Westman Islands Wildlife
Westman Islands Wildlife
You’ll find one of the largest puffin populations in Iceland on Heimaey. Common Guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake, Manx shearwater, fulmar, and numerous gulls are also found in large numbers but due to food shortage and changing sea conditions, many bird species are struggling to successfully raise their chicks.
A boat ride around the islands will allow you a closer look at some of the impressive caves and cliffs, as well as the cliff-nesting birds.
These can also be observed from land at Kaplagrjota (the Horse’s crevasse), a narrow gully where horses were thrown into the ocean during the Middle Ages when it was forbidden to eat horsemeat and only 16 horses were allowed on the island at a time.
Storhofdi, the prominent headland at the southern tip of Heimaey offers the most accessible puffins, with a special viewing platform.
On your walks around the island watch for cetaceans, which can often be seen around the islands, particularly orca, harbor porpoises and minke whales.