Detail
July 25th – 30th, 2027
(Sold Out)
Join us for a wonderful group trip to a small island north of the Arctic Circle in Iceland to photograph puffins. There are 1.5 million birds here during this time of year.
Grimsey Lighthouse
Grimsey is home to half of the nesting puffins in Iceland. This is the time that they are on-shore raising their young. Often flying in with small fish stacked neatly in their beaks. Grímsey is also home to cliff nesting birds like Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemots, and Murre. Grímsey has many fields with nesting Terns. Commonly seen in Grímsey are also birds like Red-necked Phalarope, White Wagtail, and Snow Buntings.
The island is small, but it will cover our basic needs. There is a grocery store (only opens 1 hour per day), a restaurant that opens at noon until after dinner, and a gift shop.
Travel Logistics: You can fly from the US to Iceland’s International Airport (KEF) in Keflavik. Then you must transition from the International Airport to Reykjavik’s Domestic Airport. You can spend the night in Reykjavik or continue to Akureyri Airport (AEY) (services by Icelandic Air) and spend the night there. From Akureyri, there are two ways to get to Grimsey Island. You can take the ferry or a domestic flight.
Ferry: On the ferry, it takes a little longer, the cost of the ticket is less (round trip is a little over $100), there is a risk of motion sickness, and you will need to get to Dalvik (which is 30 minutes from Akureyri). If you do not have a car, you will need to catch a cab to Dalvik. That can run over $120 each way.
Local Flight: On the flight from Akureyri, it is quicker, it costs more (over $300 round trip), and there is little chance for motion sickness. However, if you spend the night in a place that offers an airport shuttle, the cost of the cab vs flight may be about a wash.
Day 1. (July 25, 2027, Sunday) Arrive in Grimsey Island, Iceland via ferry or flight. Both get to Grimsey around mid day. Someone from the guesthouse will pick you up from the ferry. The airport is literally next door, probably only 30 to 40 yards away.
The photo tour starts when you arrive on Grimsey Island. Once you settle in to the guesthouse you can then break out you camera and get started. The ocean cliffs where the puffins are start about 40 yards in front of the guesthouse.
Lodging: at guesthouse on Grimsey Island, Iceland Meals: Lunch & Dinner (at Krain Restaurant)
Day 2-5. (July 26th-29th) We will photograph puffins, puffins, and more puffins. We will also mix in some of the following: Black-legged Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemots, Murre, Terns, Red-necked Phalarope, White Wagtail and Snow Buntings. There are also some landscapes available such as basal columns, lighthouse, and the “Orbis et Globus”. It is a 3-meter sphere which sits on the 66th parallel and marks the Arctic Circle. The is also the land of the midnight sun. So you will have many hours each day to explore this fantastic island and bird paradise.
Lodging: at guesthouse on Grimsey Island, Iceland Meals: Breakfast (at guesthouse), Lunch & Dinner (at Krain Restaurant)
Day 6. (July 30th, Friday) After a morning shoot, finish packing and prepare to return. Around midday, you return to the mainland via ferry or flight.
Meals: Breakfast (at guesthouse)
Participants (6 min. / max. 8 rooms – target is 10): Double occupancy USD $3,995 per person. Single occupancy USD $4,795 per person. Deposit: $2,000 due when you reserve your spot. Pay the remaining balance no later than 3 months before the trip.
Red-necked Phalarope
Difficulty level: Moderate (walking in tall and sometimes wet grass and on uneven rocks)
What is included:
- Lodging on Grímsey Island, Iceland
- Meals: as listed
- Transportation during the workshop to include the airport shuttles on Grimsey Island on the first and last day
Puffin
What is not included:
- All flights and the ferry to Grimsey
- Meals (other than the ones included above)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal items (snacks, souvenirs, laundry service, etc.)
- Tips/Gratuities for guides, bus driver, wait staff, etc.
Register/Questions: Please use the Contact Form.
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