There is no avoiding the puffin in Iceland, its distinctive, colourful face is everywhere – on tea towels, in snow globes and on the front of woolly jumpers. It’s no wonder that the country’s souvenir shops are named after this cute sea bird. Puffin-spotting trips leave from Reykjavik to the islands in Faxaflói Bay where you can see these creatures in the flesh (or rather, in the feathers). There are also several spots along the south coast, up in the north near Husavik and out on the Westfjords to catch a glimpse of these striking birds. To up your chances of spotting a puffin, join a guided activity tour in Iceland that includes a stop at a puffin colony.

The Icelandic Puffin

Sometimes known as “the parrots of the sea” the colourful faces of these seabirds attract visitors from far and wide to Iceland’s craggy cliffs and off-shore islands. A type of auk, the puffins you see in Iceland are of the Atlantic puffin variety. Although you’ll find them across the likes of Russia, Norway, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and even as far as Maine in the USA and the north of France, it’s Iceland that is home to the biggest colony of Atlantic puffins. In fact, over 60% of the entire Atlantic puffin population makes its home in Iceland.

Puffins often live for around twenty years, finding a single mate and laying eggs from aged three and up. They make burrowed nests on cliff sides, away from predators, where they usually lay a single egg. The egg hatches after around forty days, revealing a grey fluffy chick inside which will stay in the nest until it’s old enough to fly at about six weeks old.

One of the most fascinating sights is watching puffins dip from the air into the wild Atlantic sea where they catch shining, small silver fish (mainly sand lance, sprat, capelin and herring). They are known for their ability to dive, but generally don’t stay underwater any longer than 30 seconds at a time, so it’s a real flurry of activity when the puffins are out fetching food for the colony.

Puffins arrive in Iceland in late April or May and stick around until late August. During the day, they are often out fishing, so it is best to try to see them in the evening when they are most active.

Get to know the quirks and traits of the Icelandic horse

With its strange gait, short, sturdy stature and friendly demeanour, the Icelandic horse is unlike any other breed in the world. Myths and rumours surround this breed, including claims that it’s not actually a horse at all. Legend has it that you should never ride an Icelandic horse without knowing its name, so sign up for guided horse riding in Iceland to make sure you get it right.

Puffins in Reykjavik

Just a fifteen-minute boat ride from Reykjavik, there are over 30,000 puffins nesting on islands out in Faxaflói Bay. Puffin trips from Reykjavik leave from the picturesque old harbour, which is incredibly easy to get to from the centre of the city – it’s just a ten to fifteen-minute walk. The charming little Puffin Express boat chugs out to Lundey and Akurey to spot the colourful birdlife. You might spot Northern Fulmars, Gulls, Arctic Terns, and Black Guillemots as well, and the whole trip only takes an hour, so it’s ideal for those short on time. If you fancy whale watching as well as puffin watching, there are tours that combine the two for the ultimate Icelandic wildlife experience.

Alternatively, you could opt for the RIB tour in Reykjavik to spot both puffins and whales. The trip takes two hours in total, but the boat is super-fast and designed to get as close as possible to the wildlife without disrupting them. This is a great option for photographers, or those that like to feel the wind in their hair on the scenic route back to Reykjavik.

Where to see Puffins outside Reykjavik

Puffin colonies are dotted all over the Icelandic coast, so there are plenty of places to spot them outside of Reykjavik. Perhaps the most dramatic spot to go birdwatching is the Látrabjarg cliffs, right on the tip of the Westfjords. Here, the sheer cliffs drop down to the crashing ocean and the entire cliff-face is alive with birdlife, including puffins, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills. Breiðafjörður, the bay that separates the Westfjords from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is also a popular place to spot puffins nesting along the shore.

In the north of Iceland, just beyond Husavik, you’ll find Tjörnes peninsula where the 60-metre Hringsbjarg cliff rustles with the feathers of thousands of puffins. While on the south coast, Dyrhólaey is a unique peninsula where an arched rock juts out into the water making it a top spot for photographers, as well as bird watchers who come to see the puffins diving out at sea for their meals. It’s just beyond Reynisfjara black-sanded beach, one of the popular stops along Iceland’s south coast. Further along the south coast, not too far from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the Ingólfshöfði peninsula is the perfect stop to spot a puffin or two on the way back to Reykjavik.

Of course, if you want to see puffins in all their splendour, away from the mainland, it has to be Lundey island. In fact, the island is named after the puffins that call it their home. “Lund” is puffin in old Norse. Boats leave to Lundey from Reyjavik, and it’s completely uninhabited by humans so the puffins have made it their own. Lundey island is without a doubt one of the highlights of Iceland.

Embrace Iceland’s wild side by spotting whales as well as puffins

From black-and-white orcas to majestic mink whales and huge humpbacks, the water around Iceland is home to lots of different whale species. You can take a day trip from Reykjavik out into Faxaflói Bay to spot these magnificent creatures by boat.

