Iceland’s Best Wildlife Encounters: How to Safely Spot Animals on a Road Trip

Seals

Grey and harbour seals are frequent visitors to Iceland and there are several places in the country where seals are commonly sighted. One of the easiest places to stop for them is at Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon in the south east; these playful creatures are often seen swimming amongst the icebergs. Further west, you’ll find seals at Ytri-Tunga beach in the Snæfellsnes peninsula, while in north Iceland on the Vatnsnes peninsula Illugastaðir is another good bet. All of these locations have ample parking nearby and so incorporating one or more of them into your itinerary is straightforward. Remember, however, though they look cute seals can bite if they feel threatened. Keep your distance and ensure you don’t cause too much of a distraction as you observe them from afar.

Puffins

These comical birds with their rotund shape and colourful beaks delight summer visitors to Iceland. Atlantic puffins come to nest and breed each year, arriving in April and departing en masse around mid-August. Large colonies can be found in numerous places around the country, the largest of which is found in the Westman Islands. Road trippers will be pleased to learn that Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the archipelago, is connected to the mainland by a regular car ferry. From the harbour it’s only a short drive up to the bird hide on the Storhofdi peninsula. Continuing east, another perennial favourite with puffin seekers is at the marina in Borgarfjörður Eystri. Sit quietly to avoid disturbing the birds and you’ll be rewarded with delightful comings and goings.

Reindeer

You might not associate reindeer with Iceland; indeed, they aren’t native to the country. They were introduced from Norway in the late 18th century and since then, no one has ever been quite able to tame them. Though Iceland has proved to be a tough environment for them to flourish, estimates put the current population at around 6000-7000. You’ll only find them in East Iceland. In summer, the herd sticks mostly to the north of Vatnajökull. In winter they tend to gravitate towards the coastal lowlands. Road signs between Dettifoss and Höfn warn motorists to be on the lookout for animals that have strayed onto the road. Thanks to their size, these shy creatures can easily do some damage to your vehicle so it’s wise to stay alert.

Arctic foxes

Iceland’s population of Arctic foxes is about 8000-strong. The greatest concentration is on the remote Hornstrandir peninsula in the Westfjords. However this protected region is not accessible by road. To have a chance of seeing them here you’d need to leave your rental vehicle in Ísafjörður and take a boat trip. There’s a possibility you might see them elsewhere in Iceland, such as on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Though sightings are relatively rare, you can occasionally see them as you drive around this scenic part of West Iceland. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an Arctic fox while driving, pull off the road where it is safe to do so and watch from a respectable distance.

Sheep and horses

While, strictly speaking, these aren’t wild animals, you’ll often see flocks of sheep and herds of horses grazing in fields close to the road. In the warmer months, they’re a common sight. You do need to pay attention, though, particularly when the ewes have lambs in tow - these youngsters aren’t road savvy at all and will wander across the road without a second thought for passing traffic. For this reason, slow down if you see sheep, especially if the lamb has become separated from its mother. Icelandic horses are very handsome and attract admiration from visitors. To avoid endangering other road users, be sure to only stop in designated places. Ask owners before petting or feeding them. 

 All these encounters are good reasons to plan a road trip in Iceland. Why not take a look at the cars Konvin offers and start planning your itinerary today?