Where Best to See Puffins in Iceland – 2023

When visiting Iceland during the summer months there is always one question in many traveller’s minds;

Where to see puffins in Iceland? Which is the best spot to see puffins in Iceland?

For our next trip to Iceland in the summer, I have gathered all this information and thought I should put it in a blog post for everyone to see. This way I can already now help people who are in the same situation like we are. Once we have been again to Iceland I will update this post.

Luckily there is more than one place where you can see puffins in Iceland. Puffins can be seen in many locations off the Ring Road, so knowing where to turn off and head to the shore is vital. They nest on sea cliffs all over the country.

Depending on your Iceland itinerary, the area in Iceland you will visit and the time you are travelling to Iceland will determine the best place to spot puffins.

I have put together this post purely out of research for our own travels. And whilst doing the research I thought this could be so helpful for anybody seeking the best puffin spots in Iceland.

But for the moment make the most of this information and if you have any input just let us know.

You may also want to read “10 day Iceland Itinerary” South Coast edition

Where Best to See Puffins in Iceland

To best see the puffins you need to rent a car in Iceland. We recommend doing this with Discovercars.com. A reward winning booking platform offering great car rental deals. The reason why we suggest travelling Iceland with a car is the freedom it gives you.

However, self-drive around Iceland is not everyone’s choice. Because of the many guided tours offered in Iceland direct out of Rekyavik, you have the option to go on a guided puffin tour. It might not be your preferred location, but it gives you the opportunity to see the puffins in Iceland with a guide.

Self-Drive

There are several places to find puffins but your best chance to see these adorable birds up close are the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the Westman Islands, and the Latrabjarg Cliffs.

These areas are home to large colonies of puffins and offer some amazing up-close viewing and photography.

But there are also other spots around Iceland where you can enjoy these beautiful birds.

Puffins in Iceland

When on the hunt to spot puffins in Iceland you can actually see three different species. However, the most common one is the Atlantic Puffin. Not only are puffins found in Iceland but also around the North Atlantic Ocean, including in the British Isles, Faroe Islands, Greenland and Norway.

Researchers believe that over 60% of puffin colonies make Iceland their summer home year after year. The biggest colony can be found at the Westman Islands off the south coast of Iceland.

As you are checking out the puffins around Iceland also read Best Things to see along the South Coast of Iceland.

When is the Best Time to see Puffins in Iceland?

Day time: As they spend a lot of time fishing out at sea, the best time to see puffins is in the early morning or evening, when they’re likely to be at their most active on land around their nests.

When is Puffin Season in Iceland? Peak tourism season, i.e summer months, is the best time to spot puffins in Iceland. They arrive back on the island in late-April or May and stick around until late August. But they are most active in the early summer, when they lay their eggs.

Good to know about Puffins

You can easily identify whether you are spotting a puffin or any other bird.

Their distinctive colours and shape make them unmistakable.

You will see their bright orange coloured beak, and their feet of a matching colour when they are standing on land.

Respect their Habitat

Like with any wildlife viewing you need to respect their habitat. Avoid disturbing them and their nesting area. Best to watch from a safe distance. In some viewing areas you will find a white line on the ground. This line is the limit of how close you should go to the cliff.

Not only is it to make sure you are not tumbling down, but also the puffins burrow can be up to 80cm long where they will lay their one egg. If you step over this line it risks that your weight may collapse the burrow underneath. Just keep this in mind.

Bring your binoculars and your camera with a zoom lens.

Be prepared

Sometimes watching puffins can take hours, therefore make sure you are appropriately dressed and bring some snacks, for you that is! This counts pretty much for any sightseeing spots in Iceland. The weather is so unpredictable and can change at any minute.

East Iceland – Best Puffin Spot

We will start at the east coast of Iceland with our selection of the best puffin spots. Because we have heard from locals that this is the easiest and most famous puffin spot in Iceland. Plus it is also one of the safest and family friendliest places to see these little birds.

Borgarfjörður-Eystri – Best Puffin Spot

This is probably the most protected place to see the puffins in Iceland as they have built boardwalks and viewing platforms to protect their burrows.

Many also say it is the best place to see puffins in Iceland and there are several reasons for this statement. Firstly, the access to the actual place where the Puffins can be seen is easy. The location is right at a harbour and does not involve managing a long hike and making sure nobody falls off a cliff.

Secondly, it is a pretty safe place for the family.

And thirdly, you can get super close to the puffins.

Best time to see them is at sunset when they come back to land after spending the day fishing in the ocean.

Getting there: Borgarfjörður-Eystri is on the east coast of Iceland. The nearest large town is Egilsstaðir. From there, it takes a good hour’s drive along Road 94 to Borgarfjörður eystri – Puffins Marina.

The road surface was upgraded in 2023 and is now paved. The last part of this drive is breathtaking.

West Iceland – Best Puffin Spots

Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords

The remote Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords are perhaps the most famous place to spot puffins in Iceland.

Látrabjarg cliffs are also called the puffin cliffs. I guess this says it all.

This 14-kilometer (8.5-mile) stretch of cliffs forms the westernmost point in Iceland and reaches a height of up to 440 metres (1,450 feet) in places.

Látrabjarg cliffs is a bird watchers paradise. After investigating a bit more about the wildlife, we read that besides the puffins, the species of birds to be found at Látrabjarg includes razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars, cormorants, shags and guillemots, just to name a few.

