Best Places to See Puffins in Iceland
If you travel to Iceland between mid-May and mid-August, you might wonder where the best place to see and photograph puffins is. Therefore, we've put together the top places to see puffins in Iceland that are well-accessible. Our guide also includes tips on the best time to see them or top-rated tours.
What is the first thing that pops up in your head when you hear about Iceland? Waterfalls? Volcanoes? Rugged coastline?
Certainly, the country is famous for its natural attractions. But after visiting Iceland ourselves, we cannot help it, but we must say we have the country connected with puffins.
The truth is that before our trip to Iceland, we hadn't seen puffins in the wild, and this experience was very exciting for us as travelers and enthusiast photographers.
If you plan on visiting (at least a few) the top-rated places to see puffins in Iceland, keep on reading.
We share here the three spots we have a personal experience with, and we can only recommend you to include these puffin sites in your itinerary.
One of the best things about visiting puffins' nesting places in Iceland is that the location is often not only about these cute birds, but the destination itself is worthwhile visiting as well.
Puffins are not national birds of Iceland, but it feels as they were.
Their popularity grows every year thanks to social media, and the number of travelers who decide to travel to this country only to see puffins in the wild increases exponentially.
If you plan your trip to Iceland between May and August, seeing puffins should be high on your bucket list.
And unlike the whale watching tour, which is still totally worth it, seeing puffins is free, which is good for your Iceland budget.
In this travel guide, we share with you our personal favorite places where you can see puffins in Iceland, including tips on when is the best time to visit and how to be a responsible traveler.
Puffins
Probably every traveler to Iceland already had seen a few photos of puffins before the trip to this country.
We know these birds of the auk family are super-photogenic.
Their resemblance to penguins, black and white bodies, an orange beak that is specialized to catch and hold fish, and orange-red feet are the main reasons why most people find puffins attractive.
But we think it is worth it to know a bit more about puffins, often nicknamed sea parrots or clowns of the sea.
First of all, the puffins you can see in Iceland are Atlantic puffins.
They spend most of the time on the sea and come ashore only once a year for a few months to hatch and feed their young before they are able to fly and hunt by themselves.
It is quite interesting that during winter, puffins' bright beak turns gray, and the birds look much more ordinary than in the summer.
Also, their feathers are not that bright in the winter.
When the season comes, Iceland is home to around 14 million puffins, which is an incredible number.
The birds live in colonies that are spread across the country, but it is cool that visitors can easily spot thousands of birds in one place.
Another fact that enhances the uniqueness of puffins in Iceland is that the country is home to 50 to 60% of all Atlantic puffins in the summer.
Even though puffins are not an endangered species at the moment, we should not harm them and treat their natural environment with respect.
Puffins usually nest in burrows dug in a grassy area close to the cliffs overlooking the sea.
The egg is hidden in the nest, and during the incubation period, both parents take turns - when one is sitting on the egg, the other one is hunting, and vice versa.
The Best Season to See Puffins
If seeing puffins is high on your list of must-do things in Iceland, you must plan your trip accordingly.
So what is the best time to see the puffins in Iceland then?
In general, we can say that you have to decide whether you prefer puffins over the Northern Lights, as these two natural phenomenons do not coincide.
But fortunately, the puffin season coincides with the main traveling season in the country, the summer. Therefore, plan your trip carefully and reserve all services well in advance.
Puffins usually arrive at the shores of Iceland at the end of April and leave at the end of August; some sources say the best time to see them is between the beginning of May and the second half of August.
We would say that if you want to really make sure that you won't miss puffins, plan your trip to Iceland between May and mid-August.
Always remember that nature can be unpredictable, and every year is a bit different.
To increase your chances even higher, the months of June and July are a safe choice.
Best Time of the Day to See Puffins
The advantage of visiting Iceland during the summer season is that you have plenty of daylight to enjoy puffin sighting.
If you are following our 2-week Iceland itinerary between mid-May and mid-August, we guarantee that you'll arrive at the best places to see puffins right on time.
The best time of the day to see puffins is between sunrise and, let's say, 10 AM or 11 AM, and then between 5 PM or 6 PM till sunset.
Puffins usually leave their burrows between 11 AM and 5 PM and fly out to the sea.
That's being said; we would not give up on visiting spots where you can find puffins in case you cannot make it during the supposedly best time.
First of all, when puffins have baby birds, they return to their burrows more often to feed them.
Secondly, we cannot imagine that literally all birds on the cliff would fly out and return at the same moment. Not at all.
Sure, there might be fewer birds in the midday, but we are pretty sure there still will be some.
Another great thing is that puffin season collides with Iceland's long summer days.
Therefore, you can easily visit puffin sites very early in the morning but also very late.
We remember visiting most of the puffin spots around 9 PM, and it was amazing because there were fewer people, and the soft light created a perfect atmosphere.
Best Places to See Puffins
Iceland is often considered the world's puffin capital; therefore, you can find here plenty of top places to spot puffins.
Some of them are close to Reykjavik, while others are in very remote places.
We decided to share with you these three best places to see puffins in Iceland for three simple reasons.
