Iceland Diary – The Magic of Grímsey’s Puffins in the Arctic Circle

Arrival & First Impressions

Our adventure began in Akureyri, Iceland‘s charming northern town, where we spent our first night before the short hop over to Grímsey Island. With time to spare before our flight, we made the most of the calm conditions to photograph the serene shoreline, capturing high-key images of Eider Ducks, a Red-throated Diver (or “Rain Goose” as some locals call it), & even a Great Northern Diver – their reflections shimmering in the glassy water.

By early afternoon, we were airborne, & within half an hour, we touched down on Grímsey’s compact landing strip – just a stone’s throw from our guesthouse. Almost immediately, we were greeted by the island’s star residents, Grímsey’s Puffins, perched on the cliffs & wheeling overhead like tiny, brightly billed fighter jets.

The overcast skies & lack of wind created perfect conditions for mirror-like reflections at the tarn, where Arctic Terns & Red-necked Phalaropes put on a cracking show.

Cliffside Action & Inland Discoveries

After a leisurely breakfast the next morning (jet lag had done for a few of the group), we headed straight to the dramatic basalt cliffs. Here, puffins darted in & out of their burrows, offering brilliant opportunities for in-flight shots – their bright orange feet & comical expressions making them utterly irresistible subjects.

Inland, the island revealed even more avian treasures: Golden Plovers, Redshanks, Snow Buntings, Black-tailed Godwits, & Common Snipe dotted the meadows. The Arctic Terns, fiercely protective of their nests, provided plenty of drama – diving at anyone daft enough to wander too close to their patch!

As the evening wore on, the clouds began to break, casting soft pastel light over the landscape – a teaser for the spectacular light to come.

Solstice Magic – The Magic of the Midnight Sun & Slow Shutter Experiments

The Summer Solstice – 20th June – was the absolute highlight of our trip. With the sun never properly setting, we had 24 hours of golden light to play with. After a hearty dinner, we nipped back out to the cliffs, where Grímsey’s Puffins crossed against the glittering sea. This was the perfect moment to experiment with slow shutter speeds, creating artistic motion blur as the birds swooped past.

By 9 PM, the light was utterly sublime – warm & diffused. At the tarn, we captured backlit Arctic Terns as they bathed, droplets sparkling like diamonds. Then, just after midnight, a sea mist rolled in, transforming the island into an ethereal dreamscape. Those who stayed up (& let’s be honest, it wasn’t everyone!) were rewarded with an unforgettable sight – a 1 AM sunrise, painting the sky in fiery hues as Grímsey’s Puffins & many Arctic Terns flew against the glowing horizon.

New Species & Coastal Drama

The following morning, we explored the southeastern lighthouse, where puffins mingled with Guillemots & Razorbills on the cliffs. On the rocky shore below, we spotted Purple Sandpipers, Turnstones, Dunlins, & – most excitingly – a Red Phalarope, a first for me on Grimsey!

Back at the tarn, we honed our skills with Arctic Terns skimming the water & Red-necked Phalaropes spinning in tight circles, their delicate forms reflected perfectly in the calm surface.

Day 5 – Windswept Farewell & a Whale of a Time

Our final day brought really blustery conditions – a challenge, but also a brilliant opportunity. The gusts allowed us to capture puffins hovering motionless at eye level along the cliffs, their wings beating like mad against the breeze.

With our flight cancelled due to high winds, we might say this was typical British summer weather, except we were in Iceland, we took the ferry back to Dalvík – & were treated to a spectacular send-off: Humpback Whales & dolphins surfing the waves alongside us!

That evening in Akureyri, we gathered for a final group dinner & chatted about our our favourite images, but more importantly the memories we had created & shared.

From the puffin-covered cliffs to the surreal beauty of the solstice light, Grímsey had delivered the goods time & time again.

Species Photographed on Grímsey Island during our 2025 visit

• Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) – Nesting, flying, feeding
• Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) – Diving, bathing, mid-flight drinking
• Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) – Spinning in tarns
• Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) – Rare as hen’s teeth
• Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima) – Coastal reflections
• Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata) – Calm water portraits
• Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) – Early morning sighting
• Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) – Inland meadows
• Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) – Wetland foraging
• Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) – Ground-level shots
• Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) – Marshy habitats
• Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) – Camouflaged in grass
• Guillemot (Uria aalge) – Cliffside colonies
• Razorbill (Alca torda) – Mixed with puffins
• Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) – Rocky shoreline
• Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) – Beach foraging
• Dunlin (Calidris alpina) – Flitting between rocks
• Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) – Ferry crossing surprise
• Dolphins (Delphinidae spp.) – Showing off in the waves

Why Grímsey Island for Puffins?

With its heaving birdlife, dramatic basalt cliffs, & endless summer daylight, Grímsey is the real thing for wildlife photographers.

NaturesLens has been running trips here for five years – longer than any other UK operator – & our guests always come away with a portfolio bursting with fantastic images of Grímsey’s Puffins.

If you’re after puffins, terns, & a proper Arctic adventure, Grímsey should be at the top of your list.