After breakfast on Day 2, you'll have time to explore on your own before your afternoon transfer to the modern, purpose-built ship Ocean Explorer. We set sail for "Iceland's best-kept secret"-the Westfjords. This rugged peninsula, on the remote northwestern tip of Iceland, is dominated by mountains, volcanic rock, and fjords. Mountains slope down to the sea in a dramatic fashion, providing plenty of opportunities for incredible landscape photography. We'll spend the day exploring by Zodiac and ship, as well as guided shore landings where possible. The views are diverse: dramatic cliffs, gushing waterfalls, colorful beaches, rolling green hills, high moorlands dotted with rocky outcrops, and tiny lakes. You'll likely spot Icelandic ponies and shaggy sheep grazing the hillsides. A few outposts of civilization include small fishing communities at the fjord edges and along the shores of the Denmark Strait. One of the highlights in the Westfjords is a chance to visit Vigur, a private island where guests can delve into Icelandic culture and heritage as far back as the 11th century. Vigur is widely regarded as a capsule of Icelandic heritage. One of the island's co-owners is polar explorer Felicity Aston, the first woman to ski solo across Antarctica. You'll learn about the Icelandic tradition of eiderdown harvesting, and the wide array of Arctic birdlife and seals that are found in Vigur. It's estimated that Vigur Island is home to over 7,000 breeding ducks, 100,000 puffins, Europe's largest colony of black guillemots, and huge flocks of Arctic terns. You'll also have opportunities to ramble about the island, taste local food, and visit the island cafe. Today's adventure options include Zodiac cruising, sea kayaking, paddle excursion program, and, potentially, a guided shore hike. Right across the bay is Mongufoss, one of Iceland's most remote and beautiful waterfalls, which we'll visit by ship. We may also visit Flatey, a small 1.5-kilometer-long island in Breidafjordur Bay. ...
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