Cruise from Iceland to Svalbard

What Awaits You

Embark on a breathtaking luxury cruise journey from Iceland to Svalbard, delving into some of the northernmost regions of the world. This extraordinary itinerary begins in the vibrant city of Reykjavik and guides you through stunning locations such as Jan Mayen Island, before culminating in the icy grandeur of Longyearbyen, maximizing your Arctic exposure. Throughout this luxury cruise, you'll have the chance to visit a series of remarkable destinations. Experience the majestic Dynjandi waterfall and explore the charming streets of Isafjordur. In northern Iceland, find solace on Grimsey Island, where thousands of seabirds await, and soak in Icelandic culture on Hrisey Island. Your journey concludes in the ethereal beauty of Svalbard, home to polar bears and staggering glaciers. Engage in a myriad of activities that further enrich your Arctic adventure. Participate in an optional kayaking expedition in Svalbard with the Swan Hellenic team or relax during the rejuvenating days at sea, unwinding on observation decks or mingling with fellow travelers. Marvel at the unique wildlife, including whales and playful puffins, and expand your knowledge with on-board lectures and workshops. This luxury cruise promises an unforgettable blend of exploration, relaxation, and Arctic wonder.

Expedition highlights

High-latitude coasts where glaciers, fjords, and shifting light set the pace, and wildlife watching is part of the day from deck and shore.

Eternety Fjord, Greenland

Ice Fjords

Listen to the symphony of nature as towering icebergs and colossal glaciers crack and calve.

Citizen Science Workshops

During your trip, join Swan Hellenics Citizen Science programs and contribute to real-world environmental research.

Longyearbyen

Two Days in the Polar Capital

Time to explore Longyearbyen — the Svalbard Museum, the North Pole Expeditions Museum, dog sledding history, and the world's northernmost town on its own terms.

Expert-led Talks

Learn more about the region you're exploring from our team of expedition experts.

Polar Wildlife Watching

Spy on polar bears, walruses, whales and arctic foxes in their natural habitat.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

Begin your Arctic adventure in cosmopolitan Reykjavík before exploring the “land of ice and fire” shaped by waterfalls, volcanic shores, remote islands, and the whale-rich waters around Húsavík. Sail toward rarely visited Jan Mayen, a volcanic island where seabirds gather in great numbers. As you cross the Norwegian Sea toward Svalbard, watch for wildlife from the deck and take in a world of glaciers, drifting ice, and polar light before concluding your voyage in Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town

NOTE: This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

Overview

Day 1

Reykjavik

Make sure there is sufficient time to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament

Day 2

Dynjandi Waterfall

Considered one of Iceland’s most impressive falls, the thunderous Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal veil as it spreads down ever-growing cascades

Activities:

Included

Walk to Dynjandi Waterfall With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

1.5 hour

Go ashore by Zodiac with your Swan Hellenic Expedition Team and set out on a scenic walk to Dynjandi, one of Iceland’s most impressive and iconic waterfalls. Located in the remote Westfjords, Dynjandi is famed for its dramatic, bridal-veil shape as cascading sheets of water fan out and tumble down a series of ever-widening terraces. As you follow the well-marked path, your Expedition Team will guide you toward the falls, allowing time to appreciate the scale, power, and beauty of this natural wonder from several viewpoints along the way. The sound of rushing water and the pristine surroundings make this a truly immersive experience. A favorite among photographers and nature lovers alike, Dynjandi is a highlight of the Westfjords and an unforgettable encounter with Iceland’s raw and untamed landscape.

Day 3

Husavik

Húsavík, overlooking Skjálfandi Bay, is famed for whale watching, especially the endangered blue whale. The town's Whale and Exploration Museums focusses on Viking history and Apollo astronaut training, taking place nearby. The town also marks Iceland's first house from 860 AD. Húsavík is on the Arctic Coast Way and the start of the Diamond Circle route. Nearby, Kaldbakur pond is a popular geothermal swimming spot oddly populated with goldfish

Activities:

