The Best Spots for Puffin Photography in the Westman Islands
Who doesn’t love puffins? These cute and comical seabirds are a joy to watch, so it’s no wonder that summer visitors to Iceland have birdwatching on their itinerary. One of the best places in the country to see puffins at close range is of course the Westman Islands. If you’re hoping to indulge in a little puffin photography while you’re here, this is what you need to know.
The bird hide at Stórhöfði
One of the most convenient places to watch for puffins in the Westman Islands is from the bird hide at the edge of Stórhöfði, the peninsula at the southern tip of Heimaey. Leaving the port, drive inland along Heiðarvegur and then turn onto Höfðavegur. From there follow the road called Stórhöfðavegur towards the south of the island. Where the road bears round to the left, you’ll see a small car park on your right.
Leave the car there and walk a couple of minutes along the adjacent track and you’ll see a small hut perched right on the cliff top. Inside, there are several windows which have small ledges on which to balance a camera; you might prefer to set up a tripod. The window to the left is particularly well aligned if you’re hoping to grab a shot of the birds as they come in to land, as it faces the cliff side on.
Here, the puffins will be just a few metres away from you, so with a decent zoom lens you can get some super close up shots of the puffins. This place is a good bet first thing in the morning. If you haven’t chosen to bring your rental car across on the ferry, it’s possible to walk up here from downtown, though some of the roads slope quite steeply and you should allow about an hour and a half to reach the hide.
Heimaklettur and other headlands
If you’re keen to hike in the Westman Islands then you might catch a glimpse of puffins as you do so, which means you may as well carry some camera gear while you’re out. If you’re reasonably fit and have a good head for heights, one such place is Heimaklettur (Home Rock), a well-known landmark overlooking Heimaey’s harbour.
Heimaklettur is 279 metres tall and the trail is often steep and uneven; in places chains and ladders have been installed to assist hikers on their way to the top. It’s a challenging climb but not too daunting if you’re an experienced hiker. The trickiest part is near the sheep cage. From the top of Heimaklettur, you’ll often see puffins flying around towards; try looking out over Miðklettur and Ystiklettur. Other places worth checking out for birdwatching opportunities include Herjólfsdalur and Blátindur.
Boat trips
Though you’ll have less control over exactly where you will travel and how long you will stay in one place, another option for puffin watching in Heimaey is to take a boat trip. Various types of boat trip depart from the harbour, including RIB safaris and more leisurely cruisers. These tours don’t guarantee sightings, but there’s a good chance you’ll see at least some puffins in season.
Typically the boats loop around the island to get alongside its rocky cliffs and into its larger caves, so keep your eyes peeled whenever you are close to land. While you’re out on the water, you might also see the puffins flying over the sea; they move swiftly, flapping their wings at high speed, so you’ll need a fast shutter speed if you’re to capture any passably sharp images.