Northeastern Region, Iceland

Summer activities

Meet at the Café by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, about 40 minutes east of Skaftafell, for the start of a unique winter activity and look at an extraordinary natural phenomenon. Go inside some of the ice caves that form after water runs beneath the Vatnajökull Glacier during the summer. Every fall, local guides hunt for new ice caves, as their location can change each year. The structure and condition can also vary from year to year, but rest assured your guide will decide which is the best cave to visit, depending on the safety and weather conditions. Drive for approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the ice cave chosen by your guide, and then walk for 5 to 15 minutes to the mouth of the cave. Upon arrival, enjoy between 1 and 1.5 hours to look inside at the miraculous blue ice of the cave, and take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Experience the majestic beauty of the Eyjafjord's humpback whales and other marine life in their natural habitat on a cruise trip from Akureyri. Listen to your guide's commentary and discover how the warmth of the summer sun brings vibrant life and plenty of food for the larger-than-life mammals.  Benefit from the services of specially-trained whale watching guides who are experts at spotting the animals. Listen as they tell you about the behavior of the whales and answer any questions you may have. Journey aboard the only specially-modified, high-speed whale watching ship in Iceland. Capable of carrying 200 people, it provides spectacular views from its cinema-style viewing platforms. Relax aboard the boat and enjoy the ample indoor and outdoor seating. Purchase drinks and snacks along the way from the onboard bar and cafeteria. Experience a pleasant and comfortable ride, even at speed, and share your adventure live on social media with free Wi-Fi.

Embark on a whale-watching cruise in Húsavík with live commentary. Marvel at the natural beauty of Skjálfandi Bay and get up close to whales, dolphins, and sea birds. Cruise by the north coast of Iceland on a traditional oak boat with light refreshments and warm overalls included. Observe the large diversity of marine animals in Skjálfandi. Enjoy a smooth, safe sailing adventure in an Icelandic oak ship and treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa and some cinnamon buns on the return trip. This round-trip tour is an authentic wildlife activity operated by the pioneers of whale watching in Iceland. With informative commentary from your guide, learn why Húsavík has turned into Iceland’s whale-watching capital.

Explore the dramatic landscapes of the south of Iceland on a full-day sightseeing tour by bus. Go to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon outlet of the largest glacier in Europe, leaning about its history and formation from your local guide. Following a pickup from your hotel in Reykjavik, transfer to the southern coast and the dramatic Glacier Lagoon. Enjoy plenty of time to see the floating icebergs and enjoy the stunning scenery. During the season, make sure to reserve your ticket to the boat cruise on the Jökulsárlón and experience the unique Glacier Lagoon spectacle up close. When you prebook, your place is guaranteed. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is Iceland’s largest and deepest glacier lagoon. It branches from Breidamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Return to Reykjavik, stopping at the gorgeous waterfall Seljalandsfoss. You will visit the Diamond beach with black sand, and there will be an additional stop in Iceland's southernmost village at Vík for dinner.

Explore breathtaking ice formations and glacier mills on this guided tour in Skaftafell. Marvel at a naturally-formed, blue ice cave and learn how glaciers are formed. A professional hiking guide will take you to the base of Falljökull, an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull ice cap, and lead you up to the cave. On a clear day, be sure to look out for Hvannadalshnúkur in the distance.

Embark on a guided tour from Reykjavik to the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Witness the mighty Hvannadalshnjúkur mountain and black sand desert that sprawls between Skaftafell National Park and the lagoon.  Stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the cascades to reach the other side. Continue to the majestic Skógafoss waterfall and admire the impressive 60-meter drop. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and stroll along the shores of the lake. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the area as 1,000- to 1,500-year-old ice breaks away from the Vatnajökull glacier and floats silently on the water. Recognize locations from some of the many movies that have been filmed in the area, such as Batman Begins and Tomb Raider. Stop at the spectacular Diamond Beach and admire the strand of black sand speckled with clumps of ice, giving an appearance of shimmering diamonds. In the warmer months, enjoy an added boat ride around the lagoon and witness the floating icebergs up-close.

