PapeyAbout 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.
Best Time to Visit Papey
Best visited in summer for wildlife and daylight; shoulder seasons offer atmosphere but fewer landing opportunities.
Weather & Climate near Papey
Continental climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -1°C to 11°C. Abundant rainfall (1319 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -1° - 4° | -4° | 140 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.0h |
| February | Poor | -1° - 4° | -4° | 122 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 3° | -4° | 108 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | 0° - 4° | -2° | 69 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.7 m/s | 0.5 low | 14.9h |
| May | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 76 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 18.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 5° - 9° | 5° | 70 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 20.4h |
| July | Acceptable | 7° - 11° | 7° | 93 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 19.3h |
| August | Poor | 8° - 11° | 7° | 115 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.1h |
| September | Poor | 6° - 9° | 5° | 127 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 3° - 7° | 1° | 158 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 113 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.0h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 5° | -3° | 128 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.6h |
How to Get to Papey
Most visitors reach Papey from Djúpivogur (about 5-10 km west of the island) by boat; local tour operators run seasonal wildlife and landing trips in summer. The crossing takes roughly 20-40 minutes depending on sea conditions. There are no regular public ferries-book through Djúpivogur harbor operators and confirm landing permissions in advance.
Tips for Visiting Papey
- Book a seat on a licensed passenger boat from Djúpivogur - private skiffs are unpredictable in the East Fjords weather.
- Bring binoculars and waterproof layers: Papey is best experienced from the deck as much as ashore; nesting seabirds are the main event.
- If planning to land, confirm with the skippers about tides and landing permission - parts of the island are protected and landings restricted in breeding season (late spring-summer).