The Best Way to See Puffins in Iceland

Iceland is home to the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world, with an estimated ten million birds nesting along its dramatic coastlines each summer. These endearing little seabirds, with their vivid orange beaks and tuxedo-like plumage, have become one of Iceland's most beloved wildlife encounters. Knowing when and where to look makes all the difference between a fleeting glimpse and a truly memorable experience.

When to See Puffins in Iceland

Puffins arrive in Iceland between late April and early May to breed, and the best time to see them is from mid-May through to mid-August. They congregate in enormous numbers during June and July, making this the peak season for puffin watching. By late August, the birds begin their long migration back to the open Atlantic, so timing your visit for early summer greatly increases your chances of a close encounter.

Top Spots for Puffin Watching

Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)

The Westman Islands, off Iceland's south coast, host the single largest puffin colony in the world, with an estimated eight million birds nesting in the cliffs and grassy hillsides each year. A ferry from Landeyjahöfn takes around 30 minutes and drops you into a remarkably accessible puffin paradise. The town of Heimaey itself is surrounded by nesting sites, and it's entirely possible to sit quietly among hundreds of birds without any specialist equipment.

Látrabjarg, the Westfjords

At the westernmost tip of Europe, the Látrabjarg cliffs stretch for 14 kilometres and rise to 440 metres, forming one of the most spectacular seabird cliffs on the planet. Puffins nest here in extraordinary density alongside razorbills, guillemots, and northern gannets. The remoteness of the Westfjords means far fewer visitors, giving you the rare experience of watching puffins in near-total solitude.

Dyrhólaey, South Iceland

The iconic Dyrhólaey promontory near Vík is one of the most accessible puffin spots on the Ring Road, making it a popular stop for travellers exploring the south coast. Puffins nest in the grassy clifftops here from May onwards, and the dramatic arch and black sand beaches below add considerable scenic value to the visit. Note that part of the area is closed during the nesting season to protect the birds, so check local signage before venturing off marked paths.

Borgarfjörður Eystri, East Iceland

This quiet fjord in the east is considered one of Iceland's finest puffin-watching locations and sees only a fraction of the tourist traffic found on the south coast. A specially built wooden platform at Hafnarhólmi harbour puts you within metres of nesting puffins with minimal disturbance to the colony. The surrounding fjord landscape, with its wildflower meadows and jagged peaks, makes the journey worthwhile in its own right.

Tips for the Best Puffin Experience

Visit in the morning or evening when puffins are most active and the light is at its most beautiful
Bring binoculars for longer clifftop views, though many colonies allow remarkably close natural encounters
Move slowly and quietly near nesting areas to avoid startling the birds
Keep to designated paths and never approach burrows directly, as disturbance can cause nest abandonment
A telephoto lens of at least 200mm will give you excellent photographic results without needing to get too close
June and July offer the best combination of large numbers, favourable weather, and long daylight hours

Puffin Boat Tours

Several operators in Reykjavík and around the south coast run dedicated puffin watching boat tours during the summer months. These trips take you out to the offshore islands and sea stacks where puffins gather in huge rafts on the water, offering a completely different perspective from clifftop viewing. A boat tour combined with a land-based visit to the Westman Islands makes for an incredibly rich puffin-watching experience.

Whether you spot your first puffin from a cliff path in the Westfjords or from a harbour platform in the east, these charismatic birds never fail to delight. Iceland's puffin season is one of nature's great spectacles, and with a little planning, it's one of the most straightforward wildlife encounters you can have anywhere in the world.