Sometimes you can even spot the white-tailed eagle.

Getting there: To get to Látrabjarg, you’ll need to drive. The cliff where the puffins are nesting can be found at the end of the 612-gravel road.

If you circle the western part of the Westfjords along the main 62 road you will connect with the cliff road.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Grundarfjörður – Puffins from a Boat

It is a totally different experience when spotting puffins from a boat. One of the places that offers puffin watching boat trips is in Grundarfjörður with Laki Tours.

On the nearby island of Melrakkaey, a nature reserve, hundreds of puffins and other seabirds can be spotted from the boat.

A slow cruise around the island gives photographers a golden opportunity to capture these beauties. The tour lasts about one hour and is the perfect opportunity if you do not have too much time on your hands.

Getting there: Make your way to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Grundarfjörður to the Laki Tour company which is along the route 54.

Puffins near Reykjavik – Puffin Tours and Whales

In the north, nearly every whale-watching tour in Iceland also includes the chance to see the puffins.

If you have not got a lot of time whilst visiting Iceland you will be happy to know that it is possible to see puffins with a trip from Reykjavik.

The place you need to head for is Faxaflói Bay. A place easily reachable with just a fifteen-minute boat ride. Book  puffin trips from Reykjavik. The trip departs from the pretty old harbour which can be reached on foot from the centre in as little as 15 minutes.

North Iceland – Best Puffin Spots

Tjörnes Peninsula – Puffin Spots

Not only is the Tjörnes peninsula a place where you can see puffins but it is also famous for its bird-watching spots.

Getting there; It’s easily accessible, being just over a 1-hour drive from Akureyri and only 15 minutes from the vibrant village of Húsavík. Also known to many as the capital of whale watching in Iceland. Many great tours from Húsavík include puffin spotting.

If a boat trip is not for you, drive to the Tjörnes lighthouse and follow one of the several walking trails in the area. They will lead you along the top of cliffs that tower over black sand beaches, the perfect habitat for puffins.

An observation deck has been built at the Hringsbjarg cliff. Therefore also a great stop.

If you are on the Diamond Circle route, you will pass Tjörnes. It includes the area around Lake Mývatn and its hot spring bath.

South Iceland – Best Puffin Spots

Westman Islands – Home to the largest Puffin Colony

As mentioned before the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) is home to the world’s biggest puffin colony which makes it a good place to see puffins in Icleand.

You can visit this place on a private group trip from Reykjavik or simply catch the car ferry from the Iceland mainland. It is quite a trip but well worth it.

On the island explore the coastline and hopefully you can spot the puffins.

As you made the effort to visit the Westman Islands themselves, also explore the town of Heimaey and visit the Eldheimar museum.

A fun thing is to join a boat tour out of Heimaey harbour. This allows you to see the puffins from the sea rather than from the cliffs.

Getting there: Jump on the ferry at the Landeyjahöfn ferry terminal along Route 1 on the South Coast of Iceland. Only a short drive from the epic famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

Dyrhólaey – Puffin Rock

Dyrhólaey in itself is a popular tourist stop along the Icelandic South Coast and can get busy at times. To see the puffins, come early morning or at sunset. However, this place is not the easiest to spot puffins as this is because the cliffs are pretty steep which makes it difficult to spot them.

I have heard from locals that this spot is favoured by the puffins at the end of their season, in other words in August.

Getting there: The beautiful rocks and cliffs at Dyrhólaey are right next to the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. And a short drive off the South Ring Road.

Ingólfshöfði Nature reserve – Puffin Spot

The only way to reach this puffin spot in the Ingólfshöfði Nature reserve is on a guided tour.

In a tractor that takes about 30 minutes, you will get to the isolated headland from where you hike up a sandy hill to spot the puffins. Furthermore, it is home to thousands of nesting seabirds including the great skuas.

A popular place for photographers and people who like to get away from the crowds.

Getting there: Cape Ingolfshofdi is on the south coast halfway between Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park and Jökulsárlón ice lagoon.

As this is a guided tour make your book your ticket with the local tour company.

The whole adventure will take 2h.30 to 3h.30 hours including a guided walk on Ingólfshöfði nature reserve. I also like to say thank you to “From Coast to Mountains” as they allowed me to use these incredible photos.

Where to stay in Iceland

If you are not renting a car or motorhome in Iceland then you need a great hotel in Iceland.

Browse through the map below to find your preferred place to sleep. Iceland has some amazing cottages and hotels where you can rest.

Iceland Travel Guide

Iceland needs to be explored and one trip is normally never enough, hence we are already planning a return trip. Last time we visited Iceland in October. We enjoyed a 10 day Road trip, and explored the famous South Coast of Icleand.

It was an amazing family trip, we saw the Northern lights six times which was everybody’s wish. During the same trip we also covered the Golden Circle, and we loved the hot springs we discovered.

Make sure you check out all our Iceland travel blog posts for when you plan your perfect trip.

I hope that the information provided here proves useful when you plan your trip to Iceland to see the Best Puffin Spots.

If I have left anything out or you have a question, please ask your questions in the comments below. This will help others and they can join in the discussion.

Thank you & Never Forget to Travel

Thanks for sharing it!