Puffins in Iceland – Where and When to See Them
Introduction
Puffins are one of Iceland’s most loved animals and a highlight for many travellers. With their colourful beaks, round bodies and fast wingbeats, puffins look almost unreal when you see them up close. Iceland is home to the largest puffin population in the world and offers some of the best viewing spots anywhere in Europe.
This guide explains everything you need to know about puffins in Iceland, including when they arrive, where to see them, how to watch them respectfully and what makes these birds so unique.
When Do Puffins Arrive in Iceland
Puffins return to Iceland every spring for the nesting season.
Main season:
Early April to late August
Best viewing months:
May
June
July
Early August
During these months, puffins stay on cliffs, coastal rocks and islands to nest, mate and raise their chicks, called pufflings.
By mid August many puffins start leaving their nesting areas, although a few remain longer depending on location.
Where to See Puffins in Iceland – Best Locations
1. Dyrhólaey
Located on the South Coast near Vík, Dyrhólaey is one of the best and most accessible puffin viewing cliffs in Iceland. The cliffs are stable, high and perfect for observing puffins closely.
2. Reynisfjall and Vík Cliffs
The cliffs surrounding Vík hold large puffin colonies. You can often see puffins on the cliff edges above Reynisfjara Beach. Always stay on marked paths and avoid going near dangerous waves.
3. Ingólfshöfði
A remote headland accessed by special tractor tours. Ingólfshöfði is one of the safest and most impressive places to see puffins on the South Coast. Guided tours lead you close to the nesting areas without disturbing the birds.
4. Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
The Westman Islands hold one of the largest puffin colonies in the world. Heimaey is famous for its cliffs filled with thousands of puffins during summer. This is one of the best places for photography.
5. Borgarfjörður Eystri
In East Iceland, Borgarfjörður Eystri has a well built puffin viewing platform that allows visitors to get extremely close to the birds without harming their habitat. This is one of the safest and most comfortable viewing spots in the country.
6. Látrabjarg Cliffs (Westfjords)
Látrabjarg is one of the biggest seabird cliffs in Europe. You can stand just a few meters from puffins while they rest on the grass. The cliffs are incredibly high, so stay well away from the edges.
7. Lundey (Puffin Island)
Near Reykjavík, Lundey is known for large puffin populations. You can reach the island with guided boat tours from Reykjavík harbour. Puffins are usually seen flying, feeding and resting on the rocky shoreline.
Behaviour and Life Cycle of Puffins
Puffins spend most of the year at sea, only coming to land to breed. When they arrive in Iceland, they find their lifelong partner, dig burrows and lay a single egg. Both parents take turns feeding the chick until it is ready to leave the nest.
Puffins are extremely loyal birds. They return to the same nesting area every year and often to the exact same burrow.
How to Watch Puffins Safely and Respectfully
Keep a Safe Distance
Never step close to the edges of cliffs because the soil can be soft and unstable. Use viewing platforms or stay on marked paths.
Do Not Touch or Disturb Them
Puffins are wild animals. Avoid loud noises, sudden movements or trying to get too close for photos.
Stay Away from Puffin Burrows
Their nests are underground. Stepping on the soft ground can collapse the burrow and harm the birds.
Go With a Guide for the Best Experience
Guided tours know the safe spots and offer better angles for photography. They also protect the nesting environment.
Be Careful with Drones
Many areas forbid drones during nesting season to protect the birds. Always check local rules before flying.
Puffin Photography Tips
You do not need a huge lens to photograph puffins, but these tips help you capture better images.
- Use a zoom lens between 70 and 200 mm
- Keep your shutter speed fast to freeze movement
- Avoid getting too close
- Shoot from eye level when possible
- Visit during golden hour for soft light
If you want portraits, go early or late in the day when light is calmer and fewer visitors are around.
Puffin Watching Tours in Iceland
There are many ways to see puffins with local experts.
Boat Tours from Reykjavík
Boat tours leave from Reykjavík harbour and visit Lundey and nearby islands where puffins nest during summer. Great for families and travellers staying in the city.
Westman Islands Puffin Tours
The Westman Islands offer some of the most impressive puffin watching experiences in Iceland. Tours take you to cliffs, sea caves and bird colonies.
North Iceland Puffin Tours
Húsavík and surrounding areas often run boat tours where you can see puffins while also watching whales.
Conclusion
Puffins are one of Iceland’s most charming and unforgettable wildlife experiences. Whether you see them on cliffs, islands or remote headlands, watching these birds up close is a highlight for many travellers. By visiting responsibly and choosing safe viewing locations, you help protect these beautiful animals for future generations.
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