Height
180m
The island rises roughly 180 metres from the fjord with near-vertical cliffs on all sides.
Drangey Island Iceland: Bird Cliffs, Grettir's Saga & Visitor Guide
A dramatic flat-topped island rising 180 metres from Skagafjörður, famous as the last refuge of saga outlaw Grettir the Strong and home to a million nesting seabirds.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Location
Skagafjörður, North Iceland
Boat tours from Reykir in summer.
Drangey stands like a fortress in the middle of Skagafjörður, its sheer cliffs dropping straight into the fjord from a grassy summit. The island is a volcanic plug — the hardened core of an ancient volcano whose softer outer layers have eroded away. For centuries, local farmers roped down the cliffs to collect seabird eggs, and the island is steeped in saga lore: Grettir Ásmundarson, Iceland's most famous outlaw, spent his final years hiding on Drangey before being killed by his enemies.
Safety + sourcing
Last updated: 2026-02-01
This guide is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly—always check official alerts and road conditions before you drive or hike.
Sources to check
Saga
Grettir's Saga
The outlaw Grettir the Strong used Drangey as his final hideout, living here for three years.
Access
Boat from Reykir
Summer boat tours depart from Reykir in Skagafjörður and include a guided cliff ascent.
What to Expect
Cliff Ascent
The only route to the summit involves a steep path with chains and ladders. Guides lead the ascent and share the island's history and birdlife along the way.
Seabird Colonies
An estimated one million birds nest on the cliffs including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and kittiwakes. The noise and spectacle are unforgettable.
Grettir's Saga Connection
Learn about the outlaw Grettir who lived here for three years. Visit the nearby Grettislaug hot spring on the mainland, linked to the same saga.
Grassy Summit
The flat summit is covered in grass and wildflowers, with views across all of Skagafjörður to the mountains and farmland beyond.
Volcanic Geology
Drangey is a palagonite tuff volcanic plug — the erosion-resistant core of an ancient volcano. Its columnar formations are visible from the boat.
Historic Egg Collecting
For centuries, farmers abseiled down the cliffs to collect seabird eggs, a tradition that continued into the 20th century and shaped the island's cultural identity.
Getting There
Boat tours to Drangey depart from Reykir in Skagafjörður during summer (typically June to August). The boat ride takes about 30 minutes each way. Reykir is roughly 30 km north of Sauðárkrókur, the main town in Skagafjörður. Sauðárkrókur is about 290 km (3.5 hours) from Reykjavík via Route 1. The tour includes the cliff ascent, so reasonable fitness and a head for heights are recommended.
Best Time to Visit
Boat tours run from June to August, with July offering the best weather and the most active bird colonies. Puffins and other seabirds are present from mid-April to mid-August. The tour depends on sea and weather conditions — cancellations are possible even in summer. Combine a Drangey visit with a soak in the nearby Grettislaug hot spring for the complete experience.
Planning help
Drangey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.