Is a penguin that flies? Or a seagull with makeup on? Nope, it’s just an adorable puffin on the coast of Iceland. Seeing puffins in Iceland is an absolute must-do.
Puffins are a point of national pride for Iceland. It’s either that or souvenirs with puffins on them really do sell at record numbers. They’re printed on every mug, tea towel, and t-shirt in Iceland’s souvenir shops.
If meeting a puffin is at the top of your bucket list, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll visit a puffin colony in Iceland’s Eastfjords where you’re guaranteed to see puffins. And not just one hanging out on a cliff, but a whole flock of them. This is a perfect side quest if you’re driving the Ring Road around Iceland.
The Borgarfjarðarhöfn Puffin Colony
Every year, 10,000 puffins descend on a rock in eastern Iceland to nest between mid-April and early August. The puffin colony is tucked away in Borgarfjarðarhöfn, a remote northern fjord in Iceland’s Eastern Region. Borgarfjarðarhöfn means “harbor of the Borgar fjord,” but you might see the location referred to by different names, such as Borgarfjörður eystri or Hafnarhólmi. Putting any of these names in your GPS will take you to the puffin mecca.
Borgarfjarðarhöfn is one of the few places in the world where you can get up close and personal with puffins. Stairs and a boardwalk are built into the hillside so you’re just a few feet away from the arctic birds.
Getting to Borgarfjarðarhöfn
Borgarfjarðarhöfn is a one-hour detour from the Ring Road (two hours round trip). To reach Borgarfjarðarhöfn, veer off Route 1 and jump on Road 94 near the town of Egilsstaðir. Egilsstaðir is the largest town in the Eastern Region with plenty of lodging and dining options. I recommend staying here if you’re looking for somewhere to spend the night nearby.
You’ll drive Road 94 until the literal end of the road, where the puffins will be waiting for you. The drive is mostly uphill as you ascend into the mountainous fjords. You can expect fog in higher elevations, so be cautious and attentive while driving.
The closest village to the puffin colony is Bakkagerði. There are a couple of souvenir shops and a turf-covered house that makes for a great photo opp off the main road.
What to expect
The puffins live on a dome-like rock on the coast. They hang out on the grassy rock and in their burrows before flying out to sea to grab lunch. There are puffins constantly flying on and off the rock. There’s a boardwalk so you can walk up the rock and get as close as possible. Make sure to stay on the path to protect the ecosystem.
Can’t wait to see what the puffins look like? Check out this livestream that films the puffins. (Reminder that the puffins are only seen from mid-April to early August IRL and on the livestream)
Hafnarhús marina
The puffin colony is next to a marina. There are plenty of other seabirds in the water surrounding the rock.
Hafnarhús café
There is a modern cafe that acts as a visitor’s center next to the marina. The cafe serves lunch, treats, and drinks to enjoy before or after you meet the puffins. There is also a bathroom in this building on the bottom floor.
Parking
It costs 1,000 ISK (around 8 USD) to park and visit Borgarfjarðarhöfn. You can pay on the Parka app.
When to go
We visited in the middle of the day in May, around 2 p.m., and saw countless puffins. You have to go between mid-April and early August to see the birds.
It’s been said that sunset is the best time to go because that’s when the puffins return home from fishing, but in the summer, it’s hard to do so because the sun never goes down.
The great thing about this spot is that the puffins can be seen at all times of the day (given that they aren’t sleeping in their burrows) since you’re visiting their home.
Extra detour: Seyðisfjörður
On your way back to Egilsstaðir for the evening, take a detour to Seyðisfjörður, a fjord village with a cool vibe and photogenic reputation. This village is famous for a rainbow street that leads up to a small blue church. There are many food options if you’re looking for something to eat, and a cute souvenir shop in the center of town.
The drive to Seyðisfjörður will take you through a glacier before coming out on the other side to a lush green fjord (in the summer at least!)
Because of its reputation on social media, I think Seyðisfjörður has been overhyped, but if you’re looking for a quintessential Eastfjords town, it’s a good place to stop. It won’t make or break your trip…but the puffins will.
Visiting the puffins in Borgarfjarðarhöfn was the highlight of my trip to Iceland. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them in the comments below so you can have the best experience.
Reply