The perfect clothing for a puffin tour

What you wear on a puffin watching tour varies by season. The harsh, cold winters in Iceland means layers are essential, especially when you are taking a boat out into the whipping sea winds. A waterproof jacket, shoes and even waterproof trousers are a good idea to protect you from sea spray. In winter, even if you are spotting puffins on the cliffs of the mainland, a woolly hat, thick gloves and a scarf are a good idea to protect you against the cold. In summer, a light t-shirt and jumper are enough, but you should still consider a waterproof jacket as the Icelandic weather is notoriously changeable. Most puffin-watching spots on the mainland involve a short hike, so sturdy walking shoes are a must.

Of course, you’ll want to bring your phone or camera to snap photos of these cute birds, and a camera with a zoom lens is ideal for wildlife photography. If you’re taking a longer journey along the south coast or in the north to spot puffins, packing a power pack in your day bag is a good idea to make sure your devices stay charged.

Why Iceland is the perfect destination for a family adventure

There are plenty of reasons why Iceland is the ideal place for kids to explore. From elvish folklore to Viking tales, it’s a land where imagination can run wild. A family day trip across Iceland might include horse-riding, chasing waterfalls or learning all about the seismic activity that bubbles beneath the surface of land of ice and fire.

The puffin in history

The puffin is called “lundi” in Icelandic, and has always been an icon of Icelandic history. The bird is so entwined in Icelandic culture that souvenir stores are called “Lundabúðir” by locals which translates as “Puffin stores” due to the ubiquitous puffin souvenirs you can buy. Check out our blog for more fun facts about Iceland.

Puffins used to be a staple in the Icelandic diet, their meat and eggs were essential for sustenance in the harsh and isolated environment where few crops grew and, apart from the arctic fox, there are no native mammals. Folk back then would also use puffin feathers to insulate their bedding and protect themselves against the cold. Hunting puffins in the 19th century was a brutal act as hunters would use hooked sticks to wrench the birds from their burrows. Overharvesting of puffins meant that Iceland’s largest colony on the Westman Islands was all but erradicted by 1900.

These days, Iceland is the only country in the world where puffin hunting is still legal. Nearly all puffin hunting in Iceland is done using polenets between the 1st of July and 15th August. And, yes, you will still see puffin meat on the menu in Reykjavik’s traditional restaurants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you see puffins in Iceland?

The easiest way to see these cute little sea birds is to take a boat, known as the Puffin Express, from Reykjavik’s old harbour to the islands out in Faxaflói Bay where these creatures nest. Bringing a pair of binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens ups your chances of spotting puffins “up close”.

What is puffin watching?

Puffin watching is a form of birdwatching, where you head to where a colony of puffins nest and observe their behaviour and perhaps snap a few photographs. You might see a flurry of activity at feeding time, as the birds dip and dive into the sea, coming back up with a beakful of fish for their young, or you might simply watch them preening and ruffling their feathers on the cliffside.

Where can you see puffins in Iceland?

Puffin colonies are all over Iceland’s coastline and on the islands off the shore. Akurey and Lundey islands are the closest spots to Reykjavik, just a fifteen-minute boat ride away. It is possible to see puffins along Iceland's south coast at Dyrhólaey, Ingólfshöfði peninsulas, which can be combined with a trip to Reynisfjara black sanded beach or Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Iceland’s largest puffin colony is found on the Westman Islands, but these are fairly remote and difficult to get to.

What months can you see Puffins in Iceland?

As they are migratory birds, puffins head further south for the winter. Summer, between May and August, is the best time to see puffins in Iceland. They arrive in Iceland in late April or May and stick around until late August. Though, climate change is slowly pushing these birds further north as their food sources head further north.

What time of day is best to see Puffins in Iceland?

During the day, puffins are usually out at sea hunting for fish to bring home to the nest. In the evening, they begin heading back home, so evening is when they are most active and closest to their colonies. Evening is the best time of day to spot puffins.

Is it easy to see puffins in Iceland?

Since Iceland is home to over 60% of the overall population of Atlantic puffins, your chances of spotting a puffin are at their best here. Although they tend to nest on sheer cliff sides and craggy little islands out at sea, far from humans, there are various boat trips and mainland tours that make it easy to see puffins with a professional guide. They would be camouflaged against the volcanic black rock if it wasn’t for their orange beaks and brightly coloured faces!

The puffin is woven into Icelandic history and folklore. There’s no denying that this colourful-faced little sea bird is beloved across the island – you only have to step into a souvenir shop to see it. If you want to get to know Iceland’s wildlife, spotting puffins is a good place to start and there are plenty of activity tours in Iceland that include a session of sea bird watching.