Wildlife
Puffins — Iceland's Favorites
The puffin (Icelandic: Lundi) is Iceland's unofficial national bird. About 60% of the world's population (approx. 8–10 million breeding pairs) nest on Iceland's cliffs, especially:
- Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar): The largest colony — millions of birds. Accessible by ferry from Landeyjahöfn (35 min.)
- Látrabjarg (Westfjords): Europe's westernmost point and spectacular 14 km long cliffs. The birds are extremely tame here
- Dyrhólaey (South Coast): Best accessible from the mainland. Puffins in the cliffs directly below the lighthouse
- Borgarfjörður Eystri (East Iceland): Small but very close colony. Viewing platform within arm's reach of the birds
- Grímsey (North Iceland): The only Icelandic island on the Arctic Circle. Puffins, midnight sun, and almost nothing else
The birds are at their breeding sites from May to mid-August. They spend the winter on the open North Atlantic and only come ashore to breed. With their colorful beaks (which fade in winter!), clumsy waddling gait, and frantic wing flapping (they must flap 400 times per minute to stay airborne!), they are irresistible.
Puffins as food? Yes, in Iceland puffins are traditionally eaten — especially on the Westman Islands, where they are caught with nets (an age-old method). The meat is reminiscent of game. For many visitors an ethical dilemma, for Icelanders a tradition. The population is carefully monitored, and hunting is suspended when numbers are low.
Whales
In the waters around Iceland, there are 23 whale species:
| Species | Size | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback Whale | 12–16m | Húsavík, Akureyri | May–October |
| Blue Whale | 25–33m | Húsavík | June–August |
| Minke Whale | 7–10m | Everywhere | Year-round |
| Fin Whale | 18–27m | West Iceland, Húsavík | June–September |
| Orca (Killer Whale) | 6–8m | Snæfellsnes, Westfjords | Winter |
| Sperm Whale | 15–20m | Snæfellsnes | Rare |
| White-beaked Dolphin | 2–3m | Everywhere | May–October |
Whaling: Iceland is one of the few countries still conducting commercial whaling — though increasingly controversial. In 2023, the hunt for fin whales was temporarily suspended after an animal welfare debate, and more and more Icelanders (especially the younger generation) support ending whaling. The whale-watching industry is already significantly more economically important than whaling.
Icelandic Horse — Five Gaits
The Icelandic horse is a unique breed that has been bred in complete isolation for over 1,000 years. In 982, the Alþingi passed a law prohibiting the import of horses to Iceland — this law still applies today! An Icelandic horse that leaves the island may never return, even if it wins an international championship.
The horses master five gaits (most horse breeds only three or four):
- Walk (Fetgangur)
- Trot (Brokk)
- Canter (Stökk)
- Tölt — the most famous gait: An extremely comfortable four-beat gait where the rider sits almost motionless in the saddle while the horse gallops at high speed. It's like sitting on a sofa that moves forward
- Pace (Skeið) — a fast two-beat gait where the legs on the same side move forward simultaneously. Not all Icelandic horses master this gait, and it is considered the "royal discipline"
Icelandic horses are small (130–145 cm), robust, weatherproof, and incredibly sure-footed. Riding tours are offered all over the island — from one-hour rides (from 9,000 ISK/60€) to multi-day herd treks through the highlands.
Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) is Iceland's only native land mammal — it was here before the Vikings, probably having migrated over the ice of the last ice age. Best observed in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords (they are extremely tame here) and at Jökulsárlón. The foxes change to white fur in winter, brown in summer — perfect camouflage.
