Papey

Papey is a small island off Iceland’s east coast in the Austurland (Eastern) region of the country. The island is uninhabited today and is noted for its seabird colonies and traces of earlier habitation.

Onshore visitors can see coastal birdlife and archaeological remains from earlier periods of settlement or seasonal use. The terrain is coastal and rocky, and visits are normally made from nearby mainland ports on organized excursions.

Historically the island’s name reflects early references to Gaelic monks known as the Papar - “Papey” means island of the priests - and the island appears in medieval sources; it has not been permanently inhabited in the modern era. Archaeological features and old ruins record periods of past human use.

Papey lies off Iceland’s eastern shoreline in the Austurland administrative region, reachable only by sea. The island sits among the fjords and coastal waters of East Iceland and is exposed to North Atlantic weather.

• Access: Access is seasonal and typically arranged by boat tours from nearby east-coast harbors during the Icelandic summer. Landing and visits are weather-dependent.