The Top 10 Reasons to Visit Iceland by Expedition Ship

For many expedition travellers, Iceland is simply a gateway location, where their ongoing adventure begins.

Every summer, thousands of guests arrive in Reykjavík to board expedition ships bound for East Greenland, Svalbard or, on longer voyages, even the Northwest Passage. After a brief overnight stay, they step aboard, sail west across the Denmark Strait or north into the Greenland Sea.

What you may miss when travelling through this sub-arctic island is that it possesses almost everything travellers hope to find in the polar regions, yet is often far more accessible.

Towering glaciers descend towards the sea, whales feed in nutrient-rich waters, puffins crowd towering sea cliffs and volcanic landscapes appear so otherworldly that filmmakers have repeatedly transformed them into alien planets, mythical kingdoms and ancient worlds on screen.

Christopher Nolan's huge adaptation of The Odyssey is simply the latest major production to harness Iceland's extraordinary scenery. Long before that, films including Interstellar, Batman Begins, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and the television series Game of Thrones all turned to Iceland when they needed landscapes that looked unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Yet the greatest advantage Iceland offers is something many visitors never experience: access from the ocean. 

Here are ten reasons why it deserves to be explored from an expedition ship.

‘Polar’ is a word that attracts many to expedition cruising in the first place, but in equal measure, it can feel advanced and even daunting for some travellers, especially those migrating from more traditional cruising on larger ships.

Unlike voyages to Antarctica, East Greenland or the High Arctic, reaching Iceland is straightforward. Reykjavík is well connected by direct flights from Europe and North America, allowing most guests to join their ship within a single day of travel. Once on board, there is no requirement for lengthy ocean crossings before the expedition experience begins. Depending on the itinerary, dramatic coastlines, wildlife encounters and Zodiac excursions may start within hours of leaving port.

That accessibility makes Iceland an ideal first expedition for travellers who are curious about expedition cruising but unsure what to expect.

Guests experience the same style of travel found on polar voyages, with expert expedition teams, daily briefings, Zodiac landings, guided walks and a flexible itinerary shaped by weather, wildlife and local conditions. The difference is that Iceland offers these experiences in a more accessible setting, without the extended days at sea that often form part of longer Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.

Many itineraries also complete a full circumnavigation of the island, something that is not possible in destinations such as Greenland or the Svalbard archipelago, where sea ice and geography naturally limit routing. Sailing right around Iceland reveals the remarkable diversity of the country's coastline, from the deeply indented Westfjords and remote northern peninsulas to volcanic islands, black sand beaches and glacier-lined eastern fjords.

Another practical advantage is the climate. Summer conditions are generally milder than those found in the polar regions, meaning most travellers can explore comfortably in layered outdoor clothing rather than investing in specialist polar equipment. Waterproof jackets, walking boots and warm mid-layers are usually sufficient for Zodiac cruises and shore landings, making Iceland one of the easiest expedition destinations to prepare for.

For those who wish to extend their holiday, Iceland also offers excellent opportunities before or after an expedition voyage. Whether visiting the geothermal landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula, exploring Reykjavík's museums and restaurants, driving part of the Ring Road or spending time around the waterfalls and volcanic scenery of the south coast, it is easy to combine an expedition cruise with a land-based adventure.

Many experienced expedition travellers look back on Iceland as the voyage that introduced them to this style of exploration. It provides all the hallmarks of an expedition cruise: small ships, immersive shore excursions, expert interpretation, and close encounters with nature, while remaining one of the most accessible expedition destinations in the world.

Few phrases in travel have been borrowed as often as the Land of Fire and Ice.

Today it appears in brochures and guidebooks promoting destinations across the world, from Patagonia to Alaska, often used as shorthand for dramatic scenery. Yet nowhere does the description fit more naturally than Iceland itself.

Here, fire and ice do not simply coexist; they constantly reshape one another.

Beneath the island lies one of the world's most geologically active volcanic systems, fuelled by the meeting of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and a powerful mantle plume rising from deep within the Earth. Above it sit Europe's largest glaciers, vast rivers of ice that carve valleys, feed powerful waterfalls and conceal volcanoes beneath their frozen surfaces.

This remarkable collision of opposing natural forces has created a landscape unlike anywhere else on the planet. Steam rises from geothermal fields only a short distance from glacial lagoons. Fresh lava fields stretch towards snow-covered peaks, while black volcanic beaches meet ice-filled Atlantic waters.

