Iceland’s one of those places where it’s surprisingly easy to see wildlife without going too far off the beaten path. The landscape is rugged and remote, but a lot of the animals you’ll want to see—like puffins or whales—are actually pretty accessible. The mix of lava fields, glaciers, cliffs, and coastal waters creates all kinds of habitats, and many species have adapted to life in these extreme conditions over time. Here’s our guide to Iceland wildlife.
You don’t need to be a hardcore wildlife expert to enjoy Iceland. A lot of people come here for the scenery and end up catching sight of seals on the beach or seabirds nesting on cliffs. And because there's a strong focus on protecting the environment, most wildlife experiences are built around keeping things respectful—for the animals and the land. If you're looking for more pratical information for hitting the road, see our sample Iceland itinerary.
Iceland wildlife doesn’t have a huge range, but what you do see here tends to be memorable. There are no reptiles or amphibians, so the focus is really on birds, marine life, and a few land mammals.
Iceland wildlife: a curious Artic Fox © Shutterstock
Iceland doesn’t have a huge variety of land mammals, but the ones you’ll find here have some seriously impressive survival stories. The only mammal that made it to the island on its own is the Arctic fox—everything else, from reindeer to the iconic Icelandic horse, came with people. That makes sense when you think about how remote and rugged this place is.
Out at sea, though, it's a different story. Iceland’s coastal waters are rich with marine life, and whale watching here is some of the best in the world. What sets Iceland's mammals apart are the adaptations they’ve made to handle the extreme conditions.
The Arctic fox is the only land mammal that’s truly native to Iceland. It got here about 10,000 years ago, crossing over frozen sea ice during the last Ice Age. These foxes are small—just 3 to 5 kg—but tough. They live in some of the most unforgiving parts of the country, from windblown highlands to steep coastal cliffs, and their seasonal coats make them masters of camouflage. Brown in summer, snow-white in winter—they know how to disappear into the landscape.
They were once heavily hunted, both for their fur and because people thought they were a threat to livestock. But in the 1990s, they finally got protected status. If you want a good chance of seeing one, head to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords. Foxes there haven’t been hunted for decades, so they’re much more relaxed around people.
Reindeer aren’t native to Iceland, which makes spotting them feel even more surprising. They were brought over from Norway in the 1700s for farming, but that plan didn’t really work out. Instead, the reindeer went wild—and now about 3,000 of them roam East Iceland. In summer, they stick to the highlands, but when winter hits, they move down to lower ground, which is the best time to see them.
Both males and females grow antlers, and they’re built for tough terrain—thick fur, wide hooves that act like snowshoes, and a calm, sturdy presence. If you're hoping to see them, your best bet is winter or early spring around places like Egilsstaðir or Höfn. For more about Iceland's seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Iceland.
Icelandic horse in the "midnight sun" in Akureyri © Shutterstock
The Icelandic horse isn’t just a symbol of the country—it’s part of everyday life. These small but strong horses arrived with the first Norse settlers over 1,000 years ago and haven’t changed much since. Thanks to strict breeding rules and geographic isolation, they’ve kept their pure bloodline intact, and you won’t find any other horses in Iceland—they’re not allowed in.
One of the coolest things about them is the tölt, a unique gait that’s so smooth you could carry a drink while riding. They’re also incredibly hardy, with thick winter coats and an ability to handle just about any terrain. People here genuinely love them, and once you meet one, it’s easy to see why.
Beyond their cultural significance, Icelandic horses offer an unparalleled way to experience the landscape, able to traverse areas inaccessible by vehicle. Their extraordinary hardiness enables year-round riding opportunities through lava fields, glacial rivers, and black sand beaches.
If you're into marine life, Iceland’s waters are some of the best in Europe for seeing whales and dolphins. Over 20 species show up here, including blue whales—the biggest animals on Earth—as well as humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and harbor porpoises. Each species has its own behavior, from humpbacks launching out of the water to orcas working together to hunt.
You’ll also spot seals—harbor and gray seals are common along the coast. They like to haul out on skerries or at times swim up close to boats just to check you out. For the best experience, head to places like Húsavík in the north, known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, or take a tour from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor.
The key is going with a responsible tour company—marine life here still faces real conservation threats, so the focus is on sustainable experiences that let you enjoy these incredible animals without putting them at risk. For more travel advice, see our guide to how to plan a trip to Iceland.
Seals perched on floating glacial ice in a deep blue glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón, Iceland © Travis J. Camp/Shutterstock
If you're into birds, Iceland is one of the best places in Europe to see them. Thanks to its location between North America and Europe, the country has become a stopover—and sometimes a summer home—for over 370 bird species. You’ve got coastal cliffs packed with seabirds, wetlands filled with calls in spring, and highlands that attract rare migratory species. It’s a birdwatcher’s dream.
