It was precisely ten years since my first go to to Iceland after I returned final summer time with Journey Canada. And let me inform you, it couldn’t be extra totally different. To go to Iceland by sea is a rare and distinctive strategy to journey right here.
Iceland was solely starting to increase on the tourism map a decade in the past. It was nonetheless fairly chill. Instagram was nonetheless new, and Iceland had but to dominate it. I went with girlfriends, together with a good friend from Iceland, and we did a loop road trip. It was a lot enjoyable. It was additionally one in every of my first jobs as a full-time journey blogger, so it meant a lot to me.
This time round was fully totally different. As an alternative of flying in, we sailed over on their Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga journey, arriving by sea. All up, I spent about two weeks there with Journey Canada on their Iceland Circumnavigation journey after which departing on their Iceland to Greenland: In the Wake of the Vikings journey.
Iceland was a little bit of a hub. And it was so thrilling to discover it in a very totally different manner.
There’s one thing particular about visiting a spot the old style manner, the way in which it was initially settled. It’s thought that the Vikings settled in Iceland within the ninth century, however it may need been earlier.
Making their manner throughout the North Atlantic, doubtless trying to find arable land, the Norse got here of their 1000’s, settling throughout Iceland inside a couple of a long time. What’s attention-grabbing to be taught that a number of the genetic proof consists of Irish and Scottish ancestry along with Scandinavia, significantly, ladies. Most individuals imagine they got here as slaves.
Following within the wake of the Vikings over a millennia later by ship is a spectacularly cool strategy to arrive in Iceland.
Right here’s a style of what we go as much as with 25 of my favourite photographs from a few weeks exploring Iceland by sea – take pleasure in!
Arnarstapi
One among our first stops in Iceland was to a spot I had by no means been to earlier than – the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. Considerably off the overwhelmed path, it’s a surprising nook of Iceland value exploring. Arnarstapi is a cute little fishing village that sits because the gateway to the Snæfellsjökull Nationwide Park.
I acknowledged the place we have been nearly as quickly as we stepped off the zodiacs within the harbor. With a cute white home perched on lava sea cliffs above turquoise water with an ideal volcano and glacier behind it, this was a view I had undoubtedly seen earlier than. It was on the quilt of the one e book I purchased in Iceland (costly).
Arnarstapi felt otherworldly instantly. It didn’t assist that we had a number of the wildest lenticular clouds I’ve ever seen, making a moody ambiance that made it really feel all of the extra magical. I spent my time wandering the ocean cliffs, watching the chook colonies earlier than meandering out to the lava fields. It undoubtedly felt such as you have been on one other planet.
Dynjandifoss
From there, we made our manner up alongside the coast into the Westfjords, an usually neglected place. One of many perks of touring by ship is that you would be able to usually rock as much as locations which are a lot tougher to achieve by automobile.
Dynjandi is the biggest waterfall within the Westfjords, clocking in at 100 meters tall, with 5 waterfalls beneath it dropping down into the ocean. Whereas it’s distant, it may possibly nonetheless change into actually busy with tour buses trekking out to go to. We referred to as in early within the morning and had the entire place to ourselves for hours.
My first Iceland waterfall since 2013, I used to be struck by how a lot work has gone into creating infrastructure. I don’t bear in mind paths or indicators or blockades anyplace after I was right here final. For those who have been dumb sufficient to take a seat on the sting of a waterfall, it was on you. And I sat on a number of waterfall edges.
Grímsey
The one place you’ll be able to really be throughout the Arctic Circle in Iceland is on the tiny island of Grímsey, off the northern coast. Sitting fairly at 66° N, Grímsey is just about dominated by birds.
If you wish to get your (visible) fill of puffins, Grímsey is the place to go. Considerably laborious to get to independently; it was nice to have the ability to arrive by boat as a substitute. Simply be careful for nesting Arctic terns – they’re my new chook enemy.
Siglufjörður
The northernmost city in Iceland is known as Siglufjörður, and I had by no means heard of it. It ended up being one in every of my favourite spots in Iceland.
Entering into with zero expectations, it was the sunniest, most stunning climate after we arrived. The colourful, charming fishing city surrounded by mountains couldn’t have been extra picturesque. Mixed with an interesting story and tremendous pleasant locals, Siglufjörður blew me away!