For expedition travellers, the contrast becomes even more striking from the sea.

Approaching Iceland's coastline by ship reveals immense basalt cliffs formed by ancient lava flows, volcanic islands rising abruptly from the ocean and glaciers descending towards deep fjords. Every day presents another reminder that Iceland remains a country in transition, where landscapes continue to evolve within a human lifetime.

The Vestmannaeyjar archipelago offers one of the finest examples. In 1973, the island of Heimaey was transformed almost overnight when Eldfell erupted beside the town, forcing the evacuation of its residents as lava advanced towards homes and the harbour. Today, visitors can still walk across lava fields that are barely half a century old, a vivid reminder that Iceland's geology is not confined to the distant past.

Further south, expedition ships often cruise past Surtsey, the youngest island in Europe. Born from a volcanic eruption that began beneath the Atlantic in 1963, Surtsey has been protected ever since as one of the world's most important natural laboratories, allowing scientists to observe how life colonises entirely new land without human interference. Although landings are prohibited, viewing the island from the sea provides a rare glimpse into the earliest stages of ecosystem development.

Few places allow travellers to witness geological processes on this scale while simultaneously sailing beneath glaciers that have shaped the landscape for thousands of years.

It is this extraordinary meeting of opposing forces that makes Iceland not simply a land of fire and ice, but arguably the Land of Fire and Ice.

Few expedition destinations in Europe offer the diversity of cetaceans found around Iceland. The meeting of warmer Atlantic currents with colder Arctic waters creates productive feeding grounds that attract whales and dolphins throughout the summer months, making sightings a regular part of many expedition voyages rather than an occasional bonus.

Unlike dedicated whale-watching trips that return to port after a few hours, expedition cruises spend days exploring Iceland's coastline. Wildlife can appear at any time, whether from the bridge, the outer decks or while sailing between fjords, and it is not unusual for an expedition leader to pause a lecture as whales are spotted ahead of the ship.

Humpback whales are among the species encountered most frequently. Northern fjords such as Eyjafjörður have become well-known feeding grounds during the summer, where whales can often be seen lunge-feeding or raising their distinctive tail flukes before diving. Minke whales are also common around much of the Icelandic coastline, while white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises regularly make appearances alongside expedition ships.

In expedition cruising, the land is ruled by the polar bear, and the ocean by the orca.

The waters around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula have become one of the best places on earth to observe these outstanding predators, particularly when herring gather in large shoals during the cooler months.

While sightings always depend on wildlife behaving naturally, Iceland offers one of the most realistic opportunities anywhere on an expedition voyage to see family pods hunting, travelling or socialising in their natural environment.

Unlike Antarctica or much of the High Arctic, where orca encounters are often memorable but unpredictable highlights, Iceland has built an international reputation around them. For animal watchers who have wished to see killer whales in the wild, few expedition destinations offer a better combination of accessibility, scenery and consistent opportunities.

Watching a pod surface against a backdrop of black volcanic coastline, snow-covered mountains and glacier-carved fjords is a feeling that remains with many travellers long after the voyage has ended.

The diversity does not end there. Depending on the season and itinerary, expedition guests may also encounter fin whales, one of the largest animals ever to have lived, while the waters off northern Iceland remain among the best places in Europe to search for the mighty blue whale. Although never guaranteed, simply knowing that the world's largest animal may be feeding someplace beyond the horizon adds another level of excitement to every day spent at sea.

Perhaps the greatest difference between an expedition voyage and a conventional wildlife excursion is that there is no timetable. Whales are not sought during a single scheduled outing before returning to port. Instead, the search continues throughout the voyage, with every stretch of coastline offering another opportunity for an unexpected encounter.

For many visitors, Iceland's waterfalls are among the country's defining images. Names such as Gullfoss, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss appear on almost every itinerary, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. They are spectacular, but they represent only a small part of Iceland's extraordinary landscape.

Travelling by expedition ship offers a different perspective.

Rather than following well-established tourist routes, many shore excursions begin with a Zodiac landing or from a small fishing harbour before setting off on foot with the expedition team. The pace is unhurried, allowing time to appreciate the geology, birdlife and history that surround each route.

