Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see Atlantic puffins, and the season runs from around mid-May to mid-August, with June and July the peak. You can watch them at big cliff colonies like the Westman Islands and Latrabjarg, or on a one-hour boat tour from Reykjavik's old harbour to Akurey and Lundey, where more than 30,000 puffins nest in summer. This guide covers when to go, where to look, and the best time of day to spot them.
Puffins in Iceland at a Glance
Short on time? Here is the quick version.
| Puffins in Iceland | |
|---|---|
| Season | Around mid-May to mid-August |
| Peak | June and July |
| Biggest colony | Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) |
| Near Reykjavik | Akurey and Lundey, by about a one-hour boat tour |
| Best time of day | Morning or evening |
When Is Puffin Season?
Puffins come ashore to breed in summer and spend the rest of the year out at sea, so timing is everything. The season runs from around mid-May to mid-August, and June and July are the peak, when adults are busy flying in with fish for their chicks. From early August the numbers thin quickly, and by mid-August most colonies are empty, so plan a summer visit if seeing them matters to you.
Where to See Puffins in Iceland
Iceland has some of the largest puffin colonies in the world, and several are easy to reach:
- Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands): Iceland's largest colony, off the south coast.
- Latrabjarg: huge sea cliffs in the Westfjords, where puffins nest close to the path.
- Dyrholaey: on the south coast, with puffins visible from the beach and the clifftop viewpoints.
- Borgarfjordur eystri: in the east, with a viewing platform above the colony.
At the cliff sites, stay back from the edge and away from the burrows, which are fragile and easily collapsed underfoot.
Seeing Puffins from Reykjavik
If you are staying in the city and not driving, you can still see puffins. A Reykjavík puffin cruise leaves the old harbour for the small islands of Akurey and Lundey in Faxafloi bay, where more than 30,000 puffins nest in summer. These trips run roughly from May to mid-August, matching the season. To compare puffin and other wildlife trips, see our puffin and whale-watching boat tours.
Best Time of Day and Watching Responsibly
Time of day matters more than most people expect. In the middle of the day many puffins fly out to sea to feed, so the colonies can look quiet; mornings and evenings are the better windows, when the birds are around the burrows. Keep your distance, use a zoom lens rather than closing in, and never block a puffin's path to its burrow. They are wild birds raising chicks on a short summer schedule, and a little space goes a long way.
Plan what to pack
Check the Iceland Packing List while preparing for Puffins in Iceland: Where and When to See Them, then adapt it to the forecast and your activity.
