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Nature & Wildlife Photography Holidays & Tours - All Financially Protected

Puffins of Iceland Photography Holiday

28th Jun. - 5th Jul. 2027 - £2449

Europe (inc. UK) - Guided By Robin Lowry

One of the Atlantic Puffins of Grímsey Island, Iceland, photographed with a beak full of Sandeels

Puffins of Iceland - 28th Jun. - 5th Jul. 2027 - £2449

Reserve with a deposit of £500

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Grímsey Island is probably the best location in the world to capture two specific types of images: the first is puffins under the midnight sun, for which the location is unparalleled, & the second is puffins in flight, the results of our guests demonstrate time & again the suitability of Grímsey Island for getting those perfect ‘in-flight’ images!


Soaring cliffs
surround Grímsey Island, located off the coast of & the southwest side features magnificent basalt columns; this is one of the best places to photograph the Atlantic Puffins of . The vegetation is abundant & consists of marshland, grass & moss. Thousands of seabirds live on the island, such as white wagtails, snow buntings, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, & an abundance of puffins & terns. Seals & whales may also be found in the vicinity.

Grímsey Island has become widely regarded as one of the best places in Iceland to photograph & see puffins and one of the very best places in the world to photograph Atlantic Puffins in flight.

NaturesLens has been running trips to Grímsey Island for 5 years. We were the first UK operator to schedule trips to the island, & our guides & guests have produced some amazing imagery, which can be seen in our gallery area.

The property we will be staying in on Grímsey is ideally located close to the bird cliffs. It is clean & simple. We have chosen to base this workshop on the island for six days & five nights; this will give participants the freedom & flexibility to photograph wherever, whenever, & whatever they choose during the 22 hours of daylight available each day.

We have arranged to take one of the Grímsey Island guesthouses in its entirety for our group & we have planned our trip to coincide with the Atlantic Puffin nesting cycle.

Throughout this photography holiday, Robin, a member of the NaturesLens guiding team, will be on hand to guide & lead you. Robin will provide assistance & advice as needed & help you develop your skills. Robin will help you capture images of the Atlantic Puffins of the Arctic Circle & much of the other birdlife found on Grímsey Island.

Where is Grímsey Island?

Grímsey is a small Icelandic island located off the north coast of the main island of Iceland; Grímsey Island is the only place in Iceland within the Arctic Circle. The seascapes, including an array of wildflowers, are fabulous & the dramatic Arctic light makes for some superb, creative photography.

The Grímsey Island nature reserve offers excellent scenery for photography. Standing at the 66th parallel & enjoying the benefits provided by the light & hues of the Midnight Sun is an experience that any serious photographer should not miss.

A Group Of Atlantic Puffins On One Of The Headlands Of Grímsey Island

Puffins of Iceland Photography Holiday Itinerary

The following is the proposed itinerary for this photography holiday, it should be considered provisional & subject to change.

  • Day 1 - Assemble Akureyri - overnight Akureyri
  • Day 2 - transfer to Grímsey Island, photography on & around Grímsey Island - overnight Grímsey Island
  • Day 3 - Day 6 - Photography on & around Grímsey Island - overnight Grímsey Island
  • Day 7 - Photography On & Around Grímsey Island - transfer to Akureyri - overnight Akureyri
  • Day 8 - transfer to Akureyri Airport
A Puffin Takes Flight From One Of The Headlands Of Grímsey Island

Puffins of Iceland Photography Holiday Highlights

We have taken care to refine the itinerary for this wildlife photography holiday; as such, we consider the following to be amongst the highlights of this tour.

  • Photography during the 22 hours of daylight that will be available each day allowing for creative photography
  • Photograph the Atlantic Puffins at a location considered to be one of the very best places in the world to photograph Puffins in flight
  • Flexible itinerary to allow photography of other native wildlife as well as landscape images
  • Stay on a remote island where the birdlife outnumbers the human inhabitants
  • Stay for 7 nights on a full board, shared basis (single supplement is available on a paid-for basis)
  • Our guesthouse accommodation is is ideally located close to the bird cliffs
  • Guided by Robin for NaturesLens
A Puffin swimming in the water under the black cliffs of Grímsey Island

What Do You Need To Bring With You?

Here is a list of items we recommend that you bring. While you must bring some of these items (i.e. passport if you are traveling from abroad), please note that many of the items listed below are only recommendations & are not a requirement.

Recommended Clothing

Recommended Clothing – the following is a guide as to what clothing you may require throughout this photography holiday, the list is not exhaustive & you do not require absolutely everything on this list, should you have any questions, please contact us via email or phone.

Sunglasses, lightweight waterproof over-trousers, lightweight waterproof jacket, jacket suitable for a mixed climate, sturdy boots suitable for a mixed climate, layers of neutral coloured clothing suitable for a mixed climate & hat to protect from sun

Recommended Camera Equipment

Recommended Camera Equipment – the following is a guide as to what camera equipment you may require throughout this photography holiday, the list is not exhaustive & you do not require absolutely everything on this list, should you have any questions, please contact us via email or phone.

