Flora & Fauna

Grímsey is covered with vegetation which is sculpted by the arctic climate. The scurvy-grass which grows amongst the coastal rocks is very special as it is rich in vitamin C and is known for its medicinal properties.

The birdlife is unique with numerous different species and unusually dense populations offering great conditions for photographers. Seabirds nesting on high cliffs to the East side of Grímsey and on the West coast, one of the biggest colonies of puffins in Iceland with thousand of individuals.

There are no rats or mice on the island and the only wild land mammals which occasionally visit the island are polar bears. They are rarely seen but in the winter of 1969 a polar bear swam ashore and met his demise.

He can now be seen in the Húsavík Natural Museum. The ocean is rich in nutrients and marine life, attracting seals and whales to the area. The largest salmon caught in Iceland was hauled up from the waters by the island in 1957, measuring 132 cm. and 49 pounds.