About the Port
Rising from the waters of Skagafjörður in northern Iceland, Málmey is a small, uninhabited island framed by dramatic basalt cliffs and rolling green slopes. Once home to a lone farming family, the island was abandoned by the mid-twentieth century and now belongs to nature, its grassy heights alive with nesting seabirds such as puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes through the warmer months.
As a tender landing with no permanent facilities, Málmey rewards those who venture ashore with a rare sense of solitude and untouched Icelandic landscape. Hiking the island's short trails offers sweeping views across the fjord toward distant mountains, while the cliffs themselves provide some of the region's most memorable birdwatching. Visits here are inherently weather-dependent, making each call a quiet, unscripted encounter with Iceland's wilder edges.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Malmey Island.
Hike to the Cliff Tops
Follow the grassy slopes up from the landing point for sweeping views across Skagafjörður to the mountains beyond. The climb is short but steep, so sturdy footwear is worth packing.
Scout the Seabird Colonies
Scan the basalt ledges for nesting puffins, guillemots, and kittiwakes clustered along the cliffs. Bring binoculars, since the birds gather closest to the edges rather than the interior.
Explore the Abandoned Farmstead
Trace the faint remains of the last family's homestead, a quiet reminder of the island's former life before it was left to nature. It's a brief detour that adds context to the empty landscape.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Malmey Island
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Voyager | 11 | $11,055 | |
| Jun 30, 2027 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 10 | $10,027 | |
| Jun 22, 2028 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Voyager | 11 | $11,800 | |
| Jun 27, 2028 | Atlas Ocean Voyages | World Navigator | 11 | $11,800 |