Iceland: Guardians of Fire and Ice
Faith in Action
Reykjavik & the Icelandic Coast
Coastal Creation Care & Arctic Discovery
1 Week of Service • Cultural Immersion • Servant Leadership
Did You Know?
Iceland is famously nicknamed the “Land of Fire and Ice” for its dramatic mix of active volcanoes and vast glaciers, sometimes visible within sight of each other. Despite its remote beauty, Iceland's coastlines face a serious and growing problem with ocean plastic pollution, carried by currents from across the North Atlantic and washing ashore on even its most isolated beaches.
Guardians of Fire and Ice
From the very first pages of Scripture, humanity's calling included a job description: to work and take care of the garden God made (Genesis 2:15). “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1) — including a rugged coastline most people will never see. Iceland's shores are as close to untouched wilderness as you'll find anywhere in the world, and yet even here, plastic waste washes ashore on beaches with no one nearby to clean it. Your team will partner with local conservation volunteers at several of the remote fishing villages this itinerary visits, joining beach and coastline cleanup efforts that protect fragile Arctic ecosystems. It isn't one week-long placement in a single town — it's a traveling commitment to leave every shore a little cleaner than we found it. Students who serve in Iceland come home changed — not because they solved ocean plastic pollution, but because they discovered what it means to actually take care of a garden this vast.
The Worldwide Faith in Action Difference
Cross-Cultural Ministry • Daily Devotions • Local Conservation Partnership • Coastal Cleanup & Creation Care • Icelandic Culture & Geology • 1 Week of Hands-On Service
The Worldwide Navigators Difference
Sojourn – Gain a better understanding of the community you’re visiting. Learn about different religions or spiritual practices. How do these impact the communities? How does religion or spirituality influence local traditions?
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Savor – Will you choose sweet or savory? Take the time to visit local markets and discover unique local ingredients. Learn how to prepare traditional meals & local favorites.
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Tip of the Tongue – Each morning, take the time to learn a few basic greetings and phrases in the local language. Learn how to write greetings & your name in the local script.
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A Wrinkle in Time – History influences our present. Discover the history of the country you visit. Hear the stories of your guides & their family history. Where do they come from?
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Journal Journeys – Take some time to reflect on the day’s events and document your journey. Spend a moment journaling about the day had & day ahead. These are memories for a lifetime!
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Culture – From local dances, festivals, or simple gestures to communicate – all of these make up a country’s culture. Learn and practice cultural norms & how to show respect in the culture you visit.
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Welcome to Iceland! Arrive in Reykjavik and check into your accommodations. Explore downtown Reykjavik. Welcome dinner and opening devotional: what does it mean to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in a new culture?
Leisure time in Reykjavik and a visit to Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral before boarding the Ocean Diamond, your home for the next week. Evening devotional: a commissioning for the creation-care work ahead.
Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and National Park, and view Breidafjordur Bay, a UNESCO site, via Zodiac boats. Join local conservation volunteers for a coastal cleanup effort protecting this fragile bay. See the Snaefellsjokull glacier before returning to the ship.
Sail to the idyllic town of Isafjordur. Join a coastal cleanup effort along the fjord, then enjoy additional options to sea-fish, see puffins on the island of Vigur, or visit Dynjandi waterfall.
Visit the Herring Era Museum and the Trollaskagi Peninsula mountain peaks. Join a coastal cleanup effort before an afternoon viewing bird species at Grimsey Island.
Dock in Iceland’s second-largest city, Akureyri. Support a conservation project at Lake Myvatn Nature Reserve, with an additional option to trek to Askja volcano.
A lighter day: early morning in Husavik, followed by whale watching in Skjalfandi Bay.
Explore Iceland’s East Fjords and the fishing village of Seydisfjordur. Additional activities include seal spotting and kayaking.
Visit the fishing village of Djupivogur and explore Vatnajokull Glacier and its iceberg lagoon. Join a final coastal cleanup effort and close the week’s service with a team reflection: what did God teach us about caring for His creation?
Go ashore on the only inhabited island, Heimaey. Circumnavigate the islands, explore caves, and (optionally) play golf in a sunken volcano crater.
Disembark from the Ocean Diamond. Final group devotional and debrief before departing for home via Reykjavik.
Choose Your Impact
Every Faith in Action mission trip pairs a full week of hands-on service with a tour component that immerses students in local history, culture, and faith. This Iceland itinerary can be shortened, extended, or modified to fit your school’s calendar and budget. Because this itinerary moves along the coast by ship, service is distributed across several port stops rather than a single continuous placement.
- Value — 8–9 Day Group Trips
Airfare • Ground Transportation • 2.5–3 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 3 Meals Per Day • Conservation Supplies • Daytime Tour Director • 5 Days of Service (Coastal Creation Care)
- Classic — 10–11 Day Group Trips
Airfare • Ground Transportation • 2.5–3 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 3 Meals Per Day • Conservation Supplies • Daytime Guided Tour Director • 5 Days of Service (Coastal Creation Care) + Extended Excursions
- Epic — 11+ Day Group Trips
Airfare • Ground Transportation • 3.5–4 Star Accommodations • Daily Devotions & Debriefs • 3 Meals Per Day • Conservation Supplies • 24/7 Guided Tour Director • 5 Days of Service (Coastal Creation Care) + Extended Cultural Immersion • Final Night Celebration Dinner & Commissioning Service
Interested in adding or modifying activities? All Faith in Action itineraries can be customized — extend the service days, add a second conservation partner, or swap in additional cultural excursions.
Value
3-6 Day
Group Trips
- Airfare
- Transportation
- 2.5 - 3-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- Daytime & Self-Guided Tour Director
- 1 Impact Project
Classic
7-12 Day
Group Trips
- Airfare
- Transportation
- 2.5 - 3-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- Daytime Guided Tour Director
- Up to 2 Impact Projects
Epic
7-14 Day
Group Trips
- Airfare
- Transportation
- 3.5 - 4-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- 24/7 Guided Tour Director
- Up to 3 Impact Projects
- Final Night Celebration Dinner
Interested in adding or modifying activities? No problem! All Worldwide Navigator itineraries can be customized to your liking!
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