Named For
Irish Monks
The name Papey derives from 'papar,' Irish monks believed to have been Iceland's earliest inhabitants.
Papey Island: Boat Trips, Puffins and a Historic Church
A small island off Iceland's east coast named after the Irish monks who may have been Iceland's first inhabitants, known for puffin colonies and a small wooden church rebuilt in 1904.
Location
East Iceland
Boat tours from the harbour town of Djúpivogur.
Quick Answer
Papey lies off Djúpivogur in East Iceland. The current Papey Explorer offer is a two-hour sea excursion with a weather-dependent route. Confirm landing arrangements separately if seeing the church on foot is the reason for your trip.
Papey lies about 5 km off the east coast of Iceland, near the small fishing town of Djúpivogur. The island's name means "Monks' Island," referencing the Irish hermit monks (papar) who may have inhabited Iceland before the Norse arrived in the 9th century. For centuries Papey was a working farm, home to a small community that finally left in 1966. Today the island is uninhabited, but its grassy hills host a large puffin colony, and the small Papeyjarkirkja stands as a reminder of that settled history. The heritage authority dates its present construction to 1904, using an older church.
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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Access
Boat from Djúpivogur
Voxey’s current Papey Explorer is a two-hour sea tour with its departure confirmed by the captain.
Church
Rebuilt in 1904
The heritage register dates the present church to 1904, rebuilt from an older structure.
What to Expect
Puffin Colony
Thousands of Atlantic puffins nest in burrows on Papey's grassy clifftops from mid-April to mid-August.
Historic Wooden Church
The heritage register describes a timber building just 5.27 m long and 3.39 m wide, held down with chains at its corners. Its present construction dates to 1904.
Irish Monk Heritage
The island's name connects to Iceland's pre-Norse history. Whether monks actually lived here is debated, but the tradition is well established.
Abandoned Farmstead
Ruins of the farm buildings and stone walls are scattered across the island. The last farming family left in 1966, after centuries of habitation.
Seal Watching
Harbour seals and grey seals are often spotted on the rocky shores around the island, particularly on the approach by boat.
Untouched Landscape
Without permanent residents since 1966, Papey has reverted to a wild, windswept state.
Getting There
Voxey Trips’ Papey Explorer starts from Djúpivogur and lists two hours for the experience. The operator provides lifejackets and flotation suits; bring warm outdoor clothing, gloves and a hat. The captain contacts passengers to confirm the departure time because this route crosses open sea.
The description allows for a changed route, early return or turning back before the island. It does not explicitly include an island landing or church visit. Confirm those details before booking if they matter to you, along with arrangements if the intended route cannot operate.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is the relevant season for puffin watching. Check the operator’s booking calendar for your exact date and ask what birds are likely then. Calm conditions cannot be promised by the month, and the operator may reschedule or cancel if the sea is unsafe.
Planning help
Papey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
How do I get to Papey?
Voxey Trips lists a two-hour Papey Explorer sea tour from Djúpivogur. The captain confirms the departure time according to conditions and may alter the route or turn back before Papey. Ask explicitly whether a landing is included; the current description does not promise one.
Who were the 'papar' that Papey is named after?
The papar were Irish monks (also called Celtic monks or hermits) believed to have inhabited Iceland before the Norse settlement in the 9th century. Several Icelandic place names beginning with 'Pap-' reference these early inhabitants. Whether monks actually lived on Papey is debated, but the tradition is well established.
What is special about the church on Papey?
The Cultural Heritage Agency dates the present Papeyjarkirkja to 1904 and states that it was rebuilt from an older church. Its record identifies builders Lúðvík Jónsson and Magnús Jónsson of Djúpivogur. This is more precise than calling the present building Iceland’s oldest wooden church.
Can I see puffins on Papey?
Papey is a summer puffin colony, and the operator markets its sea trip for birdwatching. Confirm the likely birds for your travel date; neither reaching the island nor seeing a particular species is guaranteed.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.