Grimsey Island, located deep in the Arctic, home to approximately one hundred residents and over a million seabirds. This isolated blue cliff rises on the horizon, surrounded by the expansive Arctic Ocean, about 40 kilometres off Iceland’s northern coast. Spanning roughly 5 square kilometres, Grimsey is a remote yet intriguing destination.

The fishermen of Grimsey tap into the abundant fishing grounds around the island, frequently venturing further north into the Arctic Ocean in their small motorboats. The ocean can be unpredictable, transforming into a fierce landscape with storms, frost, and waves reaching up to 15 meters. Occasionally, polar ice drifts southward, freezing the waters surrounding the island. However, the ocean can reflect a calm and serene surface in summer, like a shining mirror.

The islanders inhabit a small village by the harbour, forming a vibrant and thriving community filled with children. The constant chorus of seabirds provides a soundtrack to the endless summer days, as night does not fall until late July when twilight begins to settle-settles around midnight. The seabird’s nest in the towering cliffs encircling the island, except near the harbour.

Winter on Grimsey brings brief daylight hours, and most seabirds migrate far out to sea. Despite these harsh conditions, the families in the village enjoy modern lives. They benefit from a good school for their children, an improved harbour, and a church that has stood for eight centuries. The island also features two guesthouses and is serviced by a ferry three times a week. An airport has been constructed for regular flights.

Grimsey’s charm lies not only in its physical beauty but also in its significance. Tourists flock to the island to receive their ‘I visited the Arctic Circle’ certificate, take photos with the ‘You’re standing on the Arctic Circle’ monument, and admire the windswept landscape. The scenic coastal cliffs and striking basalt formations provide habitats for various seabird species, including puffins and the fearless Arctic tern. A delightful anecdote is that the airport runway must be cleared of terns just moments before planes are scheduled to land.

Grimsey Island offers a unique combination of rugged nature and a resilient community, providing an authentic glimpse into life in the Arctic Circle.

Polar Flight to Grímsey Island
Grímsey Island, situated 41 km (25.
5 miles) north of the mainland, is Iceland's only territory located within the Arctic Circle.
While many areas in northern Iceland experience sunshine at midnight during summer, crossing the Arctic Circle is a unique experience many people seek.
Visitors to the island receive a certificate confirming their journey north of the Arctic Circle.
A signpost indicating the distance to several major cities around the globe marks the exact location of the circle.
In addition to the allure of this geographical milestone, another compelling reason to visit Grímsey is to admire its impressive cliffs, which reach heights of up to 100 meters (328 feet) in certain areas.
These dramatic formations provide an ideal habitat for numerous bird colonies that nest on the island.

Orbis et Globus
Inaugurated in fall 2017, the 3-meter sphere "Orbis et Globus" stands on the Arctic Circle at Grímsey Island.
It is designed to be repositioned to align with the Arctic Circle's movement, with recent relocations of 130 meters in 2018 and about 69 meters this year.
As a symbol of the Arctic Circle, the artwork has drawn international attention, enhancing Grímsey's appeal to tourists and supporting its small community of fewer than 100 residents.
Visitors often come to touch the sphere and step beyond the Arctic Circle.
The walk from the harbour to the sphere is approximately 3.
7 km, while it's about 2.
5 km from the airport, making a round-trip journey take around three hours.
Overnight stays are recommended to enjoy the island's attractions fully.
While there, guests can explore the village, visit the Fiske monument, dine at Krían restaurant or the Guesthouse Gullsól café, and walk to the lighthouse at the island's southern tip.
They can see the "Century Stones" along the route, marking the Arctic Circle's positions in 1717, 1817, and 1917.
Birdwatching during the late April to early August season is also a must.
Designed by Kristinn E.
Hrafnsson and Studio Grandi, "Orbis et Globus" was selected as the Arctic Circle's landmark in a 2013 competition.

Basalt Columns of Grímsey
Grímsey Island is renowned for its stunning basalt column formations, particularly in the southwest corner.
Basalt is a volcanic rock that can crystallize into unique shapes when thick lava flows cool relatively quickly from a horizontal angle, leading to the formation of distinct hexagonal structures.
This process has occurred in Grímsey as the surrounding ocean has cooled lava flows.
The size of the columns varies based on the cooling rate; rapid cooling results in smaller columns, while slower cooling tends to create larger formations.

Grímsey Lighthouse
One of the standout structures on Grímsey Island is the lighthouse, which stands at 9.
6 meters tall and was built in 1937 based on the design by engineer Benedikt Jónasson.
Situated at the island's southeast corner, the lighthouse was initially operated manually with a gas lamp that required manual lighting and extinguishing.
Today, it is fully automated and is crucial in guiding boat traffic in the surrounding waters.
While the lighthouse is not open to the public, it provides excellent viewpoints of the cliffs and birdlife along the island's east coast, making it a popular spot for photography.
Other lighthouses built to the same design as Grímsey Lighthouse include Hegranesviti and Raufarhafnarviti.

Grímsey Swimming Pool
Hrísey Island Thermal Pool includes a 12,5m outdoor pool, a paddling pool, a cold tub and a hot tub.
The pool ‘s temperature varies between 30 - 32°C and the hot tub between 38 - 40°C.
The cold tub is only open during the summer.
Swimwear and bath towels can be rented on site.
Sun loungers are available by the pool during summer.