Matkaopas: Lundey

Lundey, otherwise known as ‘Puffin Island’, is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Reykjavík, known for its incredible bird-watching opportunities.

Lundey is 400 metres (1312 feet), and 150 metres (492 feet) wide, and raises to a height of 14 metres (46 feet) above sea level.

Explore this area while on a self drive tour in Iceland.

Bird-watching at Lundey

Lundey is known for its wealth of birdlife. Nesting amongst its rocks are fulmars, arctic terns, guillemots, and of course, puffins.

Puffins, like many of Iceland’s seabirds, are migratory, meaning they are only here from May to September. Even so, Iceland is the nesting ground for the majority of the world’s North Atlantic species, and Lundey is a favourite spot for many.

On puffin watching tours, which leave from Reykjavík Harbour, visitors will get to see the birds nesting, flying and fishing. Binoculars are provided so that guests can have a close-up view.

As these tours are conducted in Faxaflói Bay, there is always a chance to see whales and dolphins near Lundey on these tours.

Combined whale and puffin watching also leave from Reykjavík. It should be noted, however, that Lundey is not always visited on these tours, if conditions are better at the island of Akurey, another puffin nesting ground.