Puffin Season in Iceland

Iceland is known as the puffin-watching capital of the world. Every summer, around 8–10 million puffins come ashore here, representing over 60% of the world’s entire Atlantic puffin population. Seeing them is one of the top summer activities in Iceland, attracting bird lovers and travellers from around the world.

Atlantic puffins spend most of the year at sea. But during puffin season, they return to Iceland’s cliffs to breed and raise their chicks, known as pufflings. The season typically runs from late April to mid-August, with June and July being the peak months.

Here’s how the season unfolds:

• Late April–May: Puffins arrive from the North Atlantic and dig burrows on grassy cliffs.
• June–July: Pufflings hatch, and parents fly back and forth from the sea carrying fish.
• August: As the young mature, the puffins leave their nests and return to open waters.

During these months, puffins are found across Iceland’s South Coast, East Fjords, Westfjords, and North Coast. Visit early in the morning or late in the evening when they’re most active.

5 Best Places to See Puffins in Iceland

If you’re wondering where to see puffins in Iceland, you’ll find them nesting all around the coastline. Here are five of the easiest and most rewarding places to see puffins in Iceland by car.

1. Borgarfjörður Eystri: Best Place to See Puffins in East Iceland

Tucked in a remote fjord in East Iceland, Borgarfjörður Eystri is one of the country’s most rewarding puffin-watching spots. It’s also a haven for bird lovers, home to around 20 bird species, including ducks, swans, skuas, and moorland birds. Imagine seeing so many bird species all in one place!

What makes Borgarfjörður Eystri special is how close you can safely get to the puffins. A sheltered wooden platform at Hafnarhólmi harbour lets you watch them up close. And that’s without disturbing the birds or risking a fall into their burrows or down the cliffs. For that, it’s dubbed the easiest and safest place in Iceland to watch puffins (minus the long drive from Reykjavík).

Getting to Borgarfjörður Eystri:

• About 680 km (8.5 hours) drive from Reykjavík via the Ring Road and Egilsstaðir.
• Most of the roads are paved. The last stretch is gravel, but manageable in a MyCar economy rental or 2WD during summer.

2. Westman Islands: Where to See Puffins on the South Coast

Off Iceland’s South Coast, the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) form a cluster of 15 small islands. These host about one-fifth of the world’s total puffin population. The biggest island, Heimaey, is home to Iceland’s largest puffin colony. It’s also where the oldest recorded puffin, aged 38 years, was ringed.

Heimaey also has a unique local tradition. During late summer, when young pufflings leave their burrows, many become disoriented by the town’s lights. Local families and schoolchildren spend nights patrolling the streets to rescue lost birds and return them safely to the wild.

Getting to the Westman Islands:

• About a 2.5-hour drive from Reykjavík to Landeyjahöfn along the Ring Road, then a 30-minute ferry to Heimaey.
• Roads are paved and suitable for all car types.

3. Dyrhólaey: Easy Stop to See Puffins Along the Ring Road

Located near the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach, Dyrhólaey is an ideal stop for travellers driving Iceland’s Ring Road. It’s a stone arch on the South Coast, with sweeping ocean views and cliffs alive with birdlife during the summer.

From May to August, puffins dig deep burrows near the cliff edges to nest and raise their pufflings. The nesting area is fenced off, ensuring peace for the colony and safety for visitors along the steep drop-offs.

Getting to Dyrhólaey:

• About 180 km (2.5 hours) drive from Reykjavík along the Ring Road toward Vík.
• Roads are paved and suitable for all car types.

4. Tjörnes Peninsula: Puffin Watching in North Iceland

Where to see puffins in Iceland’s North Coast? Head to the Tjörnes Peninsula. It’s a scenic stop along the Diamond Circle route, known for its striking cliffs and rich birdlife. Rising about 60 m (197 ft) above the sea, the cliffs here host several puffin colonies during summer. It’s also famous for its dense population of rock ptarmigans, making it a rewarding stop for birdwatchers.

For the best views, take a 15-minute walk to the outermost tip, Voladalstorfa, where puffins perch close to the edge. On the east side, Hringsbjarg offers an observation platform with panoramic views of the coastline and puffins nesting below.

Getting to Tjörnes Peninsula:

• About 500 km (6.5 hours) drive from Reykjavík via the Ring Road, north of Húsavík.
• Roads are paved; a 2WD is sufficient in summer.

5. Látrabjarg Cliffs: Where to See Puffins Up Close in the Westfjords

At the westernmost point of Iceland, the Látrabjarg Cliffs stretch for about 14 km (8.7 mi). They’re home to millions of seabirds, including Atlantic puffins, guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes, making this Westfjord’s most visited attraction.

Látrabjarg is famous for its friendly puffins. The birds here are remarkably unafraid of humans, allowing visitors to observe them at just a few metres. However, the ground near the edges is often unstable because of the puffins’ burrows. So, it’s essential to keep a safe distance and stay behind marked barriers.

