A Guide to Seeing Puffins in Iceland from Brian O'Keefe

One of the reasons many people put Iceland on their bucket list is to experience the legendary puffins. Puffins only live in certain areas around the world, and Iceland is one of them. Although 60% of the world’s population of puffins lives in Iceland, puffins are not visible throughout all of Iceland. When you visit Deplar Farm in Northern Iceland, you have a chance to add a visit to the legendary Drangey Island to not only experience the puffins but also experience a combination of sightseeing, bird watching, sailing, hiking, and so much more. Recently, our very own Brian O’Keefe participated in this tour and shared with us his experience.

Here is Brian O’Keefe’s behind-the-scenes guide to seeing puffins in Iceland.

Get to Drangey Island

Of all the amazing sights and experiences that Iceland has to offer, my favorite day trip is to a wild, pure rock island that juts out of the ocean like a medieval fortress — Drangey Island, Iceland. The perimeter is 90% sheer cliffs, with one grassy slope, where a trail zig-zags its way to the top. This island is home to over 300,000 puffins. That is hard to imagine! After the Deplar Farm Lodge boat moors at the beginning of the trail, you will see puffins in Iceland in every direction. They are solo on the face of the cliffs, in groups as large as 50 on less vertical slopes and there are thousands in the air, circling the island, dive-bombing for what looks like the pure joy of flying.

Getting to Drangey Island to see puffins in Iceland with Eleven Experience team. 

Keep Your Eyes Open — Puffins Are Fast

Puffins can flap their wings 400 times a minute and can fly at 55 mph. They are great divers and swim as deep as 180 feet underwater to catch small fish. As you climb through the Drangey Island trails, you will see many nest sites. Puffins can mate for life, and they return to the same nest, a tunnel up to 10 feet deep, where the female lays one egg, and both adults take turns incubating.

During my last visit to observe and photograph puffins in Iceland, they had their summer bright and colorful bills, almost parrot-like, with matching orange feet. However, in the winter months, they trade in their colorful bills and feet for dull-colored bills and feet.

Puffins in Iceland with bright colors. 

Spot Puffins On The Water During the Winter Months

In the winter, the land becomes very bitter, frozen, and cold. During these months, puffins transition to spending most of their time on the high seas. Puffins have evolved to drink seawater and are so waterproof that they can bob on the rough ocean and be perfectly comfortable.

Get Up Close and Personal

Measuring only about 10 inches tall, puffins might be the cutest of all birds, and thankfully are not overly afraid of hikers and photographers. There are many puffins in Iceland only 15 feet off the trail. Occasionally, you will see a puffin with a dozen small, eel-like fish in its beak.

When visiting Iceland’s Drangey Island, be sure to take hiking boots, light gloves, a raincoat, a water bottle, light binoculars, and a camera. The hike is fairly strenuous but short, and there are ropes and ladders in places to assist in elevation gain. You do not need to rush, so go at your own pace. Quite often, a local ‘island keeper’ will provide an interesting talk on the history of this remote island (very very interesting), and stories from a lifelong association with puffins.

Puffins in Iceland with bright beaks and feet during summer months.

Schedule Your Tour to Drangey Island, Iceland Today

There are many things to see and do from Deplar Farm, but I highly encourage you to put a visit to this puffin colony as your number one priority.

By: Brian O’Keefe
Angling Product Manager