Natural Wonders of Iceland and Greenland

Use your leisure time in Reykjavik to uncover the unique charm of the world’s northernmost capital or take one of the many interesting day trips offered from Reykjavik. The ship docks at the Old Reykjavik Harbour, in the heart of the city and is a short 5 minute stroll to the main squares, shopping and dining.

The ship will depart Reykjavik harbour early evening.

Located off the coast of South Iceland, the island group Vestmannaeyjar was formed by submarine volcanic eruptions 10,000 years ago. Surtsey Island emerged from the sea in 1963 and is the youngest place on earth. We go ashore on Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the archipelago. Here the evidence of Iceland’s volcanic fury is on full display with half-buried houses in ash from a violent eruption in 1973 when the entire island had to be evacuated. An epic experience here is to play a round of golf in a sunken volcanic crater.

Today we sail across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland, following the same maritime route used by Norse settlers more than 900 years ago. En-route you can attend fascinating presentations by our Expedition Team members to prepare for your visit to Greenland. Or of course, you can choose to just relax and watch whales, dolphins and seabirds from the deck of your cabin.

Greenland with beguile, from the beautiful and fertile south with its fascinating Viking history, the modern capital of Nuuk in a traditional Inuit society, to the town of Ilulissat with its floating icebergs. The Ilulissat Ice Fjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a stunning sight to see. All these spectacles and more await you on your unforgettable journey from Iceland to Greenland aboard the Ocean Diamond.

When conditions are favourable we travel along the 70 mile (112 km) long Prins Christian Sound which connects the Labrador and Irminger Seas. In this narrow, often ice-choked channel, we come so close to icebergs you can almost reach out and touch one. The force of Greenland’s massive, inland ice cap pushes glaciers towards the sea, where large hunks of ice break off and become floating icebergs.

Very close to the town of Narsarsuaq lies the small settlement of Qassiarsuk, founded by the legendary Viking rebel and leader Erik the Red. He named this area “green land” because the landscape around Qassiarsuk is characterized by inviting fjords and green, fertile valleys. During this stop you have the opportunity to learn more about the lives of the early Norse settlers and visit the reconstructions of a Viking longhouse and small turf church.

Today we visit Ikka Fjord. The underwater world is like no other, it contains a forest of remarkable mineral columns growing on the seabed. The columns formed over 10,000 years ago of the extremely rare mineral Ikait.

Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and its oldest town. Founded in 1728 by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, Nuuk combines Arctic traditions and European urbanity. With around 16,000 inhabitants, Nuuk is considered a modern, bustling metropolis compared to the rest of Greenland. Visit the city sights on a walking tour that ends at the National Museum which exhibits the famous mummies of Qilakitsoq.

With approx. 5,600 inhabitants, Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland. It is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. The fishing industry still plays an important role. The natural harbour remains ice-free throughout the year which made it an attractive location for European whalers in former times.

In the morning we reach Ilulissat village in fabled Disko Bay. Ilulissat is located beside the Ilulissat Icefjord. Delight in the thunderous spectacle when icebergs break off from Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and plunge into the fjord. Sermeq Kujalleq is one of the most productive glaciers in the northern hemisphere. We spend the evening at the beautiful Eqip Glacier.

Uummannaq is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greenland. Located on a small island about 300 miles (483 km) north of the Arctic Circle, this tiny, picturesque village lies at the foot of a heart-shaped mountain.

The small settlement of Qeqertarsuaq is located on the south coast off Disko Island. In 1773 the first whaling base was founded. Whaling has been of great importance to the town over the past two centuries. Hunting and fishing are still the primary occupations for the island’s inhabitants.

Early morning we arrive at the 120 mile (193 km) long Kangerlussuaq Fjord and city of the same name. It’s time to bid farewell to the Ocean Diamond and your newfound expedition cruise friends. The ship docks offshore and you will disembark by zodiac tenders to the pier, and then transfer to the Kangerlussuaq airport. The airport has an eventful history: in the late 1940s this airport was a hub on flight routes between the U.S. and Berlin during the “Berlin-Blockade”.

A reverse itinerary, Natural Wonders of Greenland and Iceland, begins in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland. The return journey may take a slightly different route or visit  different communities than the itinerary shown above. We can provide you with the itinerary details, on request.