{"id":1310,"date":"2024-09-27T16:12:44","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T16:12:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volcanoatv.is\/en\/?page_id=1310"},"modified":"2024-09-27T16:16:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T16:16:27","slug":"where-to-see-puffins-in-iceland","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/volcanoatv.is\/en\/info\/where-to-see-puffins-in-iceland","title":{"rendered":"Where to see puffins in Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Unlike some birds which closely resemble other species, you\u2019ll have no trouble at all identifying a puffin. This distinctive bird is easy to spot, with a rounded body, black and white feathers, a stubby multi-coloured beak and bright orange feet. They\u2019re not resident in Iceland year-round, but when they are around, their numbers are such that it\u2019s easy to find them. Let\u2019s take a look at where to see puffins in Iceland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About 60% of the Atlantic puffins on the planet arrive at the Icelandic mainland or its islands each year. They typically get here in late April and after they\u2019ve nested, bred and raised their chicks, they head off back to the open ocean in mid to late August. If your visit is likely to be at the beginning or end of that period, it\u2019s worth keeping a close eye on the many webcams that point at popular puffin spots so you can check the birds are there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best places to see puffins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Puffins are found all around Iceland, so whichever part of the coastline you focus on, you won\u2019t have to travel far to find a spot that is a favourite of these cute and comical birds. Sometimes you can walk to viewing areas and hides on foot; in other places a boat trip should reward passengers with close-up sightings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, to reach the most isolated spots, you might need to arrange a private transfer or join a dedicated organised tour. Puffin watching can also be combined with other activities, which is the case in the Westman Islands with our ATV tours. These family-friendly tours are a great way to cover more ground while enjoying yourself and making lasting memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
However you choose to facilitate a puffin encounter, if you are in the country at the right time of year we\u2019d strongly recommend that you incorporate watching these entertaining seabirds into your itinerary. Here\u2019s where you might do so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Westman Islands <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Vestmannaeyjar is the number one location in Iceland for puffin sightings. That\u2019s because it has the biggest colony. It\u2019s thought to number around 830,000 breeding pairs during the season which is far in excess of anything you\u2019ll experience elsewhere. To put it into perspective, that impressive figure represents something in the region of 20% of the world\u2019s Atlantic puffin population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Heimaey is the only permanently inhabited island in this southerly archipelago, but it\u2019s easy to reach by ferry from the mainland and the crossing takes only about half an hour. Once there, you can take a boat tour, visit the St\u00f3rh\u00f6f\u00f0i bird hide on foot or join one of our fun ATV rides that focus on these comical birds alongside other aspects of Westman Island life such as its volcanic activity or pirate past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Ing\u00f3lfsh\u00f6f\u00f0i is a cape off the south coast of Iceland, located further east than the Westman Islands. In the summer, you can visit this private nature reserve as part of a group tour. One of the reasons why it\u2019s not possible to go there independently will become obvious as soon as you set off: you ride on a cart towed by a tractor across a causeway of wet sand. There\u2019s a steep sand cliff to navigate on foot once you reach Ing\u00f3lfsh\u00f6f\u00f0i but at the top, you\u2019re treated to some close up puffin sightings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Dyrh\u00f3laey<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Dyrh\u00f3laey is a little easier to access. Located just west of the tourist town of Vik, this promontory pokes out into the Atlantic. Battered by waves, it features a large arch and faulted sides. In nooks and grassy hollows, puffins and other seabirds like terns and fulmars make their nests during the summer months. During daylight hours, follow marked paths that get you close enough to watch the birds come and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The place which styles itself as the \u201cPuffin Capital of Iceland\u201d is probably the main competitor to the Westman Islands when it comes to puffin watching. It takes a lot more time to reach Borgarfj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Eystri in East Iceland, but it\u2019s an easy place from which to watch the antics of these comical birds once you are there. Position yourself above the marina where you\u2019ll find shelters and wooden platforms that makes this place very accessible. An estimated 10,000 breeding pairs visit during the summer season and you can be as little as two metres away from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Papey Island<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Once the focus of tours from Dj\u00fapivogur in the East Fjords, Papey Island is now much more difficult to get to, though no one has told the puffins that. Humans haven\u2019t lived on the island for more than 70 years and to reach this isolated place now you\u2019ll need to charter yourself a boat which is likely to be costly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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L\u00e1trabjarg<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The Westfjords is Iceland\u2019s most enigmatic region and its remoteness means it receives fewer visitors compared to other parts of the country. Many of those that do make it this far do so to visit L\u00e1trabjarg, which is the biggest seabird cliff in Europe. Puffins are just one of the species that choose to nest here; the best time to encounter them is in May, June or July. It\u2019s a wild and natural spot; the steep cliffs are unfenced, so be careful where you step while you\u2019re watching the puffins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Vigur Island<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Each year, about 100,000 puffins migrate to Vigur Island close to \u00cdsafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur in the Westfjords. Summer trips can be arranged by the family which owns the island. As well as puffin spotting, you can learn about the eider harvest. You\u2019re also welcome to look around its historic buildings, including Viktor\u00eduh\u00fas \u2013 built in 1860.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puffins are also found in the north of Iceland, so if you are planning to loop the country on a road trip, then consider stopping off at the Tj\u00f6rnes Peninsula. Though it feels remote, its bird cliffs are actually not far from H\u00fasav\u00edk. Set your sights on the viewing platform at Hringsbjarg or the orange-painted lighthouse at Voladalstorfa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most northerly locations in Iceland, you can also find puffins within the Arctic Circle at Grimsey. Most visitors will overlook this place because of the extra effort required to reach it, but if you do make it this far, you\u2019ll find puffins aplenty as well as razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes. If you are going to spot puffins in the evening \u2013 and experience the Midnight Sun \u2013 plan to spend at least one night here before you hop on a ferry back to the mainland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Islands close to Reykjavik<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Akurey is a small island close to Reykjavik and boat trips through Faxafl\u00f3i Bay can be arranged from the capital\u2019s old harbour. Uninhabited Lundy is another popular spot for migratory seabirds. The number of puffins and other species is smaller here than around Heimaey, but you have the convenience of being able to stay in Reykjavik if your time is really short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you can see, though it\u2019s possible to see puffins in many places in Iceland, there\u2019s a lot to recommend coming to the Westman Islands if you are serious about seeing them during your summer holiday. With a plethora of ways to spend your time, from ATV tours to boat trips, you\u2019re sure to have a lot of fun as you meet Iceland\u2019s most recognisable visitor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Unlike some birds which closely resemble other species, you\u2019ll have no trouble at all identifying a puffin. This distinctive bird…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":1110,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1310","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n
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