Puffins are everywhere in Iceland during the summer—on cliffs, in souvenir shops, on postcards. And honestly, they deserve the hype. These little seabirds with their bright orange beaks and awkward waddles are some of the most charming creatures you’ll ever see.
Iceland is actually home to about 60% of the world’s Atlantic Puffin population. That’s over 8 million birds nesting on coastal cliffs between May and August. But they’re more than just cute. Puffins are excellent divers, swimming up to 60 meters deep to catch fish, and they can carry multiple fish in their beaks at once thanks to a clever little hinge in their jaws. They also mate for life and come back to the same burrow every year. You can spot them in places like the Westman Islands, Látrabjarg cliffs, or Dyrhólaey.
These birds are particularly popular with the little ones. If you're heading out with the whole family, don't miss our guide to Iceland with kids.
Arctic Terns are impressive in a whole different way. These sleek white birds make the longest migration of any animal on Earth—around 70,000 kilometers round trip every year, flying from southern oceanic regions to Iceland and back. They show up in May and start nesting right away, filling the skies with their sharp “kria-kria” calls.
They’re beautiful, sure, but also fierce. Walk too close to a nesting site, and they’ll dive-bomb you without hesitation. It’s not personal—they’re just very serious about protecting their young. They also get the unique experience of living through two summers every year, thanks to their route between the poles.
For many Icelanders, the return of the Arctic Terns marks the real start of spring. It’s a sign of seasonal change that people have paid attention to for generations.
Iceland wildlife: two puffins shake beaks © Shutterstock
Ask almost anyone in Iceland, and they’ll tell you—when the Golden Plover shows up, winter is officially over. There’s even a saying for it: “Lóan er komin” (“The plover has arrived”). These medium-sized birds, with their golden-speckled feathers and soft whistling call, are a true sign of spring here.
Golden Plovers spend the winter in places like North Africa and southern Europe, then migrate to Iceland each year to breed. You’ll find them in open moorlands and heaths during the warmer months, where their call becomes part of the everyday summer soundtrack. They love insect-rich areas, so their presence is actually a good sign that the local ecosystem is in decent shape.
One of their most unique attributes is their parenting strategy. If a predator gets too close to the nest, the adult will fake an injury—like a broken wing—to lure the threat away. It’s a clever move and surprisingly convincing.
The Gyrfalcon isn’t just Iceland’s national bird—it’s the kind of raptor that gets serious birders excited. These are the largest falcons in the world, and they’re absolute powerhouses. You’ll see them in a range of colors, from nearly all white to charcoal gray, and each one looks fierce in its own way.
Historically, Gyrfalcons were so prized by nobility that they were literally worth more than gold. In Iceland, about 300–400 breeding pairs stick around year-round, mostly nesting in remote highland areas or on rugged sea cliffs. They're top-tier hunters—able to take down prey as big as geese—and are built to survive the most brutal Arctic winters.
They tend to mate for life and often reuse the same nest sites for generations, so conservation efforts are focused on protecting those areas from disturbance. If you do manage to spot one in the wild, it’s a rare and memorable experience
Humpback whale breaching © Shutterstock
Positioned right where the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans meet, Iceland’s nutrient-rich seas are teeming with diverse species. You’ll find over 20 species of cetaceans, seals, seabirds, and plenty of fish swimming through these waters.
Orcas, or killer whales, are the top predators of the ocean, and they’re a standout attraction in Iceland. With their striking black-and-white appearance and towering six-foot dorsal fins, orcas are hard to miss. These intelligent mammals are commonly spotted off Iceland’s western and southern coasts, especially around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Vestmannaeyjar islands.
What’s fascinating about Iceland’s orcas is their unique hunting techniques. They use a method called "carousel feeding," where the pod works together to trap herring in a tight circle, making it easier to catch. They also engage in beach-rubbing behavior and have distinct vocalizations you won’t find in other populations. Researchers have tracked over 400 individual orcas in Iceland’s waters, with some even returning to the same areas year after year.
In contrast to other regions, Iceland’s orcas have mostly avoided conflict with local fishing interests. Their social structures are also intriguing—these orcas live in matrilineal pods, meaning family groups are passed down through generations.
These massive creatures, reaching up to 16 meters long, are famous for their acrobatic antics—breaching, tail-slapping, and even waving their pectoral fins. That’s part of the reason they’re such favorites among whale watchers, especially in spots like Eyjafjörður and Skjálfandi Bay.
