Ring of Fire and Ice – Summer Circumnavigation

Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. It’s home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik.

Discover remote fishing villages, spectacular bird colonies and the picturesque fjords, lakes and mountain peaks of Iceland, the land of ice and fire.

Smoky Bay
Your expedition starts in Reykjavik, Iceland’s quirky and laidback capital. Known as ‘Smoky Bay’ due to the rising steam from the surrounding geothermal features, you’ll be just hours away from geysers, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls. Sail on to the colourful and well-preserved houses of Stykkishólmur, your ticket to natural wonders in the Breidafjordur bay and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park. After, discover the peace and silence of a tranquil fishing village in Patreksfjördur.

Iceland’s northern capital
Explore a lovingly repurposed Herring factory in Djupavik nestled in the stunning beauty of northwest Iceland, with its deep blue water, crisp, clear air, and verdant green hills. At the base of Iceland’s longest fjord lies Akureyri. This youthful ‘Northern Capital,’ stands out from the more rural destinations on your journey with plenty of top-notch eateries and museums to enjoy.

Whale watching and historic volcanoes
Husavik looks out over the Skjálfandi Bay which enjoys regular visits from whales. You’ll have the chance to scan for various species including humpback, minke, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and the elusive blue whale. In Heimaey, you’ll discover the fascinating history of a people who fought against a volcano and won, before ending your epic expedition right where it started in Reykjavik.

Akureyri is a city at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord in northern Iceland. In the center, the 1940 Akureyri Church has stained-glass windows portraying scenes from Icelandic Christian history. There are views of the fjord from the forecourt. Nearby, the Akureyri Art Museum displays contemporary art from Iceland and farther afield. To the south are the Botanical Gardens, with specimens from across Iceland

Grímsey is a small Icelandic island, 40 kilometres off the north coast of the main island of Iceland, straddling the Arctic Circle. In January 2018 Grímsey had 61 inhabitants. Before 2009, Grimsey constituted the hreppur of Grímseyjarhreppur. In that year, island residents voted to join the municipality with Akureyri.

Húsavík is a town in Norðurþing municipality on the north coast of Iceland on the shores of Skjálfandi bay with 2,307 inhabitants. The most famous landmark of the town is the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907. Húsavík is served by Húsavík Airport.

Heimaey, literally Home Island, is an Icelandic island. At 13.4 square kilometres, it is the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, and the largest and most populated island off the Icelandic coast. Heimaey is 4 nautical miles off the south coast of Iceland.

Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city. It’s home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik.