Iceland in Spring - Photography Special July 2026

For a quick look at 10 of my favourite photographs from the trip, click on the thumbnail below-centre.

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Home Page An arbitrary collection of 10 of my favourite photographs from this trip



Days 1 and 2: Gullfoss and the Golden Circle
We were driven from Keflavik airport to the Hotel Gullfoss, a few km from the waterfall of the same name. We made an evening visit to the falls, in rather overcast weather, before our evening meal. The following morning we re-visited Gullfoss before breakfast in much brighter weather. Our itinerary for the rest of the day took us to Geysir where we were able to witness a geyser erupting, then on to the Thingvellir National Park, stopping now and then en-route for photo opportunities.
Following our visit to Thingvellir, where we were able to photograph a number of species, we drove on to the Hotel Langaholt, our home for the next three nights. Day 3: Olafsvik, Ondverdarnes and Arnastapi
We were up before breakfast to photograph Arctic terns that were nesting in long grass at the edge of a golf course in the hotel grounds. These birds are very territorial, both between each other and against visitors such as ourselves. We soon learnt to wear a hat when visiting the colony, to migigate the pain of their dive-bombing.
The rest of the morning was spent on a whale watching cruise and we followed this with a picnic lunch and further photography at Rif. Later in the afternoon we visited a lighthouse at Ondverdarnes on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, perched on top of some cliffs that were being used for nesting by a variety of seabirds, including Brunnich's guillemots. We next visited the coastline at Arnarstapi, where we witnessed and photographed more seabird behaviour.



Day 4: Ytri Tunga and Arnastapi
Following another walk to the tern area we had breakfast and set out for Ytri Tunga. This is a beach area well known for its population of common and grey seals, among much other wildlife. There was plenty of photography and walking there.
After our picknic lunch we headed to Arnarstapi, which is a clifftop area that is home to many Kittewakes, other gull species and, of course, phalaropes. Halequin ducks were also seen. Day 5: Ytri Tunga and the drive to the Vatnsnes Peninsula
The routine of visiting the tern colony before breakfast was repeated, then following breakfast we returned to Ytri Tunga for more photography. One of our number had discovered a freshwater lake just inland of the cliffs there, on which a pair of red-throated divers with chicks, and many red-necked phalaropes entertained us. We also took our chances of photographing the small waders foraging among seaweed on the beach.
We next headed towards the Hotel Laugarbakki on the Vatnsnes Peninsula, where we were to stay for one night, stopping for photography "as required". Once we had checked in we went out in the minibus for a tour of the peninsula.


Day 6: Vatnsnes peninsula and Laxa River
The following morning we checked out of the hotel and did a further tour of the peninsula, before heading to the Laxa river, passing another waterfall, Godafoss, on the way. The river is well known for its harlequin ducks and also the non-biting midges that are there in swarms.
Our last three nights were to be spent at the Sel Hotel, Myvatn. This is located a short walk from Lake Mytvan, which is a very large volcanic lake, and very popular with midges and other flying insects! Day 7: Whales, Godafoss and the Laxa river
Some of us took a stroll on the banks of the lake before breakfast. Then we went for another whale watching cruise, this time departing from Husavik.
After lunch we headed back to Godafoss where we spent time taking photographs before returning to the hotel. A little later we returned to the Laxa River for more photography. In addition to harlequin ducks we saw long tailed ducks, greater scaup and even a ptarmigan.



Days 8 and 9: Laxa River and Godafoss, and return to Keflavik
Our last full day comprised photography around lake Mytvan as well as at the Laxa river. We also managed to fit in a visit to a preserved larva field (Dimmuborgir). Both the weather and the photography were very good.
The following morning we loaded the minibus with all our bags and set off for the airport at Akureyri, for a short flight back to Reykjavik. Having landed at the internal airport, in the city of Reykjavik itself, we took a minibus to the international airport at Keflavik. We had plenty of time to observe and photograph more birds en route, not to mention indulge in a snack of coffee and cake.

