Watching Puffins in Iceland

Experience Puffins in Iceland

Few animals are as iconic to Iceland as the Atlantic puffin. Visitors almost always hope to see them, and souvenirs featuring their colorful beaks can be found everywhere. Watching puffins return from the sea in the evening, waddling back to their burrows in the cliffs, is one of Iceland’s most memorable wildlife experiences. They often carry several small fish in their beaks, caught while diving, to feed their chicks.

For photographers, puffins offer exceptional opportunities: bustling cliff colonies, awkward waddling, and vivid beaks set against Iceland’s dramatic coastal landscapes.

According to Fuglavernd BirdLife Iceland, around two million puffin breeding pairs—roughly 40% of the global population—nest in Iceland. This makes the puffin Iceland’s most common bird species. Particularly significant are 18 major colonies with over 10,000 pairs each, including the famous Vestmannaeyjar and Breiðafjörður clusters.

Puffins are highly social colony nesters and can often be observed from relatively close distances at nesting sites—provided visitors behave respectfully. Their upright stance, penguin-like appearance, and brightly colored beaks make them unmistakable.

When Can You See Puffins in Iceland?

The best time is from mid-April to mid-August. During this period, puffins come ashore to breed. Exact arrival and departure times may vary slightly depending on weather and food availability.

Generally, puffins arrive along Iceland’s coasts from mid-April and leave again toward the end of summer. According to local legend, the puffins of Hafnarhólmi arrive every year on April 8th at 3 PM. 😉

Where Can You Watch Puffins in Iceland?

Puffins breed along coastlines, steep cliffs, and offshore islands all around Iceland. Many nesting sites are inaccessible and should never be entered.

Tip: Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland is widely considered the best, easiest, and safest place to observe puffins up close—without needing a boat and without putting birds or visitors at risk.

Best Time of Day for Puffin Watching

Parent birds often spend many hours at sea searching for food. They typically return to their burrows in the late afternoon or evening. If you want to maximize your chances, plan extra time, stay patient, and visit later in the day.

Puffin Nesting & Family Life

Unlike many seabirds, puffins do not nest on open ledges. Instead, they dig burrows, usually about 1–1.2 meters long, with separate nesting and “toilet” chambers.

Each pair raises only one chick per year. Both parents share responsibilities equally, from incubating the egg to hunting and feeding.

Important Rules for Responsible Puffin Watching

Puffins are protected, and their breeding grounds are fragile.

• Never step on nesting areas

• Stay on marked paths

• Keep a respectful distance

• Avoid loud noises or sudden movements

• Cliff edges can be unstable and dangerous

Respecting these rules protects both the birds and visitors.

The Interactive Map & Most Famous Puffin Spots

Puffins breed around much of Iceland’s coastline. Key accessible viewing areas include:

Top Puffin Watching Locations in Iceland

1. Hafnarhólmi (Eastfjords)
Probably the best place for close-up photography. Carefully built platforms and stairs allow safe observation.

2. Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)
Home to Iceland’s largest puffin colony. The cliffs around Stórhöfði are particularly impressive.

3. Dyrhólaey (South Coast)
Famous for its giant rock arch and puffins nesting above black sand beaches.

4. Látrabjarg (Westfjords)
Europe’s largest bird cliff and a dream location for wildlife photographers.

5. Grímsey (North Iceland)
An Arctic Circle adventure and exceptional birding destination.

Puffin Tours in Iceland

Besides free-access colonies, guided tours include:

• Tractor and hayride tour to Ingólfshöfði

• Boat tour to Vigur Island from Ísafjörður

• Boat tour to Grímsey Island from Drangsnes

• Boat tour to Drangey from Sauðárkrókur

• Puffin boat tours from Reykjavík

• RIB tours from Húsavík

• Whale watching combined with puffin tours

• Horse riding and puffin tours from Reykjavík

Equal Parenting Among Puffins

Puffin pairs share incubation and chick-rearing duties equally. Both parents feed their chick with sand eels, capelin, small fish, and crustaceans. Young puffins, called pufflings, stay in the burrow for around 40 days before heading independently to sea.

Tradition & Conservation

Wild birds in Iceland are generally protected under Icelandic law (Act No. 64/1994). However, puffins are one of the exceptions and may still be hunted during a limited season in certain areas.

The official hunting season runs from July 1st to August 15th, with additional regional restrictions.

While puffin hunting is deeply rooted in Icelandic history, it has declined sharply. Conservation organizations such as Fuglavernd advocate for a full hunting or sales ban.

Puffins on the Menu

Historically, puffins and their eggs were an important food source in Iceland. Today, puffin hunting is limited and regional, though puffin dishes can still occasionally be found in select Icelandic restaurants.

Where Do Puffins Spend Winter?

Outside the breeding season, from late August to early April, puffins live entirely at sea. Their winter range spans the North Atlantic, extending as far as North Africa and the western Mediterranean.

Hafnarhólmi Conservation Project

Fuglavernd, an Icelandic NGO with around 1,300 members, inherited Hafnarhólmi and plans to develop it into a protected seabird reserve. Since October 2025, puffins have been listed as endangered on Iceland’s Red List and vulnerable on the global IUCN Red List.

The Rescue of the “Pufflings”

In late August and September, young puffins on the Westman Islands leave their burrows for the first time. Attracted by city lights, many become disoriented and land on roads or in gardens.

A beloved local tradition helps save them: children patrol with cardboard boxes, rescuing stranded pufflings from traffic and predators before releasing them safely at the coast the following morning.

Facts About Atlantic Puffins

• Population: Approx. 2 million breeding pairs in Iceland

• Size: 26–29 cm

• Wingspan: 45–65 cm

• Weight: Around 500 g

• Lifespan: 20–25 years (record: 38 years)

• Relationships: Usually monogamous for life

• Diet: Sand eels, capelin, small fish, crustaceans

• Fish transport: Up to 20 fish at once in their beaks

Do Puffins Have Wings or Fins?

Both—almost. Puffins use their wings underwater like fins. Though excellent fliers, they are even better divers and can remain underwater for up to 1.5 minutes.

Are Puffins Related to Penguins?

No. Despite their similar appearance, puffins belong to the auk family, while penguins belong to an entirely separate bird family. Their similarities are due to convergent evolution.

What Do Puffins Sound Like?

Not exactly charming—puffins produce a growling sound, and their bill-clattering is equally distinctive.

Puffins Around the World

• Icelandic: Lundi

• German: Papageitaucher

• English: Puffin

Quick FAQ – Puffins in Iceland

When is the best time to see puffins in Iceland?

Mid-April to mid-August.

Where is the best place?

Borgarfjörður Eystri is generally considered the easiest and best location.

Are there puffin tours?

Yes—boat tours, RIB tours, whale watching combinations, and more.

Are puffins protected?

Yes, but limited seasonal hunting remains legal in some regions.

Why are puffin populations declining?

Primarily due to changing fish stocks and food shortages.

Where are puffins in winter?

At sea across the North Atlantic, reaching as far south as North Africa.