Access and Information
All land within the protected area is privately owned, with 11 farms bordering the reserve. Access to the reserve is limited, and no marked hiking trails have been established.
The area is frequently used by local schools and universities for field trips and research projects.
Between 15 April and 15 July, visits to the islands and skerries are prohibited, except for activities related to traditional land use. Outside this period, the reserve may be visited year-round with permission from landowners.
Protection Status
Grunnafjörður was designated a nature reserve in 1994. The purpose of the protection designation was to conserve the landscape and ecosystems of the area, particularly its exceptionally rich birdlife.
In 1996, the site was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, granting it protection under the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The fjord is the only Ramsar site in Iceland located in a coastal marine environment, and the Ramsar area covers approximately 1,470 hectares.