Puffins in Iceland

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? 

Iceland is one of those colonies because in spring time they come over here for nesting and Iceland is the breeding home for about 60 percent of the world's Atlantic puffins. Puffins can be seen in Iceland from early April until September each year.

There are more than one puffin species but the one that breeds in Iceland is the so called Atlantic Puffin.  What makes them special is the penguin like colour with a very colourful beak. 

The beak fades to gray during the winter but blooms into orange colour in the spring time.  Pretty amazing and probably to attract potential mates.

To find puffin tours in Iceland go here: Puffin & whale watching tours.

Puffin movement

Puffins are sea-birds and use the waves for resting when not swimming.  They are excellent swimmers using their wings to stroke underwater.  Also they are great divers and can dive up to 60 metres.

Their favourite food is probably herring and sand eels.  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.  As you can hear puffins are not only cute, but also quite smart.

Where to find puffins in Iceland

I shot these two cuties at Dyrhólaey a short while ago and for your information it was a puffin party for sure.

They love to build their nests in rocky cliffs so therefore you can most likely meet them at Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, Dyrhólaey on the south coast, Ingólfshöfði, the Westman islands of course and a few other places around Iceland. 

I really hope you will be able to see those marvellous birds while travelling. They really make your day and put a smile on your face. If you want more information please feel free to send me a message. 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.

Have a look at our self drive tours with hotels and detailed itinerary 

See also:

• Rent a car for exploring Iceland
• Puffin tour from Reykjavík
• Birds in Iceland
• Ever Heard About the Puffin Island of Grímsey?
• What to Do with 5 Days in Iceland  AND  5 Day Self Drive South Coast Tour | The Golden Circle & Jökulsárlon Glacier Lagoon