One of the finest examples is Dynjandi, the iconic waterfall of the Westfjords. Often described as Iceland's most beautiful waterfall, it cascades more than 100 metres down a broad series of rocky steps, widening as it descends to resemble a giant bridal veil. A well-maintained walking path climbs alongside a succession of smaller waterfalls before reaching the main cascade, rewarding visitors with ever-changing views across the valley and the fjord beyond. For many expedition travellers, the walk to Dynjandi becomes one of the highlights of a circumnavigation of Iceland.

Elsewhere, hikes may follow quiet coastal trails, cross flower-filled meadows or climb gently through volcanic terrains formed by glaciers and centuries of erosion. Expedition guides bring these places to life, explaining how Iceland's unique geology still shapes the island today and pointing out wildlife, plants and traces of its human history along the way.

Waterfalls remain a constant feature throughout much of the voyage. Snowfields and glaciers feed countless rivers that tumble over basalt cliffs before reaching the sea, creating cascades that range from narrow ribbons on distant mountainsides to powerful falls hidden within remote valleys. Viewing them from the water before heading ashore offers a viewpoint few land-based visitors experience.

One of the advantages of expedition cruising is its flexibility. Many expedition teams offer walks of different lengths and difficulty, allowing keen hikers to venture further. In contrast, others enjoy shorter routes focused on photography, wildlife or merely taking in the scenery. Small groups also mean there is time to stop, ask questions and enjoy the landscape without being rushed.

Whether standing in the mist beneath Dynjandi, following an old shepherd's path above a quiet fjord or discovering a waterfall that never appears in the guidebooks, exploring Iceland on foot reveals a side of the country that is difficult to experience any other way.

Long before Iceland became famous for volcanoes and glaciers, it was known for its seabirds.

Every spring, millions of birds return from the North Atlantic to breed on cliffs that stretch for hundreds of kilometres around the island. By early summer, these colonies are in full activity. Guillemots pack narrow rock ledges shoulder to shoulder, razorbills nest in rocky crevices, northern fulmars glide effortlessly along the cliff faces, and black-legged kittiwakes fill the air with their unmistakable calls.

Some of the largest colonies are found in places that are difficult to reach by road but easily explored from the sea. Expedition ships regularly cruise beneath towering bird cliffs, giving guests a perspective that isn't available from viewpoints above. Looking up from a Zodiac, with thousands of birds circling overhead, provides a real appreciation of the scale of these breeding colonies.

Látrabjarg, on the western edge of the Westfjords, is perhaps Iceland's best-known seabird location. Stretching for around 14 kilometres and rising more than 400 metres above the Atlantic, it supports one of Europe's largest seabird colonies during the breeding season. Other expedition itineraries may visit islands such as Grímsey on the Arctic Circle or smaller offshore islands where birds nest free from many land-based predators.

For birdwatchers, photographers and anyone with an interest in wildlife, Iceland's coastline offers something that is becoming increasingly rare in Europe: healthy seabird colonies on an immense scale, thriving in landscapes that have changed little for centuries.

For many expedition travellers, there is one bird that sits at the top of the wish list, and it's the one everyone wants to meet. 

Around 60 per cent of the world's Atlantic puffins breed in Iceland, making the country one of the best places anywhere to see them during the nesting season. From late May until early August, they return to grassy clifftops and offshore islands to raise a single chick before spending the rest of the year far out in the North Atlantic.

What makes an expedition voyage particularly rewarding is the access.

Rather than viewing puffins from distant lookouts, expedition ships can visit islands and coastal cliffs where colonies are found just a short walk from the landing site or can be observed from a Zodiac beneath the cliffs. During June and July, adults make constant trips between the sea and their burrows, often returning with bills packed full of sand eels for their waiting chicks. It is one of the busiest periods of the breeding season and offers excellent opportunities to observe natural behaviour.

Despite their colourful appearance, puffins spend most of their lives far from land, only returning to breed each summer. Seeing thousands of them gathered together is therefore a seasonal privilege, and one of the defining wildlife experiences of an Iceland expedition.

For photographers, few birds are more rewarding. Their curiosity, distinctive markings and habit of landing close to observers often provide excellent opportunities for portraits, while the dramatic backdrop of Iceland's sea cliffs adds a sense of place that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

If seeing puffins in the wild is on your wildlife bucket list, there are few destinations that can match Iceland during the height of the breeding season.

Some places become famous long before most people know where they are.

