Farewell, Puffins
As summer draws to a close, most of Grímsey’s puffins have now left the island and headed out to sea for the winter.
A few puffins can still be spotted around the island, while many others are currently still close to Grímsey, resting and feeding in the waters surrounding the island before gradually moving further out to sea for the winter months.
The departure of the puffins marks one of the surest signs that summer on Grímsey is coming to an end. For months, the island has been home to thousands of these much-loved seabirds, creating unforgettable moments for visitors and photographers alike.
One such moment was captured by photographer David Gibbon, who first visited Grímsey in 2023 and has since returned to the island five times. His visits have given him many opportunities to photograph the unique landscapes and wildlife of Grímsey, including this beautiful image of a lone puffin beneath the midnight sun.
While we now say farewell to most of the puffins for the season, their departure is only temporary. We look forward to welcoming them back to Grímsey next spring, around 10 April 2027, when the island will once again come alive with the return of its seabirds.
Until then, we’ll cherish moments like this one — a lone puffin, the midnight sun, and the quiet magic of Grímsey.