Included

Whale Watching & Whale Museum

4.5 hours

Húsavík is considered the capital of whale watching in Iceland due to its wide open bay, rich marine life and excellent spotting rates. This tour offers the unique opportunity to enjoy magnificent wildlife and to witness whales and birds in their natural habitat. We’ll start by visiting the informative Whale Centre. The centre provides detailed and interesting information about whales and their habitat. The Whale Centre is one of the most visited places in the north of Iceland and has ample room to display whale skeletons of several species and fascinating facts about whales. After our visit to the Whale Centre we’ll take a short walk to the pier. We’ll then board the whale watching boat where the friendly crew welcomes us and informs us of the various species which may be seen during the trip. The boat takes us to the pristine marine waters of Skjálfandi Bay where we’ll keep a lookout for whales and dolphins. Like all wild nature experiences, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, the potential for whale watching from Húsavík is excellent. We reserve the right to reverse the itinerary if necessary or operate the tour in a different order to that described. Warm and waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear is recommended.

Optional

Jewels of the North

7 hours

This popular tour encompasses the highlights of Northern Iceland – the magical Lake Mývatn, the bubbling mud-pots and fumaroles of Námaskarð, the mystical lava landscape of Dimmuborgir and the vivid green pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir. The first stop on our journey is Námaskarð, a striking geothermal field full of mud-pots, steam vents, sulphur deposits, boiling springs and fumaroles. The experience is otherworldly like, with incredible colours, steam that rises from the earth and the loud popping of air bubbles in the mud-pots. Close by is Dimmuborgir, a dramatic lava landscape with strange formations, columns and arches that have been the source of many folktales in Iceland. The name means “dark fortress”, an appropriately mystical name for this peculiar place. A short drive from Dimmuborgir is Skútustaðir pseudo-craters. The craters were formed by gas explosions when boiling lava flowed over the wetlands near the lake. The craters are a popular site for birdwatches and are protected as a natural wetland conservation area. Finally, we visit Goðafoss Waterfall, “the Waterfall of the Gods”, afterwards we enjoy a scenic drive back to Húsavik and our ship. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met.

Day 4

Day at sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers

Day 5

Jan Mayen Island

The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, this Norwegian island's only residents are the Norwegian Armed Forces or meteorological station staff. Purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions grow next to the black sands, while northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make Jan Mayen an important birding area

Day 6

Day at sea

Days 7-10

Svalbard

Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox

Activities:

Optional

Kayak With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team (single outing)

2 hours

Kayaking in polar regions offers a profound connection with nature. Immersed at water level, free from artificial sounds, the experience is spiritual. Experience the unspoilt magical beauty. Drink in the breathtaking scenery, magnificent ice formations and incredible wildlife with all of your senses, as you tune in to the relaxing rhythm of your paddles gently splashing in the icy water.

Day 11

Longyearbyen

The world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out

Meet Our Expedition Experts

Megan Seritan

Megan Seritan is Deputy Manager of the Ring-Moon Systems Node at the SETI Institute, part of NASA's Planetary Data System, the agency's archive for planetary science data. She holds a Ph.D. in planetary science from UC Santa Cruz, where she used geologic features on the lunar surface to reconstruct what the Moon's global magnetic field was like in the distant past, and a B.S. in physics from UC Santa Barbara. Planetary magnetism runs through all of her work, from the Moon's vanished field to the volcanic rock and auroras that record Earth's own.

Guest Reviews

Each Swan Hellenic Arctic voyage is designed to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and create encounters with the natural world that stay with you long after you return. Our guests' experiences bring the spirit of polar expedition to life.

What elevates Swan Hellenic above competitors is the expedition team and the dedication to immersive travel. The expert lecturers, naturalists, and guides are world-class, offering fascinating lectures and ensuring safe, intimate excursions.

Rachel TaylorAustralia

Everything was absolutely perfect! There was not a single thing to complain about. It was incredibly fun, and that fantastic atmosphere was maintained by the entire crew from the very first to the very last minute of our stay!

Alexander KorneevFinland

A terrific expedition trip! Small number of guests, very attentive staff, very interesting ports of call. Excursions were varied & fun!

Katie BrownCanada

I highly recommend Swan Hellenic! Every single aspect of my cruise was outstanding. The food was fantastic and the ship is awesome. The crew supported my every need in an excellent manner.

Robbie AsherUnited States

From the captain to the expedition guides, from the service staff to housekeeping. 100 out of 100 points!

Annette ClavinDenmark

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SETI

Arctic

Cruise from Iceland to Svalbard

Reykjavik

Longyearbyen

31.05.27 - 10.06.2710 nights

SH VegaV1627053110

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