Arctic Northwest Passage Expedition

Today you explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often described as “Iceland in miniature.” Land near Arnarstapi beneath the iconic Snæfellsjökull glacier-volcano, made famous by Jules Verne. Walk along dramatic basalt cliffs alive with seabirds before rejoining the ship at Hellnar. In the evening, continue whale watching offshore.

Sail through the shallow, island-studded waters of Breiðafjörður, home to countless skerries and nesting birds. Land on Flatey, a tiny island rich in Icelandic history, where you can stroll through a traditional fishing settlement and observe puffins, black guillemots, and red-necked phalaropes.

Cruise along Iceland’s remote Westfjords, one of the country’s least inhabited regions. Sail past the towering Látrabjarg cliffs, Europe’s westernmost point and one of its largest seabird colonies. The sheer scale of the cliffs and birdlife makes this a photographer’s highlight.

Enter the fjords around Ísafjörður and visit Æðey Island, where an Icelandic family sustainably farms eider ducks. Learn how eiderdown is collected without harming the birds. Puffins nest along the shoreline, and whales are often seen as the ship departs the fjord.

Today the expedition heads north into the drifting pack ice. The landscape becomes increasingly dramatic as ice floes stretch toward the horizon. Keep watch for harp and hooded seals resting on the ice, whales feeding along the edge, and the rare possibility of a polar bear. This is raw, ever-changing Arctic wilderness.

Land on Grimsey, the only place in Iceland that lies directly on the Arctic Circle. Walk across the symbolic Arctic Circle marker and explore the small fishing village. Grimsey is also famous for its abundant seabird colonies, including puffins, razorbills, and Arctic terns.

Arrive in Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Guests concluding the first segment disembark here. Those continuing the full expedition remain onboard and re-embark later, sailing north through Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords, with frequent whale sightings.

Sail north past Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited islet slowly being claimed by the sea. From this point onward, the Midnight Sun dominates, providing 24-hour daylight as the ship ventures deeper into the High Arctic.

A full day at sea allows time for wildlife spotting and onboard enrichment. Scan the ocean for humpback, fin, blue, and minke whales, as well as orcas. Expedition guides offer lectures on Arctic history, wildlife, and ice navigation.

Arrive at the remote Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, dominated by Mount Beerenberg, the northernmost active volcano on Earth. Weather permitting, land near the weather station and explore remnants of 17th-century Dutch whaling operations scattered across the moss-covered lava fields.

Follow the Greenland Sea ice edge under the glowing Midnight Sun. This nutrient-rich boundary attracts bowhead whales, seals, seabirds, and polar bears hunting along the ice. Few places on Earth offer such pure Arctic atmosphere.

Turn east toward Spitsbergen, cruising along the continental shelf where cold Arctic waters meet warmer currents. Whales often gather near glacier fronts, creating excellent viewing opportunities from deck.

Explore Spitsbergen’s dramatic fjords and narrow straits. Possible Zodiac landings include walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, and tundra slopes where reindeer graze and Arctic foxes roam.

Continue exploring the Isfjorden region with flexible landings based on weather and wildlife conditions. Enjoy your final Zodiac cruises, glacier views, and last chances for polar wildlife encounters.

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the administrative heart of Spitsbergen. Disembark after breakfast, concluding an extraordinary Arctic expedition through ice, islands, and wildlife-rich polar seas.