Within the Nineteen Forties and Nineteen Fifties, Siglufjörður was the herring capital of the North Atlantic; it was like a gold rush with fish. It’s since declined, however now there is without doubt one of the finest museums I’ve ever been to, the Herring Era Museum, that shares the entire historical past. I do know, a museum about fishing? However belief me, it’s fucking superior, and it’s completely value coming only for that.
Akureyri
To go to Iceland by sea means we will go to conventional port cities the old style manner, like Akureyri.
A good looking little metropolis in northern Iceland, Akureyri is a good place to base your self out of, even for a day. It’s near so most of the nice wonders of the north, and it’s tremendous cute all by itself. A fantastic place for whale watching; one of many perks of touring round by ship with Journey Canada is the chance to observe for whales whereas onboard. Once we left Akureyri and sailed out of the fiord at sundown, we have been accompanied by whales the entire time.
In the course of the day, we explored outdoors the town, testing Goðafoss, an excellent widespread waterfall. I didn’t notice till we returned to the ship that I had been there earlier than. We additionally spent a while exploring Dimmuborgir, residence to some very cool lava fields, caves, and arches.
Seyðisfjörður
As we continued our Iceland circumnavigation, heading east, we landed in Seyðisfjörður, one other off-the-beaten-track city. I’m unsure I’d ever considered coming right here alone, however it was simply superb. One of many earliest settled areas in Iceland, Seyðisfjörður is residence to the little rainbow street that leads as much as the church.
We had one other day of excellent climate and spent the morning manner out on the fiord in Skálanes. Skálanes is a nature and heritage reserve. Fortunately, the Arctic terns have been solely nesting by the carpark, so that you solely needed to keep away from them for just a little bit, haha!
The reserve at Skálanes is an space of nice biodiversity and is a middle for research and analysis worldwide. There are practically 50 chook species right here, together with a ton of puffins. There are additionally tons of reindeer, arctic foxes, and greater than 80 archaeological websites.
Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón
The most well-liked place we took in on our go to to Iceland by sea was out close to the Vatnajökull Nationwide Park, residence to the long-lasting Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoons.
We spent the morning on a ship tour across the lesser-known Fjallsárlón, taking within the stunning icebergs and glaciers within the distance. It was one other excellent bluebird day, not a cloud in sight.
We ended up having sufficient time that we additionally referred to as in Jökulsárlón too. En path to the ship, we noticed reindeer and arctic foxes, making it an ideal day.
Heimaey
Wow, one other high contender for a brand new favourite spot in Iceland needed to be Heimaey. I had by no means heard of this little spot within the Westman Islands; I’m unsure I’d have thought to return out right here on a standard Iceland street journey. However it was so nice we referred to as in by ship as a strategy to go to Iceland by sea.
The zodiac cruise into the harbor was superb, and we occurred to time it when the prime minister was on the town for the 50-year memorial of the ending of the Eldfell volcano eruption right here. In the midst of the night time in the summertime of 1973, the native volcano erupted with out warning. Fortunately, unhealthy climate had stored the boats within the harbor in a single day, so everybody might escape. Finally, half the city was buried, and locals fought the spreading lava by spraying it with seawater, saving components of it, together with the harbor.
At this time, you’ll be able to see components of homes rising within the lava discipline, and the views from the highest of the volcano are superb. Positively well worth the climb up.
Reykjavík
I used to be so excited to return to Reykjavík. Wow, the town has modified rather a lot within the decade since my final go to. It was so fashionable, with so many new spots and a number of growth occurring.
I spent a couple of hours whereas in port, wandering round and soaking all of it in. I went again to my favourite cafe from the final time I used to be right here, the Laundromat, in addition to lastly going to the notorious penis museum. As a long-time fan of the bizarre, gross, and morbid, even I used to be not into it.
In all places else was superb, particularly the waterfront. I undoubtedly must spend extra time right here quickly. To go to Iceland by sea is an unforgettable manner to soak up this widespread nation.
Have you ever been to Iceland? Would you take into account visiting by ship? Spill!
Many because of Journey Canada for internet hosting me in Iceland – like all the time, I’m holding it actual – all opinions are my very own, like you can anticipate much less from me!
