When do puffins arrive in Iceland?
Late April for the first birds; June and July are the peak, when adults are feeding chicks and approachable; most depart by mid-August. Outside that window, the cliffs are essentially empty.
Birds in Iceland
9 locationsPhotograph Atlantic puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds at Iceland's best nesting colonies. Seasonal access notes included.
Iceland is one of the best bird-photography destinations in the world for Atlantic Puffins, with around 10 million birds arriving each summer. The reliable window is roughly late April to mid-August, peaking in June–July. Top colonies include Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, Borgarfjörður Eystri in the east, Dyrhólaey on the south coast, and the island of Grímsey on the Arctic Circle.
Birds in Iceland: frequently asked
What lens do I need for puffin photography?
A 300–500mm telephoto is ideal. At Borgarfjörður Eystri the birds approach close enough for a 100–400mm zoom to give the most flexibility for portraits and flight shots.
Are the bird colonies accessible without a guide?
Yes. Látrabjarg, Dyrhólaey, and Borgarfjörður Eystri are accessible by rental car (Látrabjarg via gravel road, summer only). Stay back from cliff edges — the rock crumbles at Látrabjarg and falls are fatal.
47km
Krisuvikurberg Cliffs
All Drive/Hike
The great stretch of cliffs at Krýsuvíkurbjarg are amongst the best bird-watching sites in Iceland.
209km
Nature Reserve Flatey
Summer Ferry
Flatey is the largest of the Western Islands on the Breidafjordur Bay and a popular spot for tourists.
264km
Grimsey Island Nature Reserve
Summer Ferry
Grímsey is the northernmost point of Iceland situated on the Arctic Circle. It is home to one hundred people, one million seabirds and one of the biggest Puffin colonies in Iceland.
392km
Patreksfjörður
Summer Drive
Patreksfjörður is an Icelandic village in Westfjords with 687 inhabitants.
424km
Látrabjarg
Summer Drive/Hike
Látrabjarg is a promontory and the western most point in Iceland. The cliffs are home to millions of birds, including puffins, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills.
480km
Grímsey
Summer Ferry
An Island north of Iceland. Take the ferry from Dalvik. Grimsey Island is far away in the north: Home of one hundred people and one million seabirds.
484km
Voladalstorfa
Summer Drive
A bird viewpoint in Tjörneshreppur Iceland. "Voladalstorfa" is about 12 kilometers (8 miles) from Husavik.
586km
Raudinupur Cape
Summer Drive/Hike
A cape in the northern part of Iceland north of Kópasker. Good for bird watching.
594km
Raudanes Point
Summer Drive/Hike
Rauðanes means Point Red and it is one of the pearls in Icelandic nature.