Feature
Arctic Circle
Grímsey is the only part of Iceland that lies on the Arctic Circle, marked by a movable sphere.
Grímsey: Iceland's Arctic Circle Island
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.
Location
North Iceland, Arctic Circle
The only place in Iceland on the Arctic Circle.
Quick Answer
Grímsey straddles the Arctic Circle 40 km off Iceland's north coast, home to puffin cliffs and a small fishing community. Ferry from Dalvík or flights from Akureyri.
Grímsey is a 5.3 km² basalt island perched on the Arctic Circle in the Greenland Sea. Its sea cliffs host one of Iceland's largest puffin colonies, while its tiny village of Sandvík has been sustained by cod fishing for centuries. Its latitude makes the summer solstice a particular attraction; around the summer solstice, visitors come to watch the sun hover above the horizon all night. Orbis et Globus is a movable sphere designed to follow the Arctic Circle; its location is different from the older symbolic crossing by the airport.
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.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Access
Ferry from Dalvík
The Sæfari ferry from Dalvík takes about 3 hours. Flights from Akureyri take about 30 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. Clear skies and an unobstructed horizon determine the view.
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 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 30 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.
Check the time ashore before booking a day trip
Sæfari requires passengers to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Vehicle space needs a separate arrangement with the operator. Choose the outward and return sailings together, then subtract the return check-in allowance from your time for walking.
Norlandair’s September 2026 timetable, checked September 10, lists 30-minute flights from Akureyri. The scheduled turnaround on Grímsey is two hours on Tuesday and Sunday, but just 15 minutes on Friday. Those are timetable intervals before check-in or boarding requirements, not guaranteed sightseeing time. Confirm an itinerary that permits your intended visit with the airline.
The airport marker and the sphere are different stops
The municipality’s account of the bridge and signpost explains that the marker near the airport commemorates the Arctic Circle’s earlier position. It was inaugurated in 2003. Orbis et Globus is the separate movable sphere associated with the changing line. Decide which landmark you want to reach before judging whether your time ashore is sufficient.
Planning help
Grímsey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is Grímsey really on the Arctic Circle?
Yes. Grímsey is the only part of Iceland that touches the Arctic Circle. However, the Arctic Circle is slowly drifting northward (about 14 metres per year), so the exact line is marked with a movable sphere on the island. You can get a certificate confirming you crossed the Arctic Circle.
How do I get to Grímsey?
Sæfari sails from Dalvík, with a crossing of about three hours each way. Norlandair flies from Akureyri; the published September 2026 schedule allows 30 minutes in the air. Compare the time on the island and the return check-in deadline before choosing either service.
Can I see the midnight sun on Grímsey?
Yes. Grímsey is the best place in Iceland to see the true midnight sun. Around the summer solstice (June 20–22), the sun does not set at all. The midnight sun is visible for several days around this date.
How many people live on Grímsey?
Grímsey has a permanent population of roughly 60–80 people, most of whom live in the small village of Sandvík. The community is sustained by fishing, and the island has a school, a church, and a community centre.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.