Jazmin Li
Iceland is home to 60% of the world's Atlantic puffins, with around 2 million pairs of puffins found across the country. Puffins are seabirds, so they tend to nest in sea cliffs and offshore islands along the coast. While puffins can be found all over Iceland, the Westman Islands off the south coast are home to the world's largest puffin colony. To reach the Westman Islands, you can take a domestic flight from Reykjavik airport or a ferry from Landeyjahöfn. Puffins can also be spotted near the capital, Reykjavik, on the nearby islands of Akurey and Lundey, often referred to as the Puffin Islands. These islands are only a few minutes away from the city center by boat. So, if you're looking to spot puffins near the airport in Iceland, the Westman Islands and the Puffin Islands near Reykjavik are your best bet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to see puffins | Summer, between May and August |
| Best locations to see puffins | Reykjavík, Westman Islands, Vestmannaeyjar, Dyrhólaey, Ingólfshöfði, Tjörnes peninsula, Grímsey, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Látrabjarg cliffs |
| How to reach | Boat tours, domestic flights, ferries, self-drive tours, guided tours |
| Puffin species | Atlantic puffins, also called 'common puffins' |
| Puffin features | Black and white bodies, bright orange beaks, orange feet, swim like ducks |
| Puffin food | Small fish near the surface of the water |
| Puffin nesting areas | Coastal areas, sea cliffs, rocky outcrops, offshore islands |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Puffins near the Reykjavik airport
Although Reykjavík is not a place where you can find puffin colonies on your own, you can see puffins near the city's airport. To do so, you need to take a boat to the two small, uninhabited islands of Akurey and Lundey, often referred to as the Puffin Islands. These islands are home to a large puffin colony, as well as other birds such as cormorants, black guillemots, eider ducks, seagulls, kittiwakes, arctic terns, and northern fulmars. They are located just a half-mile from Reykjavík, only a few minutes from the city centre by boat. During the summer season, puffin-watching tours with a 100% sighting guarantee operate multiple times a day.
There are also other puffin hotspots near Reykjavík that can be reached by car. The Dyrhólaey cape, located on the Dyrhólaey peninsula, is a popular summer nesting area for puffins. It is approximately 17 km (10 mi) from the village of Vik, which is a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavík. Access to the upper viewing area near the lighthouse is limited during the puffin breeding season (May 8 to June 25) to protect the birds, but it is open to visitors between 7 PM and 9 AM daily during this period.
Another option is to drive along the South Coast to the Látrabjarg cliffs, which are about 420 km (261 mi) from Reykjavík. This promontory is home to millions of birds, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and northern gannets. Along the way, you can also stop at the Dyrholaey Rock Arch, a massive stone arch surrounded by a black sand beach, which is another nesting area for puffins.
While it is possible to see puffins near the Reykjavík airport, it is important to note that puffins are cautious when choosing a place to nest. As a result, you are unlikely to find them in locations that are not known for puffins. However, there have been rare cases of puffins being found in unexpected places, such as downtown Reykjavík.
Airport Security: Can You Fly High?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Puffins in the Westman Islands
Iceland is home to 60% of the world's Atlantic puffins, with around 2 million pairs of puffins found across the country. The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, off the south coast of Iceland, are home to the world's largest puffin colony. Twenty percent of the world's puffin population nests in the Westman Islands every year, making it a bird-lover's paradise. The islands are easily accessible from the mainland, with ferries running from Landeyjahöfn and regular flights from Reykjavik airport during the summer.
The Westman Islands are a chain of islands, with Heimaey being the largest and the only one with a human population. Puffins and humans live in close proximity on Heimaey, with a tradition of rescuing baby puffins when they fail their first solo hunting attempts. Boat tours are available from Heimaey, which will introduce you to islands teeming with puffin life. If you prefer to stay on land, there are also puffin colonies in the cliffs of Heimaey.
The Westman Islands are a great place to spot puffins due to their distinctive shape and colour. The Atlantic puffin has a white belly and black back, with a black head and a white face. They stand upright on their orange feet and can also be spotted swimming on the surface of the sea, resembling a duck's posture. Puffins spend a lot of time at sea hunting for small fish, their main source of food.
To maximise your chances of seeing puffins, it is best to visit the Westman Islands between May and August. During the day, puffins are often out fishing, so it is recommended to try to spot them in the evening when they are most active. While on the islands, remember to respect the privacy of the puffins and avoid disturbing their nesting areas.
Stewart Airport: A Feasible Flight Hub?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Puffins in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago
Iceland is home to 60% of the world's Atlantic puffins, with around 2 million pairs of puffins in the country. The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, off the south coast of Iceland, are home to the world's largest puffin colony. Domestic flights from Reykjavik Airport and ferries from the southern town of Thorlakshofn make it easy to reach the islands in the summer.
