Bromr · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Geodetic Department of the Danish General Staff · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Navaro · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0North Iceland Islands
36 islands in North Iceland — mapped with live road conditions, drive times, and directions.
36 islands in North Iceland, led by Grímsey and Grímsey. All mapped with drive times, directions, and live road conditions.
Top islands in North Iceland
The region's stand-outs — each with photos, facts, and its own page.
Grímsey
Iceland's Arctic Circle island, 40km off the north coast. About 60 permanent residents and millions of arctic terns. The draw is crossing the Arctic Circle - certificates available. The community maintains a small-town Icelandic character in extreme isolation. Ferry from Dalvík (3 hours) or flight from Akureyri (20 min). Worth doing for the experience of reaching Iceland's northernmost settlement. Summer midnight sun is special here. The arctic terns will attack - they're protecting nests. Wear a hat.
Grímsey
Iceland's Arctic Circle island, 40km off the north coast. About 60 permanent residents and millions of arctic terns. The draw is crossing the Arctic Circle - certificates available. The community maintains a small-town Icelandic character in extreme isolation. Ferry from Dalvík (3 hours) or flight from Akureyri (20 min). Worth doing for the experience of reaching Iceland's northernmost settlement. Summer midnight sun is special here. The arctic terns will attack - they're protecting nests. Wear a hat.
Drangey
Dramatic sea stack island in Skagafjörður, north Iceland. The saga outlaw Grettir the Strong hid here. The cliffs are sheer and covered in seabirds. Boat tours from Sauðárkrókur include climbing onto the island with ropes and ladders. Not for those afraid of heights or exposure. The experience is memorable for the adventurous. Seabird harvesting continues here - a tradition dating back centuries. Eggs and birds by the thousands.
Kolbeinsey
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. It is the northernmost point of Iceland and lies north of the Arctic Circle. The islet is named after Kolbeinn Sigmundarson, from Kolbeinsdalur in Skagafjörður, who according to Svarfdæla saga is said to have broken his ship there and died with his men. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Hrísey
Island in Eyjafjörður, accessible from Dalvík. A peaceful alternative to busy mainland attractions. About 150 residents. No cars - you can walk the island in a couple hours or borrow a bike. Birdwatching is excellent. Quick ferry from Dalvík makes it an easy half-day trip from Akureyri. Good for those wanting island time without major travel. Galloway cattle roam free. The pace of life is deliberately slow.
Flatey
Tiny island in Breiðafjörður bay, west Iceland. A few dozen summer residents keep the old fishing village alive. Historic wooden houses, one small hotel, abundant birdlife. No cars, no rush. The ferry stops for a few hours - enough to walk the island. Take the Baldur ferry between Stykkishólmur and the Westfjords. Stopping at Flatey breaks the journey perfectly. A glimpse of old Iceland. Simple and atmospheric.
Distances between them
36 islands in North Iceland
Grímsey
Iceland's Arctic Circle island, 40km off the north coast. About 60 permanent residents and millions of arctic terns. The draw is crossing the Arctic Circle - certificates available. The community maintains a small-town Icelandic character in extreme isolation. Ferry from Dalvík (3 hours) or flight from Akureyri (20 min). Worth doing for the experience of reaching Iceland's northernmost settlement. Summer midnight sun is special here. The arctic terns will attack - they're protecting nests. Wear a hat.
Þingey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Lagey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Hraunamöl
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Hrútey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Kerling
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Tólfmannaboði
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Ytriey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Lundeyjarbreki
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Skriflusker
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Stekkjarboði
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Kongsey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Hofsgrunn
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Broddanesey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Djúpsker
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Skipsey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Rifshaus
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Hrútey
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Many islands have limited or no facilities. Come prepared with supplies.
Fiskaflaga
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Stóriboði
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Hornálsflaga
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Stapaboði
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Sveinbjarnargrunn
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Bird colonies are sensitive. Respect nesting areas and keep distance from wildlife.