But what really makes humpbacks stand out is their songs. These whales can produce haunting, complex vocalizations that last up to 30 minutes and travel for miles underwater. Each group of humpbacks has its own unique song, which changes year after year. They migrate annually from their northern feeding grounds to tropical breeding areas, covering up to 5,000 miles.
Humpbacks also have massive mouths, lined with 270 to 400 baleen plates, which they use to filter tons of krill and small fish daily. One of their most impressive hunting techniques is bubble-net feeding, where they blow bubbles to trap their prey.
Seltun Iceland Reykjanes © Shutterstock
Minke whales are one of the smallest baleen whales you’ll find in Icelandic waters, but they’re the most reliable species to spot year-round. These sleek, curious whales typically grow between 7 and 10 meters long and are easy to identify by their pointed snouts and distinctive white markings on their pectoral fins. Fayetteville Bay and Reykjavík’s coastal waters are great places to see them, even on shorter whale-watching trips.
Minkes tend to travel solo or in small groups, and they feed on krill, capelin, and sand eels.
While minkes are still commercially hunted in Iceland (unlike many other whale species), whale watching now brings in way more revenue than hunting. These whales are important to the ecosystem and are often quite bold, sometimes approaching boats
The harbor porpoise is Iceland’s smallest cetacean, and it’s known for its shy, elusive nature. These small mammals rarely exceed 1.8 meters in length, and their dark gray backs help them blend into the waters of the coastal fjords and bays they frequent. Unlike the more dramatic whale species, harbor porpoises don’t often leap out of the water—they mostly just show their backs as they surface to breathe.
These porpoises stick around Iceland year-round, especially in the western fjords and southeastern coast, where they hunt for herring, capelin, and other bottom-dwelling fish. Their high-frequency clicks, which are too high-pitched for humans to hear, help them navigate the often murky waters.
Mountain Stapafell in the background at Arnarstapi Village © takepicsforfun/Shutterstock
Iceland’s wildlife is both varied and plentiful. Here are some of the best places to visit in Iceland for unforgettable wildlife experiences.
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of Iceland’s top wildlife destinations, with an impressive range of marine and coastal species. The peninsula is famous for its whale-watching opportunities, and visitors can often spot minke whales, humpbacks, and harbor porpoises in the rich waters. The coastline is also home to thriving seal colonies, particularly at Ytri Tunga beach, where curious harbor seals love to lounge on the black sand beaches. If you’re a birdwatcher, this place is a goldmine—puffins nest here from May to August, along with kittiwakes and fulmars on the rugged cliffs. And, all of this happens with the stunning Snæfellsjökull glacier in the background.
Hornstrandir, Iceland @ Shutterstock
The Westfjords are a bit off the beaten path but well worth the visit if you want to experience wildlife in a more remote setting. At Látrabjarg, Europe’s westernmost point, you’ll find massive cliffs teeming with seabirds, including razorbills, guillemots, and one of Iceland’s most accessible puffin colonies. The fjords in the region also make it a great place to spot harbor and gray seals fishing in the calm waters. If you’re lucky, you might even see an Arctic fox, particularly in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. The isolation of the Westfjords means you’ll often have these places all to yourself.
Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe, and it’s a great spot to experience Iceland wildlife. The park’s eastern regions, especially around Snæfell (not to be confused with Snæfellsjökull), are the best place to see wild reindeer. These animals were introduced in the 18th century and now thrive in the highland meadows. The park’s varied ecosystems also support a range of birdlife, from golden plovers and snow buntings in the highlands to whooper swans in the wetlands. The park’s dramatic landscape—glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanic terrain—creates an amazing backdrop.
Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland is a birdwatcher’s dream © Shutterstock
Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland is a birdwatcher’s dream, especially in spring and summer when over 30 species of waterfowl call it home. Look out for Barrow’s goldeneye, harlequin ducks, and long-tailed ducks. The lake’s name, which means “midge lake,” comes from the abundance of insects in the area, which helps support this thriving birdlife. Aside from the waterfowl, you might also see gyrfalcons, short-eared owls, and great northern divers. The geothermal areas around the lake, with their mud pots and steam vents, add a unique atmosphere.
Husavik and Akureyri are the go-to spots for whale watching in North Iceland, earning a reputation as Europe’s whale-watching capital. In Husavik, traditional wooden boats take you out into Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback whales regularly put on a show with breaching and tail-slapping from April to October. If you're looking for even more excitement, head out from Akureyri for deeper waters in Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, where you can spot massive blue whales during the summer months. You might also encounter orcas, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
The summer months (May to August) are generally the best time for wildlife viewing © Shutterstock
Iceland's location near the Arctic Circle means wildlife viewing really depends on the season. The time of year will impact which animals you’ll see and where you’ll see them. For more practical information, se our Iceland travel tips.
