When you take the time to sail all the way around remote islands or archipelagos, you’re seeing them from a number of angles. Several small-ship cruise companies offer these circumnavigations in Iceland, Newfoundland and Svalbard, fully immersing guests in a land and sea experience with plenty of nature and wildlife viewing along the way. Many of the destinations you’ll reach are far off the tourist track. Generally about 10 to 14 days, these comprehensive voyages allow a holistic destination experience, with land excursions for further exploration. Let’s take a look!
Circumnavigating Iceland
Photo by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears. Iceland 2014
Duration: 10-11 days
What You Can Expect:
An Iceland circumnavigation allows access to some of the most remote waters in the world. Keep in mind, however, that weather is the guide here. Safety is always the top priority, so if unexpected weather, ice and sea conditions prevail, it may impact the sailing route and landings.
Highlights:
- Stykkisholmur: Friendly town full of well-preserved old homes, interesting museums and nearby basalt cliffs and black-sand beaches
- Patreksfjordur: A charming west-coast settlement of about 660 residents. Hike along the fjord, visit the Dynjandi waterfall and go birdwatching at Latrabjarg.
- Northwest Iceland: Go kayaking, visit small settlements and go hiking along the region’s beautiful fjords.
- Akureyri: Visit this lively town in northern Iceland, the most populous Icelandic community outside Reykjavik and famous for its botanical gardens. From here, you can take excursions to Myvatn Lake and the Godafoss waterfall.
- Grimsey Island: Step across the Arctic Circle on Grimsey!
- Husavik: Go whale watching at Iceland’s “whale capital,” glimpsing humpback and minke whales, and perhaps white-beaked dolphins. Look closely and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see a blue whale. Then, sail past the scenic Laganes Peninsula.
- Bakkagerdi: Marvel at the vast puffin colonies in the Borgarfjörður, a popular birdwatching destination. Known as “the land of the elves,” Bakkagerdi is peaceful and quiet, far off the beaten path.
- Heimaey (Home Island): Check out the narrow entrance to Heimaey’s harbor, formed by a 1973 volcanic eruption and evidence of Iceland’s fiery landscape. This, too, is a favorite birdwatching destination, with puffins as far as the eye can see.
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen
Photo by Håkon Grimstad on Unsplash
Duration: 10-11 days
What You Can Expect:
Aboard an intimate and comfortable expedition ship, you’ll attempt to sail above 80 degrees north and fully circumnavigate the islands of Spitsbergen. During the summer, you can expect to see polar bears hunting on the sea ice, beautiful fjords, glaciers and icebergs in a pristine Arctic wilderness.
Highlights:
- Longyearbyen: See how the rugged residents of this colorful frontier town live and make their livelihoods.
- Northwest Spitsbergen National Park: Navigate the ice floes by ship - if the weather permits - and head north to scenic kayaking opportunities. See beautiful Kongfjorden, where massive glaciers calve icebergs into the sea. Call upon the mining center of Ny-Alesund, now an international research center.
- Eastern Svalbard Nature Reserve: The stars of the show here are the polar bears. Look for moms, dads and their cubs hunting for seals on the ice floes. Using advanced sonar and live satellite imagery, your expert expedition crew will navitage the frozen seascape safely and land where permitted. Nature itself will determine if the ship can cross the 80th parallel and continue to the Seven Islands.
- South Spitsbergen National Park: Here, too, you may glimpse a hunting polar bear on the ice floes.
- Isfjorden: Look for Svalbard reindeer in the huge U-shaped valleys of this region, carved by giant glaciers that covered the land ten thousand years ago.
Circumnavigating Newfoundland
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Duration: 12 days
What You Can Expect:
Your circumnavigation of Newfoundland in far-eastern Canada will introduce you to one of the most genuine places you’ll ever visit. You’ll feel the pulse of the marine lifestyle, taste it in the traditional foods and feel the warm hospitality of the people as you gain an appreciation for life in this rugged province, where the culture is so dependent on the ocean.
- St. John’s: As you depart the world-famous Narrows of this vibrant capital, look for the charming houses of the Battery, icebergs, whales and seabirds.
- Coastal Communities: As you’re traveling by sea, you’ll have the chance to photograph unique angles of the adorable villages that dot the shores. There will be an opportunity to land and feel a warm Newfoundland welcome.
- L’Anse aux Meadows: Visit the only authentic Norse settlement in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Remains here date to approximately 1000 CE.
- Red Bay Basque Whaling Station: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s interpretation center and view tools, personal items and navigational instruments that were recovered from a wrecked 16th-century sailing ship. Learn more about the whaling industry on Saddle Island.
- Gros Morne National Park & Woody Point: Explore this nearly 2,000-foot plateau in Gros Morne National Park’s Tablelands. Walk and hike in this otherworldly landscape, with great views of Bonne Bay.
- Miawpukek: Learn about this First National community, a permanent settlement since around 1822. You’ll have a chance to meet and get to know local leaders.
A circumnavigation expedition is a truly remarkable way to get to know a destination, including those most special regions where few tourists go. Ready to go? Let’s chat.