First of all, we visited all of them, so we can give you advice on what to expect based on our experience.
Secondly, all these sites are well-accessible even with a 2WD car or campervan.
Lastly, if you are traveling around Iceland on a budget, all the puffin sites are free.
Here's our personally tried and tested list of the best places to watch and photograph puffins that you can easily incorporate into your Iceland itinerary.
Dyrholaey Peninsula
Dyrholaey Peninsula is one of the most easily accessible places on our list.
It is on the South Coast of Iceland, and even though most of the travelers rush as there's a lot of ground to cover between the top attractions of the area such as Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Solheimasandur Plane Wreck, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, make sure you have enough time to make a short detour to Dyrholaey Peninsula.
As per our experience, it is ideal to have one and a half or two hours to explore the peninsula as puffins are only one of the top attractions, and there are many more things to admire.
You might be already used to it, but road number 218 that connects the Ring Road and Dyrholaey Peninsula is incredibly scenic.
It is good to know that during the nesting season, the peninsula is closed between 7 PM and 9 AM.
It was the only site in Iceland where we were not able to get later in the afternoon, so we had to postpone our visit for the next morning as we arrived late.
Dyrholaey Peninsula was the first spot in Iceland where we could see puffins, so we have a soft spot for this place.
There are two parking lots at Dyrholaey - the better chance to see puffins is when you park at the lower parking lot.
Here follow the path that will take you to wonderful views of the beach, but also close to the cliffs where you can finally spot puffins either sitting on the grassy slopes or flying around.
Like other top spots for watching puffins, this place was super-windy, so make sure you pack a windbreaker.
And if the weather is cold, a hat and gloves also come in handy, even in the summer.
If you are not sure what to pack for Iceland, this blog post might give you some hints.
Once you are at Dyrholaey Peninsula, enjoy the puffins but also views of Reynisfjara Beach, walk or drive to Dyrholaey Lighthouse, and admire the basalt stone arch rising high from the sea.
On the way back, make a quick stop at Loftsahellir Cave.
Where to Stay Near Dyrholaey Peninsula:
Hotel Dyrholaey | Great location, newly renovated rooms, restaurant, and perfect views, these are the main reasons to stay a few kilometers away from Vik.
Hotel Vik i Myrdal - Wonderfully decorated hotel is close to some of the top attractions in Iceland, so it cannot surprise you it is super-popular.
The Barn | It is often not easy to find a budget-friendly hotel in Iceland. This hostel is the best place to spend a night, in case you are looking for cheaper yet comfortable and clean accommodation.
Borgarfjordur Eystri
Many sources say that Borgarfjordur Eystri in East Fjords is one of the best places in Iceland to photograph puffins, so we had our hopes high.
Borgarfjordur Eystri is quite a remote location.
Travelers must leave the Ring Road in Egilsstadir, which is the transportation hub in the area, and have to follow the road number 94 that ends in Borgarfjordur, and there is no other way back then to retrace your steps.
Egilsstadir is not only a good starting point for puffins but also for visiting a picturesque Seydisfjordur town and Hengifoss Waterfall.
The road to Borgarfjordur is paved in places, while some sections are still unpaved.
But no worries. If you are coming to see puffins, that means you travel in the summer, when the road is in good condition.
Moreover, the construction has been in progress, and it seems the whole stretch of road will be paved soon.
We know that we are repeating ourselves, but the landscape around the road leading to this small village in East Fjords is very scenic.
The winding road will take you to the high pass overlooking the area, and from here, you'll descend to the other side of the fjord.
The drive itself is a reason to travel to Borgarfjordur, even if you are in Iceland outside the puffin season. The puffin site at Borgarfjordur is hard to miss.
Simply drive to the very end of the road and leave your car in a parking lot overlooking the harbor.
Borgarfjordur is home to about 10 000 pairs of puffins during the nesting season, which makes it a true must-visit place.
Borgarfjordur puffin's site is a bit different from the other places we visited.
First of all, it is really small, but spectacular thanks to a large number of puffins.
There's a series of wooden stairs and boardwalks, so it is clearly visible where visitors are allowed to go.
And there is even a wooden observation shack for photographers looking for more privacy and a quiet working environment.
The nesting site was late in the afternoon absolutely wonderful, and the soft light enhanced the atmosphere.
Puffins here are very close to the wooden barries, so you do not have to make much effort to take the best photos.
Plus, the site, thanks to the boardwalks, is completely safe, even for families with small kids.
Where to Stay Near Borgarfjordur Eystri:
Mid-range | Blabjorg Guesthouse - Wonderful, newly refurbished guesthouse offers equipped kitchen, and there are even a sauna and hot tub. Some rooms have a sea view - go for it if it is still available.
Egilsstadir | Hotel Valaskjalf - Egilsstadir can easily be your base for visiting some of the stunning places in Iceland and starting off point for exploring East Fjords or the Northern part of the country. This hotel is modernly decorated, and the location could not be better.
Latrabjarg Cliffs
Many travelers decide to skip Westfjords for many reasons.
