Duration: 5 nights
Best months: June–August
Country: Iceland
Region: Reykjavik · Akureyri · Eyjafjörður · Ólafsvík · Grímsey · Básavík · Myvatn · Lofthellir cave · Reykjanes · Retreat at Blue Lagoon
A Journey Under the Midnight Sun, Designed Around a Rare Wildlife Moment
When Iceland’s summer sun barely dips, the north feels surreal—fjords glowing late into the night, seabirds circling the cliffs, and migrating wildlife turning the coastline into a living stage. This 5-night itinerary is built around an extraordinary highlight: paddle boarding in Eyjafjörður alongside humpback whales, guided by expert marine teams and supported by seamless, private logistics.
EscapeXperts® designs this experience with clarity and calm: a discovery session, curated options, iterative refinements, and a final trip plan with practical checklists—plus support for changes when nature (or timing) demands flexibility.
Reykjavik: A Soft Landing on Laugavegur
Your journey begins with an overnight in Reykjavik at Sandhotel, perfectly positioned along Laugavegur for an easy first evening. Keep it simple: a relaxed dinner, a stroll through the city’s creative streets, and an early night so you’re ready to head north with energy.
For more routes like this, explore: Arctic Circle Journeys and Iceland with EscapeXperts®.
Akureyri Base: Northern Capital Comfort at Hotel Kea
In the morning, you’ll fly north to Akureyri, where the pace shifts from city buzz to fjord-side calm. Check in at Hotel Kea, right in the heart of downtown—ideal for quick access to local restaurants and a comfortable base while the adventure builds.
This chapter is about easing into the Arctic rhythm: long light, crisp air, and the feeling that time has expanded.
Midnight light, quiet water, and a wildlife encounter that feels unreal
At Sea: Ólafsvík by Jetski, Then Grímsey and Básavík
You’ll start your ocean-side adventures with a fresh perspective: taking to the water by jetski from Ólafsvík, accessing corners of the coastline that simply don’t open up from land. With seabirds calling overhead and the fjords stretching wide, it’s a high-energy way to understand North Iceland’s scale.
Next, you’ll venture out to Grímsey, a remote island straddling the Arctic Circle. Anchoring in the secluded sandstone cove of Básavík, you’ll enter the water in a dry suit alongside an expert marine guide. From this vantage point, you’re perfectly placed to watch puffins diving from the cliffs into the sea—playful, fast, and surprisingly close.
The Signature Moment: Paddle Board with Humpback Whales in Eyjafjörður
On your penultimate evening comes the experience everything has been building toward. As the midnight sun hangs low over the fjords, you’ll meet your marine guides, suit up, and head out by private RIB into Eyjafjörður.
Then the pace drops. Drysuit on, board steady beneath your feet, you’ll drift on Arctic water with striking clarity—waiting, watching, and (if conditions align) sharing the fjord with migrating humpback whales at remarkably close range. The encounter is guided, respectful, and designed to feel intimate rather than rushed.
Afterward, a thermal bath is waiting—because in Iceland, recovery is part of the craft.
On Land: Myvatn to Lofthellir Cave, Then a Blue Lagoon Finale
Between sea chapters, you’ll head inland with a private guide to explore the otherworldly landscapes around Myvatn. Passing beneath Hverfjall volcano and along the pockmarked terrain of Lúdentarborgir crater row, you’ll swap vehicles for hiking boots and cross lava fields toward Lofthellir cave.
Inside, you’ll find long corridors of preserved ice formations—an atmosphere shaped by volcanic geology and protected by the region’s conditions. Then it’s back to warmth at Jarðbaðshóla, an ancient steam bath site visited by Icelanders for centuries.
To close the journey, return south to Reykjanes for one final night at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Expect deep calm: wellness-focused luxury, a private corner of the lagoon, and a final evening that lands softly after the north’s raw edges.
Signature Experiences
- Overnight in Reykjavik at Sandhotel on Laugavegur
- Fly north to Akureyri and stay at Hotel Kea
- Jetski exploration from Ólafsvík along North Iceland’s coastline
- Travel to Grímsey and dry-suit water time in Básavík with a marine guide
- Puffin viewing as they dive from cliffs into the sea
- Private RIB into Eyjafjörður for the paddleboard session with humpback whales
- Inland exploration through Myvatn to Lofthellir cave, via Hverfjall volcano and Lúdentarborgir crater row
- Thermal recovery at Jarðbaðshóla and a final night at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Ready for Something Extraordinary?
EscapeXperts® designs Arctic Circle journeys with tranquility, access, and precision—private transfers, expert guides, and pacing that protects your energy while maximizing rare moments. You’ll receive curated options, a refined final itinerary with checklists, and responsive support for changes, so the experience feels effortless even when nature stays unpredictable.
Why Travel to Iceland with Escape Xperts
North Iceland rewards travelers who plan beyond the obvious—especially when wildlife, water conditions, and remote logistics are involved. EscapeXperts® curates trusted partners and private routing from Reykjavik to Akureyri, aligning flights, marine windows, and inland explorations so your 5 nights feel smooth and unforced. We design kids-first when needed without sacrificing adult comfort, prioritize privacy and safety on the water, and deliver a final plan with practical checklists plus support for adjustments. The result is an elevated Iceland journey that feels rare, calm, and impeccably run.
