Iceland: Gay Cruise & Expedition

Velkomin til Íslands! Touch down in Reykjavík, Iceland’s charismatic capital, where Viking legends meet sleek Nordic design. The day is yours to explore at your own pace. Wander past colorful tin-roofed houses, pop into an art gallery, or sip coffee at one of the city’s cozy cafés while gazing out toward Faxaflói Bay. Don’t miss the soaring Hallgrímskirkja Church. Its panoramic tower view is the perfect way to get your bearings. This evening, we’ll get acquainted with a Group Meeting at 6:00 PM, followed by an included Welcome Dinner.

After a hearty Icelandic breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning in the capital before your afternoon transfer to the port. Explore Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, shop for locally made woolens, or sample a traditional hot dog at the city’s most famous stand (trust us – it’s a thing). Around mid-afternoon, we’ll regroup at the hotel for our transfer to the ship. Once aboard Ultramarine, settle into your cabin, meet your Expedition Team, and toast the start of your voyage with a Welcome Briefing and dinner as we sail north into the North Atlantic.

Prepare for three days of wild, untamed beauty as we explore the remote Westfjords, often called Iceland’s best-kept secret. This is where mountains tumble into the sea, waterfalls roar over ancient cliffs, and tiny fishing villages cling to fjordside slopes. On Zodiac cruises and guided shore landings, we’ll venture into places that few travellers ever see. At Dynjandi, the “thunderous” waterfall that cascades down a 100-metre (328-foot) cliff, we’ll stand in awe of its sheer power. Nearby, we’ll visit Vigur, a private island regarded as a capsule of Icelandic heritage. Local guides will introduce us to centuries-old traditions of eiderdown harvesting and share tales of island life. Back on board, there are opportunities for sea kayaking, Zodiac rides, and even a guided paddle excursion, depending on conditions. Keep your camera handy; the Westfjords’ breathtaking landscapes and curious seals are endlessly photogenic. On our final day in this region, our Expedition Team will seek out even more hidden corners before we sail eastward toward Iceland’s rugged north.

PLEASE NOTE: Unlike our typical offerings, an expedition cruise is not only more exciting, but also less predictable. The Captain must factor in ever-changing sea, wildlife, and weather conditions in a remote part of the world. Therefore, the itinerary is less specific than usual, and sights visited are subject to change. Still, the days will be full of adventure.

Over the next few days, we’ll unveil the magic of Northern Iceland, a land of contrasts where volcanic landscapes, lush valleys, and Arctic waters collide. We’ll marvel at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and visit Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods,” where Iceland’s early leaders once declared their conversion to Christianity. In the Lake Mývatn region, we’ll explore bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and the surreal lava formations of Dimmuborgir, filming location for several Game of Thrones scenes. At Skútustaðir, we’ll stroll among mysterious pseudocraters formed by ancient steam explosions, while the nearby Hverir geothermal field seems straight from another planet. A true voyage highlight comes as we cross the Arctic Circle at Grímsey, a tiny island with only about 70 residents and thousands of puffins. We’ll also explore Skagafjörður, known for its towering cliffs and abundant birdlife. Keep your eyes on the horizon for minke and humpback whales; these waters are among their favorite feeding grounds. Evenings bring soft Arctic light and long golden sunsets, an unforgettable northern glow.

This morning, our ship anchors at Seyðisfjörður, one of the country’s most picturesque villages. Here, we’ll visit the Skálanes Nature and Heritage Centre, a fascinating hub where science, sustainability, and Icelandic tradition converge. Local researchers will guide us through their work monitoring wildlife and preserving cultural heritage in this fragile ecosystem. With luck, we may spot reindeer grazing on the slopes, or even an elusive Arctic fox. Trails of varying difficulty offer stunning views over the fjord. Beyond the science, this region is steeped in stories of resilience and harmony between humans and nature, threads that continue to shape Icelandic identity today.

Today we dock in Djúpivogur, a small port where the soaring peaks of East Iceland give way to the sweeping plains of the south. It’s a place of quiet charm and rugged beauty, framed by waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and snow-tipped mountains. From here, we’ll travel inland to Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. We’ll visit the luminous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs drift gracefully, and stroll along Diamond Beach, where fragments of glacier ice glitter against jet-black sand. With time to hike and explore, this region showcases the raw power and poetic beauty that make Iceland unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Our cruise adventure continues to the Westman Islands, a stunning volcanic archipelago off Iceland’s southern coast. Home to sea cliffs, panoramic views, and one of the world’s largest puffin colonies, this area is a paradise for bird lovers and photographers alike. We’ll go ashore on Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the group, to learn about the dramatic 1973 eruption that buried part of the town in lava and ash. Today, remnants of that event serve as a powerful reminder of Iceland’s ever-changing landscape. From the ship, we’ll navigate through one of the narrowest harbors in the world, an unforgettable approach flanked by towering cliffs. Keep an eye out for Klettsvík, the cove that once housed Free Willy star Keiko the orca during his reintroduction to the wild. Later, we’ll hike through meadows of tall grass to a puffin colony, where these charismatic seabirds nest by the thousands. It’s a fitting finale to a journey defined by wonder, wilderness, and wildlife.

This morning, we return to Reykjavík and bid farewell to Ultramarine and our incredible Expedition Team. Thanks for joining our Iceland adventure, and safe travels home!

For those wishing to extend their stay, Reykjavik Pride is scheduled to run through August 8th, with the Pride Parade itself happening on August 7th. Prices and details for our post-cruise Reykjavik Pride package will be available approximately 8-10 months prior to departure.