Grímsey

Grímsey is a small Icelandic island in the Greenland Sea and is the northernmost inhabited part of Iceland; the Arctic Circle crosses the island. It is noted for seabird colonies and its Arctic location.

The island is compact and largely pedestrian, with cliff and coastal habitats that support seabird colonies including Atlantic puffins and kittiwakes. Visitors come for birdwatching, the Arctic Circle marker and the remote, low-density landscape. Seasonal boats and short flights link the island to the mainland.

Grímsey has long been used by local fishermen and residents; its position on the Arctic Circle has made it a navigational and symbolic point for Icelanders. Infrastructure is limited compared with mainland Iceland, and services are oriented to small-scale tourism and fishing.

Geographically it lies off Iceland’s north coast in the Greenland Sea, on the Arctic Circle. The nearest mainland service centres are on Iceland’s northern coast; access is by scheduled small aircraft or by ferry in suitable weather.

• Arctic Circle crossing: The Arctic Circle actually crosses the island, marked by a visible line and monument where visitors can stand with one foot in each hemisphere during summer.
• Birdwatching season: Best seabird viewing is from late spring to summer when large colonies of Atlantic puffins and other gulls nest on the cliffs and grassy slopes.