear. Seabirds will be your constant companions as you visit islands, skerries, and fjords before landfall in Akureyri, Iceland.
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
In the late afternoon, you will board m/v Hondius in the port of Keflavik, a short distance from the International Airport. With the port behind us, we sail north into the bay of Faxaflói and proceed to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula while looking for whales in this large bay.
Dinner included.
Ice caps and volcanoes
We land in Breidavik at Arnarstapi, with Snaefellsjökull, a glacier-capped volcano in the background. We will walk southward, along cliffs with seabirds, to Hellnar, where we embark the ship again. We may also proceed to Snaefellsjökull, where Jule Vernes: Journey to the center of the Earth began. In the evening, we will again look for whales northwest of the peninsula.
A land of islands, skerries and Norse legends
We sail in the broad and shallow bay of Breidafjordur, peppered with hundreds of islands and skerries, and may glimpse some white-tailed eagles. We will then land on Flatey and explore its traditional fishing village and the church with paintings by the Spanish-Icelandic artist Baltasar. Black guillemots and vast colonies of puffins breed along the shores, and red-necked phalaropes are common in ponds just inland.
We will pay a visit to Klofningur, a diminutive island featuring a lighthouse and extensive breeding colonies of shags, fulmars, and great black-backed gulls. In the evening, we will sail by the impressive Látrabjarg, featuring Iceland's biggest seabird colonies.
On the lookout for whales and eider ducks
Sailing into impressive Skutulsfjörður, home to the town of Isafjordur, we plan a visit to Aedey, where an Icelandic family keeps an eider duck farm where the many hundreds of birds can breed protected entirely and where, at the end of the breeding season, all eiderdown is collected for trade. At the shores of the island we also meet breeding puffins. In the afternoon, we may sail into Jökulfirdir or directly out of the fjord, looking again for whales, while we sail northwest and pass the Arctic Circle.
At the fringes of the sea ice
North of Iceland, in the fringes of the southward-moving sea ice, we sail northeast with our ice-rated vessel. We look two days for harp and hooded seals, which sometimes frequent the area in great numbers. The presence of a lonely polar bear can not be discounted, as they sometimes reach Iceland's shores. Near and along the sea ice, we will see whales and seabirds as they migrate and forage along the productive edge of the sea ice. You will be in an impressive sea-scape with, to the west, sea ice as far as you see. This is a wild Arctic environment, constantly in motion and always changing.
Crossing the Arctic Circle once more
We find ourselves sailing southward. In the early morning, we will pass Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited islet rapidly being eroded by the fearsome surrounding ocean. Later, we will land on Grimsey, a small island that straddles the Arctic Circle. Grimsey features a small but friendly fishing village and is home to colonies of kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, and Arctic terns. In the evening, at the mouth of Eyafjordur, we may again see some whales.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
With our journey ending, you disembark in Akureyri, where, on request, you can transfer by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík. While your time in the Arctic may be over, your memories and experiences will stay with you forever!
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Breakfast included.
| Dates | Cabin | From | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 May 2026 - 05 Jun 2026 | AUD$6923pp | ||
| Quad Porthole Cabin | AUD$6923pp | Contact us | |
| Triple Porthole Cabin | AUD$8692pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Porthole Cabin | AUD$9615pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Window Cabin | AUD$10462pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Deluxe Cabin | AUD$11077pp | Contact us | |
| Superior Cabin | AUD$12538pp | Contact us | |
| Junior Suite | AUD$14385pp | Contact us | |
| Grand Suite with private balcony | AUD$15538pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
2 portholes, 2 upper & 2 lower berths, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe.
2 portholes, 2 lower berths & 1 upper berth, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe.
2 portholes, 2 lower berths, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe.
1 window, 2 lower berths, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe.
2 windows, 2 lower berths, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe, minibar
2 windows, 1 double bed, small sofa, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe, minibar
1 double window, 1 double bed, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe, minibar
1 double window, 1 double bed, private balcony, private shower & toilet, flatscreen TV, desk & chair, telephone and wifi, coffee & tea maker, hair dryer, safe, minibar
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.
