Iceland serves as the summer home for the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), the only puffin species found in the North Atlantic Ocean. The country hosts the world’s largest breeding colony, with millions of these charismatic seabirds returning to the Icelandic coastlines every year. This makes the island the best location globally to observe them in their natural habitat.
The Scale of Iceland’s Atlantic Puffin Population
Iceland hosts between eight and ten million Atlantic Puffins annually, representing approximately 60% of the entire global population. This massive influx is supported by the island’s unique geological and marine characteristics, which create an ideal breeding environment.
The volume of birds is supported by soft soil and steep sea cliffs, which provide secure locations for nesting burrows. Puffins are burrow-nesters, digging tunnels up to a meter deep into grassy slopes to lay their single egg. The surrounding ocean historically offers a rich supply of small schooling fish, such as sand eels, which are the primary food source for their young.
The largest concentration of puffins is found in the Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, off the south coast. This archipelago alone is home to a colony that numbers over a million birds. While the population size is impressive, the species is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the Icelandic Red List, reflecting recent steep declines attributed to changes in food availability.
Key Viewing Locations and Breeding Seasonality
The annual cycle of the puffin is dictated by the breeding season. Puffins arrive in Iceland in late April or early May after spending the winter months far out at sea. They remain on the cliffs and islands throughout the summer to raise their young, with the best viewing opportunities peaking between mid-June and mid-August.
The largest and most accessible viewing spot is the Westman Islands, where visitors can often observe the birds from viewing platforms on the island of Heimaey. In the Westfjords, the sheer Látrabjarg Cliffs offer a dramatic setting where puffins nest right up to the edge of the continent.
On the South Coast, the promontory of Dyrhólaey is a popular location, though access is sometimes restricted to protect nesting birds. The island of Grímsey, which straddles the Arctic Circle, is also a highly regarded puffin colony for those traveling north. Viewing is optimal in the early morning or late evening when the adult birds return to their burrows after a day of fishing at sea.
Responsible Puffin Watching Guidelines
Observing puffins requires a respectful approach to minimize disturbance to these fragile colonies. Puffins are surprisingly unafraid of humans, which can lead visitors to approach too closely. Maintaining a safe distance is necessary to prevent stressing the birds, which could cause them to abandon their nests or waste energy.
Stay on marked trails and viewing platforms, especially when walking near cliff edges. Puffin burrows are fragile tunnels hidden beneath the grassy surface, and stepping on them can collapse the nest and injure the chick or parents. Visitors should move slowly and quietly to avoid startling the birds, and sudden movements or loud noises should be avoided.
Never attempt to feed or touch the puffins, as this is detrimental to their health and natural behavior. Their feathers possess specialized properties for water deflection that can be damaged by human contact. If any viewing area is closed off, these closures must be strictly honored to protect nesting sites and support the conservation of this vulnerable species.