Iceland - Facts

Iceland FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: All foreign vessels should report their arrival 24 hours in advanced to Customs and within approximately 30nm of Iceland to the Coast Guard. See Clearance for details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: If the crew are non-EU/non-Schengen waiver eligible, then generally a visa will likely be needed. See Immigration for details.
Where can I enter? There are 3 Ports of Entry. Click on the anchor symbol in the blue “Explore Country” drop down, to see ports of entry.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? There are not normally any fees for clearance formalities. See Fees for further info.
What security concerns should I know about? Iceland is a very safe country for cruising boats. Visitors should be aware of current Volcanic activity. See Security for more info.

Iceland Facts for Sailors

• ALERT: Volcanic eruptions began in Geldingadalir on the Reykjanes Peninsula, SW Iceland, in December 2023, and again on January 14th 2024 affecting the small fishing town of Grindavik. Experts say this could be the start of a period of prolonged volcanic activity. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has the latest news and alerts.
• Isolated in the North Atlantic with Greenland its only neighbor, Iceland consists of one main island and numerous smaller ones. Visited by only the most intrepid yachts during its short summer, a passage to Iceland and a cruise along its rugged coasts offers an experience difficult to match anywhere else in the North Atlantic.
• Although there are not many local yachts, repair facilities are relatively good, particularly in active fishing harbours such as Reykjavik, Isafjördur and Olafsvik. Reykjavik and Keflavik are the most frequented in Iceland, although visiting yachts are few in number.
• The authorities are keen to encourage yachts to visit and attempt to make it attractive for yachts with simple formalities and no entry/departure costs as yet for pleasure yachts.
• A feature along the Icelandic shores are orange huts, set up as refuges for shipwrecked sailors. Every hut has some emergency supplies and a radiotelephone.
• Although a member of the European Economic Area, Iceland is not a member of the EU. Iceland is a member of the Schengen states.