Our last full expedition day in Iceland began at Flatey, a small island between the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes. After a short Zodiac cruise, we landed on the inhabited island and wandered by picturesque wooden houses while observing various Arctic birds, including puffins, redshanks, red-necked phalaropes, and Arctic terns. The small church was another highlight due to its decorative and modern paintings. In the afternoon, the ship went alongside the small town of Grundarfjörður on northern Snæfellsnes. After a walk or a short bus ride, we visited the Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall next to the majestic Kirkjufell Mountain. Whilst the ship sailed silently towards tomorrow’s destination, Reykjavík, the evening ended with the guest slideshow and the Captain’s dinner.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 02 Jul 2023
Flatey and Grundarfjörður , 7/2/2023, National Geographic Resolution
- Aboard the National Geographic Resolution
- Arctic
Kerstin Langenberger, Naturalist
Kerstin Langenberger is deeply in love with the Polar regions. Originally from Germany, she lived in Iceland for seven years where she graduated with a degree in environmental science. She later spent a year on Svalbard, Norway, where she became an A...
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Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland's East Coast
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Westfjords, Iceland
During breakfast we arrived at Isafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords. It was an overcast and slightly windy morning but nevertheless pleasant! National Geographic Resolution lay at the pier and we could choose between spending time on our own, strolling through town on a guided walk with beer and food tasting, or exploring the surrounding fjords and valleys on a bus tour to the small fishing village of Flateyri where a small concert awaited us in the local church. Just after lunch we spotted humpback whales again, this time in the fjord outside Isafjörður. Some of them were really close to the ship and their huge white pectoral flippers could clearly be seen whilst they swam. Tonight’s recap was a special highlight as Hotel Manager Laura had arranged a "bathrobe party". Nearly every guest arrived in their white bathrobes. It was hilarious! After dinner we landed at a small island called Vigur in the fjord Ísafjarðardjúp. Here, a small museum with information about eider down collection awaited us...and there was homemade cake! Those who dared could go on a guided hike over the island, which was interesting as we passed a colony of breeding Arctic terns. A wildlife encounter that will be hard to forget!
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National Geographic Resolution
Husavik to Grimsey
National Geographic Resolution sailed from Husavik at 0800 under clear skies and calm winds. The sea was glassy and the unlimited visibility was perfect for finding whales. “Blows ahead!” rang out on the PA system and soon we were getting close views of a group of humpback whales. Flukes, fins, and spouts seemed to surround the ship. Camera shutters clicked constantly from the outer decks as each whale surfaced and tossed their flukes up for all to see. The afternoon was a birding extravaganza as we explored the cliffs of Grimsey Island, a prime nesting spot for Atlantic puffin, fulmars, gulls, terns, and razorbills. A hike along the top of the bluffs produced fine photos of puffins around their boroughs, while those in flight where trickier to get in the frame. Behind us in the grass we saw redshanks, Arctic terns, phalaropes, and a few very shy snipes.