This is a shame, as this remote region of Iceland is fantastic, and according to our opinion, Westfjords deserves at least two days of exploring.
If you have only one week or ten days for traveling around Iceland, we know it is almost impossible to incorporate this detour in your itinerary, but if you have two weeks as we had, we think the trip to Westfjords is a must.
Except for the raw beauty, wonderful fjords, waterfalls such as the shining star of Westfjords, Dynjandi Waterfall, the region is famous among birdwatchers as well.
Latrabjarg Cliffs are the westernmost point of Iceland, and even without the puffins, it is a stunning place to visit, but for sure, the birds make this destination even more special.
The cliffs are up to 441 meters high and 14 kilometers long, so you can basically follow the narrow path that leads along the edge of the cliffs for as long as you want.
The good news is the puffin colony is very close to the parking lot, so if birdwatching is the main reason for your visit, there is only a little effort you must make to get perfect sightings.
Latrabjarg is an absolutely natural spot to see puffins, so be super careful as you are always only a few steps away from the edge of the cliffs.
Puffins and other species sit on the slopes, many of them fly above the sea looking for fish, and when the weather plays along, you'll hardly find a more wonderful place in this country.
The drive to Latrabjarg is really bumpy, but it pays off to drive slowly not only for your safety but also to enjoy the scenery.
We got to Latrabjarg Cliffs with our 2WD campervan, but 4WD would be for sure better.
Where to Stay Near Latrabjarg:
Örlygshöfn | Hotel Latrabjarg - This guesthouse is kind of in the middle of nowhere, but we believe you appreciate it. It is actually on the way to the cliffs, so it is for those of you who want to get there either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Rooms are cozy and newly renovated.
Patreksfjordur | Fosshotel Westfjords - Amazing location overlooking the fjord, modern rooms, great staff, and perfect services that are expected from this chain; this hotel is a top pick in Patreksfjordur.
Patreksfjordur | Guesthouse Stekkabol - Incredibly clean rooms, some of them with sea views for a very reasonable price - if you travel on the budget, you might make your reservation as soon as possible.
Puffin Tours in Iceland
All the places we had visited were easily accessible by car.
There's no public transport, so you really need either a rental car, campervan, or rely on taking a tour.
We were really grateful that we decided to travel around Iceland independently.
But we absolutely understand that some of you either prefer taking a tour, do not want to worry about driving, or simply like better exploring a country with a knowledgable guide.
What option is better simply depends on your travel style and preferences.
We enjoyed the freedom and possibility to photograph puffins as long as we wanted.
The first time we saw puffins on Dyrholaey Peninsula, we spent there a really long time and were glad we were not limited by the group's schedule.
On the other hand, some specialized tours might be exactly what you are looking for, especially if you want to learn more about Icelandic fauna.
When choosing a tour, always keep in mind that some of the companies might have puffin sighting on their itinerary, but if you travel outside the puffins season, it will most likely be replaced by a different activity.
If seeing puffins is a crucial point to join a tour, always ask the provider in advance in case you plan on arriving in the shoulder season or offseason.
Here's a selection of puffins tours you can consider if you cannot reach any of the spots individually.
Reykjavik | No matter how surprising it could be, it is possible to spot puffins even on a short tour from Reykjavik. It is a perfect opportunity for all travelers short on time or for those of you who are looking for a quick tour before or after the flight.
Husavik | Husavik is a famous spot to do a whale watching tour, but did you know that puffins are even in this area, and you can join a combined tour?
South Coast | This tour is not primarily designed for bird watching, but you should see the best of the south coast, and puffins can be an additional plus.
Westman Islands | Westman islands are one of the top places in Iceland to see puffins, and you can also get a bit off the beaten path.
Multi-day trip | If you want to enjoy the holiday without arranging everything on your own, consider joining this 13-day tour - one of the top spots for seeing puffins, Latrabjarg Cliffs, is an essential stop here.
Staying Safe
When it comes to safety, always mind your surroundings.
Puffins normally nest on high cliffs, and one bad step can be fatal.
Also, the edges of cliffs can easily collapse, so always stay in a designated place.
The best pose for photographers is to slowly crawl to your photo spot and get as low to the ground as possible, even go down to your knees or lie down on your belly.
This way, you protect yourself from slipping and also lower the negative impact on birds.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
How to See Puffins Responsibly
The rules for observing and photographing puffins are very similar to rules you can apply for any wildlife watching.
Puffins seem that they are not fearful of humans, but it does not mean we can go as close as we want to. Being a responsible traveler is important here.
Even though puffins look like they mind their business, they are very well aware of your presence.
You should not disturb these birds (and any other species).
If there's a path and barriers, stay behind the roped-off area.
Some of the best places to see puffins have boardwalks, and it is very clear how far you can get; some of them are more natural, and you must consider the right distance.
To lower the urge to go as close as possible to these cute birds, bring either binoculars or telephoto lens.
That's being said, some of the places allowed us to get really close to puffins' burrows without disturbing them.
It should go without saying you should not touch and feed puffins, especially the young ones, and do not take their eggs!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
