See another side to Iceland this spring and experience a world awakening after a long Arctic winter! Our unique Northwest Iceland Explorer - Into the Greenland Sea Ice itinerary departs on 29 May, giving guests a perspective on Iceland that is rarely seen.
Limited spaces remain on this 7-night adventure aboard m/v Hondius, which blends volcanic landscapes, seabird colonies, remote settlements, iconic islands, and the ethereal beauty of sea ice into one unforgettable Arctic experience. It’s the perfect complement to a broader Icelandic adventure, offering a fresh perspective on a land shaped by fire, ice, and ocean!
Book your berth today! Limited spaces remain aboard our Northwest Iceland Explorer voyage (29 May - 5 June 2026). This voyage can also be booked in combination with HDS03-26, turning this 7-night adventure into a 15-night epic that takes you from Iceland's volcanic shores and the Arctic pack ice, to remote Jan Mayen and eventually the spiralling, jagged peaks of Svalbard - the undisputed realm of the polar bear.
Explore a Coastline of Volcanoes, Islands, and Living History
Your journey begins in Keflavik, before heading to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where the glacier-capped volcano Snæfellsjökull rises above coastal cliffs that throng with seabirds. After landing, you'll explore rugged shores, walking toward Hellnar, surrounded by nesting fulmars, kittiwakes, and Arctic terns. Offshore, whales may surface in the nutrient-rich waters northwest of the peninsula.
Photo: Snaefellsjökull National Park © GettyImages-2167203815
Sailing into Breiðafjörður reveals a maze of islands and skerries steeped in Norse legend. On the island of Flatey, a traditional fishing village offers a glimpse into Icelandic heritage with historic houses and a distinctly Icelandic feel. You may spot red-necked phalaropes here, while throughout May, puffins begin to return in large numbers to Iceland's coastline, forming vast colonies. You'll also likely spot species such as black guillemots and shags.
Nearby, the tiny island of Klofningur, which hosts a lighthouse, supports thriving breeding grounds for shags, fulmars, and great black-backed gulls, while the towering cliffs of Látrabjarg, home to Iceland’s largest seabird colonies, are the ideal backdrop for photography or just an evening spent soaking up the immersion.
Photo: TitleFlatey Lighthouse, Klofningur Island © GettyImages-998157110
Further north in Skutulsfjörður, near Ísafjörður, a visit to Æðey Island is on the cards, where an Icelandic family protects nesting eider ducks in a unique, mutually beneficial partnership dating back hundreds of years. The eider ducks' prized down is collected from nests after the breeding season, during which farmers patrol the site day and night to prevent predators from disturbing the ducks. Here, more puffins dot the shoreline, and the surrounding fjords offer excellent opportunities to spot whales as the ship sails toward the Arctic Circle and the second phase of this expedition voyage.
Into the Greenlandic Pack Ice & towards the Arctic Frontier
North of Iceland, and after crossing the Arctic Circle, the expedition enters a different world - the ever-shifting pack ice of the Denmark Strait. Here, at the edge of the sea ice, the Arctic reveals its raw beauty. Harp and hooded seals haul out on drifting floes, while seabirds wheel overhead, feeding along the ice edge. Whales are also drawn to this environment, and while a rarer sighting than in the pack ice of Svalbard, a wandering polar bear may occasionally appear. They are certainly present in Greenland and use the pack ice to hunt their preferred prey: seals.
This frozen, dynamic, and ethereal landscape is hauntingly beautiful. Ice stretches to the horizon, sculpted by wind and current, with hummocks and pressure ridges breaking up an otherwise starkly white expanse. It’s an environment few travelers ever get to experience, and even fewer ever forget. Long daylight hours make photography a joy here, especially on calm, clear days!
Photo: Arctic pack ice © Unknown photographer
Crossing the Arctic Circle once more, you'll stop at the swiftly eroding skerry, Kolbeinsey, which plays host to bird species and whales in the shallow but nutritionally rich waters that surround it. Further south, you'll land on the island of Grímsey, home to a remote but welcoming fishing community and thriving colonies of kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, and Arctic terns. As the ship sails south toward Eyjafjörður, you'll get further chances of spotting whales before disembarking in Northern Iceland at Akureyri.
Explore Iceland in the Oceanwide Expeditions way
On an Oceanwide Expeditions cruise, you're not just a passive observer. Instead, you're an active member in an authentic expedition! Through activities such as hiking and Zodiac cruises, you'll get up close and personal with the Icelandic world, providing superb photo opportunities and chances for you to engage with the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.
Our expert expedition guides are second-to-none. Through informative lectures and in-the-moment discussions and interpretations, you'll learn about the species, environments, culture, and history of Iceland, and the broader Arctic world.
Photo: Flatey Island © GettyImages-1021622878
This unique May expedition offers a rare opportunity to experience Iceland in a truly authentic way. It’s a voyage designed for curious travelers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with the wild, spectacular North.
Book your berth today! Limited spaces remain aboard our Northwest Iceland Explorer voyage. This voyage can also be booked in combination with HDS03-26, turning this 7-night adventure into a 15-night epic that takes you from Iceland's volcanic shores and the Arctic pack ice, to remote Jan Mayen and eventually the spiralling, jagged peaks of Svalbard - the undisputed realm of the polar bear.
