More than half (55%) of UK travellers are eager to experience birdwatching on their next trip, and pop star Ariana Grande has called it her latest obsession. This surge in interest has led to a boom in puffin-watching tours in Iceland, where the birds are an unofficial national icon.
Puffin Tours on Vestmannaeyjar
GetYourGuide now runs excursions to the island of Vestmannaeyjar, home to up to a million puffin pairs. The tour includes a ferry ride past 'the loneliest house in the world' and a visit to the Stórhöfði lookout, where visitors can watch the birds bicker, swoop, and vanish into burrows.
Bjørn Penk, a writer for the Reykjavík Grapevine, noted: 'Post-pandemic, something shifted in how people want to spend their time: slowly, outdoors, with their attention pointed at something real and unpredictable.'
Iceland's Tourism Transformation
Iceland's tourism industry has grown dramatically since the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. Passenger numbers at Reykjavík International have risen from around 500,000 before the eruption to over 2 million today. British Airways reported that searches to Reykjavík rose by 74% on 25 June 2026 compared to the previous week.
The country now boasts hotels, smooth transport links, and a new airport, with a general vibe that visitors are actively welcomed.
Other Activities and Accommodation
For those who prefer not to birdwatch, the South Coast, Plane Wreck, & Beach ATV Tour offers a spin around black sand beaches and the wreck of a US Navy plane. The Sky Lagoon provides a seven-step geothermal spa ritual: Lagoon, Cold Plunge, Sauna, Cold Mist, Body Scrub, Steam Room, and Crowberry Juice.
Accommodation at Grandi by Center Hotels starts at £134 a night, with buffet breakfast and spa access. The Puffin and Volcano Tour starts at £200, the ATV tour from £219, and Sky Lagoon from £87. Flights from London start at £106 on EasyJet or £221 on Icelandair.
