We have been on a mission…quest…factor. But in contrast to the Hobbits making an attempt to destroy the one Ring, our mission was simpler to attain, though the panorama at instances was fairly comparable. Our quest was to seek out puffins in Iceland. There are fairly just a few animals on my “would like to see in the wild” bucket checklist — polar bears, penguins, elephants — and puffins are certainly one of them. So when planning our journey to Iceland, looking for puffins grew to become certainly one of our quests.
If you might be visiting Iceland and hoping to see puffins, you’ll have one of the best luck in case you go to between May and mid-August. Just take into account that throughout nesting season in June, you might be restricted from getting too near the nesting birds for his or her safety.
There are many locations to seek out puffins in Iceland so if you’re questioning the place to seek out puffins in Iceland, hold studying. But first, listed here are some enjoyable info about puffins that we discovered throughout our journey:
Fun Facts About Puffins in Iceland
- Eight to 10 million puffins dwell in Iceland for a portion of the yr, representing 60 p.c of the world’s Atlantic puffins
- Lundi is the Icelandic phrase for puffin and you can find this in shops all through Reykjavik
- The finest time to see puffins in Iceland is May by way of August, though in case you go to in late August you’ll possible solely discover just a few stragglers, as most others could have moved out to sea
- Puffins spend the winter on the ocean, floating on the waves
- Puffins take two years to decide on a mate
- Once they mate, they’re monogamous and mate for all times (and if the primary one doesn’t come again, they discover a new mate but when the primary mate finally returns, they’ll dump the second for the primary)
- They select a mate by rubbing their beaks collectively
- Puffins are clumsy and don’t fly effectively
- Puffins are one of the best underwater and may dive as much as 200 toes and keep underneath for over a minute
- They use their tough tongues to catch fish
- The puffin’s jaw expands to carry as much as 62 fish in its beak (and one was reported in Ireland to carry 83!)
- Puffins are typically referred to as sea parrots
- Puffins dwell a mean of 20-25 years
- Female puffins produce one egg or “puffling” a yr and pufflings attain maturity after about 6 weeks, after which they should fend for themselves
- While many individuals confuse puffins and penguins, puffins are literally fairly small and troublesome to see clearly from a distance. You really have to be up shut or have a very good zoom lens in your digital camera to get to see their cute faces
Where to Find Puffins in Iceland
Puffins might be discovered all through the nation (in season), however there are some spots which have giant colonies and are well-known for puffin watching. This shouldn’t be an entire checklist however lined a number of the extra standard spots for vacationers visiting Iceland.
1. Puffin Watching in Reykjavik
Note: We have been hosted by Special Tours for the needs of facilitating this assessment. All opinions are my very own.
Many guests to Iceland don’t enterprise removed from the capital metropolis of Reykjavik. While this area isn’t one of the best for seeing puffins up shut, it’s potential to take a puffin-watching cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. On our first go to to Iceland, we determined to take a brief one-hour Puffin Express cruise from Special Tours. This one-hour tour slot in completely with our packed schedule, and with 100% assured sightings, we have been offered.
It was straightforward to seek out the Special Tours sales space within the Old Harbour with Puffin Pete hanging out entrance. Unlike the whale-watching excursions on bigger boats that board early, you solely have to arrive about quarter-hour earlier than your tour.
Once your tour is able to go away, your information will convey you over to the small ship Skúlaskeid. You will wish to observe proper behind the information as a way to be one of many first onboard and snag one of many out of doors seats. If it’s uneven, you may get splashed a bit, however you’ll have a significantly better view of the puffins. Children may also have to put on a life jacket for security, whether or not they’re inside or exterior.
We ended up inside however fortunately that when we reached the nesting grounds, we have been in a position to transfer round and discover a bit area exterior, even when it meant standing on the benches in the course of the boat. On our brief 15-minute experience out to the puffin breeding grounds, our information stuffed us in on the lifecycle, mating, and breeding habits of the Atlantic puffins.
The puffin breeding floor is on a small island simply off the coast of Reykjavik. We lucked out with a spectacular day of heat June climate within the 60s and completely calm seas. On our manner out of the harbor, we have been handled to wonderful views of the Harpa Concert Hall and the surroundings across the harbor, including to the advantages of taking a puffin cruise.
