Wildlife in Iceland
Including Dyrhólaey Cliffs, Faxaflói Bay, and Grímsey Island. On the map.
The vibe
Watching puffins nest on jagged sea cliffs and whales breach in icy fjords delivers an intimate, uncommercialized encounter with nature. Early summer provides the highest animal activity and nesting peaks along the coastlines. You pull off the main road to scan the horizon with binoculars alongside a handful of other travelers, feeling entirely removed from mass tourism.
Dyrhólaey Cliffs
Mýrdalshreppur
Stanisław Soluch / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A massive volcanic promontory on Iceland's south coast featuring a iconic stone arch and grassy clifftops that transform into bustling nesting grounds for puffins, fulmars, and arctic terns during the summer months.
Access. Reachable via a paved/gravel road from the Ring Road near Vík; walking paths lead across the headland.
Notes. Cliffs are occasionally closed during peak nesting season (early summer) to protect sensitive bird species—check local signage.
Faxaflói Bay
Iceland
This rich coastal bay situated just off the shore of Reykjavík provides prime habitat for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Nutrient-rich Arctic currents make it a reliable feeding ground for marine mammals throughout the warmer months.
Access. Whale-watching boat tours depart daily from the Old Harbour in downtown Reykjavík.
Notes. Tours run year-round, but summer offers calmer seas and higher species diversity. Dress warmly in waterproof gear provided by operators.
Grímsey Island
Northeastern Region
Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Straddling the Arctic Circle off Iceland's northern coast, this remote island is a sanctuary for hundreds of thousands of seabirds, most notably dense and fearless colonies of nesting Atlantic puffins. The dramatic grassy sea cliffs provide an authentic high-Arctic wildlife experience.
Access. Reached via a scheduled ferry from Dalvík or by domestic flight from Akureyri.
Notes. Extreme weather can disrupt transport; summer is the only reliable window for puffin viewing.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður
Jeremy Goldberg jeremy / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Floating icebergs fill this deep coastal lagoon, which has become a primary feeding and resting area for large numbers of wild harbour seals. The seals can often be spotted bobbing among the ice or hauled out on floating blocks of blue glacier ice.
Access. Located directly off the Ring Road in southeast Iceland; easily viewed from the shore or via dedicated zodiac boat tours.
Notes. Do not attempt to touch or approach hauled-out seals too closely to avoid causing stress.
Látrabjarg Cliffs
Vesturbyggð
No machine-readable author provided. Herbert Ortner assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Europe's largest bird cliff is a dramatic nesting ground for millions of seabirds, most famously thousands of approachable Atlantic puffins. Perched on the westernmost point of Iceland, the sheer rock faces plunge directly into the roaring Atlantic Ocean.
Access. Accessible by car via unpaved roads in the Westfjords during the summer months; short walks along the clifftops provide direct viewing.
Notes. Best visited between late May and mid-August when puffins are nesting. Stay well back from the crumbly cliff edges for safety.
Skjálfandi Bay
Iceland
rheins / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland, this northern bay sees frequent visits from majestic blue whales, humpbacks, minke whales, and playful pods of white-beaked dolphins. The deep waters fed by glacial rivers create exceptionally rich marine biodiversity.
Access. Traditional oak boat and rib boat tours depart regularly from the harbour town of Húsavík.
Notes. Peak whale-watching season runs from May to August when plankton blooms attract massive marine life.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula Seal Colonies
Snæfellsbær
Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The rugged basalt coastline of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula—particularly around Ytri Tunga—features expansive golden sand beaches where large colonies of harbour seals haul out year-round. Visitors can frequently observe dozens of seals resting or swimming playfully in the shallow surf.
Access. Easily accessible via paved roads from the Ring Road, with a short walk from the parking area to the seal-watching beach.
Notes. Maintain a respectful distance (at least 20–30 meters) to avoid disturbing the resting animals.