Northern Lights and Wild Isles: Iceland, Greenland and Scotland - Douglas Mawson

Arrive into Reykjavik (REK) and explore at your leisure, before returning to our Embarkation Suite at the designated time for the group transfer to the Sylvia Earle. Boarding will commence in the late afternoon. After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before our important safety briefings before we ‘throw the lines’ to begin our Iceland adventure. This evening, join your fellow travellers for an onboard Welcome Dinner, where your expedition team will introduce you to the expedition ahead and raise a toast to the adventures to come. As darkness settles after departure, venture onto the outer decks for your first opportunity to scan Iceland’s skies for the aurora. Away from Reykjavík’s city lights, conditions may become increasingly favourable if the sky is clear and solar activity is present.

Today we enter the Westfjords, one of Iceland’s most remote and sparsely populated regions. Ancient glaciers have carved a dramatic world of deep fjords, broad valleys and sheer-sided table mountains that fall towards the North Atlantic. Waterfalls thread down the mountainsides, small farms sit beneath immense cliffs and the winding coastline reveals new perspectives at every turn. As we navigate these sheltered waterways, the Expedition Team will interpret the geology, wildlife and human stories of a landscape that feels wonderfully removed from modern life. Conditions permitting, we travel ashore by Zodiac to visit Dynjandi, the jewel of the Westfjords. This magnificent waterfall tumbles approximately 100 metres (328 feet) down a broad, tiered mountainside, widening like a bridal veil as it descends. A walking trail follows a succession of smaller cascades towards the main falls, offering everchanging views across Arnarfjörður and the surrounding peaks. Whether you choose to walk towards the base or admire the panorama from below, the scale, sound and setting of Dynjandi make it one of Iceland’s most memorable natural landmarks. Later, we continue north through the Westfjords. Relax on deck as mountains and isolated valleys slip past, and keep watch for seabirds, seals and whales in the nutrient-rich waters. The long summer light lends an added beauty to this quiet afternoon of scenic expedition cruising. TRIP NOTES After nightfall, the remote Westfjords offer dark skies with very little artificial light. If conditions align, step outside to watch for the first green arcs appearing above the surrounding mountains and fjords.

This morning, travel ashore by Zodiac to Vigur, a small island jewel in the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord. Home to only a handful of residents but vast numbers of seabirds, Vigur offers an intimate glimpse of traditional island life. Follow gentle paths through rolling green landscapes where puffins, Arctic terns, eider ducks and black guillemots nest in season. Learn about the island’s long tradition of sustainable eiderdown farming, discover its historic buildings and visit the tiny post office. With its lively bird colonies, sweeping fjord views and warm Icelandic character, Vigur is a place of rare charm. Back onboard, spend the afternoon exploring the deep fjords and sheltered bays of Ísafjarðardjúp. Towering, flattopped mountains rise directly from cold, nutrient-rich waters, creating a spectacular setting for scenic cruising and wildlife watching. Keep your camera and binoculars close as we search for humpback and minke whales, dolphins and seabirds. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but these productive waters offer exciting possibilities. Your Expedition Team will help scan the fjord and share insights into its geology, ecology and centuries of human history. This evening, Ísafjarðardjúp’ssheltered waterways and isolated mountain landscapes may provide a dramatic setting for aurora viewing. The Expedition Team will monitor conditions and alert guests if a display develops.

Today we leave Iceland behind and set a course across the Denmark Strait towards Greenland. This ocean passage is an expedition experience in its own right: spend time on deck scanning the horizon for whale blows, dolphins and seabirds that glide effortlessly in the ship’s wake. As the day unfolds, the Expedition Team will bring the journey to life with engaging talks on the wildlife, geology and history. It is also a chance to relax with fellow travellers and watch the light shift across the open sea as anticipation builds for our first Greenland fjord. Tonight, far from the light of any settlement, the open waters of the Denmark Strait may offer an uninterrupted view of the northern sky. Wrap up warmly and join fellow travellers on deck should the aurora appear above the ocean.

For four days, we explore the immense fjords and remote coastlines of East Greenland. Here, glaciers descend from the ice cap, mountains rise in bands of ochre, rose and charcoal, and sculpted icebergs drift through deep Arctic waterways. At this time of year, the landscape is beginning its transition towards winter, bringing crisp air, changing colours across the tundra and increasingly dark nights.

There is no fixed path through this expedition wilderness. Guided by ice, weather and sea conditions, the Expedition Team will select the best available opportunities each day. We may cruise by Zodiac beneath towering cliffs, weave among intricately shaped icebergs or step ashore for hikes across broad valleys and rocky headlands. From elevated viewpoints, the scale of the fjord systems and surrounding mountains is truly breath-taking.

