Feature
Arctic Circle
Grímsey is the only part of Iceland that lies on the Arctic Circle — marked by a movable sphere.
Grímsey Island Iceland: Arctic Circle, Puffins & Midnight Sun
Iceland's northernmost inhabited island, straddling the Arctic Circle 40 km off the north coast. A windswept outpost of puffin cliffs, midnight sun, and a tiny fishing community.
Updated February 1, 2026By the Iceland.org Travel Team
Location
North Iceland, Arctic Circle
The only place in Iceland on the Arctic Circle.
Grímsey is a 5.3 km² basalt island perched on the Arctic Circle in the Greenland Sea. Its dramatic sea cliffs host one of Iceland's largest puffin colonies, while its tiny village of Sandvík has been sustained by cod fishing for centuries. The island is famously the only part of Iceland where the midnight sun is fully visible, drawing visitors around the summer solstice to watch the sun hover above the horizon all night. A large concrete sphere marks the Arctic Circle's current position and is moved each year as the line drifts northward.
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
Access
Ferry from Dalvík
The Sæfari ferry from Dalvík takes about 3 hours. Flights from Akureyri take 25 minutes.
Wildlife
Puffins
Tens of thousands of Atlantic puffins nest on the island's cliffs from mid-April to mid-August.
What to Expect
Arctic Circle Marker
A large concrete sphere marks the Arctic Circle's current position. The sphere is moved annually as the line drifts north at about 14 metres per year.
Midnight Sun
Around the summer solstice (June 20–22), the sun never sets. Grímsey is the only place in Iceland where you can witness the true midnight sun.
Puffin Cliffs
Tens of thousands of Atlantic puffins nest in the sea cliffs from mid-April to mid-August. Walk the cliff-top paths for close-up views.
Sandvík Village
The tiny fishing village has a church, community centre, and guesthouse. The community of about 60–80 people is sustained by cod fishing.
Chess Culture
Grímsey is known for its chess-playing tradition, said to date back centuries. American benefactor Daniel Willard Fiske donated a library and chess sets to the island in the 1800s.
Hiking
Walking paths traverse the island from the village to the lighthouse on the northern tip, passing dramatic cliff edges and nesting bird colonies.
Getting There
The Sæfari ferry sails from Dalvík to Grímsey several times a week, with the crossing taking about 3 hours. Dalvík is approximately 45 minutes north of Akureyri on Route 76. Domestic flights from Akureyri airport to Grímsey take about 25 minutes and operate year-round. Both the ferry and flights can be affected by weather, so allow flexibility in your schedule. On the island, everything is walkable.
Best Time to Visit
The summer solstice (around June 21) is the most popular time, when the midnight sun is visible. Puffins are present from mid-April to mid-August. Summer ferry and flight schedules are most frequent from June to August. Winter visits are possible (flights operate year-round), but conditions are harsh with limited daylight and rough seas that can cancel the ferry.
Planning help
Grímsey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.