You can see puffins all around Iceland’s coast in summer, but a few spots are especially easy, scenic, and reliable for travelers.

Puffin season in Iceland

  • Puffins are a summer sight: they usually arrive in late April/May and leave by late August to early September.
  • Your safest window for good sightings is June–early August when birds are nesting and flying in and out all day.
  • They come ashore mostly in the evening and early morning , but many popular spots have activity through the day in peak season.

Best places to see puffins in Iceland

1. Westman Islands (Heimaey – “Puffin Lookout”)

If you want the feeling of being surrounded by puffins, this is the big one.

  • The island of Heimaey in the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) hosts one of the largest puffin colonies in the world , with over a million birds in season.
  • Head to Stórhöfði / Puffin Lookout , where you look down on huge breeding grounds; you can’t get super close, but the sheer number of birds is incredible.
  • Getting there: short ferry from the south coast near Landeyjahöfn; works well as a full-day detour from the Ring Road.

2. Látrabjarg cliffs (Westfjords)

This is the dramatic “end of the world” cliff experience.

  • Látrabjarg is Europe’s largest seabird cliff, about 14 km long and up to 400 m high , at the western tip of the Westfjords.
  • Puffins nest right by the cliff edge and are famously tame here, often only a couple of meters away.
  • The colony is active roughly from late April to late July , with strongest activity in June–July.
  • It’s a long, sometimes rough drive, but the views and density of birds make it a “pilgrimage” spot for bird‑lovers.

3. Borgarfjörður Eystri & Hafnarhólmi (East Iceland)

This is one of the easiest and safest close‑up viewing spots, great for families.

  • The fishing village Borgarfjörður Eystri calls itself Iceland’s “Puffin Capital” ; around 10,000 breeding pairs nest here each summer.
  • At the little islet Hafnarhólmi , next to the harbor, you get wooden platforms and shelters that bring you within a couple of meters of puffins without standing on cliff edges.
  • It’s a detour into the Eastfjords but very manageable for Ring Road travelers and much less intimidating than some cliff sites.

4. Tjörnes Peninsula & Húsavík area (North Iceland)

Perfect if you’re already visiting North Iceland or taking a whale‑watching tour.

  • The Tjörnes Peninsula , north of Húsavík, has several puffin spots, including Hringsbjarg (with a safe viewing platform) and Voladalstorfa (near a bright orange lighthouse reached by a short climb).
  • There are also boat tours from Húsavík and nearby harbors that combine whale watching with puffin colonies on small offshore islands.
  • The scenery here is more gentle than the Westfjords, so it suits travelers who prefer shorter hikes and less remote roads.

5. South coast: Dyrhólaey & surrounds

Great if you have limited time and are doing the classic south‑coast road trip.

  • Near Vík , the headland Dyrhólaey has accessible cliffs where puffins nest in summer, often visible right from marked viewpoints.
  • You can combine puffin watching with Reynisfjara black sand beach and other south‑coast sights in a single day.
  • Some tours also visit Ingólfshöfði and nearby headlands, reached by specialized vehicles or guided trips, to see puffins away from the crowds.

6. Near Reykjavík: Akurey & Lundey islands

If you’re short on time and staying mostly in the capital, this is your easy win.

  • The small islands Akurey and Lundey sit just off Reykjavík and are reached by short 15–30 minute boat rides.
  • Several operators offer puffin boat tours that circle the islands and let you watch birds on the cliffs and rocky slopes with binoculars.
  • You won’t get as close as at Hafnarhólmi, but it’s a convenient way to add puffins to a city‑based trip.

Quick comparison of key puffin spots

[4][6] [10][2][4] [5][2][4] [2][6][4] [11][2][8] [9][8]
Location Region Best for Ease of access How close to puffins? Season highlights
Heimaey (Westman Islands) South coast Huge colony, island vibe Ferry from south coast, moderate Good views, not right at your feet Peak June–Aug, millions of birds
Látrabjarg cliffs Westfjords Dramatic cliffs, tame puffins Remote, long drive on rougher roads Very close at cliff edge Late Apr–Jul, best in June–July
Borgarfjörður Eystri / Hafnarhólmi Eastfjords Family‑friendly, safe platforms Detour from Ring Road but straightforward Extremely close from platforms May–Aug, around 10,000 pairs
Tjörnes Peninsula North Iceland Combine with Húsavík & whales Easy drive from Húsavík Varies: platforms vs. open cliff edge Summer nesting season
Dyrhólaey & south coast South Iceland Short trips, classic sights Very easy from Ring Road Good but sometimes more distant views Summer, often visible from main viewpoints
Akurey & Lundey islands Near Reykjavík Quick boat tour from city Very easy, short boat ride Seen from boat, not on land Summer tours timed with nesting season

How to choose the right spot for your trip

  • If you want maximum numbers: go for Westman Islands (Heimaey) or Látrabjarg.
  • If you want the safest, closest views: Borgarfjörður Eystri / Hafnarhólmi is hard to beat, especially with kids.
  • If you’re on a short classic route: pick Dyrhólaey on the south coast or a Reykjavík puffin boat tour.
  • If you’re exploring the north: include Tjörnes Peninsula and consider a Húsavík whale‑and‑puffin combo tour.

Puffin‑watching etiquette & safety

  • Stay on marked paths and away from the edge of fragile turf cliffs so you don’t collapse burrows or slip.
  • Never feed puffins or try to touch them; it stresses the birds and can harm them.
  • Use binoculars or a zoom lens instead of walking closer; many of the best sites are designed so you don’t need to approach the nests.
  • Respect local signs about closures or restricted areas, which often protect nesting grounds.

TL;DR: The standout places to see puffins in Iceland are Heimaey (Westman Islands) , Látrabjarg , Borgarfjörður Eystri (Hafnarhólmi) , Tjörnes Peninsula , Dyrhólaey , and Akurey/Lundey near Reykjavík , with the best viewing from June to early August.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.