Explore Iceland’s north and west coasts on this self-drive itinerary to discover a geological wonderland and an abundance of marine life including cetaceans and pelagic birds.
Starting on Iceland’s north coast, your self-drive journey heads west with whale watching opportunities at Dalvík and Ólafsvík. With the benefit of having your own vehicle, explore at leisure the birdlife of Lake Mývatn and discover seal colonies on the Vatsnes and Snæfellsnes Peninsulas.
Aside from the rich cetacean and pelagic birdlife, uncover geological wonders of geysers, volcanoes, cascading waterfalls and fjords. At certain times of the year you may even witness the spectacular sight of the Northern Lights!
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Akureyri
Fly via Reykjavik to Akureyri and collect your hire car. This evening is at leisure, however you may wish to join an optional evening whale watching or Northern Lights excursion.
Accommodation: Hotel in Akureyri, 1-night
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Day 2:
Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss & Husavík
Today drive from Akureyri along the coast of Eyjafjordur fjord to Lake Mývatn, with a chance to stop at Godafoss waterfall. At Lake Mývatn you will have time to explore volcanic craters at Skutustadir and lava labyrinths at Dimmuborgir. There are also opportunities to see the rich birdlife of the lake and surrounding wetlands where over 115 species have been recorded.
Continuing from Dimmuborgir your drive will include opportunities to stop and explore more geological wonders, including the lava fields of Grjotagja, Krafla caldera, enjoy views of the geothermal zone from Viti and the fumarole fields of Hverarond.
Before reaching Húsavík for your overnight stay, marvel at the ‘King of Icelandic Waterfalls’ – Dettifoss, the largest in Iceland. Depending on your arrival time in Húsavík there may be time to join an optional whale watching tour or - from mid-May to mid-August - view puffins.
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Day 3:
Whale watching at Dalvík
This morning's drive from Húsavík takes you back through Akureyri to continue your adventure along the north coast. Along the drive towards Dalvík, enjoy views of the high mountains and ice-age glacial valleys.
At Dalvík, join a three hour whale watching tour during which humpback and minke whales are often spotted, along with dolphins and porpoises. Then continue driving along the coast, occasionally passing through tunnels that have recently opened to connect remote fishing villages to the main road when once they were only accessible by sea or by hiking over the mountains. Tonight is spent in Siglufjorður, which was once the most liveliest and important fishing town in Iceland at the height of herring fishing season.
Accommodation: Siglo Hotel, 1-night
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Day 4:
Vatsnes Peninsula
This morning enjoy the coastal drive from Siglufjorður to Hofós, where you may wish to stop to enjoy a dip at a geothermal swimming pool overlooking the ocean, before continuing to Varmahlið on the Vatsnes Peninsula.
On the Peninsula, we suggest taking an easy hike to see the Hvítserkur rock formation. During the walk there are places to observe seals at play and rest; you may wish to take an optional boat tour from Hvammstangi to view the seals and learn more about these charismatic creatures.
Accommodation: Hotel Laugarbakki, 1-night
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Day 5:
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Heading from Vatsnes Peninsula, drive south to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, stopping at Bifröst to take an optional hike in the Grábók explosion crater.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to varied wildlife, including a multitude of bird species nesting on the cliffs and a seal colony. This afternoon explore a black sand beach, home to the seal colony, and discover the idyllic coastal villages lying within this extraordinary landscape.
Accommodation: Fosshotel Hellnar, 1-night
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Day 6:
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today continue to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its dramatic coastline. This morning join a whale watching tour from Ólafsvík where, along with humpback and minke whales, it may be possible to spot orcas.
Continuing on your exploration of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, make a visit to the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, home to one of the peninsula’s most photographed landmarks, the Kirkjufell. Translated as ‘church mount’, this symmetrical mountain towers from the shoreline.
From Grundarfjörður continue to your overnight stay in the Borgarnes and Reykholt area, making stops at various viewpoints and waterfalls along the way. We recommend you take the time to visit the Natural Heritage Site of Gerðuberg where belts of basalt columns in intriguing geometric shapes can be seen.
Accommodation: Fosshotel Reykholt, 1-night
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Day 7:
Hraunfoss & The Golden Circle
This morning discover the treasures of the waterfalls of Hraunfossar, a collection of countless creeks and cascades of varying sizes streaming out of lava. The Langjökull glacier is visible from here.
Later in the day, drive the Golden Circle route, an area rich with hot springs, waterfalls, geysers and gorges. Stop at Haukadal where Geysir was originally active and from which all geysers take their name. The currently active Strokkur geyser erupts between every four to eight minutes and can reach heights of up to 20 metres! The nearby ‘Queen of the Waterfalls’, the stunning Gullfoss, falls for 32 metres from the river Hvita.
Before continuing to Selfoss where you will overnight, take time to explore Thingvellir National Park, were the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart a few centimetres per year.
Accommodation: Frost & Fire Hotel, 1-night
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Day 8:
Blue Lagoon & fly to the UK
This morning drive to Keflavik airport to return your hire car and depart on your return flight to the UK. You may wish to extend your stay in Iceland by adding in an overnight stay in Reykjavik with a visit to the Blue Lagoon to relax in its geothermic seawater, please ask us for further details.
Please note: The accommodation listed in this itinerary is to provide an indication of the style of accommodation on offer at the given locations and may be substituted with a similar property due to availability.
