Beautiful 2-Hour Kayaking Tour with Puffin Watching from the Westman Islands

Set out on a beautiful two-hour kayaking tour around the Westman Islands, one of the best locations for puffin watching in Iceland. Nature lovers will love getting up close and personal with the wildlife of Iceland on this beautiful adventure tour. 

The kayaking tour begins at the harbor in Heimaey, the Westman Islands' most significant and only inhabited island. The area is home to puffins during their nesting season, which lasts from May to September. Outside this time, the tour is still a fantastic way to witness the beauty of Iceland’s Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll meet an expert local guide with plenty of experience kayaking in Iceland. They’ll give you and the other guests a water-resistant suit, gloves, neoprene shoes, and life jackets for your safety and comfort. You should dress in warm, comfortable clothing, with a thick pair of socks.

When you’re ready to leave, you’ll kayak out to Langa, a small artificial beach at the foot of the Heimaklettur mountain. Keep a lookout for puffins in the sky and seals in the water as you paddle.

You’ll make your way around the steep walls of Mount Heimaklettur before you arrive at Klettsvik Bay, one of the best puffin-watching spots in Iceland. As you pass through the bay, your guide will show you where to paddle to get the best view of the Heimaklettur mountain. 

Iceland is home to 60% of the world’s Atlantic puffins, and you can find many of these funny little birds in Klettsvik Bay. If you travel during the right season, you’ll have fantastic opportunities to take pictures of them — you might even be lucky enough to see some baby puffins.

As you continue through Klettsvik Bay, you’ll pass the Beluga Sanctuary, an area of protected waters that’s home to a large population of beluga whales. Kayaks and other boats aren’t allowed to travel into the sanctuary’s waters, but it’s fascinating to pass through the area.

Your guide will tell you about the protected area and the history of beluga whales in the area. 

You’ll soon arrive at the Klettshellir cave, the largest and best-known cave in the Westman Islands. It’s an incredible place to visit, with stunning colors and superb acoustics. This is another excellent spot to take some photos of your trip.

It will now be time to make your way back to the harbor. Your guide will lead the group past the Stafkirkjan church. This beautiful black church is a replica of an old stave church. The Norwegian government gifted the replica to Iceland in 2000 to celebrate the 1,000-year anniversary of Christianity in Iceland. 

After enjoying spectacular views and watching out for nesting puffins from your kayak, you’ll return to the harbor in Heimaey to conclude your tour. 

Don’t miss out on the chance to see some of Iceland’s native animals on this beautiful two-hour kayaking tour in the Westman Islands. Check availability now by choosing a date.