Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/ # Grímsey Island – The Best Place in Iceland to Photograph Atlantic Puffins Published on July 17, 2023 [![A Water Drenched Puffin Taking Flight From The Atlantic Puffin Colony Of Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-water-drenched-puffin-taking-flight-from-the-atlantic-puffin-colony-of-grimsey-island-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-water-drenched-puffin-taking-flight-from-the-atlantic-puffin-colony-of-grimsey-island.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) with images contributed by [Robin Lowry](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/robin/). ![An Atlantic Puffin Flies Past Black Basalt Cliffs In Iceland](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/an-atlantic-puffin-flies-past-black-basalt-cliffs-in-iceland.jpg) ## An Introduction to Grímsey Island Iceland has several puffin colonies, but Grímsey Island — sitting right on the Arctic Circle, 40km off the north coast — is the most productive for photography. The colony is large, the birds are confiding, & the island’s position means extended daylight through June & July. 1. ### Grímsey Island is the Puffin Colony The island supports around 10,000 breeding pairs. The birds nest in burrows along the cliff edges & grassy slopes, & are approachable enough for close-range work with a 100–400mm lens. ![A Group Of Puffins From The Atlantic Puffin Colony Of Grimsey Island Set Against The Pink Sky With Icelands Mountains In The Background](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-group-of-puffins-from-the-atlantic-puffin-colony-of-grimsey-island-set-against-the-pink-sky-with-icelands-mountains-in-the-background.jpg) 1. ### Unspoiled Natural Beauty The island’s landscape gives good variety for backgrounds: dark sea cliffs, green grass slopes, & open Atlantic views. Puffins against blue sea or green turf photograph well without needing to do much post-processing. ![A Group Of Puffins On The Waters Off Grimsey Island With Icelands Mountains In The Background](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-group-of-puffins-on-the-waters-off-grimsey-island-with-icelands-mountains-in-the-background.jpg) 1. ### Accessibility & Photography Tours While Grímsey Island may seem remote, it is surprisingly accessible. Regular ferry services run between the mainland & the island, allowing photographers & nature enthusiasts to visit easily. Additionally, photography tours are available, providing valuable insights into the puffins’ behaviour & habitat & ensuring that visitors have the best chance of capturing notable photographs. Our experienced guides know the best spots to find the puffins & understand how to approach them without causing disruptions. ![A Mass Of Puffins Taking Flight From The Atlantic Puffin Colony Of Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-mass-of-puffins-taking-flight-from-the-atlantic-puffin-colony-of-grimsey-island.jpg) 1. ### Puffin Interaction The puffins on Grímsey tolerate photographers at close range provided you sit quietly & let them come to you. This proximity allows tight portraits showing bill detail, feather texture, & eye colour, as well as behavioural shots — bill-fencing, fish delivery, & burrow maintenance. ![A Group Of Puffins From The Atlantic Puffin Colony Of Grimsey Island Set Against The Pink Sky](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-group-of-puffins-from-the-atlantic-puffin-colony-of-grimsey-island-set-against-the-pink-sky.jpg) 1. ### Grímsey Island Offers a Unique Experience Beyond the [puffins](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/puffins/), the island has [Arctic terns](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/arctic-tern/), fulmars, guillemots, & [razorbills](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/razorbill/). The rock formations & coastal views are worth photographing in their own right, particularly in the long evening light. ![A Long Landscape View Of The Orange Lighthouse On The Clifftops Of Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-long-landscape-view-of-the-orange-lighthouse-on-the-clifftops-of-grimsey-island.jpg) #### Can you stay on Grímsey Island? [Grímsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/iceland/) is an isolated & unique destination that offers a unique opportunity for visitors to get away from it all. Although technically part of the Icelandic municipality of [Akureyri](https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/akureyri/), the island is only accessible by air or sea from [Iceland](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/iceland/) & is home to only around 80 people. Staying overnight on the island is possible, with two guesthouses offering accommodations for visitors. While the island is remote, visitors can enjoy notable natural scenery, including cliffs, glaciers, lagoons, & birdlife. There are also