Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to see puffins in Iceland?
These charming little birds are a highlight for most visitors, and once you catch a glimpse of them, you’ll totally get why they steal the spotlight.
They’re beyond adorable!
If you’re visiting Iceland in the summer, make sure puffin watching is on your bucket list.
Iceland is home to more than 60% of the world’s puffin population, with an estimated eight to ten million puffins around the country!
The Icelandic word for puffins is “Lundi” and you’ll find this popular little bird on souvenirs from postcards and keychains to sweatshirts and more.
Find out the best time of year to spot them and the top places to see puffins in Iceland.
Ready for some puf-fun? (Sorry, couldn’t resist!)
Let’s get into it! 👇
Table of Contents:
- What Kind of Puffin is in Iceland?
- Best Time to See Puffins in Iceland
- Best Places to See Puffins in Iceland
- Adopt a Puffin
- Puffin Tours in Iceland
What Kind of Puffin is in Iceland?
Also known as the common puffin, the Atlantic puffin is the species found around Iceland, Norway, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Newfoundland, and parts of the UK and Ireland.
Puffins are also referred to as “clowns of the sea” or “sea parrots” because of their adorable coloring and features.
They live at sea for most of the year and come to land to breed and raise their young.
Every year, they return to the same burrow to make a nest along the cliffside to lay their eggs.
While waiting for their baby puffling to hatch, puffin parents take turns sitting on the egg and fishing for food, diving up to 195 feet (60 meters) to catch their meals.
Fun fact: puffins are monogamous and usually mate for life! 💚
Best Time to See Puffins in Iceland
The best time of year to see puffins in Iceland is in the summer.
They arrive around mid-April and leave in mid-August, so this is generally considered to be puffin season in Iceland.
So, if you’re hoping to see puffins in Iceland in September, you’re really cutting it close and you’ll most likely be disappointed!
Pro tip: They spend most of their day out at sea fishing and bringing the catch back to their babies, so try to look for them early in the morning or evening when they are around their nest.
Best Places to See Puffins in Iceland
Now that you know when the puffins are in Iceland, let’s take a look at some of the best places in the country where you can see them.
Reykjavík
You’ve probably heard about the puffin islands in Iceland – Akurey and Lundey.
These uninhabited islands are just a short boat ride from Reykjavík and are perfect if you want to take a tour close to the capital.
You’ll not only see puffins but also other bird species like Black Guillemots, Northern Fulmars, Gulls, and Arctic Terns.
If you’re planning on taking a tour and exploring Iceland’s stunning landscapes, having the right gear is a game-changer.
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Vestmannaeyjar (The Westman Islands)
The Westman Islands are a group of islands located off the south coast of Iceland.
Puffins on Heimaey Island are a must-see, as it’s home to the largest puffin colony in the world with over 1 million puffins nesting each year in the southern part of the island.
Here visitors can view the puffins from land or take a boat tour to see these charming birds up close.
➡️ READ: Westman Islands Exploration: Insider Secrets from a Local on Hiking, Dining & More
Dyrhólaey
Located on the south coast of Iceland, Dyrhólaey is a large rock arch that sticks out into the ocean and is home to a large puffin colony.
Walking along the cliffs to get a closer look at the birds is possible, but the area could be closed off during nesting season to protect the puffin mating process.
I recommend taking a road trip through the South Coast of Iceland to see the puffins at Dyrhólaey.
Psst… don’t miss Vík while you’re in the area.
It’s one of the most charming towns in Iceland and such a short distance from Dyrhólaey making it the perfect spot for an overnight stay.
👉I always use Booking.com when securing accommodation. They offer 24/7 customer support and you can earn rewards and discounts with their Genius Loyalty Program. Plus, their map search makes it super easy to find the perfect spot near all the puffin watching locations!
Ingólfshöfði
Ingólfshöfði is a Nature Reserve in southeastern Iceland, not far from Skaftafell National Park, and home to a diverse range of bird species, including puffin birds.
This area is only accessible by guided tours that use specially equipped vehicles to drive across water and sand, followed by a short hike to the top of the hill.
From there the views over the coast are incredible and you will be greeted by thousands of puffins!
Borgarfjörður Eystri
This is a fjord up in Northeast Iceland and it’s my favorite place to see puffins.
The harbor of Hafnarhólmi is home to a large puffin colony and when we went there we saw thousands of them!
It’s known as one of the best puffin-watching areas in the world!
We got really close, almost close enough to pet them – and trust me, you’ll be tempted, but don’t do it! 😉
The town is tiny with only about 80 people that live there year-round.
It’s the perfect detour off the Ring Road, so I highly recommend adding it to your Iceland itinerary.
Látrabjarg
This massive cliff in the Westfjörds isn’t just the westernmost point of Europe – it’s also home to one of the world’s largest puffin colonies!
You can stroll along the cliffs for some amazing puffin views, but just be careful – there are no barriers, and it’s a loooong drop down to the ocean!
Discover more areas in the Westfjörds here.👇
➡️ READ: The Breathtaking Westfjörds: Discover One of the Best Areas in Iceland
Adopt a Puffin
The Beluga Whale Sanctuary is the only Puffin Rescue Centre in Iceland and cares for injured puffins and pufflings.
By adopting a puffin, you can support the running costs of the sanctuary.
Puffin rescue in Iceland is a fantastic way to contribute to the conservation of these birds in Iceland.
Puffin Tours in Iceland
While some places are easily accessible by car, certain puffin colonies can only be reached on a guided tour.
If you’re looking for excellent puffin viewing in Iceland these are a few solid options.
👉 Puffin tour, Reykjavík: A number of tours kick off from Reykjavík, which is super convenient, especially if you only have a short stopover in Iceland. A Puffin cruise like this one is great for spotting a variety of wildlife around Reykjavík.👇
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise
👉 Vestmannaeyjar Islands: Hike up a volcano, enjoy beautiful scenery, and see puffins up close on this fun tour!
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Your Puffin and Volcano Tour – Exclusive Summer Tour
👉 Ingólfshöfði: Take a scenic hike around the nature reserve and spot the puffins and seabirds in the area. It’s important to bring the proper outdoor clothing because you’ll be exposed to the elements – including sand storms!
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour
👉 Látrabjarg: Enjoy a hike in one of the most stunning natural sites in Iceland. This is said to be the best place in the world to capture photographs of these little birds because you can get really close to them on the cliff.
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: The Wonder World of LÁTRABJARG – hiking
Iceland Guidebooks + Maps
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Happy Planning,
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