About
Kolbeinsey is a small Icelandic islet in the Greenland Sea located 105 kilometres off the northern coast of Iceland, 74 km (40 nmi) north-northwest of the island of Grímsey.
A unique Icelandic experience. Worth your time.
Check local conditions before visiting. Iceland's weather changes fast.
Map of Kolbeinsey
Map
67.1506°N, 18.6835°W · North Iceland
Plan your visit
Nearest town
- Grímsey — 73.4 km away
Distance from Reykjavík
- 366 km in a straight line
Tours near Kolbeinsey
Express Whale Watching From Dalvíkfrom 19.775 ISK · 2 h
Classic Whale Watching from Dalvíkfrom 10.990 ISK · 3 h
Whale Watching Eyjafjörður: From Árskógssandurfrom 12.990 ISK · 2 h 30 min
Guided Kayak Tour in Árskógssandur: Explore Coastline & Wildlifefrom 18.900 ISK · 2 h
Whale Watching and Sea Angling Tourfrom 12.700 ISK · 3 h
Whale Watching Originalfrom 12.700 ISK · 2 h 30 min
From Húsavík Port: Dettifoss & Lake Mývatn Tourfrom 36.000 ISK · 7 h
Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Husavik Portfrom 25.900 ISK · 5 h 30 min
From Húsavík Port: Goðafoss Waterfall & Turfhouse Museumfrom 25.000 ISK · 4 hKolbeinsey weather and conditions
Last updated
6°Cpartly cloudy · feels -1°C12 m/sgusts 179 h 30 mdaylight · 08:15 – 17:45
Tonight
Northern lights forecast by region

In season now · Winter in IcelandNorthern Lights 4x4 Tour from Akureyrifrom 34.799 ISK · 2 h 30 minAll 1,648 tours
Cars & campers
−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Photos & videos
No verified videos yet — we only show footage confirmed to be Kolbeinsey, no lookalikes. Search YouTube
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1
Grímsey73 km - 2
Flatey115 km - 3Lagey117 km
- 4
Hraunamöl119 km
- 5
Hrólfssker119 km
Hot springs
- 1Geothermal hot spring near Siglufjörður111 km
- 2Geothermal hot spring near Ólafsfjörður120 km
- 3Natural hot pot near Skagafjörður124 km
Fuel
- 1
Siglufjörður112 km · 310.8 kr/L - 2
Ólafsfjörður120 km · 308.7 kr/L - 3
Dalvík131 km · 310.9 kr/L
Tours
(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafossfrom 25.300 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
(RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyrifrom 25.900 ISK · 6 hours
Adventure snowmobile tour Akureyrifrom 166.750 ISK · 5 hours
Frequently
asked
questions
How do I get to Kolbeinsey?
Kolbeinsey is in North Iceland. Most Icelandic islands are reached only by boat — a scheduled ferry where one exists, otherwise a private or chartered vessel. Crossings depend on the weather and are cancelled in rough seas, so check the marine forecast and never assume you can leave on schedule.
Can I visit Kolbeinsey?
It depends on access and protection status. Some Icelandic islands are open by ferry or summer boat tour; many are uninhabited seabird colonies where landing is restricted during the nesting season. Where visits are allowed, go with a licensed operator and keep your distance from nesting birds.
When is the best time to visit Kolbeinsey?
Summer (June to August) is when ferries and boat tours run their full schedules, seas are calmer and seabird colonies are active. Many operators do not run in winter, so plan an island visit for the warmer months and book ahead in peak season.
Is Kolbeinsey inhabited?
Most of Iceland's islands are uninhabited, with no facilities, shelter or scheduled transport — Heimaey in the Westman Islands is the notable exception. Treat any small island as a place with no services: bring supplies, tell someone your plan and allow flexibility for the weather.
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Tom Scott · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
OpenStreetMapVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
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Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10



