Welcome to Puffin Paradise
If you love animals, you probably have “seeing a puffin” on your bucket list. These birds are nicknamed “sea parrots” because of their beautiful beaks. They are also called “clowns of the sea” because of the way they clumsily waddle on land. Every spring, they fly to the rocky shores of Iceland to build homes and raise their young. It is a magical sight that you will never forget.
This article puts together everything one needs to know about puffin season in Iceland, so that visitors can plan the perfect trip and see these famous birds in their natural habitat.
All About Our Feathered Friends
You might think puffins are just cute, but they are also very tough. They are smart enough to survive the cold ocean and steady enough never to forget the way back to their favorite nesting spot.
Did you know that puffins usually stay with the same partner for their whole lives? Some puffin couples have been together for over 20 years.
Every spring and summer, thousands of these birds gather in big groups called colonies. They pick spots on high cliffs or small islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. Rather than using a simple nest on the ground, these birds use their sharp claws (and beaks) to dig holes called burrows.
Creating a Puffin Home
A puffin burrow is like a little underground tunnel. Puffins usually make their nests in grassy banks or between big rocks where they feel safe. Inside the burrow, they make it snug with feathers and grass. This is where the mother puffin lays her single egg. Both the mom and the dad take turns sitting on the egg to keep it warm. They do this for about 36 to 45 days.
The Arrival of the Puffling
When the egg finally cracks open, a baby called a “puffling” comes out. The parents are very busy once the puffling hatches. They fly out to sea to catch small fish like sand eels to bring back to the nest. The puffling stays safe inside the burrow until it is strong enough to fly.
You will love watching the parents rush home from the sea. It is one of the funniest and most heart-warming things you can see in nature.
The Magic of the Westman Islands
If you want to see the most puffins in one place, the Westman Islands are one of the obvious places. In Iceland, this place is called Vestmannaeyjar. It is a group of islands off the south coast that was formed by volcanoes.
More puffins live here than anywhere else in the world. The islands have giant green cliffs that look like they belong in a movie. Most people visit the island of Heimaey because it is so welcoming. You can take a short walk to the grassy cliff tops and see the birds sitting right in front of you.
The Best Puffin Watching Spots
There are many places on the islands to see the “sea parrots.” One of the most famous spots is called Storhofdi. It is known as the windiest place in Europe, but the puffins don’t mind! There is a special little building there where you can sit and watch the birds without them seeing you. This makes it easy to get great photos.
If you want to explore more of the coast, you should check out Arctic Adventures. They offer amazing tours that take you to the most beautiful spots in Iceland.
When is Puffin Season in Iceland?
Timing is everything when you want to see puffins in Iceland.
These birds do not stay on land all year. They spend the cold winter months on the open ocean. They only come to the shore when it is time to have babies. This means you have to visit during puffin season in Iceland. If you come in the winter, you won’t see a single one! The birds usually start arriving in late April and stay until the end of August.
The Peak of the Season
Most seasoned travelers agree: If you want to see puffins in Iceland, July is the best month to visit.
This is the middle of summer in Iceland.
During these months, the puffins are very busy feeding their pufflings. You will see them flying back and forth from the ocean to the cliffs all day long. This is also when the grass is the greenest, and the flowers are blooming. It is the most beautiful time to take a trip to the south coast and do a puffin watching tour in Iceland.
The Best Time of Day
Morning and Evening Magic
A good time of day to see puffins in Iceland is usually in the morning or late in the evening. Between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM, the birds are often sitting outside their burrows before they head out to fish.
However, the very best time is in the evening, between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM. This is when they all come back from the ocean. The cliffs become very crowded and noisy as thousands of birds land at once. It is something spectacular to see.
What Will You Actually See?
When you finally get to a puffin colony, you might be surprised by how small they are! They are only about 10 inches tall. You will see them waddling around on their bright orange feet. They look a bit clumsy, which is why people call them clowns. You will see them rubbing their beaks together with their partners. This is called “billing,” and it is how puffins show they love each other. It is very sweet to watch.
Vibrant Summer Bills
The most striking feature you’ll see on puffins is their magnificent bill. While it is a duller grey in winter, it transforms into a brilliant palette of orange, red, and yellow just for the breeding season. To stay airborne with such heavy beaks, puffins must beat their wings at an incredible pace, and it can reach up to 400 strokes per minute. They look like energetic black-and-white flashes hurtling through the air.
You will also see them landing on the cliffs. Sometimes they crash-land because they are much better at swimming than flying. Arctic Adventures can help you find the best Iceland south coast puffin viewing spots so you can see these details clearly.
Life on the Edge
You will also see puffins sitting very close to the edge of high, rocky cliffs. They aren’t afraid of heights at all! You might see them popping their heads out of their burrows to check on the weather. If you are quiet and stay still, the puffins might even walk close to you.
A Summer to Remember
Encountering a puffin in its natural habitat feels like a brush with a world-class celebrity. With their vivid bills and comical antics, they truly steal the show during the Icelandic summer months.
When you finally see them, you won’t be able to stop smiling! Just remember to bring your camera and a warm jacket, because even in summer, Iceland can be chilly.
To make your trip even more special, try to visit a local museum to learn about how the islands were formed. You can also try some traditional Icelandic snacks while you wait for the birds to come home.
Did you know that puffins can live to be 30 years old?
That is a lot of summers spent in Iceland! When they finally leave in August, they fly out into the dark ocean and stay there all by themselves until… next year. They navigate the vast Atlantic with incredible precision, returning to their specific nesting sites year after year, even after a long winter spent wandering the open sea.
Nature is truly amazing, and the puffins are the best proof of that. Why not come and visit these funny little birds on their island home? It is, for sure, a bucket list experience.