some interesting cultural attractions, such as the tiny chapel & a restored lighthouse. For those looking for a real sense of adventure & serenity, staying overnight extends your time with the colony & avoids the ferry schedule limiting your sessions. ![A Trio Of Atlantic Puffins On One Of The Headlands Of Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-trio-of-atlantic-puffins-on-one-of-the-headlands-of-grimsey-island.jpg) #### Who lives on Grimsey Island? [Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/grimsey-island/) is home to around 80 people who are all members of the same small fishing community. Many islanders have lived on Grimsey for generations, & the population comprises people from all walks of life – including fishermen, farmers, entrepreneurs, & those simply looking to get away from the hustle & bustle of city life. The island is a remote & peaceful place, & offers some of the world’s best [puffin photography](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/puffin/) & stargazing opportunities. It is a quiet, remote community with a strong fishing tradition. ![A Group Of Puffins On One Of The Headlands Found On Grimsey Island With Icelands Mountains In The Background](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-group-of-puffins-on-one-of-the-headlands-found-on-grimsey-island-with-icelands-mountains-in-the-background.jpg) #### Conclusion Grímsey is one of the most reliable & accessible [puffin](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/puffins/) photography locations in the North Atlantic. The combination of a large colony, confiding birds, good light, & varied backgrounds makes it worth the journey. ## Which Photography Tours Does NaturesLens Schedule for Photographing the Atlantic Puffins of Grímsey Island? NaturesLens offers an annual [Grímsey Island photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/iceland/); the tour is designed to allow photographers of all levels to add images of the Icelandic [Atlantic Puffins](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-puffin/) to their portfolio. This trip is conducted in June or July when the Icelandic wildlife is most active. Our photography holidays allow photographers to capture strong images of the [Atlantic Puffin](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/iceland/) & many other Icelandic species. During our trips, photographers will also have the opportunity to photograph an array of other wildlife, including a vast selection of species of [seabird](https://natureslens.co.uk/for/seabird/) that call the island home. Our trips are led by experienced wildlife photographers who know the island, the colony, & the best positions for different light conditions. ![A Pair Of Puffins Drifting On The Waters In Front Of The Basalt Cliffs Found All Over Iceland Grimsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/a-pair-of-puffins-drifting-on-the-waters-in-front-of-the-basalt-cliffs-found-all-over-iceland-grimsey-island.jpg) ## Share this post - - - - [![A Walking Red Eyed Tree Frog Photographed In Costa Rica In November 2025](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A-walking-Red-eyed-Tree-Frog-photographed-in-Costa-Rica-in-November-2025-300x225.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/20/costa-rica-photography-tours/) ### [Costa Rica Photography Tours – Small Group Wildlife Focused Travel](https://natureslens.co.uk/2026/01/20/costa-rica-photography-tours/) January 20, 2026 Why our Costa Rica photography tours deliver consistent wildlife opportunities across rainforest, wetlands, cloud forest, & coast. Small groups, flexible… In this article 1. [An Introduction to Grímsey Island](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#an-introduction-to-grmsey-island) 1. [Grímsey Island is the Puffin Colony](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#grmsey-island-is-the-puffin-colony) 1. [Unspoiled Natural Beauty](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#unspoiled-natural-beauty) 1. [Accessibility & Photography Tours](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#accessibility-photography-tours) 1. [Puffin Interaction](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#puffin-interaction) 1. [Grímsey Island Offers a Unique Experience](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#grmsey-island-offers-a-unique-experience) 1. [Which Photography Tours Does NaturesLens Schedule for Photographing the Atlantic Puffins of Grímsey Island?](https://natureslens.co.uk/2023/07/17/grimsey-island-iceland/#which-photography-tours-does-natureslens-schedule-for-photographing-the-atlantic-puffins-of-grmsey-island) ### Author DM [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/) shares practical field notes, trip updates and wildlife photography advice from the NaturesLens programme. Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. 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