Height
180m
The island rises roughly 180 metres from the fjord with near-vertical cliffs on all sides.
Drangey Island: Bird Cliffs of Skagafjörður
Drangey’s cliff walk is one way to see this seabird island in Skagafjörður. The current operator also lets visitors stay on the boat or at the small harbor below.
Location
Skagafjörður, North Iceland
Boat tours from Sauðárkrókur marina.
Quick Answer
Drangey Tours publishes a four-hour trip from Sauðárkrókur marina. Check the sailing date before planning a detour: its listed daily season ends August 15, and the cliff ascent is optional.
Drangey stands 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.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
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Saga
Grettir's Saga
The outlaw Grettir the Strong used Drangey as his final hideout, living here for three years.
Access
Boat from Sauðárkrókur
Drangey Tours lists a four-hour trip from Sauðárkrókur marina, with a guided ascent or time below.
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
Look for nesting seabirds along the cliffs during the breeding season. Follow the guide’s instructions around birds and keep to the walking route.
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
Drangey Tours currently identifies Sauðárkrókur marina as its departure point. Use the meeting location on your booking rather than driving to Reykir based on an older guide. The operator describes a four-hour trip, including the crossing and guided cliff walk.
If the ascent does not suit you, ask about staying aboard or at the island’s small harbor. Those alternatives are explicitly offered by the operator; confirm how they work for your party before booking. A boat trip and an exposed cliff walk make different demands on visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Checked September 10, 2026: Drangey Tours lists daily departures at 09:30 from June 1 through August 15, with May trips on request. That published daily season has already ended for 2026. Ask the operator about a specific future date, weather arrangements and birdwatching expectations before arranging accommodation around the trip.
Planning help
Drangey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Can I visit Drangey island?
Yes. Drangey Tours currently advertises departures from Sauðárkrókur marina. The four-hour trip includes a guided cliff walk, with the option to remain on the boat or at the small harbor instead. Confirm your sailing and meeting point with the operator.
What is the connection between Drangey and Grettir's Saga?
In Grettir's Saga, the outlaw Grettir Ásmundarson used Drangey as his final hideout. He and his brother and slave lived on the island for three years, surviving on birds and eggs. Grettir was eventually killed there by his enemies. Nearby Grettislaug hot spring on the mainland is also linked to the saga.
How tall are Drangey's cliffs?
Drangey rises roughly 180 metres straight from the sea. The island is a volcanic plug made of palagonite tuff, with nearly vertical cliffs on all sides. The only way to the flat summit is a steep trail with chains and ladders on one side.
What birds nest on Drangey?
Puffins, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes are among the seabirds associated with Drangey. Species and numbers visible on a trip vary through the breeding season; a tour booking is not a guarantee of seeing a particular bird.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.