It can be hard to put this wild and otherworldly place into words. So, you’ll definitely want to capture it on camera. Here, expert tips and tricks for shooting in the land of fire and ice.
Director of Expedition Photography and geologist Ralph Lee Hopkins is reporting from Iceland. Check out these jaw-dropping photos and video clips from the Fagradalsfjall volcano which has been erupting since March 2021.
Can you imagine being close to an active volcano? Geologist Ralph Lee Hopkins just returned from several weeks in Iceland where he got up-close views and jaw-dropping photos. See what he had to say about this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A jubilant Lindblad Expeditions team welcomed National Geographic Endurance's first-ever guests and celebrated with time-honored ship christening traditions. Here’s a taste of what it felt like to be there.
Small but mighty, puffins can dive to depths of 200 feet and fly as fast as 55 miles per hour. Get to know the unofficial bird of Iceland, everyone’s favorite “parrot of the sea.”
There’s no better way to experience the unspoiled corners of Iceland than on a small-ship expedition. Discover why this subarctic island is even more compelling when seen by sea.
Today we got to experience some of the rich history and culture of Iceland with a visit to Siglufjordur, the herring capital of Iceland. Here in Siglufjordur, there’s a living museum depicting the days of the herring fisheries, complete with a performance by the Herring Girls who demonstrated the fine art of cutting and salting herring. After the demonstration, we visited three buildings, each displaying what life was like in the early 1900’s when herring ruled.
A spectacular day aboard National Geographic Resolution brought us high above the fjord via the scenic sky lift, offering sweeping views of mountains, glaciers, and deep-blue waters below. We explored the lush forest on foot, surrounded by mossy trails and birdsong, before reaching open viewpoints of distant icefields. Later, we crossed the serene glacial lake by boat, its surface reflecting the towering peaks above. It was a day filled with a perfect blend of adventure and awe in this majestic landscape.
We had an early morning in beautiful Arnarfjordur in the Westfjords. We enjoyed a hike up to Dynjandi Waterfall with great views of the fjord below. Summer is just beginning here in Iceland, and we could see wild blueberries, crowberries, and bilberries starting to flower. In the afternoon, we made the journey further north to Isafjardardjup to reposition ourselves for an evening visit to Vigur Island. This small island is home to thousands of sea birds including eiders, black guillemots, puffins, arctic terns and oystercatchers. The island is also home to a local family who farms the eider down for duvets and other down products. It’s a neat little economic cohabitation where the family of humans protects the eiders from predators and in return get to sustainably collect their down. The day ended with some music and Happy Marriage cake in the local café. Onward we go to North Iceland where Siglufjordur awaits our arrival.
Continuing our voyage north along the Norway coast, National Geographic Endurance made a stop at Smola Island today. Smola Island looms large in the history of the local fishing industry, and guests were offered two options to explore: a visit to the small, historic Brattværet Island or a walking tour of the more modern fishing village of Veiholman. Before the advent of powered vessels, Brattværet Island was used a safe haven for fleets of the small sailing vessels returning from sea. Fishermen could unload their catch at the island, avoiding the treacherous reefs surrounding the mainland. In the mid-20th century, the fishermen abandoned the island, and it has become a place with a few summer homes. Our hosts guided us around the island and prepared some fresh Norwegian style waffles! Other guests opted for a walking tour of Veiholman village where a small harbor is home to an active modern fishing fleet. Multicolored houses, flower gardens, and narrow streets add to the authenticity of this charming village.
A nice morning that only got better and prettier and sunnier! Truly a gift to bring guests here to witness the scale and diversity of ice and wildlife. South Marble Island had so many tufted puffins, and a few unexpected horned puffins, with sea lions and humpback whales galore. During lunch, we cruised up towards Margerie Glacier to view the impressive glacier and look for Arctic terns. Afterwards, we went past Gloomy Knob and saw mountain goats, looked for wildlife at Russel Cut (saw an osprey!), and ended the day with a stunning colorful sunset with an abundance of whales!