Iceland holds some of the world's largest Atlantic puffin colonies, and the season runs from roughly mid-May to mid-August, with June and July the peak. The best-known sites are Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands), the Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords, Dyrhólaey on the south coast, Borgarfjörður eystri in the east, and the islands of Akurey and Lundey reached by boat from Reykjavik. This guide covers each colony, the season, and how to watch without disturbing the birds.
Puffin colonies at a glance
Where the main colonies are and what marks each one out.
| Colony | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vestmannaeyjar | South coast islands | The world's largest Atlantic puffin colony |
| Látrabjarg | Westfjords | About 14 km of cliffs, over 440 m high |
| Dyrhólaey | South coast near Vík | Can be restricted for nesting, roughly 1 May to 25 June |
| Borgarfjörður eystri | East Iceland | Hafnarhólmi platform, about 10,000 pairs |
| Akurey and Lundey | Faxaflói bay, off Reykjavik | More than 30,000 puffins, about a one-hour boat tour |
When is puffin season?
Puffins spend most of the year out at sea and come ashore only to breed, so timing decides everything. The season runs from roughly mid-May to mid-August, and June and July are the peak, when adults fly in constantly with fish for their chicks. From early August the numbers thin quickly, and by late August most colonies are empty, so plan a summer visit if the birds are a priority.
Vestmannaeyjar and Látrabjarg: the big colonies
Two sites stand out for sheer numbers. Vestmannaeyjar, the Westman Islands off the south coast, hosts the world's largest Atlantic puffin colony and is reached by ferry or a short flight. Látrabjarg, in the Westfjords, is a line of sea cliffs about 14 kilometres long and over 440 metres high, lying about 420 kilometres from Reykjavik, which is roughly a six-hour drive. Puffins nest close to the clifftop path there, so you can watch them from a few metres away, but stay well back from the crumbling edge and off the fragile burrows.
Dyrhólaey and the south coast
Dyrhólaey is a rocky promontory near Vík, with puffins on the grassy clifftops that can be seen from the beach and the viewpoints above. One thing to plan around: the Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun, ust.is) can restrict or close Dyrhólaey to protect nesting birds, roughly from 1 May to 25 June, often limiting access to daytime hours and marked paths during that window before the area reopens fully around 25 June. Because the rules are set each year by an assessment of the birdlife, check ust.is before you drive out.
Borgarfjörður eystri in the east
For many people this is the easiest place to watch puffins on land. At Hafnarhólmi, a small harbour in Borgarfjörður eystri, boardwalks and a viewing platform let you stand close to the colony, where about 10,000 pairs nest each summer, without risking a fall or stepping on a burrow. The birds are used to the platform, so views can be very close, and the site is a good choice for families or anyone wary of open clifftops.
Seeing puffins from Reykjavik by boat
If you are staying in the city and not driving, a boat tour is the simplest option. Trips leave Reykjavik's old harbour for the small islands of Akurey and Lundey in Faxaflói bay, where more than 30,000 puffins nest in summer. The outing takes about an hour and runs roughly from May to mid-August, matching the season. To compare puffin and other wildlife boat trips, see our puffin and wildlife boat tours.
Best time of day and watching responsibly
Time of day matters more than most visitors expect. In the middle of the day many puffins fly out to sea to feed, so a colony can look quiet, while morning and evening 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 or walk across the soft clifftop where the burrows are. They are wild birds raising chicks on a short summer schedule, and a little space goes a long way.
Prepare for the conditions
If Where to See Puffins in Iceland: Best Colonies is part of your plans, use the Iceland Packing List to prepare for Iceland's changeable weather and time outdoors.
