Puffins in Iceland: Everything You Need To Know

Puffins are some of Iceland’s cutest residents, attracting many tourists and bird watchers each year who are keen to observe them. In fact, more than 50% of the world’s puffin population comes to Iceland to breed each year.

Puffins are some of Iceland’s cutest residents, attracting many tourists and bird watchers each year who are keen to observe them. In fact, more than 50% of the world’s puffin population comes to Iceland to breed each year. There are up to 10 million puffins that nest on the cliffs of Iceland, so you’re sure to spot some of these colorful birds on your visit to Iceland.

There are many different places you can see puffins in Iceland, but some areas are likely to offer you more success than others. We’ve put together a list of the top places to find puffins in Iceland so you can be sure not to miss this magnificent bird. 

Meet The Atlantic Puffin

If you’ve never seen a puffin before, or even heard of one, then allow us to introduce you. The Atlantic Puffin is a small black and white seabird, fondly nicknamed the “clown of the sea” or “sea parrot” due to its unusual coloring. While black and white most of the year, they adopt colorful bills during mating season in order to attract a mate. Puffins also mate for life, similarly to penguins.

These curious birds live for more than 30 years, with some on record reaching more than 41 years of age! They spend most of the year at sea, their approximately 50 cm wingspan making them apt swimmers, but return to shore to breed for a few months of the year. When at sea, they can dive up to 60 meters below the surface to catch fish.

While they are elegant under the water, above it, they are known for their frantic flying style. They flap their wings up to 400 times a minute to stay airborne, reaching speeds of up to 55 mph in some cases. 

And finally, baby puffins are called pufflings!

Best time to spot Puffins in Iceland

The only time you’ll see Atlantic Puffins in Iceland is when they return to land to breed. For most locations, the best time of year to find puffins in Iceland is between April and late August.

Tips for watching Puffins responsibly in Iceland

While it can be exciting to see such cute animals in the wild, it’s important to remember that precautions need to be taken for your and their safety. These are wild animals, usually found on clifftops, so there are a number of things to consider. The best way to observe puffins is to lie down at a safe distance on grass and observe, whether you’re taking photographs or not.

1. Look, don’t touch

While this may be an obvious tip, do not attempt to touch puffins under any circumstances. They are covered in delicate oils to help waterproof them when they are swimming or flying over the sea. Touching their feathers can begin to dissolve this coating, affecting their flying and swimming skills and possibly causing injury later.

2. Don’t get too close

Puffins tend to seem at ease around human company, but that does not guarantee that they are comfortable. Be warned against getting too close, both for your safety and theirs.

3. Beware underfoot

Beware of cliff edges when watching puffin colonies, as well as underground nests. Puffins burrow into cliffs to lay eggs and raise pufflings, so avoid getting too close and causing the collapse of these old nests.

Hoping to catch a glimpse of these adorable visitors to Iceland? Here are the top places to see Atlantic Puffins in Iceland.

Westman Islands

The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, are a group of islands off Iceland’s south coast and home to the largest colony of puffins in the world. A ferry can be caught from the south coast of Iceland to get to the islands, and from there, local boat tours will take you to the best spots to view the puffins along the cliffs. You can also explore the island, visiting some of the many spots where puffins can be seen in their natural habitat. Though there are a number of viewing areas that are known for spotting puffins, it’s worth remembering that puffins do not always nest in the exact same place, so some years you will see more puffins in one area than others. It’s worth exploring and asking around to find where the best viewing spots are.

Westfjords

The unspoiled Westfjords are home to some of Iceland’s wildest landscapes. At the most western tip of the Westfjords, and all of Iceland for that matter, you’ll find the Látrabjarg cliffs. These tall and rugged cliffs are home to another very large colony of puffins, making it a fantastic place to see puffins. Due to the rugged and somewhat isolated location of these cliffs, they are not as visited as some other puffin viewing areas in Iceland, meaning you can get a real experience of seeing puffins in an undisturbed environment.

Lundey Island

Translating to “puffin island” in Icelandic, this small island off the coast of Reykjavik is a wonderful place to see puffins, especially if you’re not planning to venture too far from the capital during your visit. The island is uninhabited by people, but many species of birds live and nest on the island, including, of course, puffins. Many puffin-watching tours from Reykjavik Harbour will take you to the island, which will often give you the chance to also see whales and dolphins on your way.

Grímsey Island

This island at the very northernmost tip of Iceland is home to another large puffin colony. Grímsey Island is unusual in that the Arctic Circle cuts across the island, meaning part of the island is within the Arctic Circle and part of it is not. Flights and 3-weekly ferries travel to the island, which only has a population of 100. There are, however, many, many puffins on the island, making this unusual little island well worth the trip for keen bird watchers. 

If you’re keen on incorporating seeing puffins into your Iceland itinerary, make sure you tick them off at your own pace. When you rent a car, you can tackle all of Iceland however and whenever you want. Browse our rental models today!