Puffins are one of the most iconic birds of Iceland. These cute little birds with their colorful beaks and black and white feathers are a popular attraction for travelers from all over the world. But where exactly can you find them? And how do you get there best?
In this article we tell you everything you need to know about puffins in Iceland. We discuss the best places to spot them, how to get there best and give you a number of tips for photographing puffins.
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The best places to spot puffins in Iceland
Puffins live along the entire coast of Iceland, but there are a number of places where you can spot them particularly well:
- The Tjörnes peninsula in North Iceland is one of the best places to see puffins. Here you will find a large colony of puffins nesting in the cliffs.
- The Langanes peninsula in Northeast Iceland is another good place to spot puffins. Here you will find a number of smaller puffin colonies, but also other seabirds such as guillemots and black guillemots.
- The Dýrhólaey peninsula in South Iceland is a popular place for tourists, but also for puffins. Here you can see puffins flying and nesting in the cliffs.
- Heimaey island in the Westman Islands is another good place to spot puffins. On this island you will find Iceland’s largest puffin colony, with more than 1 million birds.
How do you get to the puffins in Iceland?
The best way to get to the puffins in Iceland is by car. This way you have the freedom to go and stop where you want and can view the puffins at your own pace.
If you don’t have a car, you can also join a puffin tour. There are various tour operators offering tours to the best puffin spots in Iceland.
Puffins in summer
In summer, from May to August, puffins can be found on the cliffs along the Icelandic coast. They come here to breed and raise their chicks. Puffins are monogamous and stay with the same partner their entire life. They build a nest in a hole in the cliff, where they lay an egg. The egg is incubated for about 40 days by both parents.
Puffins in winter
In winter, from September to April, puffins leave Iceland and migrate to the North Atlantic Ocean. Here they hunt for fish, their main food source. Puffins can dive up to 200 meters deep to catch fish. You won’t meet them in Iceland during this period then. Unfortunately!
Tips for photographing puffins
Puffins are cute birds, but it can be tricky to photograph them. They are very fast and move a lot. Here are a few tips for photographing puffins:
- Use a telephoto lens so you can photograph the puffins up close without disturbing them.
- Use a fast shutter speed so you can photograph the puffins sharply, even when they are moving.
- Respect nature and don’t chase the birds. They are often breeding during the period they are in Iceland.
Puffins are one of the most popular attractions for travelers in Iceland. These cute birds can be seen at various places in Iceland, but the best places to spot them are the Tjörnes peninsula, the Langanes peninsula, the Dýrhólaey peninsula and Heimaey island.
If you want to see puffins in Iceland, it’s best to go by car or join a puffin tour. If you want to photograph puffins, use a telephoto lens and a fast shutter speed.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about puffins in Iceland and how best to see them. Have fun on your trip!
