Iceland Eco Lodges

Experience the raw beauty of nature with Iceland Eco Lodges and Tours. They are your gateway to enjoy geothermal landscapes and cascading waterfalls. Visit black sand beaches and massive glaciers. This is the perfect base for exploring volcanoes, spotting puffins or whales, and soaking in natural hot springs. Iceland offers unforgettable adventures in pristine wilderness.

Iceland Ecolodges And Resorts

Elding Adventure at Sea
Kirkjufell mountains
Whale tour

Iceland Ecotourism

Iceland relies almost completely on renewable energy, 79.5–85%. That’s pretty impressive! It uses 27-30% geothermal and 70-73% hydroelectric power. This dramatically reduces the environmental footprint. It helps both daily life and tourism. Renewable energy promotes Iceland’s leadership role in renewable energy. The government and local businesses protect nature. They work to engage visitors responsibly. Some characteristics of ecotourism, other than Iceland Eco Lodges are:

Small groups and local guides: many tours are offered on a small scale and with respect for nature and culture.
Sustainable accommodation: consider staying in small Iceland eco lodges, farm stays, and guesthouses with their small foot prints. The Nordic Swan eco label is used in Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Please note that their fees are very expensive for smaller establishments and therefore tend to be used by bigger sustainable lodges. Both small lodging and Eco Label are sustainable but have differen’t sized foot prints.
Respect for environmental laws: strict rules apply to off-trail hiking, camping, waste disposal, and wildlife viewing.

Popular eco-activities:

Hiking in national parks like Þingvellir and Skaftafell.
Glacier hikes and ice caving (with certified guides).
Hot springs and geothermal baths.
Sustainable whale-watching tours from Húsavík. See our listing: Elding Adventure at Sea, which is the only sustainably certified Whale Watching operation in Iceland. Certification is via Vakinn Certified Environmental Certification in Iceland. They also certify hotels.

Tips for Ecotourists in Iceland:

Travel outside the peak season (May–June or September).
Consider the Icelandic Bus Passport for some routes. These passports are a convenient and a low-cost way to see the country.
Rent an electric car.
Avoid driving off-road, as it damages the fragile moss landscape.

Check out our Eco Guidelines and read how easy it is to reduce your ecological footprint!

Top Ecotourism Destinations in Iceland

Here are five of the best ecotourism destinations in Iceland. We selected them for their exceptional nature, biodiversity, and sustainable tourism offerings. These are great opportunities to travel responsibly:

Westfjords – Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

This is one of Iceland’s most remote and rugged regions. Nature reigns supreme here.
Sustainable activities: minimum-impact hikes, during which you might spot different birds and Arctic foxes. The area is only accessible by boat and is suitable for experienced hikers.
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is one of Europe’s last true wilderness areas. It is remote, protected, and virtually untouched by modern infrastructure. Hornstrandir offers very basic lodging. So don’t expect to find luxury escapes or glamping domes.

Map of Iceland

Mývatn and Surroundings, in North Iceland

This is one of the best birdwatching spots in Europe, with rare duck species and a unique ecosystem.
Sustainable activities: birdwatching, relaxing in the natural Mývatn Nature Baths, and hiking around pseudo craters. These craters were formed by gas explosions when boiling lava flowed over cool, wet surfaces. The craters themselves are not magma-producing volcanic vents. Plan your visit in spring or summer for the most bird activity.

Borgarfjörður Eystri, in East Iceland

This is a peaceful region with pristine mountains, puffins, and beautiful hiking trails. Away from mass tourism!
Sustainable activities: long-distance hiking, birdwatching, and supporting local arts and crafts.

Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park

Part of Europe’s largest protected area, you’ll find glaciers, waterfalls, and alpine flora here.
Sustainable activities: glacier hikes with certified guides. Check out the educational visitor center. It has information on Skaftafell’s natural features and recreational options in the nearby area.

Þingvellir National Park

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are drifting apart.
Sustainable activities: hiking over lava fields and through fissures. Go snorkeling in Silfra, a fissure with crystal-clear meltwater. Please follow the marked trails to protect fragile vegetation.