Illagrunn
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Weather can strand visitors on small islands. Allow flexibility in your schedule.
Fyllugrunn
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Arfasker
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Hrólfssker
Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Grímsey
Iceland's Arctic Circle island, 40km off the north coast. About 60 permanent residents and millions of arctic terns. The draw is crossing the Arctic Circle - certificates available. The community maintains a small-town Icelandic character in extreme isolation. Ferry from Dalvík (3 hours) or flight from Akureyri (20 min). Worth doing for the experience of reaching Iceland's northernmost settlement. Summer midnight sun is special here. The arctic terns will attack - they're protecting nests. Wear a hat.
Drangey
Dramatic sea stack island in Skagafjörður, north Iceland. The saga outlaw Grettir the Strong hid here. The cliffs are sheer and covered in seabirds. Boat tours from Sauðárkrókur include climbing onto the island with ropes and ladders. Not for those afraid of heights or exposure. The experience is memorable for the adventurous. Seabird harvesting continues here - a tradition dating back centuries. Eggs and birds by the thousands.
Kolbeinsey
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. It is the northernmost point of Iceland and lies north of the Arctic Circle. The islet is named after Kolbeinn Sigmundarson, from Kolbeinsdalur in Skagafjörður, who according to Svarfdæla saga is said to have broken his ship there and died with his men. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Access depends on ferry schedules and weather. Check connections before planning visits.
Hrísey
Island in Eyjafjörður, accessible from Dalvík. A peaceful alternative to busy mainland attractions. About 150 residents. No cars - you can walk the island in a couple hours or borrow a bike. Birdwatching is excellent. Quick ferry from Dalvík makes it an easy half-day trip from Akureyri. Good for those wanting island time without major travel. Galloway cattle roam free. The pace of life is deliberately slow.
Flatey
Tiny island in Breiðafjörður bay, west Iceland. A few dozen summer residents keep the old fishing village alive. Historic wooden houses, one small hotel, abundant birdlife. No cars, no rush. The ferry stops for a few hours - enough to walk the island. Take the Baldur ferry between Stykkishólmur and the Westfjords. Stopping at Flatey breaks the journey perfectly. A glimpse of old Iceland. Simple and atmospheric.
Hegranes
Hegranes is the name of the peninsula between the branches of the Héraðsvötn river in Skagafjörður, Iceland. Although Hegranes is called a peninsula, it is actually an island about 15 kilometers long with a fairly tall, rocky headland covered in vegetation. Héraðsvötn's western estuary hews closely to the west side of the peninsula, but there is a large, sandy area before the peninsula reaches the eastern estuary. Off the southern end of the peninsula, there is a delta called Austara-Eylendið. It has diverse avian life and vegetation and is home to a natural heritage site. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Lundey, Skjálfandi
Lundey is a small, uninhabited island in Skjálfandi bay located about 8.3 kilometres from Húsavík, in northern Iceland. It is the smaller of two islands in the bay, the other being Flatey. Lundey is about 300 metres (980 ft) long and 150 metres (490 ft) wide. Its highest point lies about 34 metres (112 ft) above sea level. Its name in Icelandic means "Puffin"; over 200,000 Atlantic Puffin breed on the island's cliffs in the summer hence its name. The island lies only 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of the Arctic Circle and therefore experiences 24 hours of daylight during the summer solstice. Icelandic island, part of the archipelago surrounding the main island. Some islands require boat tours as there's no scheduled ferry. Book ahead.
Lundey
Puffin Island near Reykjavík - one of the closest places to see puffins from the capital. Boat tours don't land but circle close enough for puffin photography. Best May-August when birds are present. Several operators run tours from Reykjavík harbor. Easy option if you don't have time for the south coast or Westman Islands.
Málmey
Small island in Skagafjörður fjord, historically important and now uninhabited. Ruins of an early monastery and farming settlement. Seabirds have reclaimed the cliffs. Boat access from Siglufjörður or Hofsós area. Not a regular tourist route - for those seeking hidden corners.
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