Polar Flight To Grimsey

OVERVIEW

Fly to the tiny isle of Grimsey to explore this northernmost inhabited part of Iceland which straddles the Arctic Circle. The flight from Akureyri airport takes just half an hour, but Grimsey might as well be a million miles away. Barely 100 souls reside here, along with the occasional polar bear dropping by from a drifting ice floe. Years ago, Grimsey was larger – but large chunks of it have tumbled into the sea over time and its residents have learned to make do with a diminishing land mass. Subsistence itself can be a challenge as a result, with islanders relying on locally caught seafood, scant imported goods and the most prized of edible island delicacies: bird eggs snatched by brave rappellers who clamber down Grimsey’s sheer sea cliffs during the brief summer. While mentioned in the earliest of Icelandic sagas, this miniscule outpost’s big claim to fame came late in the 19th century when the locals’ exceptional prowess at chess captured the outside world’s attention. Go figure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Fly to a remote islet sitting astride the Arctic Circle and observe its unique lifestyle firsthand.
• Wander Grimsey’s few streets, encounter its residents and wonder at how they manage to thrive here.
• See the island’s signature lighthouse, a church built from driftwood and raucous colonies of puffins and other seabirds making a home along the cliffs.
• Step across the Arctic Circle yourself, so you can boast about it later to friends at shipboard dinner.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing including a water/wind proof jacket.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes with a non-slip sole are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.