Iceland is a bird watcher's paradise. Its location in the North Atlantic makes it a popular flight destination for migrating birds and rare species. Large colonies and breeding grounds of various birds are found throughout the country.
The best time for bird watching is from late May through June, when all migrants have arrived and birds are conspicuously defending their territory. The birds seem to enjoy the magical midnight sun just as much as the rest of us.
The birds seem to enjoy the magical midnight sun just as much as the rest of us
Bird enthusiasts have many destinations to choose from in Iceland, most notably the staggering cliffs of the coastline where birds make nests on their stopover.
Two of the most popular bird watching locations are the beautiful Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), renowned for a massive population of the colourful puffin bird and the astoundingly high Látrabjarg cliff located on the westernmost tip of Iceland's Westfjords. At Ingólfshöfði cape in south-east Iceland you can turn bird watching into a day of family fun, riding by tractor and hay cart over black sand beaches to get to the nature reserve. These are just examples of the endless locations optimal for bird watching all over the country.
Whether you prefer bird watching by boat, climbing cliffs to get closer or simply strolling down to central Reykjavík's pond to feed the birds, all bird enthusiasts should find something here to match their interests.