Iceland Wildlife Guide

The Atlantic puffin is Iceland's most beloved bird and arguably its most recognisable animal. Each spring, an estimated 8 to 10 million puffins return to Iceland's coastal cliffs to breed, making the country home to roughly 60 percent of the world's entire Atlantic puffin population. They arrive in late April, spend the summer nesting in burrows dug into grassy clifftops, and depart again by mid-August to spend the winter far out at sea in the North Atlantic.

The largest and most accessible puffin colonies are found at Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) off the South Coast, Borgarfjörður Eystri in the East, and the Dyrhólaey promontory near Vík on the South Coast.

The best time to see puffins is June and July, when they are most active at the colony. By early August, the young pufflings begin to fledge, and the adults gradually leave.

Iceland's nutrient-rich waters attract over 20 species of cetacean, making it one of Europe's premier whale watching destinations. The undisputed capital of Icelandic whale watching is Húsavík, a small fishing town on the north coast of Skjálfandi Bay. Húsavík operators report sighting rates above 95 percent in peak season.

Two species of seal breed in Iceland: the harbour seal and the grey seal. Harbour seals are the more common of the two, with an estimated population of around 12,000 animals. Grey seals are larger and less numerous, with a population of roughly 6,000, and tend to favour more exposed rocky coastlines.

Pupping season for harbour seals runs from late May through July, with most pups born in June. This is a sensitive time and visitors should keep a distance of at least 50 metres from seals with pups. Seals are curious animals and may approach you in the water, but on land they are easily spooked — stay low, move slowly, and use binoculars rather than trying to get closer.

The Arctic fox is Iceland's only native land mammal. It arrived thousands of years ago, walking across the frozen sea ice during the last Ice Age, and has been here ever since. Every other land mammal in Iceland — from mice to horses to reindeer — was introduced by humans. The Icelandic Arctic fox population is estimated at around 10,000 animals.

Icelandic Arctic foxes come in two colour morphs: white and blue. White morph foxes turn pure white in winter and brown in summer. Blue morph foxes remain dark brown or charcoal year-round. The blue morph is more common in Iceland's coastal areas.

Reindeer are not native to Iceland. They were introduced from Norway in the late 18th century. Today, an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 wild reindeer roam the highlands and lowlands of East Iceland — and only East Iceland. Despite multiple attempts to establish herds elsewhere, reindeer have never taken hold outside the eastern quarter of the country.

Autumn and early winter is the best time to see reindeer, as they migrate down from the highlands and gather in large groups on lower farmland where they are visible from roads. The best area for sightings is along Route 1 between Egilsstaðir and the Berufjörður pass, and on highland roads like Route 910 toward Snæfell in summer.

Iceland has recorded over 330 bird species, a remarkable number for a subarctic island. Arctic terns are ubiquitous in summer and famous for their aggressive defence of nesting sites — they will dive-bomb anyone who walks too close, striking heads with sharp beaks. If you see warning signs about nesting terns, take them seriously and hold a stick or hat above your head as a decoy.

The golden plover is traditionally regarded as the herald of spring in Iceland, and its arrival in late March or April is celebrated as the first sign of warmer days ahead. Eider ducks are culturally significant — farmers have harvested eiderdown for centuries, carefully collecting the soft breast feathers after chicks have fledged.