Grimsey is Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, sitting precisely astride the Arctic Circle roughly 40 kilometres off the mainland coast — and it is genuinely one of the most extraordinary places a cruise ship can deposit you. With a permanent population of around 60 people, clifftop puffin colonies, and a quiet, windswept beauty that feels utterly removed from the modern world, a few hours here can leave a lasting impression far out of proportion to the island’s tiny size.
Arriving by Ship
Most expedition cruise ships and smaller vessels anchor offshore and tender passengers to the small harbour at Sandvík, the island’s only settlement. The approach itself is memorable — dramatic basalt cliffs rise from the North Atlantic, birds wheel overhead in enormous numbers, and on a clear day the light has a particular Arctic quality that photographers immediately start reaching for their cameras to capture. Be prepared for the tender operation to take a little time depending on sea conditions; the waters around Grimsey can be choppy, and occasionally landings are cancelled entirely due to weather. Wear layers regardless of the season, because the wind here bites even in July. Most cruise calls last between three and five hours, which is actually enough time to walk the main paths, visit the landmark, grab a coffee, and soak up the atmosphere properly.
Things to Do
The single activity that virtually every visitor prioritises is crossing the Arctic Circle. The official marker — a concrete sphere that gets relocated periodically as the circle drifts slightly northward due to axial tilt — sits a short walk from the harbour, and standing astride it feels genuinely ceremonial. The community issues Arctic Circle certificates at the local information point, making for one of the more meaningful souvenir documents you can collect on any cruise itinerary.
After that, the birdwatching is simply extraordinary. Grimsey hosts one of Iceland’s densest puffin populations, and between May and August the Atlantic puffins are present in staggering numbers, nesting in burrows along the clifftops with a comical fearlessness that allows you to get remarkably close. Razorbills, Arctic terns (notoriously aggressive during nesting season — do carry a stick or hat to defend yourself), and thick-billed murres crowd the cliff ledges in their thousands. A walk along the clifftop trail heading northwest from the harbour takes around 45 minutes each way and delivers views that genuinely stop you in your tracks.
The island itself measures barely five kilometres long by two kilometres wide, so walking from one end to another is entirely feasible if your time allows. The small turf-roofed church at the centre of the settlement dates back centuries and is well worth a quiet look inside.
Local Food
Grimsey has limited but surprisingly rewarding food options for such a remote community. The local café near the harbour — often referenced simply as the community café — serves warming bowls of fish soup made with the day’s catch, which on an island sustained almost entirely by fishing tends to be exceptionally fresh. The lamb soup, when available, is earthy and fortifying. A hot bowl of either after a windswept clifftop walk is one of those simple travel pleasures that stays with you. Coffee and Icelandic kleinur (twisted doughnuts) are usually available and very welcome. Don’t expect elaborate menus; Grimsey’s food culture is honest, filling, and rooted entirely in what the sea and land provide.
Shopping
Shopping is not really the point of Grimsey, but there are a handful of genuinely worthwhile things to look for. The Arctic Circle certificate mentioned above is issued locally and costs a small fee — it’s printed officially and feels legitimately commemorative rather than tacky. Local handmade woolens occasionally appear in the small community shop or are sold informally by residents; Icelandic lopapeysa-style sweaters from an Arctic island community carry obvious appeal. Postcards bearing Grimsey’s dramatic scenery can be posted from the island’s small post office, giving your mail a genuinely rare postmark. A small selection of local crafts and puffin-themed keepsakes rounds out the options. Bring cash (Icelandic króna or euros are most useful), as card payment facilities are not always reliable this far out.
Practical Tips
Dress for genuine Arctic conditions even in summer — layering is non-negotiable, and waterproof outer layers plus sturdy shoes are essential for the clifftop paths. The terrain is uneven and can be boggy after rain. During Arctic tern nesting season (roughly May to July), carry something to hold above your head near nesting areas; the birds dive-bomb reliably and can draw blood. Mobile data connectivity is surprisingly reasonable thanks to Icelandic infrastructure investment, but don’t rely on it entirely. There are no ATMs on the island, so sort your cash before boarding the tender. Finally, respect the small community — 60 permanent residents hosting several hundred cruise visitors in a morning is a significant ratio, and courtesy and thoughtfulness go a long way.
Grimsey rewards passengers who arrive with curiosity rather than a checklist. This is not a destination for luxury shopping or elaborate excursions; it’s a place for standing on the edge of the Arctic, watching a puffin peer back at you from two feet away, breathing air that has blown in uninterrupted from the polar north, and appreciating just how extraordinary ordinary cruise itineraries can occasionally become. A morning here earns its place among the highlights of any Iceland voyage.
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