Suggestions for a 2 week Sustainable Itinerary in Iceland

Week 1

Day 1–2: Reykjavik

Explore the capital, Reykjavik, on foot or by electric scooter.
Visit the Perlan Museum (with an exhibition on ecosystems).
Stay at one of the Iceland Eco lodges in or near Reykjavik.

Day 3–4: Þingvellir National Park, a key part of the Golden Circle Route, located in southwestern Iceland

The park combines unique geology with a rich history, as Iceland’s first parliament was located here.
Take a sustainable excursion to Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir.
Here you can spot the harlequin duck and the northern diver duck (a common loon).

Day 5–6: South Coast – Vik and Skógar

Hike to Skógafoss Waterfall.
Stay at one of the Iceland eco lodges.
Visit the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara.

Week 2

Days 7–8: Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Hike in Vatnajökull National Park.
Kayak or take a non-motorized boat, with a sustainable tour guide, on the lagoon.
Spend the night at a local guesthouse with a sustainability certificate.

Days 9–10: East Fjords – Seyðisfjörður

This is a peaceful region with fjords, fishing villages, and abundant birdlife.
Visit art shops and choose between a wide variety of Icelandic product designs, arts and crafts, and clothing design. Hike in Borgarfjörður Eystri.

Days 11–12: Mývatn and Surroundings

Explore the pseudo craters and lava fields.
Birdwatching. You can see many duck and geese species.
Bathe in the natural Mývatn Nature Baths.

Days 13–14: Return to Reykjavik via Hraunfossar (waterfalls) and Deildartunguhver (hot spring)

Stay at one of the Iceland Eco lodges in or near Reykjavik.
Visit sustainable geothermal projects.
Hike along the lava waterfalls.

Þingvellir National Park
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Öxarárfoss Þingvellir National Park
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

Flora and Fauna

Due to the cool climate, Iceland’s flora is limited but unique.

Flora – What Grows in Iceland?

Lichens and mosses cover lava fields and rocks. They are crucial for the ecosystem.
Arctic and alpine flowers: such as the purple Icelandic bellflower (Campanula rotundifolia), mountain poppy, and saxifrage.
Dwarf birches and willows: these are low shrubs that form forests in sheltered valleys.
Tundra vegetation: in the highlands, you’ll find peat plants and herbs that can withstand extreme cold.

Reindeer
Iceland Flora Dwarf Birch
Humpback Whale
Saxifrage
Puffin
Gyrfalcon
Campanula rotundifolia
Icelandic Fox
Icelandic Horse

Fauna

Although Iceland has few native land mammals, its wildlife is impressive thanks to its bird and marine life.

Marine life:

Whales and dolphins: Humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas can be seen, especially around Húsavík and Snæfellsnes.
Seals are often seen on peninsulas or in the fjords.
Atlantic salmon and trout live in rivers and lakes. They are important to Icelandic food culture.

Birds:

Puffins are the most popular birds in Iceland. You can see them from May to August in numerous locations across the country.
The Gyrfalcon is Iceland’s national animal. It symbolizes power, royalty, and freedom in Icelandic sagas and mythology.
Terns, razorbills, skuas, and ptarmigan.
Large populations of waterfowl such as swans and ducks live in the wetlands.
Lake Mývatn Nature Reserve is a real birding paradise. You can see Red-throated loon, Barrow’s goldeneye, Eurasian Wigeon, Greater scaup, and Harlequin Duck. Also look for Common scoter, Northern shoveler, Great Northern Diver, and Red-throated loon. Last but not least the Horned Grebe, Arctic Tern, and the Red-necked Phalarope!

Land mammals:

Reindeer: found in the east, especially around Egilsstaðir.
Icelandic horse: a strong breed of horse with unique gaits. The Norse Viking settlers developed the breed in the 9th and 10th century in Iceland.
Icelandic fox (Arctic fox): the only native land mammal.

Small-Scale Nature Conservation Projects

The Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency and the Nature Conservation Agency of Iceland
This agency was formed in Jan. 1, 2025. The agency coordinates the climate, environmental, and energy affairs, as well as resource management issues. WWOOF is another small scale project for the the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. This is a network that connects volunteers with organic farms and smallholdings around the world.