On land, keep watch for musk oxen, Arctic hare and ptarmigan, while the coast and offshore waters may reveal seals, whales and seabirds. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but every excursion offers the possibility of an unforgettable encounter in a landscape where nature remains firmly in command. Where conditions and local arrangements allow, we hope to visit a remote Inuit community and gain insight into life on Greenland’s isolated east coast. The stories of local residents, together with traces of earlier Inuit cultures and European exploration, reveal the resilience required to live in this extraordinary Arctic environment.

After nightfall, turn your eyes to the sky. With minimal light pollution and long hours of darkness, East Greenland offers excellent conditions for witnessing the aurora borealis. Displays can never be promised, but if the skies are clear and solar activity aligns, ribbons of green may ripple above dark mountains, glaciers and drifting ice—a magical highlight of an autumn voyage

Set against a backdrop of snow-streaked mountains at the head of Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is Iceland’s largest urban centre outside the capital region. Its sheltered setting, colourful streets and celebrated botanical gardens make an inviting gateway to northern Iceland’s waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and geothermal wonders. Personalise your expedition with an included ‘Your Choice’ experience suited to your interests and fitness level ;-Option 1 – Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn & Mývatn Nature Baths

Option 2 – Geothermal Iceland: Krafla Crater, Dimmuborgir & Námaskarð.

With the ship sailing away from Iceland’s northern coast this evening, keep watch for the aurora over Eyjafjörður and the surrounding mountains. Northern Iceland lies beneath the auroral oval, making clear autumn nights especially promising.

Explore Seyðisfjörður, a picturesque fishing village that is renowned for its charming collection of colourful wooden buildings located around the lagoon. Take a stroll around town and discover the timber houses that are remnants from when the Norwegians settled here and established the herring fishing facilities from 1870-1900. From the valley above the town, the river Fjarðará tumbles down in beautiful cascades to the lagoon. There are a number of delightful hiking trails to explore, or alternatively, you can discover a flourishing cultural scene with an arts centre, the famous blue church that stages music concerts and the only two cinemas in the east of Iceland. Back in town, browse the stores where you will discover handicrafts by local artists and artisans – perfect as a souvenir or gift. After leaving Seyðisfjörður, the long fjord and dark mountains of eastern Iceland may form a beautiful natural frame for the northern lights. If skies remain clear, watch from the outer decks as we continue into the North Atlantic.

Scattered across the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands form a dramatic archipelago of 18 volcanic islands shaped by wind, waves and centuries of seafaring life. We plan to discover landscapes of sheer sea cliffs, deep fjords, green mountains and villages tucked into narrow strips of coast. Viking heritage remains woven into Faroese identity, while distinctive grass-roofed houses and working harbours reflect a culture closely connected to the surrounding ocean. Much of the first day unfolds on the open North Atlantic as we continue towards the Faroe Islands. Enjoy a leisurely day onboard, perhaps joining presentations from the Expedition Team, sharing stories with fellow travellers or watching for whales, dolphins and seabirds from the outer decks. Later, the rugged silhouettes of the Faroes emerge on the horizon as we approach Tórshavn for a late afternoon arrival. In Tórshavn, one of the world’s smallest capitals, enjoy some free time to wander through the historic lanes of Tinganes, where turf-roofed timber buildings cluster on a rocky peninsula beside the harbour. Explore the compact town centre, browse locally made knitwear and handicrafts, or enjoy the city’s pubs.

Our second day offers further opportunities to explore the archipelago according to local conditions. We may follow coastal paths across open hills, visit a smaller island community or approach dramatic bird cliffs where seabirds wheel above the ocean. In late September, the shifting weather and soft autumn light lend the islands a particularly atmospheric beauty. As always, our final plans will be shaped by the weather, sea conditions and the best opportunities available. The Faroe Islands sit beneath northern skies where the aurora can occasionally be seen when cloud cover clears and solar activity is strong. Although the islands’ maritime weather makes displays less predictable, a sighting above their jagged peaks and dark ocean would be unforgettable.

Across Orkney’s 70 windswept islands, layers of human history unfold—from 5,000-year-old Neolithic monuments and Norse heritage to wartime remains and present-day crofting communities. Seabirds crowd the imposing sea cliffs, coastal paths beckon hikers and, when conditions allow, kayakers can discover sections of the archipelago from the water.

On Papa Westray, we plan to visit the Knap of Howar, where Northern Europe’s oldest known stone houses were occupied by Neolithic farmers more than 5,000 years ago. Later, experience the warmth of island hospitality at the local pub, where the Papa Westray folk ensemble Poor Man’s Corner may fill the room with lively tunes and irresistible rhythms. Orkney lies near the southern edge of the auroral zone, where strong displays may occasionally be visible under clear, dark skies. On our final evening aboard, there is one last opportunity to watch the northern horizon as we sail towards Aberdeen.

On arrival in to Aberdeen, disembark in the early morning and bid farewell to your fellow travellers and Expedition Team before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.