Grotta Lighthouse

About

Grótta, a small tied island at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula, straddles Reykjavík’s southern coast. It is famed for its iconic lighthouse built in 1947 (replacing an 1897 structure), its extensive bird‑watching opportunities—including a thriving colony of arctic terns—and the dramatic views of the Atlantic as the sea washes over the island during low tide. The island is designated a nature reserve since 1974 and is prohibited during the nesting season from 1 May to 15 July. Visitors can reach Grótta on foot when low tide exposes the connecting tombolo, offering roughly a six‑hour window each day to explore the lighthouse, walk along the black sand beach, and, at night, witness the Northern Lights dancing over the horizon.