Puffin watching in West Iceland is one of those rare experiences that feels both magical and completely real at the same time. Standing on a windswept cliff, watching these colorful little seabirds glide in from the ocean with beaks full of fish, is unforgettable. To keep it that way—for both visitors and the puffins—it’s important to follow a few simple best practices.
Below you’ll find practical tips for ethical puffin watching, along with how to make the most of your trip by staying at comfortable, well-located bases like Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords, all part of Ourhotels.is.
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Puffin Watching in Iceland: Respect Comes First
Puffins are wild seabirds that spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to land to nest and raise their chicks. In Iceland, they usually arrive in late April and stay until mid-August, with the peak viewing season from June to early August. During this time, they are busy feeding their young and are easily disturbed.
To enjoy puffin watching responsibly:
1. Keep a Safe Distance
Stay on marked paths and viewing platforms whenever they are available. Puffin burrows are often just beneath the surface of the grassy cliffs, and walking too close can collapse their nests. Use binoculars or a zoom lens instead of trying to get close with your phone.
2. Never Touch or Chase Puffins
Puffins may look tame, but they are not pets. Avoid trying to touch, feed, or follow them. Stress can cause them to abandon their nests or waste precious energy they need for feeding and flying.
3. Stay Quiet and Move Slowly
Loud noises and sudden movements can frighten puffins and other seabirds. Speak softly, move gently, and avoid running or waving your arms near nesting areas. This is especially important if you’re visiting with children—turn it into a “quiet nature detective” game.
4. Protect the Cliffs and Burrows
Do not sit or lie on the very edge of the cliffs, and avoid stamping or jumping on grassy areas near the edge. Puffin burrows are fragile tunnels; collapsing them can injure birds or destroy their nests.
5. No Flash Photography
If you’re taking photos, turn off the flash. Bright bursts of light can disturb the birds, especially in low light conditions. A tripod or image stabilization and a zoom lens will give you better photos without stressing the puffins.
6. Leave No Trace
Take all your rubbish with you, including food wrappers and tissues. Microplastics and litter can harm seabirds and marine life. Stick to existing paths to prevent erosion and protect the delicate coastal vegetation.
7. Respect Local Rules and Guides
Many of the best puffin spots are on private land or in protected areas. Always follow signs, barriers, and instructions from local guides. If a section is closed, it’s usually to protect nesting birds or unstable cliffs.
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Where to Stay for Puffin Watching in West Iceland
West Iceland and the Westfjords offer some of the most dramatic puffin-watching locations in the country. Staying in the right place makes it easier to catch the best light, avoid crowds, and enjoy the slower pace of coastal life. Ourhotels.is offers several comfortable bases that put you within reach of excellent puffin habitats and scenic day trips.
Hvítá Inn – A Peaceful Base in Borgarfjörður
Hvítá Inn, in the Borgarfjörður region near Borgarnes, is an ideal starting point for exploring West Iceland. While puffins are more commonly seen on sea cliffs and islands further out, staying at Hvítá Inn gives you:
– Easy access to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where you can join puffin and birdwatching tours from various harbors.
– A calm countryside setting along the Hvítá river, perfect for unwinding after a day of coastal exploration.
– A convenient location if you’re driving from Reykjavík and planning a multi-day puffin and nature itinerary in the west.
From Hvítá Inn, you can plan a day trip to the coast or continue north and west, combining puffin watching with waterfalls, lava fields, and hot springs.
Stykkishólmur Inn – Gateway to Puffin-Rich Islands
Stykkishólmur, on the northern side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is one of the best bases in West Iceland for boat tours and island birdlife. Stykkishólmur Inn places you right in the heart of this charming harbor town.
Staying at Stykkishólmur Inn means:
– You’re within walking distance of boat tours that explore nearby islands, where puffins and other seabirds nest on cliffs and rocky outcrops.
– You can join guided tours that combine puffin watching with sea angling, island walks, or nature photography.
– You can enjoy early-morning or late-evening light on the harbor and surrounding islands—often the most beautiful and peaceful times for wildlife watching.
By choosing Stykkishólmur Inn through Ourhotels.is, you can easily plan a puffin-focused day on the water, then return to a comfortable room and good local dining options.
Ísafjörður Inn – Puffins and Dramatic Cliffs in the Westfjords
For those who want to experience some of Iceland’s wildest landscapes, Ísafjörður in the Westfjords is a fantastic choice. Ísafjörður Inn offers a cozy base in the region’s main town, surrounded by steep mountains and deep fjords.
From Ísafjörður Inn, you can:
– Join boat tours to nearby islands and coastal cliffs where puffins and other seabirds nest in large numbers.
– Explore remote fjords and headlands, where you may encounter puffins, guillemots, and razorbills in a more secluded setting.
– Combine puffin watching with hiking, kayaking, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the Westfjords.
The Westfjords are less crowded than many other parts of Iceland, which often means a more intimate and peaceful puffin-watching experience—especially if you go with a local guide who knows the best spots and how to approach them responsibly.
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Planning Your Puffin Watching Trip with Ourhotels.is
When planning a puffin-focused journey in West Iceland, it helps to think in terms of “bases” rather than rushing from one end of the country to the other. Ourhotels.is makes this easy:
– Start in the west at Hvítá Inn near Borgarnes, exploring inland nature and day trips toward the coast.
– Move on to Stykkishólmur Inn for boat tours and island puffin watching on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
– Continue to Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords for dramatic cliffs, remote fjords, and quieter bird colonies.
By staying in these well-placed inns, you can enjoy puffin watching at a relaxed pace, with time to appreciate the landscapes, local culture, and other wildlife along the way.
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Ethical Puffin Watching Benefits Everyone
Following best practices isn’t just about protecting puffins; it also improves your own experience. Birds that feel safe behave more naturally, giving you better opportunities to observe and photograph them. Respecting paths, cliffs, and local rules helps keep these places open and accessible for future visitors.
When you choose accommodations like Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn through Ourhotels.is, you’re also supporting local communities that depend on sustainable tourism. That, in turn, encourages ongoing protection of the very habitats that make puffin watching in Iceland so special.
By traveling thoughtfully, keeping your distance, and letting the puffins live their wild lives undisturbed, you’ll leave with memories—and photos—that truly reflect the magic of West Iceland’s coasts and cliffs.
