Guide to Spotting Puffins in Iceland
They are a symbol of Iceland, you can find them in every souvenir shop on mugs, T-shirts and socks. Puffins are the pride of Icelanders, who wait every year for the return of these colorful birds to the island.
So if you want to see one during your trip, it's good to know where the best place in Iceland is to spot puffins.
About puffins in Iceland:
There are actually 3 different species of puffins, but by far the most famous is the Atlantic puffin. As the name suggests, this type of puffin is found throughout the North Atlantic, including the British Isles, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Norway and, of course, Iceland.
Iceland is home to 60% of the world's Atlantic puffin population - over six million individuals.
Puffins spend most of the year at sea, returning to land only in the summer months for the breeding season. Iceland has ideal breeding grounds for puffins, as they prefer to nest on rocky cliffs along the ocean, and Iceland has plenty of that.
Not only do puffins return to the same breeding grounds year after year, but they are also monogamous animals that have partners for life. And it's quite an equal partnership, with both parents caring for the egg, which hatches into adorable chicks after about 36-45 days. The parent puffins then spend another 45 days feeding their chicks before it is time for them all to return to the sea.
Where to observe puffins:
Every year, travelers go to Iceland in hopes of seeing puffins up close. With their playful personality and distinctive black and white colors with a bright orange beak, it's easy to see why so many tourists head to Iceland in hopes of catching a glimpse of an Atlantic puffin.
Reykjavík area:
For visitors staying in Reykjavik Lundey island in the Faxafloi Bay area is your best bet. The islands are close to the capital and accessible by a short boat ride from the city:
- Akurey
- Lundey
Puffins in South Iceland ⬇
- Westman Islands: This chain of islands is easily accessible from the mainland. Head south on Route 1 to Landeyjahöfn Ferry Terminal, just a stone's throw from the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The Westman Islands are home to the world's largest puffin colony. They are hard to miss when you enter the port by ferry from the mainland.
- Dyrholaey: This is usually one of the most popular places to spot puffins. With this in mind, if you want to beat the crowds, it's a good idea to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening. The great thing is that puffin season coincides with the longer days of summer, so there will be plenty of daylight. At the top of the cliff there is a lighthouse worth visiting, overlooking the North Atlantic. Dyrhólaey is the southernmost point of mainland Iceland.
- Ingólfshöfði: It is an isolated headland, surrounded by black dunes and rivers on one side and the ocean on the other. The isolation makes the area an ideal refuge for thousands of seabirds, especially puffins. To get there, you must join a guided expedition. Probably due to its isolation, this place is not a very popular puffin-sighting spot for tourists, making it an ideal place for those who want to avoid the crowds.
Puffins in East Iceland ➡
- Papey Island: If your dream is to see a puffin up close, then Papey Island in eastern Iceland is where you want to be. This small island was inhabited until 1948, but today its only inhabitants are a busy population of birds and the remains of abandoned old houses, including the oldest wooden church in Iceland. This place is definitely off the beaten path, making it a great place for those who want a unique puffin watching experience. To reach Papey Island, take a boat from Djúpivogur.
- Skrúður Island: it is a small and uninhabited island. It is famous for its impressive steep cliffs and the high and spacious Skrúðshellir cave - the largest cave in eastern Iceland - which is home to approximately 150,000 pairs of puffins. Interestingly, these puffins nest in a cave, laying eggs directly on the ground without digging a burrow. The island and breeding colony have been protected since 1995.
- Breiðafjörður Bay: Boat tours in the waters around these islands depart from the port of Stykkishólmur, the largest town on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Join one of these tours and with a bit of luck you may see not only puffins but also seals and dolphins! Head to Hafnarhólmi marina, where you'll find shelters and wooden platforms from which you can safely view puffins up close without the risk of being near a steep rocky cliff.
Puffins in North Iceland ⬆
- Tjörnes Peninsula: Drive to Tjörnes Lighthouse and follow one of several hiking trails in the area. They will take you along the clifftops overlooking the black sand beaches that are perfect habitat for puffins.
- Grimsey Island: The island is a remarkable puffin nesting site. There is a ferry from Dalvík, traveling time about three hours. The ferry only goes there three times per week, arrives on noon and departs again at 4 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so most only get to enjoy this isle for few hours. There is also a flight available from Akureyri, so staying one night is possible.
- Flatey: This Flatey island with the puffins lies in Skjálfandi Bay, northwest of Húsavík. There are also boats leaving from the city, which will take you to this picturesque island.
- Lundey: an island located off the coast of Húsavík. There you can join boat cruises where you can spot puffins, porpoises and even whales!
Puffins in West and Westfjords of Iceland ⬆
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve: the unique Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is located on the northernmost tongue of the Westfjords. Puffins nest in Hornbjarg and Hælavíkurbjarg, in the eastern part of this nature reserve. These birds are believed to be more trusting of humans than anywhere else because they have not been harassed and do not encounter many people. This beautiful place is known for being one of the most unique nature reserves in the world. There are no roads leading there, it is inaccessible and closed to all types of motor vehicles. It can only be accessed by boat and then explored on foot. This is the perfect place to combine hiking and bird watching.
- Vigur: In a picturesque fjord southwest of Hornstrandir lies a small island - often called "paradise island" - inhabited by one local family, approximately 100,000 pairs of puffins and thousands of ducks, arctic terns and guillemots, along with the odd seal. In summer, boats run from Isafjörður to Vigur.
- Breiðafjörður: This stunning fjord located between the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords is home to countless small islands where a united array of birds thrive each summer. A large colony of puffins nests on the island of Hafnarhólm. The islands of Þórishólmur and Steinaklettar are also known for their excellent puffin sightings. Boats depart regularly to these islands from the town of Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
- Látrabjarg: Cliffs where puffins can be seen all summer long. To get to Látrabjarg, you need to go by car. The cliff is located at the end of gravel road 612, which connects to the main road 62 that circles the western part of the Westfjords.
Tips for spotting puffins:
Tip 1. To increase your chances of seeing the most activity on the puffin breeding grounds, we recommend visiting between May and mid-August as this is the main puffin season in Iceland.
Tip 2. Puffins can most often be found on their breeding grounds in the early morning or evening, because this is when they most often rest in their burrows. At other times of the day you may find that many puffins have gone out to sea so the breeding area will not be as busy.
Tip 3. When walking around an area where puffins are found, pay attention to the signs and marked paths that you may see in various breeding areas. Remember to stay calm and quiet - don't scare these beautiful birds.
Tip 4. Hopefully this goes without saying, but remember to just look and not touch or feed the puffins. They are friendly and curious animals, but they are still wild animals.
Tip 5. When approaching a puffin on a cliff , don't get too close to the edge, as you may destroy the puffin nest close to the cliff edge. This can put both you and the puffin in danger if a piece of the ground beneath your feet collapses.
Especially for you, we have created a map with all the places where you can admire puffins - click here!
When you go on trips around Iceland with us, we will also try to stop in places where it will be easy for you to observe them. Check out our trips: RING ROAD
Have fun and take beautiful photos of these magical birds!