Iceland, Grímsey Island – Puffins in the Arctic Circle | Wild Photography Holidays - Photography & Adventure Travel

Iceland, Grímsey Island – Puffins in the Arctic Circle

Highlights include…

• Puffins in the Arctic Circle
• Peak time for birds in Iceland
• Fabulous spring flowers
• Vibrant village life
• One base for five days
• Grímsey Island
• Hrísey Island
• Midnight sun
• Dramatic light
• Flight across Iceland
• Flight from Grímsey

Introduction

Who doesn’t love Puffins? Grímsey is a remote island in the Greenland Sea sitting on the Arctic Circle and is home one of Iceland’s biggest Puffin colonies with around half of the world’s population breeding in Iceland. Estimated at 2–3 million breeding pairs it’s the most common bird in the country. Every year millions of seabirds come to Grímsey to nest. Indeed, in addition to the lovely Icelandic landscape, Grímsey’s main attraction is the birds and especially the North Atlantic Puffin. Having photographed throughout Iceland for many years we are certain that Grímsey is the best place in Iceland to photograph these incredibly colourful characters.
In addition to Puffins there are many other species of bird nesting on Grímsey. It’s an excellent place to photograph Razorbills. Common Murre are plentiful on the cliffs, as are Northern Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Golden Plovers and Ringed Plovers. Common Snipe breed around the guesthouse and Arctic Terns are our neighbours too. Red-necked Phalaropes are a special treat for most bird photographers, they are very approachable and prolific on Grímsey where they can be generally spotted in a state of perpetual mating frenzy on the village ‘pond’.
This is a wonderful opportunity to relax for several nights in just one comfortable base with most locations within gentle walking distance. There will be fine opportunities to work on your creative bird images with the added bonus of dramatic midsummer light. Re-visiting the different bird colonies will give participants a unique opportunity of refining and working on both creative and technical skills. Our photographic tutors will always be on hand to work with you at whatever level you prefer, from beginner to professional. This is a unique and relaxed opportunity for all who love to spend time in the remote and unspoilt areas of Iceland photographing birds.

Guides & Tutors

The 2026 departure will be led by Geraldine Westrupp and Martin Sammtleben.

All images in the Puffins gallery belong to them exclusively and were taken on either Grímsey or Hrísey Islands. Until recently both lived in Iceland for a long time and they have intimate knowledge of all things Icelandic although recently they relocated to live in the mountains of North Wales, UK. During this holiday they will safely guide you to the different locations and work with you photographing birds creatively and also in flight. Together their knowledge and understanding of both Icelandic Birds and Landscapes is extensive and it gives them great joy to share this knowledge with our guests.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Reykjavík

Transfer from the international airport to our group hotel in the city. Both the transfer and hotel will be included in the price of the holiday. Dinner will be your own shout, there are plenty of restaurants close to the hotel which is in the city centre.
Hotel

Day 2: Akureyri & Hrísey

In the morning after breakfast there will be a single group transfer to Reykjavik’s domestic airport for the Icelandair 11.05 flight (TBC) from Reykjavík’s domestic airport to Akureyri. The guides will be there to meet you at Akureyri airport. We will drive for around 45 mins to Dalvík for lunch and to check into our hotel close to the Grímsey ferry terminal. If the weather is suitable we will take the late afternoon ferry to the island of Hrísey which takes just 15 mins. Around forty bird species nest in Hrísey, some can only be counted in a few pairs while others are in thousands. The main reason for this unusually large concentration of birds is that all hunting and gathering of eggs is banned plus there are no predators such as foxes, minks, mice or rats. The Ptarmigan is a protected species on Hrísey, although it is hunted elsewhere in Iceland. Waders have breeding colonies and a large number of Black Guillemot nest and fish in the harbour. Weather permitting we will enjoy photographing in the evening light and enjoy a meal in the local bar before returning on the last ferry
Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 3: Ferry to Grímsey

This morning after breakfast we take the 09:00 ferry (3 hrs) to Grímsey Island where we’ll be staying for 5 nights. The ferry journey is a fine opportunity to see some stunning vistas of North Iceland. On past sailings we have seen whales en route. Our accommodation is a guesthouse close to the sea cliffs and is only a short walk from the village. This will be our home for the next 5 nights. We have the whole house for ourselves which means that everyone can have their own room or people travelling together can share one of the larger rooms. There are shared facilities in the guesthouse, one bathroom on the lower floor and one on the upper floor of the house. This is a clean and comfortable guesthouse in a fabulous location, a great base for our workshop. After settling in we will begin our exploration of this serene island which is basically just one giant bird colony.
Guesthouse (B,L,D)

Days 3–8: Grímsey Island

Grímsey is the northernmost inhabited Icelandic territory, just 5 square kilometres with around sixty residents and it is located on the Arctic Circle. The north Atlantic current brings some warmth from the Gulf of Mexico, promoting a surprisingly mild climate. Most of the time we will be walking to our locations although we will have a vehicle coming on the ferry with us. This will allow some of the further away places to be visited more easily. The islanders live in a small village by the harbour, a vibrant community with many children. The chorus of seabirds, never stops during the 24 hour long day, there is no night in Grimsey during the summer, not until late July when twilight begins to descend around midnight. The birds nest in the high cliffs that surround the whole island, except by the harbour.
The landscape of the island is green and grazed by sheep. There are also a small number of goats who live a fairly wild life. Tracks and paths criss cross the island and the cliff tops will be festooned with spring/summer flowers during our visit. There is a fine orange lighthouse at the island’s southernmost point and many beautiful basalt columns formations along the south-west shore of the island. The place where the Arctic circle crosses Grímsey is marked by a striking globe designed by the artists Kristinn E. Hrafnsson in collaboration with Studio Granda. The sheer cliffs that surround Grímsey are an incredible spectacle and it is here where we will spend much of our time. We will be able to get very close to all of the bird species in some very out there locations.
Guesthouse (B,L,D)

Day 8: Homeward flights

This morning after breakfast participants will fly directly on the 08.25 flight from Grímsey to Akureyri where it will be possible to catch a connecting flight to Reykjavík. The tiny Grímsey airport is right next to the guesthouse although there are very few flights. By using flights rather than ferries/driving we save hours on the long journey back to Reykjavík. There are limited international flights direct to Akureyri so it is worth checking this option too.

What’s Included

• 7 nights accommodation
• All meals except Day 1
• Flight Reykjavík-Akureyri Day 2
• Flight Grimsey-Akureyri Day 8
• Flybus transfer on Day 1
• Ferries to Grímsey & Hrísey islands
• Transfers from Akureyri Airport Day 2

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Drinks and snacks between meals
• Soft- & alcoholic drinks
• Flybus transfer day 8
• Anything not listed as included

Further details will be available soon in our trip description PDF.