If you are utilising a summer self-drive package that guides you around the entire ring-road of Iceland, the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, such as these, which go over ten, thirteen and fourteen days, this ferry trip is included in your itinerary and in the price. As you can hear puffins are not only cute, but also quite smart. Driving Route 1 South, you cannot miss this enormous landmark. Although your operator will do their best not to disturb any animals, you may see a puffin take off in flight from the ocean, which is quite an entertaining sight. It is named after Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first settler to come here by choice, as it is where he first wintered before settling in Reykjavík. KOPAVOGUR PUFFINS MADE '' THE TREBLE '' The final tournament of the season was the Sixty Ball Shootout, a T10 event that placed maximum emphasis on fast-scoring, dynamic fielding and aggressive bowling. If you wish to spend more of your time on land, however, you need not worry; there are colonies in the cliffs here too. Icelandic word for puffin is “lundi”. The beak fades to gray during the winter but blooms into orange colour in the spring time. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with nature, but, of course, needs to be done so with respect to the animal. Standing atop Dyrhólaey, however, means that the landscapes around you may even steal your attention from the birds you came to see. Puffins on Latrabjarg, Hornbjarg, Hornstrandir, Haelavikurbjarg, Breidafjord and … How has Guide to Iceland changed since its conception? While in September, there will certainly still be a few puffins at, say, Vestmannaeyjar, they are likely to have already left Grimsey by mid-August. Despite the declining population of Atlantic puffins in Iceland and around the world, you can still find over 5 million cuddling up on the country’s cliffs during the warmer seasons. Reaching Dyrhólaey from Reykjavík is a journey of fewer than three hours, but considering the number of features en route, will likely take much longer. What about the other towns? While the former draws visitors throughout the year, and its other popular resident bird species, the rock ptarmigan, does not migrate, the area truly comes alive with the arrival of the puffins. It is the best place in Iceland to see the elusive and mighty Fin Whale, and the second-best place, after Breiðafjörður, to see Killer Whales. Local farmers were able to use the ropes to scale down the cliff, saving the twelve surviving members of the accident. Up close, you will also see that it has unusual, hexagonal basalt columns, rare formations that can only be found in a few places around the world. While admiring them, you can keep an eye out for the elusive ptarmigans, great cormorants, and black guillemots. Puffins come to the coast to nest from May to Mid-August, which is the Iceland puffins' season; From mid-June to mid-July, the parents fly back and forth from the sea to the nests with food, so it is a great time to observe them Puffins nest on clifftops in huge colonies, where they each dig a burrow to lay a single egg. The Atlantic puffin breeds in Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and the Faroe Islands, and as far south as Maine in the west and parts of Great Britain in the east. Avid birdwatchers seeking more than just puffins should head just a few minutes south-east of the peninsula to Víkingavatn, the Viking Lake. Are there any tours particularly tailored to puffin watching? Where is the best place to see puffins in Iceland? That’s right, you don’t need to travel to Iceland or the Faroe Islands to see puffins. Puffins are Iceland‘s most popular bird for a reason. There are more than one puffin species but the one that breeds in Iceland is the so called Atlantic Puffin . With their orange legs, striped colorful beak, and black and white plumage, these small birds are adorably cute. The final place in Iceland where you are guaranteed to see a great colony of Iceland’s favourite animal is on Grimsey Island, the only Icelandic territory north of the Arctic Circle. The ‘Capital of the North’, the cultural town of Akureyri, is just an hour and a half away. * Ísafjarðardjúp, the Westfjords The island Vigur is the largest of three islands in the fjord, and a good place to see puffins. Where to see the puffins in Iceland, what season is best and further information . By the end of July or occasionally the start of August the puffins will have left us again for another season. Dyrhólaey is a great stop if you are heading to the sites of the south-east, such as Skaftafell Nature Reserve and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. While Atlantic Puffins are found across Northern Europe from Iceland to Ireland, the UK and Scandinavia (and occasionally a tad further south), Ireland is certainly one of the easiest places to spot these adorably iconic birds. If taking a self-drive tour around the whole country, this town will be visited on the day in which you head from the Jökulsárlón/Höfn area to Egilsstaðir, the largest settlement of the east. When does the midnight sun take place in Iceland? Whale watching in Breiðafjorður is higher risk, higher reward kind of experience, as compared to Reykjavík or