Puffins in Iceland

Where and when to see puffins | Season: April – August | IcelandtheBeautiful.com

Puffins are seabirds that spend most of the year freely on the open Arctic ocean. However, from mid-April to mid-August they seek shelter and solid land along the coast, where they dig burrows in cliffs and raise their young. Iceland is popular not only among tourists from all over the world, but also among puffins, and around two million breeding pairs of these colorful birds arrive here every year. There are many places in Iceland where they nest, and in this article we will introduce them. We will travel around Iceland in a counterclockwise direction, starting in Reykjavík.

1. Lundey and Akurey Islands

The closest place to Reykjavík where puffins can be seen is on these islands. However, the only way to see them is by boat.

2. Stórhöfði – Vestmannaeyjar

The second closest place to Reykjavík is not very easily accessible either, and is located on the southernmost tip of Heimaey island, the main island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. This site hosts the largest puffin population of all—around 1 million breeding pairs.

3. Cliffs at Dyrhólaey

Even though the population here is not very large, easy accessibility (about 200 meters from the parking lot) and the chance to observe puffins quite closely make this one of the most popular stops on the south coast.

4. Reynisfjall

The hill above the village of Vík í Mýrdal is a popular nesting site for puffins. If you want to see them here, you need to hike up Reynisfjall, where they can be spotted along the cliff edges.

5. Ingólfshöfði

A coastal area about 20 kilometers east of Skaftafell, accessible as a tractor-cart tour.

6. Papey and Skrúður Islands

In the east of Iceland, near the town of Djúpivogur, there are two islands with puffin populations. In recent years, however, no tourist boats have been sailing there.

7. Hafnarhólmi – Borgarfjörður eystri

In the East Fjords region, beyond the village of Bakkagerði at the very end of road 94. Wooden walkways, viewing platforms, and even a shelter have been built here. Puffins are used to human presence and can sometimes be observed from just a few dozen centimeters away. If there is one place in Iceland that can be called the best for puffin watching, it is this one.

8. Skeiðsöxl

Cliffs on the eastern coast of the Tjörnes peninsula provide shelter for many species, including puffins. However, they nest quite low above sea level and far from human observers.

9. Voladalstorfa

A relatively popular puffin site, but not accessible until mid-July due to nesting ducks in the area. It also requires about a 30-minute walk from the road.

10. Grímsey (Dalvík) – North

Grímsey is Iceland’s northernmost island, and puffins nest almost all around it, especially on the southern side, which is the most accessible. If you arrive here on a day trip ferry, you will see them even from the boat. The ferry runs regularly in the morning from the port town of Dalvík and returns in the afternoon.

11. Grímsey (Drangsnes) – Westfjords

Another island where you can observe puffins is also called Grímsey—this one in the Westfjords region. The island is quite small, and the best viewing spot is on the eastern coast. In summer, a tour boat operates from Drangsnes.

12. Vigur

A nearly magical island located in the northern part of the Westfjords. It can be reached on tours from the town of Ísafjörður.

13. Látrabjarg

One of the largest sea cliffs in Europe provides shelter to many species of seabirds. Puffins are abundant here and nest in the most accessible area just a few dozen meters from the parking lot. The cliffs are 14 kilometers long, and it is up to you how far you choose to explore.

14. Flatey

On this island in the Breiðafjörður bay, puffins certainly nest, although during our visits we mostly saw them floating on the water. Flatey is not primarily visited for puffins, but they can be a pleasant bonus.

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