Getting to Látrabjarg Cliffs:

• About 420 km (6 hours) drive from Reykjavík via the Ring Road and Road 62 to Patreksfjörður.
• Outside the Ring Road, roads are partly gravel; MyCar 4x4 SUV rentals are recommended for comfort and safety.

Other Notable Places to Spot Puffins in Iceland

Wondering where to see puffins in Iceland beyond the main viewing sites? These spots offer equally stunning scenery and a glimpse into local life.

• Lundey and Akurey (near Reykjavík): Known as the Puffin Islands. These small islets just offshore from Reykjavík can be reached by a short boat tour from the Old Harbour.
• Papey Island (East Iceland): Accessible by boat from Djúpivogur, Papey offers peaceful landscapes and thriving seabird colonies, including puffins and guillemots.
• Skrúður Island (East Iceland): Home to large puffin populations that nest inside the vast Skrúðshellir sea cave, Iceland’s largest of its kind. The island’s cliffs are also dramatic and filled with seabirds, making it a striking puffin habitat in the east.
• Flatey Island (North Iceland): A tranquil island in Skjálfandi Bay, where puffins and Arctic terns share the grassy headlands. It’s accessible by boat during the summer.
• Hornstrandir Nature Reserve (Westfjords): A remote and untouched wilderness where puffins nest among towering cliffs and wildflower meadows. Reached only by boat from Ísafjörður.
• Vigur Island (Westfjords): Nicknamed Paradise Island. It’s a small, privately owned island in Breiðafjörður Bay, home to puffins, eiders, Arctic terns, and guillemots.
• Breiðafjörður (West Iceland): A broad bay dotted with thousands of islets. It’s perfect for a scenic boat tour to spot puffins and other seabirds in their natural habitat.

Driving and Car Rental Tips for Puffin Watching in Iceland

Exploring Iceland by car is the best way to reach puffin colonies spread across the country’s coastline. It gives you the freedom to stop at viewpoints, explore small villages, and travel at your own pace.

Here are a few tips to make your puffin-watching road trip smooth and safe:

• Plan around the Ring Road: Many puffin sites, such as Dyrhólaey and Tjörnes, are right off Route 1, while others like Látrabjarg require a detour.
• Choose the right vehicle: A small 2WD car is fine for most routes. But a 4x4 rental is recommended for gravel roads in the Westfjords or for winter driving in Iceland.
• Check conditions daily: Weather and road surfaces in Iceland can change quickly. Visit vedur.is and road.is for updates.
• Watch for Icelandic animals on the roads: Sheep and birds often wander onto rural roads, especially in summer. Slow down and stay alert.
• Keep headlights on: It’s required at all times, day or night, for safety and visibility.
• Follow Icelandic road signs: Many warn of gravel surfaces, blind hills, or sharp turns—common on Icelandic roads.
• Park responsibly: Use marked parking areas at viewpoints and nesting sites, and avoid driving onto grass or near cliff edges. You can use the Parka app to pay and find parking in Iceland.
• Respect wildlife: Keep noise low and stay behind ropes near nesting areas to avoid disturbing puffins and damaging burrows.
• Pack smart: Bring waterproof clothing, a camera with a zoom lens or binoculars, snacks, and patience. Puffins are wild animals, and the best moments often come when you wait quietly.

Drive To the Best Spots to See Puffins in Iceland

If you’re wondering where to see puffins in Iceland, the answer lies all around the coast. And the best way to experience it is by driving in Iceland. From the remote cliffs of Látrabjarg to the viewpoints of Dyrhólaey, each region reveals Iceland’s wild beauty and wildlife.

In summer, millions of puffins fill the skies and cliffs, creating one of nature’s most captivating scenes. Driving between colonies lets you explore Iceland’s landscapes and see the Atlantic puffin population up close at your own pace.

For the perfect start, pick up a MyCar rental vehicle. And set off on your own puffin-watching adventure from Reykjavík, where every coastal road leads to another unforgettable view.

FAQs about Where to see Puffins in Iceland

When is the best time to see puffins in Iceland?

The best time is June and July, during the peak of the nesting season. Puffins usually arrive in late April and leave by mid-August.

Can you see puffins near Reykjavík?

Yes. You can spot them on Lundey or Akurey Islands, both reachable by short boat tours from Reykjavík harbour.

What are the best places to see puffins in Iceland by car?

Top choices include Dyrhólaey, Látrabjarg, Borgarfjörður Eystri, the Westman Islands, and the Tjörnes Peninsula.

Do I need a tour, or can I drive to puffin colonies myself?

Most major colonies are accessible by car. However, some, like Ingólfshöfði and Papey Island, require guided puffin watching tours or boat access.

How close can I get to puffins in Iceland?

In places like Látrabjarg and Borgarfjörður Eystri, puffins can be seen just a few metres away. Always stay behind marked boundaries to avoid disturbing them.