Home Page		An arbitrary collection of 10 of my favourite photographs from this trip

	Days 1 and 2: Gullfoss and the Golden Circle We were driven from Keflavik airport to the Hotel Gullfoss, a few km from the waterfall of the same name. We made an evening visit to the falls, in rather overcast weather, before our evening meal. The following morning we re-visited Gullfoss before breakfast in much brighter weather. Our itinerary for the rest of the day took us to Geysir where we were able to witness a geyser erupting, then on to the Thingvellir National Park, stopping now and then en-route for photo opportunities. Following our visit to Thingvellir, where we were able to photograph a number of species, we drove on to the Hotel Langaholt, our home for the next three nights.	Day 3: Olafsvik, Ondverdarnes and Arnastapi We were up before breakfast to photograph Arctic terns that were nesting in long grass at the edge of a golf course in the hotel grounds. These birds are very territorial, both between each other and against visitors such as ourselves. We soon learnt to wear a hat when visiting the colony, to migigate the pain of their dive-bombing. The rest of the morning was spent on a whale watching cruise and we followed this with a picnic lunch and further photography at Rif. Later in the afternoon we visited a lighthouse at Ondverdarnes on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, perched on top of some cliffs that were being used for nesting by a variety of seabirds, including Brunnich's guillemots. We next visited the coastline at Arnarstapi, where we witnessed and photographed more seabird behaviour.

	Day 4: Ytri Tunga and Arnastapi Following another walk to the tern area we had breakfast and set out for Ytri Tunga. This is a beach area well known for its population of common and grey seals, among much other wildlife. There was plenty of photography and walking there. After our picknic lunch we headed to Arnarstapi, which is a clifftop area that is home to many Kittewakes, other gull species and, of course, phalaropes. Halequin ducks were also seen.	Day 5: Ytri Tunga and the drive to the Vatnsnes Peninsula The routine of visiting the tern colony before breakfast was repeated, then following breakfast we returned to Ytri Tunga for more photography. One of our number had discovered a freshwater lake just inland of the cliffs there, on which a pair of red-throated divers with chicks, and many red-necked phalaropes entertained us. We also took our chances of photographing the small waders foraging among seaweed on the beach. We next headed towards the Hotel Laugarbakki on the Vatnsnes Peninsula, where we were to stay for one night, stopping for photography "as required". Once we had checked in we went out in the minibus for a tour of the peninsula.

	Day 6: Vatnsnes peninsula and Laxa River The following morning we checked out of the hotel and did a further tour of the peninsula, before heading to the Laxa river, passing another waterfall, Godafoss, on the way. The river is well known for its harlequin ducks and also the non-biting midges that are there in swarms. Our last three nights were to be spent at the Sel Hotel, Myvatn. This is located a short walk from Lake Mytvan, which is a very large volcanic lake, and very popular with midges and other flying insects!	Day 7: Whales, Godafoss and the Laxa river Some of us took a stroll on the banks of the lake before breakfast. Then we went for another whale watching cruise, this time departing from Husavik. After lunch we headed back to Godafoss where we spent time taking photographs before returning to the hotel. A little later we returned to the Laxa River for more photography. In addition to harlequin ducks we saw long tailed ducks, greater scaup and even a ptarmigan.

	Days 8 and 9: Laxa River and Godafoss, and return to Keflavik Our last full day comprised photography around lake Mytvan as well as at the Laxa river. We also managed to fit in a visit to a preserved larva field (Dimmuborgir). Both the weather and the photography were very good. The following morning we loaded the minibus with all our bags and set off for the airport at Akureyri, for a short flight back to Reykjavik. Having landed at the internal airport, in the city of Reykjavik itself, we took a minibus to the international airport at Keflavik. We had plenty of time to observe and photograph more birds en route, not to mention indulge in a snack of coffee and cake.