Explore Myvatn Nature Baths, a traditionally designed complex with an admission ticket. Relax in the warm waters of the geothermal pools, have a light meal, enjoy a drink in the swim-up bar, and soak in the views of the surroundings. You can take a relaxing bath in the waters of a geothermal area where the sulfur steam rises up through holes in the floor. Explore the water of the Myvatn Nature Baths, drawn from a borehole that goes 2,500 meters into the ground.  Before or after bathing you can enjoy a light meal and drinks at a cafe in a beautiful setting with views of the stunning natural surroundings. You can also make use of the swim-up bar in the baths and enjoy a beer, wine, cider, soda, or glass of sparkling wine in the water. Spend a soothing day in the water which has a high concentration of minerals, is basic in nature, and is well suited for bathing.

Climb aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat and experience a traditional whale watching tour from Europe's whale watching capital at Húsavík. Keep warm and dry with the use of high-quality safety overalls and rain jackets. Sail out into the bay and prepare to be captivated by the work of Mother Nature. Your specialized guide will give a safety demonstration on board the boat and then feed you live commentary on all the sights you will encounter. Skjálfandi Bay is known for its rich wildlife, including numerous types, shapes and sizes of whale. Keep a look out for the acrobatic humpback whales and giant blue whales. This is wild nature and therefore unpredictable, but your chances of seeing whales in their natural environment is very high. Sail back to Húsavík harbour and enjoy the stunning scenery.

THE TOUR Your journey starts by meeting your guide and boarding one of Iceland’s largest custom-made super jeeps! We’ll depart from Glacier Lagoon and drive approximately 30 minutes toward Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacial tongue extending from Vatnajökull. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights about the formation of ice caves, glaciers, volcanoes, and local culture. The caves we visit are 100% natural, constantly forming and changing with the seasons and weather conditions. As such, the cave we explore will depend on the conditions on the day of your tour. We may find ourselves at the edge of the glacier, or we might need to hike a short distance (500-700m) on the glacier to reach the cave. The walking distance on the tour therefore varies between 3-4 km so all participants should be in good health and comfortable with walking. The tour will be a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 4, depending on which cave we will be able to visit. Before entering the cave, your guide will provide a safety briefing and equip you with helmets and crampons/micro spikes if needed. Each tour is unique due to the ever-changing nature of the glaciers and caves. You’ll witness a variety of stunning ice formations and colors, from brilliant blue to emerald green and even striking black ice. Our guests often tell us that the diverse ice formations and colors are the most unforgettable part of their experience. WHICH ICE CAVE DO WE VISIT? We always aim to take you to the most beautiful and awe-inspiring ice caves available during the season. Since the caves constantly evolve, old ones disappear, and new ones form, each tour is a unique adventure. Rest assured, we will guide you to the best ice cave accessible at the time of your visit.

Glide away on a journey to discover the fantastic world of whales in their natural habitat on a whale-watching boat tour from Húsavík. Enjoy the warmth and welcome of a family-run business, learning about these fantastic mammals from experts and animal lovers. Begin your tour by heading West towards Kinnarfjöll mountain range, passing through the best whale-watching grounds of Skjálfandi Bay. Learn how the waters around Húsavik are home to several species of cetaceans, including the more common Humpback and Minke whales, and rarer visitors, such as Blue, Fin and Killer whales. Keep a lookout for White-beaked dolphins too. These magnificent creatures are a sight to behold. In addition to whale watching, marvel at breathtaking views of the dramatic Icelandic coastline and the chance to see other marine life, such as seals and sea birds. Atlantic Puffins can be spotted on a daily basis between May and mid August. Listen to your knowledgeable guide, who will offer a wealth of information about whales, their ecology and habitat, and other marine life.