Húsavík. Dyrhólaey is the closest to Reykjavik, only 2.5 hours’ drive. Read more: 5 Things you need to know about Puffins The Tjornes Peninsula is a small, remote peninsula in North Iceland famous for two things: the fossils that can be found on its west coast and the birdlife on its east. It is, for example, just an hour’s drive from Lake Mývatn, an area renowned for its diverse array of geological and geothermal wonders. The Atlantic Puffin is one of the four species of puffins and the one most commonly found in Iceland. If you like them you should be able to find them easily in Iceland in summer. With millions of these sweet little birds fluttering around on the coast, finding them might seem easy. Due to the harsh decrease in puffins' population, Ireland becomes one of the unique spots for watching them in the wild. So it is a … source: Wikipedia. After already getting a glimpse of these adorable orange-beaked birds along the cliffs at Dyrhólaey, I was even more thrilled about making the side trip to Borgarfjörður eystri to get a closer look (without the risk of tumbling over a cliffs edge!) If you are interested in a guided photo tour or want to participate in our upcoming workshop feel free to get more info by mail. While cases like those mentioned above in downtown Reykjavík and the greenhouses in Selfoss are uncommon, finding a lost puffin in Vestmannaeyjar is a regular occurrence. Take, for example, this hour-long RIB tour, that whisks you around the uninhabited islands of Vestmannaeyjar, taking you into five separate caves, and to unusual features such as the famous ‘elephant head’ rock formation. The Látrabjarg birdwatching cliffs are the most westerly point of Iceland; considering Iceland is the most westerly European country, they are often also considered to be the most western point of the whole continent (in spite of the fact that they are actually on the North American tectonic plate). When is the best season to see puffins in Iceland. They are not only good swimmers but can also  flap their wings very fast up to 400 times pr minute and can reach speeds of 80 km an hour. Althoug… You will drive through the geothermal town of Hveragerði, where you can hike to and bathe in natural hot springs, and pass by two of the country’s favourite waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. There are many museums and natural sites that you can spend hours exploring to learn about all of this colourful past. Iceland Puffins, beyond being adorable, colorful, and fun to watch, are actually mysterious little creatures. Are there waterfalls all around the country? Their favourite food is probably herring and sand eels. Are the Icelandic roads dangerous? Further along the South Coast from Dyrhólaey, between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón, you can find Ingólfshöfði Cape and Nature Reserve. Almost one million puffins live here during puffin season. Where do you need to travel to find the most spectacular waterfalls? When is the Best Time to Visit Iceland to See Puffins? Reaching the Westman Islands throughout summer is easy; there are domestic flights from Reykjavík airport, and regular ferries running from the southern town of Þorlákshöfn. Even if you overlook a puffin-watching segment and simply take a standard whale-watching tour, you are still more than likely to see puffins, bobbing like corks in the ocean or fluttering overhead. Iceland has the perfect spots for puffin breeding grounds as they prefer to nest on rocky cliff sides along the ocean, something of which Iceland has plenty of. Those travelling around the country may have this in their plans anyway, as the ferry carries cars and is the quickest way to get between the two locations. While the Látrabjarg birdwatching cliffs are well worth a visit, to reach them is a seven-hour drive from Reykjavík, making it quite a schlep for those staying in the capital. Ingólfshöfði has more appeal to it than just its nature. These islands have a fascinating history of runaway slaves, murders of vengeance, pirate attacks and, most recently, an eruption that threatened to engulf the main town. Puffins are ‘Threatened’ according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); their populations are in decline across their range, including in Iceland, so ensuring that you do not hinder their protection will help in their recovery efforts. With 8 to 10 million puffins inhabiting the island, Iceland is home for more than 60% of the world’s entire Atlantic puffin population. Photo from Puffin and Volcano Tour | Westman Islands. Atlantic puffins breed in the islands in large numbers, notably on Mykines, and from July, after the breeding season, it is legal to catch them for food.. Puffins are also harvested and eaten in Iceland, especially in the Westmen Isles In many of these, you can follow a trail to reach them, without having to book a boat tour. Those who continue to harness this skill should, according to folklore in the area, be cautious, however. These beautiful little birds, with their brightly coloured bills, emotive watery eyes, and clumsy, wobbling walk, are intrinsically likeable creatures, and they are very easy to attribute with human traits. Faxafloí bay has a huge wealth of life, with White Beaked Dolphins, Harbour