The puffins arrive in Iceland in late April and keep till round August, so if you’re visiting throughout that timeframe try to be in luck to seek out puffins. Thousands of puffins nest simply exterior of Reykjavik and the small craft utilized by Special Tours will get as shut as you possibly can to the breeding grounds with out disturbing them.
The factor that stunned us all at first was how small the puffins have been. You are so used to seeing them in close-up footage that you simply don’t understand that they’re solely about 10 inches (18 cm) tall. So even by way of the zoom lens of our digital camera or by borrowing one of many ship’s few binoculars, it was nonetheless laborious to see them in a lot element. After about half-hour of puffin-watching on each side of the island, we headed again to the harbor.
While we have been excited to get to see so many puffins on our tour, it was a bit disappointing that it was nonetheless laborious to see them intimately. But we couldn’t have requested for a greater day to discover Reykjavik. We have been thrilled with the tour only for the wonderful views and the attitude of being out on the water.
If you might be staying in Iceland for simply a short while and also you gained’t have time to get out to a number of the different puffin nesting locations, then a Puffin Express cruise with Special Tours is definitely worth the time and value, particularly if it’s a good day. Otherwise, you may wish to save your time for another puffin viewing.
2. Puffins at Dyrhólaey
If you might be there on the proper time of yr, one other great spot for locating puffins is on the peninsula of Dyrhólaey between Skogar and Vík. To discover Dyrhólaey, take Highway 1 towards Vík to Rt 218. Before you get to the tip of the peninsula, with its view of the ocean stacks at Reynisfjara, you’ll have to take a proper onto a small, steep dust street that leads as much as the promontory, with views of the pure sea arch.
This space is closed off within the spring from about mid-May till someday in June to guard the puffins throughout mating. Luckily, it was open after we visited in late June.
Honestly, it’s so lovely from this vantage level that it’s straightforward to overlook all about on the lookout for puffins. You can see the black sand seaside under, the ocean stacks at Reynisfjara, the mountains and glaciers within the distance, and naturally the arch that kinds on the finish of the promontory.
However, in case you peer over the sting of the cliff, you will notice that you’re really standing above the nesting grounds of puffins and you’ll lastly get these close-up views that you’re on the lookout for. Just be very cautious close to the cliff edges!
We spent a lot time admiring these cute little creatures that we ended up having to shelve our cease at Reynisfjara till very late within the day. But after we did lastly make it there, we additionally discovered extra puffins nesting above the spectacular basalt columns that adorn this close by seaside.
3. Westmann Islands
Vestmannaeyjar or the Westman Islands is residence to the most important puffin colony in Iceland. This group of islands is 10 kilometers off the south coast of Iceland and reachable by ferry (reservations have to be made prematurely.) Heimaey is the most important of the islands and has the most important fowl inhabitants.
You can take a RIB boat tour across the islands and through the summer season months, you’ll get to see loads of puffins.
4. Borgarfjörður Eystri
I’ve not but made it this far east in Iceland, however I’ve associates which have visited Borgarfjörður Eystri and located it one of the best place to see puffins up shut in Iceland. Approximately 10,000 pairs of puffins nest in Borgarfjörður through the summer season. There is a bird-watching shelter and platforms to can help you stand up near the puffins with out threat to your self or the birds.
5. Látrabjarg Cliffs
The Látrabjarg Cliffs within the Westfjords, in addition to Hornbjarg and the Nature Reserve Park of Hornstrandir within the northwest of Iceland are different well-known puffin nesting areas. Unfortunately, after I visited the Látrabjarg cliffs in very early September, the final puffins had flown away simply the week earlier than. However, these dramatic cliffs are nonetheless price a go to, even in case you don’t spy any puffins!
6. Vigur Island
Vigur Island within the West Fjords is residence to a different giant colony of puffins in addition to Eider geese. In reality, the few individuals that decision this island residence make a dwelling gathering Eider down for merchandise like Eiderdown comforters.
You have to take a ship tour out to the island from Isafjörður, and after I visited there was speak of the island being offered and excursions now not being provided, however that’s topic to alter. By the way in which, among the finest fish meals I’ve ever had was in a small cafe in Isafjörður.
For us, our mission was completed and the hunt was fulfilled. We received our close-up take a look at dozens of puffins. I hope you’ve got comparable luck in your go to to Iceland!
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