Scroll through social media, open a landscape photography book or watch a travel documentary and there is a good chance you've already seen parts of Iceland. A solitary white farmhouse beneath a steep volcanic cliff. A sea stack that looks remarkably like an elephant drinking from the sea. A geyser erupting against a backdrop of volcanic hills. They are images recognised around the world, even by people who have never visited the country.

One of the best known is the small farmhouse on Elliðaey, in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Frequently described online as the world's loneliest house, it has inspired countless myths over the years. Seen from an expedition ship, it becomes part of a much larger landscape, sitting beneath towering volcanic cliffs with glaciers visible across the Icelandic mainland. It is one of those rare places that looks every bit as striking in person as it does in photographs.

Another landmark familiar to many photographers is Hvítserkur, often nicknamed Elephant Rock because of its distinctive shape. Rising around 15 metres from the sea off the Vatnsnes Peninsula, the basalt stack resembles an elephant lowering its trunk into the water. It is one of Iceland's best-known coastal landmarks and is even more impressive when approached from the sea by Zodiac, where its nickname becomes clear.

Many expedition travellers also choose to spend a few days exploring Iceland before or after their voyage. One of the country's best-known natural attractions is Strokkur, one of the world's most active geysers. Every few minutes, boiling water erupts high into the air, providing a reminder that the same geological forces which created Iceland's volcanic coastline are still shaping the island today. Together with nearby hot springs, bubbling mud pools and geothermal landscapes, it makes an ideal addition to an expedition cruise.

There is a reason Iceland has become one of the world's most photographed destinations. Its landscapes are instantly recognisable yet remarkably varied, from volcanic islands and sea stacks to glaciers, waterfalls and geothermal valleys. Exploring by expedition ship offers the opportunity not only to photograph these famous locations, but to experience them from perspectives that relatively few visitors ever see.

Few natural phenomena inspire travellers quite like the Northern Lights.

From late August onwards, as the nights begin to darken after Iceland's endless summer daylight, the possibility of seeing the aurora returns. Unlike the winter months, when much of the country is covered in snow and daylight is limited, late summer and early autumn allow visitors to combine Northern Lights viewing with expedition cruising, wildlife encounters and time ashore.

An expedition ship provides an excellent platform for observing the aurora. Once clear of towns and coastal settlements, there is little artificial light to compete with the night sky. On calm evenings, passengers often gather on the outer decks as the first faint green arc appears above the horizon before gradually brightening into sweeping ribbons of light stretching across the sky.

No two displays are ever the same. Some remain subtle, forming a pale glow visible only to patient observers. In contrast, others develop into vivid curtains of green, occasionally accompanied by hints of purple or red as they ripple overhead. The experience is often made even more memorable by the silence at sea, with only the sound of the ship moving gently through the water beneath the display.

Iceland's location just south of the Arctic Circle makes it one of Europe's most reliable destinations for aurora viewing. Travellers choosing late-season expedition departures may find themselves ending a day beneath one of nature's most remarkable spectacles.

Every year, millions of people visit Iceland, but almost all experience it in broadly the same way. They hire a car or join a coach tour, drive the Ring Road, stop at the famous waterfalls, photograph the black beaches, and return to Reykjavík.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that: it is one of the world's great road trips.

An expedition voyage tells a different story.

Instead of joining the traffic between popular viewpoints, you spend your days exploring Iceland's coastline, where roads don't exist. Small expedition ships reach remote fjords, offshore islands and isolated communities that receive only a handful of visitors each season. Zodiacs allow landings on beaches beneath towering cliffs, while hikes begin in landscapes that cannot be reached by coach or hire car.

The difference is not simply where you go, but how you experience it.

There is no less pressure to keep moving because another coach has arrived. Walks are led by your own expedition guides rather than local tour leaders working to a timetable. If whales are feeding nearby or seabirds are particularly active, your daily activity plans can be changed quickly by the expedition leader to make the most of the opportunity. That flexibility is one of expedition cruising's defining characteristics.

For photographers, the coastline also reveals a side of Iceland that many people never witness. Waterfalls cascade directly into the sea, volcanic cliffs rise from deep fjords, and passengers aboard the ship can appreciate the place's scale.

Perhaps most importantly, travelling by expedition ship restores a sense of discovery. Even in one of Europe's most visited countries, it is still possible to spend hours exploring places where there are no roads, no visitor centres and no crowds.

That is the Iceland many people remember long after they return home.