Porpoises, Minke Whales and Humpbacks all frequently seen in the summer months; you also have a chance to see Blue and Fin Whales, Orcas, and even Basking Sharks. Iceland puffins . After a night regaining strength in a cardboard box with some water and crackers, little Puffer was released back into the wild. Grimsey Island is easy to reach for any travellers to North Iceland; ferries run throughout the summer from Akureyri, and flights from its domestic airport go on throughout the year. Continue... See a selection of wonderful photographs that capture the magic of the Northern Lights throughout Iceland. What is the condition of the Icelandic currency? The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, off the South Coast of Iceland, have the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the world; thirty different species nest over the archipelago, but puffins are by far the most numerous. Photo from Up Close 2 Hour Whale & Puffin Watching Boat Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik. Many operators also run private tours to the island, of which there are options to get there by boat or by plane. On Heimaey, a centuries-long tradition of hunting puffins has shifted to a culture of conservation. Guidelines for Bird Watching in Iceland They nest on most of the islands, including the only one with a human population, Heimaey. There are literally millions and millions of individuals, which collectively turn Látrabjarg into a breathtaking natural wonder. If travelling in summer, then you should make every effort to get to at least one of them; you will not regret it. Iceland does not have a rainy season, but precipitation peaks in October to February, with the southern and western parts receiving the most rainfall. These cases, of course, were particularly exceptional. Puffins are visible only during the mating season. In most places, there will be markers showing you the closest you can get, so for the safety of everyone involved, follow their guidance. Did you know that Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea, but return to land to form breeding colonies during spring and summer? During the breeding season, this is as much as 8-10 million. One of the best adventures you could have in Northumberland is sailing over to the Farne Islands during puffin season. Best places to see Puffins in Iceland . The scenery can be quite amazing as the sun sets into the ocean. Iceland’s puffin season runs from early April through to September. Dynjandi is just a little further away and without a doubt one of Iceland’s most awe-inspiring waterfalls. How long is the period in which you can experience the midnight sun in Iceland? The peninsula is also in a convenient location near other awe-inspiring sites of the North. And, if you want to go Puffin watching, a summer road trip in Iceland is a great opportunity to see them from a close distance. There are binoculars on board so that you can get a perfect view of the nesting puffins. For your best chance at seeing puffins without getting on a boat, you are much better checking out one of the five places listed below. It was, after all, home to Keiko, the long-suffering orca that played Free Willy, prior to his release back into the wild. Puffins roost on the surface of the ocean and only come on land in order to breed, lay their eggs, incubate them, and raise their chicks until they fledge. Though it is available throughout the year, taking this tour between May and September almost guarantees that you will see several islands with thriving puffin colonies. They cannot be seen all year, however. While puffins are out at sea, it’s difficult to spot them. To both the east and the west, you can see the South Coast stretching far in both directions; to the east, the views are particularly great, as they go across the notorious black-sand beach of Reynisfjara to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. These tours do not necessarily market themselves as puffin-watching excursions, as puffins are just an expected part of the experience. They are excellent swimmers using their wings to stroke underwater. This nook in the South Coast is often overlooked by travellers, so is the perfect place to come if you want to admire puffins without the crowds. Photo from Affordable 1 Hour Puffin Watching Boat Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik. Photo from Spectacular 2.5 Hour Big Whale Safari & Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour with Transfer from Husavik. To find puffin tours in Iceland go here: Puffin & whale watching tours. It is little wonder why so many coming to Iceland seek out the nation’s puffin population. Have a look at our self drive tours with hotels and detailed itinerary, Book your complete trip with the best companies only, Iceland is spectacular in so many ways and Icelandic nature is quite unique with its vast landscape,  volcanic activity, geothermal areas, glacier lagoons and sceneries, black sand beaches and spect, People have been asking me where to find lupines in Iceland. With a large part of this population walking almost hand in wing with humans during the summer season, it is definitely something Icelanders are proud of. 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