Medium zoom lens in the range of 70-200mm, telephoto zoom lens in the range of 200-600mm, card reader, 100-400mm, notebook or laptop, 150-500mm or 150-600mm, portable hard-disk drive or SSD for storage of your images, 17-40mm or 24-105mm, mirrorless or DSLR camera body, wide angle lens in the range of 16-35mm, spare mirrorless or DSLR camera body, long prime lens in the range of 500mm, tripod & 600mm or 800mm

A Puffin arrives back on Grímsey Island with a beak full of Sandeels

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance – it is a requirement when booking on any wildlife photography holiday scheduled by NaturesLens that you have adequate travel insurance, we suggest a policy from TrailFinders or Campbell Irvine.

An Arctic Tern Shaking Off Water, Photographed In It's Natural Habitat On Grímsey Island, Iceland

What is Included & Excluded on the Puffins of Iceland Photography Holiday?

Before booking the Puffins of Iceland photography holiday, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the inclusions & exclusions for the trip. Understanding these lists will give you a clear idea of what to expect during your wildlife photography adventure.

It's not just Puffins!

Grímsey Island, located off Iceland’s northern coast, is a bird photographer’s paradise, offering opportunities to photograph numerous species besides the iconic Atlantic Puffin. Photographers may be able to capture images of Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Murres, & Razorbills nesting along the cliffs, while Arctic Terns & Northern Fulmars glide overhead. The island also hosts Thick-billed Murres, Guillemots, & occasional sightings of migrants like the Snow Bunting or Red-necked Phalarope. Seabirds such as the Gannet & Great Skua can also be observed, along with various gull species, including the Glaucous Gull. With its rich avian diversity, Grímsey Island provides photographers with a stunning array of subjects against dramatic Arctic landscapes.

A Sanderling Amongst The Grass, Photographed In Their Natural Habitat On Grímsey Island, Iceland
A Female Common Eider Stretches It's Wings, Photographed In It's Natural Habitat On Grímsey Island, Iceland
A Fabulous Meadow Pipit Another Of The Residents Of Grímsey Island
A European Golden Plover In Golden Light Found On Grímsey Island During The Summer Months
A Trio Of Paired Black Legged Kittiwakes On One The Seabird Cliffs Of Grímsey Island
A Plethora Of Birds Of Different Types On One The Seabird Cliffs Of Grímsey Island
An Oystercatcher Comes In To Land, Photographed In It's Natural Habitat On Grímsey Island, Iceland
A Common Ringed Plover, Photographed In It's Natural Habitat On Grímsey Island, Iceland
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 32
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 41
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 30
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 29
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 28
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 26
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 13
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 12
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 11
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 09
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 08
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 06
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 05
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 03
Photograph the puffins of Grimsey Island with NaturesLens in 2025 – 02
A Puffin in flights against the black cliffs of Grímsey Island

Single Occupancy is available for this trip, shared rooms are standard

While shared rooms are the default option for this journey, we also offer the choice of single occupancy for those who prefer private accommodation. The additional cost for a single room is £300, ensuring your comfort & privacy throughout the trip. Please let us know your preference at the time of booking, as availability may be limited. All other aspects of the trip, including activities & meals, remain the same regardless of your room choice.

A Duo Of Silhouetted Atlantic Puffins, Photographed In Their Natural Habitat On Grímsey Island, Iceland

Transfer between Akureyri & Grímsey Island

For your journey to Grímsey Island, we recommend flights from Akureyri. While these flights are not included in the tour package, they offer a convenient & fast way to reach the island. However, we understand situations can change due to fully booked flights or unpredictable weather.

To ensure your travel experience remains smooth, there is a reliable backup option: the ferry. Departing from Dalvik, 40 miles further up the coast from Akureyri, the ferry service provides an alternative means of reaching Grímsey Island, should circumstances change.

Additional Information

NaturesLens photography holidays do not include flights unless it is explicitly stated on the event page. When it is time to book your flights, we will send you the details in plenty of time to allow for bookings at the best available price.

The photography holiday itinerary is subject to change & is to be considered provisional.

NaturesLens photography holidays require a minimum number of participants in order to be viable. If this minimum number is not met, the photography holiday may not go ahead.

In the event that the minimum number for a photography holiday to go ahead is not reached, NaturesLens reserves the right to cancel any given photography holiday. In that event 100% of monies received will be returned. However, NaturesLens is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.

Not all mentioned wildlife can be observed & photographed at all times of the year, thus some activities may be considered seasonal & not available.

Please note the cuisine on many of the NaturesLens photography holidays is authentic & typical of the region in which you are travelling. International or western cuisine is often NOT available. If you have any concerns over the food arrangements or have any special dietary requirements, please contact us prior to making a booking.

All personal luggage are the responsibility of the owner & we request that photography holiday participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag & tripod. We do not wish to appear dictatorial in this matter & the request is made to ensure space & comfort for everyone in our vehicles.

NaturesLens & its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, & as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause.

NaturesLens reserves the right to substitute hotels, & other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience.

NaturesLens reserves the right to pass on to photography holiday participants any additional & unplanned expenditure incurred during a photography holiday, via events beyond the control of NaturesLens. NaturesLens reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a member of any photography holiday.

Payment of a deposit by photography holiday participants or their representative constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.

All bookings are made subject to our terms & conditions.

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