SEEDS Iceland – Volunteers for Environmental and Cultural Projects

This is one of the most well-known volunteer organizations in Iceland. They organize projects around hiking trail restoration and waste collection (coastal cleanups). Their projects are also about sustainable lifestyle and environmental education.

International volunteers of all ages can participate. You will usually stay in a group with other volunteers. The accommodation usually consists of municipality or community houses. But people also stay in sport centers, guest houses or forest lodges. Volunteers sleep in shared rooms with showers. Cooking facilities are available.

Icelandic Forestry Association (located at the Skógræktarfélag Íslands)

Iceland has lost much of its original forest due to deforestation and erosion. These projects help restore native vegetation and capture carbon. Volunteers can help plant trees, maintain forests, or set up educational projects about reforestation. To volunteer, contact a local forestry association (e.g., Skógræktarfélag Reykjavíkur).

Fuglavernd – The Icelandic Society for the Protection of Birds

This organization is committed to protecting Icelandic bird species and their habitats. They manage reserves for puffins, terns, and wading birds. Volunteer work is not always available. But they sometimes need help with fieldwork, observations, or maintenance of bird areas.

Ocean Missions – Arctic Coastline Clean-Up

These small-scale sail expeditions focus on beach cleanups in remote areas and on plastic pollution research. They study how plastic pollution impacts coastal landscapes and ocean life. They also focus on education, and conservation. This is perfect for adventurous volunteers with an interest in the ocean and sustainability. You’ll live and work together at sea aboard a traditional sailing ship.

Environmental Challenges in Iceland

Increasing Tourism and Overburdening Vulnerable Nature
The explosive growth of tourism since 2010 has led to path erosion in Iceland, as well as ecosystem disruption, waste problems, and vegetation damage.
Popular sites such as Gullfoss, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara are under heavy strain because of over tourism.
Climate Change
Glaciers (such as Vatnajökull and Langjökull) are rapidly retreating.
Temperature changes also affect flora and fauna. Seabird populations like puffins are increasingly facing food shortages.
Threat to Renewable Energy vs. Nature Conservation
Iceland uses geothermal and hydroelectric power almost exclusively. This system is very sustainable. However, dams and geothermal installations can disrupt ecosystems. This happened with the Kárahnjúkar Dam construction. It causes habitat destruction. Initially, it floods large untouched areas. It also leads to river flow changes. These changes have an impact on wildlife. These factors disrupt local ecosystems and habitats.
Invasive Species and Biodiversity Loss
The original vegetation was largely destroyed by early colonizers, mostly Norse Vikings via overgrazing by sheep, and logging.
Reforestation with non-native species can put pressure on local biodiversity as well.

Öxararfoss
Landscape in Iceland

Icelands Policy on Ecotourism and Sustainability

National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism (2020–2030)
Tourism must contribute to the well-being of residents. It must support nature and the economy. The focus is to protect resources from too many tourists. Visitors should be distributed throughout the area. This prevents congestion in one location. The plan supports local ownership and greener infrastructure.

Protected Areas and National Parks
Iceland is actively expanding its protected areas. This includes Vatnajökull National Park. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are stricter regulations on access and trails. Camping regulations protect the natural environment.

Tourist Site Protection Fund
This fund finances important sustainable projects. It builds hiking trails, restrooms, and parking spaces. These are located at sensitive sites. Tourism directly finances this fund. A portion of the airport tax is allocated here.

Green Steps Initiative
Government agencies must integrate sustainability into daily work. This includes energy, waste, and transport. Tourism companies are encouraged to get certifications. Labels include Vakinn and the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, mentioned earlier. The Nordic Swan has tough standards for Nordic countries. Another option is the FEE Green Key. This label is available in 90 countries. Vakinn is the official environmental certification system for Nordic countries. It was launched in 2012 by the Tourist Board. Certification includes quality and environmental criteria. Joining is free, but auditors do charge fees.

Sustainable Vehicles
The government promotes electric vehicles. They also build public charging infrastructure. Tax breaks make electric driving very attractive. Subsidies also help lower the costs.