The summer months (May to August) are generally the best time for wildlife viewing. The extended daylight hours—thanks to the midnight sun—give you plenty of time to spot animals, especially marine mammals and birds on the cliffs. The weather tends to be clearer too, which helps with visibility. But, with more people visiting, it can get a bit crowded, and that might disturb the animals.
In contrast, the winter months (September to April) have fewer tourists, which means you might have a more peaceful experience. The snow-covered landscapes make it easier to spot land mammals like Arctic foxes since their dark fur stands out against the white snow. That said, winter does come with challenges. The days are shorter, the weather can be unpredictable, and many species are either migrating or hibernating.
For whale watching, the best time is between May and September, with the peak season running from June to August. This is when rorqual whales, including blue, fin, minke, and humpback whales, migrate through Iceland’s rich waters to feed. Coastal towns like Húsavík and Akureyri become the go-to spots for whale watching, and in midsummer, your chances of seeing whales are over 95%.
If you're into birdwatching, the window for the best viewing is from late April to mid-July. This is when Iceland becomes home to some of Europe’s biggest bird colonies, including puffins. From May to August, puffin numbers reach their peak, with about 8 to 10 million puffins nesting on the coastal cliffs. For gyrfalcons, the best time to spot them is from April to June.
Arctic fox sightings are most common during two periods: early summer (June), when fox kits are first seen outside their dens, and late September to October, when adult foxes transition to their winter coats.
Viewing of an Icelandic Volcano © Shutterstock
Iceland is home to a variety of ecosystems that, despite the country’s often harsh climate, support a surprising range of life.
Iceland’s glaciers and ice caps cover about 11% of the country’s surface, making them an integral part of its landscape. Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, stretches across 8,100 square kilometers—enough to cover entire mountain ranges beneath its icy surface. While these icy expanses might look barren, they’re home to resilient life forms, like specialized mosses, lichens, and tiny microorganisms that thrive in extreme cold. The meltwater from these glaciers feeds into Iceland’s rivers and provides hydroelectric power for much of the country.
Iceland’s volcanic regions are a dramatic reminder of Earth’s ever-changing surface. The Þingvellir rift zone is a visible marker where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and volcanoes like Hekla have historically been seen as gateways to the underworld.
These volcanic landscapes are constantly evolving as new lava fields are created and organisms begin to colonize the fresh volcanic rocks. Heat-loving bacteria thrive in the geothermal soils, while plants like woolly willow and arctic thyme take root. Beyond their scientific importance, these volcanic ecosystems provide renewable geothermal energy, heating 90% of homes in Iceland.
Iceland’s coastal cliffs and offshore islands are critical habitats for millions of seabirds. Látrabjarg, Europe’s largest bird cliff, and the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago are home to globally significant puffin colonies, with Iceland hosting 60% of the world’s Atlantic puffin population. These dramatic, vertical cliffs offer predator-free nesting sites, while nearby feeding grounds in the surrounding waters provide easy access to food. These coastal ecosystems are also home to seal colonies and seasonal habitats for passing whales.
Iceland’s wetlands and lakes are rare but biologically rich areas that provide crucial support to both local wildlife and migratory species. Places like the Þjórsárver wetlands and Lake Mývatn (or "midge lake") are internationally protected and home to a wide variety of wildlife. Lake Mývatn, in particular, supports 28 species of duck—more than anywhere else in Europe. The nutrient-rich waters support complex food webs, from aquatic plants to the dense midge populations that give Mývatn its name
Silfra lagoon, Silfra crack, Thingvellir Lake, Iceland © Shutterstock
Iceland’s landscapes are incredible, and its wildlife is just as fascinating. Ethical wildlife tourism means observing these creatures from recommended distances (at least 50 meters for seabirds, 100 meters for marine mammals) while using binoculars rather than disturbing their habitat.
Certain areas have specific rules to protect wildlife and their habitats. In Vatnajökull National Park, for example, off-trail hiking is not allowed to help protect fragile moss ecosystems where animals like to nest. The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve also has seasonal closures (May-June) during the Arctic fox breeding season to give the foxes the space they need.
The Icelandic Wildlife Fund has worked hard to restore seabird populations, with predator management programs reducing raven numbers around puffin colonies by 30% since 2018. If you want to support these efforts, it’s a good idea to follow ranger instructions and book eco-friendly tours. Tours with the "Vakinn" environmental certification are a great choice, as they donate to conservation efforts. These efforts have helped increase whale sightings in protected fjords by 15%, so your visit can directly contribute to preserving Iceland’s wildlife.
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 24.03.2025
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