Iceland Nature Cruise | Natural Habitat Adventures

Get a 360° View on the Land of Fire & Ice on a Full-Circle Expedition Cruise

Iceland contains some of Earth's most fascinating geological features, from glaciers and geothermal springs to boiling mud pots, columnar sea cliffs and stark lava fields of austere beauty. Geologically young, Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a tectonic plate boundary of intense geological activity with many volcanoes—hundreds, in fact. Most famously, Eyjafjallajokull erupted in 2010, sending ash sky-high and fiery molten rock coursing over the landscape. Add in gushing waterfalls, summer wildflowers, whales, seabird colonies and other wildlife, and you've got one of the world's most captivating nature destinations. Iceland's Viking heritage and thriving arts culture add even more appeal to this diverse island nation on edge of the Arctic Circle. Experience it all when you make this full circuit by expedition ship!

Interested in a shorter voyage? Click here to check out Lindblad's 6-day Wild Iceland Escape!

Trip Highlights

Discover More of the Iceland Others Miss

Explore remote, less-visited parts of Iceland, including the Westfjords, the east coast and the Westman Islands, one of the planet's youngest archipelagos

Witness Striking "Fire & Ice" Geological Features

Stand on Europe's largest glacier, cruise among icebergs in Jokulsarlon Lagoon, gape at Godafoss, the "waterfall of the gods," and walk amid volcanic craters at Lake Myvatn

Experience Iceland's Best Wildlife Watching

Look for abundant marine life as we scout for whales and dolphins at sea, and pass steep volcanic cliffs that are home to millions of nesting seabirds, including Atlantic puffins

Sail with the World Leader in Small-Ship Conservation-Focused Cruising

We’re proud to offer a worldwide slate of Adventure Cruises through our partner Lindblad Expeditions. Nat Hab joined forces with Lindblad in 2016 to expand our mutual collection of nature adventures. Founded in 1958 by Lars-Eric Lindblad, the company pioneered eco-conscious expeditions for “citizen explorers" and today is the world leader in conservation-focused small-ship cruises.

Small Ships for Closer Nature Encounters
Lindblad's expedition ships offer an intimate, up-close experience of Iceland's coast and islands. The small size of our National Geographic ships grants access to narrow fjords and secluded bays that big cruise ships can’t reach, while full stabilization and state-of-the-art technology provide supremely safe passage. Guests also enjoy personal interactions with naturalists, guides and crew.
Tap More than a Half-Century of Maritime Expertise
This comprehensive Iceland nature cruise offers an expedition-style experience with a crew and staff who are veterans of Arctic waters. As pioneers in commercial polar cruising, Lindblad draws upon more than 50 years of experience, assuring safety and a thorough immersion in some of the world’s most remote wild places. Aboard Lindblad's ships, you'll sail with a highly experienced Expedition Leader, assistant Expedition Leader and a team of naturalists with relevant specialties. A photo instructor certified by National Geographic is also on board to help you get outstanding images of Iceland's grand scenery and marine life.
Varied Activities Make Every Day a New Adventure
A host of exciting adventures led by naturalist guides reveals the rugged, wild beauty of Iceland. Motorized Zodiac rafts get us close to cliffside bird rookeries and provide access for shore landings, while a fleet of double kayaks provides an eye-level look at marine life. These sea kayaks are chosen for their stability, and even beginners will find that maneuvering them is not difficult—and instruction is provided. A custom-designed floating platform allows kayaks to be launched from most any location.
Take a Look at the World Below the Sea
An undersea diving specialist accompanies every voyage. Wearing gear to survive in frigid Arctic waters and carrying nearly 200 pounds of equipment, this specialized expedition team member shoots high-definition footage of the world beneath the waves, teeming with life. It's then shared on plasma TV screens in the ship's lounge for all to enjoy. In addition, the ship’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can dive to 1,000 feet below the surface to capture even more imagery of the deep ocean world.
Specialized Equipment Further Enhances Your View of Nature
A video microscope helps naturalist guides show and explain a multitude of elements in the Arctic environment, including tiny organisms in the marine ecosystem’s building blocks—like a krill’s body, at 80x magnification. High atop the ship’s mast, a crow’s nest camera provides a 24/7, 360-degree view on our surroundings that you can watch on your cabin TV. And underwater microphones are deployed to listen in on marine mammals, offering real-time sounds of nearby whales and other life below the surface.
Travel with Experts Who are Iceland Specialists
Your voyage features a knowledgeable team of expert interpreters who will vastly enhance your appreciation for the natural and cultural history of Iceland. Each voyage includes a senior Expedition Leader, a team of veteran naturalists, a National Geographic photographer, an undersea specialist, expert guest speakers, a video chronicler and a wellness specialist. You'll hear from a diverse slate of speakers including wildlife biologists, ornithologists, marine scientists and historians.
We’re Committed to the Planet
Natural Habitat Adventures is a standard-setter in eco-conscious travel. We were the world’s first 100-percent carbon-neutral travel company. And we continue to break ground in adopting practices that help protect our global environment. Because of our concern for the environment, we are pleased to partner with Lindblad Expeditions for our Adventure Cruises, a company that shares our values and commitment to the planet.
Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our environmental commitment and the outstanding quality of our adventures, World Wildlife Fund has chosen Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation we’re very proud of! When you book your Lindblad Expeditions cruise with us, a portion of your trip fee supports WWF.