The solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, promises to be a spectacular celestial event, captivating observers around the world as the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, turning day into night.  One of the best places to experience this incredible phenomenon – Iceland. We will maneuver our ship into the perfect location at sea to experience the totality with minimal light pollution. As totality nears, the impending darkness is easy to see thanks to an unobstructed view of the sky down to the horizon. The eclipse will pass directly over the Western coast of Iceland, near Isafjordur, allowing viewers to experience the solar eclipse’s totality.
 
In the land of fire and ice, your Windstar cruise around Iceland brings you to landscapes both otherworldly and astonishing beautiful. The earth is still shifting here. Dark volcanic peaks rise above fluorescent green hillsides. Lava fields bubble with mud pots and steam vents. Glaciers top mountains, even volcanos. Waterfalls, some of the largest in Europe, create their own rainbows. Startlingly blue lagoons, heated by vents from under the Earth's crust, are natural relaxation spots for bathers.
 
Your cruise begins in the capital city of Reykjavik, which radiates a small-town, artsy vibe. As your ship circumnavigates Iceland, you’ll encounter once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as hikes on ice and on lava fields, and riding Icelandic horses through lush countryside. You may explore lava caves with helmet and flashlight or take a flightseeing tour over icy glacial terrain that includes “The North” filming locations for the TV show, “The Game of Thrones.”
 
Nature tours by Zodiac provide up-close views of humpback whales and seabird cliffs, including the largest Atlantic puffin colony. History tours include Viking lore. In quiet interludes, you might find yourself alone with your thoughts while kayaking in the calm waters of a fjord. By nature of the fact you are on a Windstar small ship Iceland cruise, you’ll travel deeper into local waters than you would on larger ships.
 
Under the near 24-hour Midnight Sun, your Iceland cruise takes you far beyond the typical tourist hot spots, your yacht sailing to remote islands and fjords and tiny villages – including an overnight in Seydisfjordur, with its colorful chalet-style homes and lively arts scene. The leisurely pace affords time to converse with the locals, sample Icelandic cuisine and craft beer, and, perhaps, hear folk tales of elves and trolls.
 
Please Note: Viewing the total solar eclipse will depend on the weather and Windstar Cruises cannot guarantee the viewing conditions of the total solar eclipse. There is the possibility that passengers may not see the totality or may only see it for a brief period, due to factors that are out of our control.

Beautiful Grundarfjordur is located between a mountain range and the sea.  The road nearby crosses a lava field that is partially warm so snow does not always stick there. The main attraction of the area is Snæfellsjokull National Park full of regal glaciers, lava fields, waterfalls, caves, calderas, and basalt cliffs. The peninsula there received the EARTHCHECK Sustainable Community Award in 2010, the first area in Iceland to win such an award.

Akureyri is an important port and fisheries center especially because of its ice-free harbor so close to the Arctic Circle.  It lies at the end of Iceland’s longest fjord, which is 37 miles long, at sits at the base of snowcapped peaks that offer some of Iceland’s best skiing during the winter.  Must-sees in Akureyri include the Listagil (art canyon) which is home to many arts and crafts galleries and shops, the beautiful church in the center of town, the botanical garden, and Hafnarstraeti, the main shopping street.This is also the perfect place to ride an Icelandic horse or soak in the sky-blue Myvatn Nature Baths.

Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town.  This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species.  The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town. 

Seydisfjord is 11 miles of long, narrow, beautiful waterway surrounded by high mountains that ends at the town of Seydisfjordur, known for its old multi-colored wooden buildings and cascading waterfalls even in the town.  This is home of the Skalanes Nature Reserve with its wide variety of wildlife including more than 45 bird species.  The first high-voltage electricity in Iceland was opened here in 1913 and is still in operation today. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the east bank of the Fjardara River that flows through the center of town. 

Witness a world still in transition. Circle Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which rose from the sea in the 1960s. Next up, Heimaey, where a volcanic eruption created a modern-day Pompeii in 1973.