The Vestmannaeyjar archipelago is made up of several islands, including Heimaey, the largest island in the group and the only one with a human population. Puffins and humans live in close proximity on Heimaey, and it is traditional for locals to rescue baby puffins when they fail their first solo hunting attempt. Boat tours from Heimaey will introduce you to islands teeming with puffin life, but there are also colonies in the cliffs if you prefer to stay on land.
The Westman Islands are a bird-lover's paradise, with 30 different bird species nesting in the archipelago. Puffins are by far the most numerous, nesting on most of the islands. The islands are a popular nesting area for puffins, and the site is sometimes closed to visitors to limit the puffins' exposure to humans.
The best time to see puffins in Iceland is between May and August, when the birds are at their most active. During the day, they go out fishing, so it is best to try to see them in the evening.
Buying SIM Cards at Barcelona Airport: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Puffins in the Tjörnes peninsula
Iceland is home to 60% of the world's Atlantic puffins, with around 2 million pairs of puffins found across the country. The Tjörnes peninsula, located in the north of Iceland, is one of the best spots to see these iconic birds.
The peninsula is part of the Diamond Circle touring route, which takes in the best of North Iceland, including the area around Lake Mývatn, with its lava caves, hot springs and mud pools. The puffins on the Tjörnes peninsula nest on 60-metre-high cliffs, and to get the best view of them, it is recommended to hike for around 15 minutes to the outermost tip of Tjörnes, called Voladalstorfa.
On the east side of the peninsula, there is an observation platform at Hringsbjarg cliff, which provides a safe place to watch the puffins and other birds, including purple sandpipers, black guillemots and great cormorants. The Tjörnes lighthouse also offers walking trails that lead along the top of cliffs overlooking black sand beaches, the perfect habitat for puffins.
The puffins typically arrive in Iceland in late April or May and stay until late August. The best time of day to see them is in the morning or evening when they return to their nests, as during the day they are usually out at sea fishing.
If you are travelling to Iceland, puffin-spotting trips leave from Reykjavik to the islands in Faxaflói Bay, and there are also plenty of other spots along the south coast and in the north of the country where you can see puffins.
Airport Security and Lighters: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Puffins in the Látrabjarg cliffs
Iceland is considered the world's puffin capital, with more than 60% of the Earth's entire Atlantic puffin population. While puffins can be spotted in various locations across Iceland, the Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords are particularly noteworthy.
The Látrabjarg cliffs are located about 420 km (261 mi) from Reykjavik and are the westernmost point in Iceland. This makes them one of the most remote locations in the country. The cliffs are accessible via Route 612, which leads to a lighthouse and a car park. From there, visitors can explore the various bird species that call these cliffs home.
Látrabjarg is considered one of the most spectacular seabird cliffs in the world, boasting millions of seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and northern gannets. The cliffs are divided into four parts: Keflavíkurbjarg, Látrabjarg, Bæjarbjarg, and Breiðavíkurbjarg. Visitors are advised to stay behind the painted white line to avoid falling off the sheer cliffs and to maintain a safe distance from the puffins.
The best time to see puffins in Iceland is during the summer, between May and August. They are most active in the evening, as they spend their days fishing. While puffin watching, it is important to avoid using flash photography as it can disturb the birds and harm their eyes.
In addition to the Látrabjarg cliffs, there are other notable puffin-watching locations in Iceland. The Westman Islands, accessible by domestic flights from Reykjavik Airport or public ferries from Landeyjahöfn, are home to the world's largest puffin colony. Akurey and Lundey, two uninhabited islands near Reykjavik, are also popular spots for puffin watching and can be reached by boat.
Boise Airport: Are Dogs Allowed Inside?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, off the South Coast of Iceland, have the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the world. Twenty percent of the world's puffin population nests in the Westman Islands every year. You can reach the islands by taking a domestic flight from Reykjavik airport or a ferry from Landeyjahöfn.
Summer, between May and August, is the best time to see puffins. They arrive in Iceland in late April or May and stick around until late August. During the day, they are often out fishing, so it is best to try to see them in the evening when they are most active.
Yes, you can see puffins from Reykjavík. You can take a 15-minute boat ride from Reykjavík harbour to the islands in Faxaflói bay, including Akurey and Lundey, where puffins nest.
Yes, there are plenty of other places to see puffins in Iceland, including the Látrabjarg cliffs, the Dyrhólaey cape, the Ingólfshöfði headland, and the Tjörnes peninsula.
