Grímseyjarviti is the lighthouse at the southern end of Grímsey, an island in the Arctic Ocean off the north coast of Iceland. Grímsey is the only part of Iceland that the Arctic Circle crosses, and the line runs across the island to the north of the tower. The lighthouse works as a navigation light for the waters around the island. The ground around it is flat, treeless and open on all sides, and Grímsey's cliffs hold large seabird colonies.
Grímseyjarviti Lighthouse
Local name: Grímseyjarviti
The Arctic Circle crosses Grímsey to the north of the lighthouse, so the tower itself stands south of the line.
- Transport
- Ferry from Dalvík or flight from Akureyri, then on foot
What makes it special
Grímseyjarviti stands where Grímsey's ground runs out. The island is a basalt plateau in the Arctic Ocean, low and treeless at its southern end, and the lighthouse is the last built thing before open water. Sea fills the horizon on three sides. The cliffs of Grímsey hold large seabird colonies, and seabirds pass overhead between the nests and the fishing grounds. The wind comes straight off the ocean with nothing to break it. This is a working navigation light rather than a monument, and the interest here is the position, not the architecture.
Getting there
No bridge or road reaches Grímsey. You get there by the Sæfari ferry from Dalvík or a flight from Akureyri, then cross the island on foot. From the village of Sandvík the lighthouse is well under an hour's walk south, along the western side. The track is unpaved and open to the wind, so pack a windproof layer even on a bright day.
Best time to visit
Best: late June and July, when the puffins are on the slopes, the terns are loud, and the light barely fades all night. Avoid: deep winter, when the path ices over and short days and frequent storms leave little room to reach the point safely. Check the flight and ferry status before you commit — a day out here depends entirely on the weather.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Grímseyjarviti Lighthouse on the map
The cliffs at the south point are unfenced and undercut, and nesting Arctic terns dive at anyone who comes near from May to July — keep well back from the edge and shield your head.
Get directions
Your whole travel map in one place
Get inspired by new places around the world and find the ones worth the journey
Frequently asked questions
Where is Grímseyjarviti?
At the southern end of Grímsey, an island in the Arctic Ocean off the north coast of Iceland. The island belongs to the Northeast Iceland region.Is the lighthouse inside the Arctic Circle?
No. The Arctic Circle crosses Grímsey north of the lighthouse, so the tower stands south of the line. Grímsey is the only part of Iceland the line touches.Is Grímseyjarviti still in use?
Yes. It is a working navigation light for the waters around Grímsey, not a museum piece.What is there to see around the lighthouse?
Open sea on three sides, low treeless ground, and the seabirds that nest on the island's cliffs.