Stout little birds with coloration similar to penguins aside from brightly colored beaks and feet, puffins are one of Iceland’s most beloved residents—and travelers have a chance to see them on our Untamed Iceland adventure.
Less than 20 million years ago, Iceland was born. While that may sound like a long time ago, the island’s landscape is actually very young when compared to the rest of the world—and is still developing today. Created by volcanic eruptions in the Arctic regions of the Atlantic Ocean and Greenland Sea, Iceland is a rare combination of molten lava and glittering ice. Its relative youth and geographical isolation has also contributed to its unique natural qualities. It is a land of stark beauty and home to an abundance of wildlife.
Of course, when most people hear "Iceland," it is difficult not to envision a frigid place enveloped by glaciers and ever-falling snow. Iceland is also famous for its dark winters, with nights so long the sun never truly rises in December or January; for a precious five hours a day, the sky never brightens beyond a dusky gloaming. These long nights are not devoid of all light, however. From September to March, Mother Nature puts on her most breathtaking light show across the Icelandic skies: the famed northern lights.
Iceland is one of the best locations to view the northern lights, or aurora borealis.
The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural phenomenon visible in only a few places on Earth. Iceland happens to be one of the best locations to view this shimmering wonder, especially in the city of Reykjavik. An array of bright waves—ranging from green and blue to pink and purple—ripple across Iceland’s night skies in an undulating dance of color and light. This dazzling display is caused by solar wind particles and ions streaming from the sun towards the Earth. When these reach the Earth’s upper atmosphere, they collide with atmospheric particles and ions, creating the northern lights’ signature glow.
Iceland’s volcanic origins also provide a natural way to warm up during the colder months. Geothermal hot springs—which contain mineral-rich waters heated by underground lava flows—are known for their healing properties as much as they are for pure recreation. Locals and visitors alike bathe in these hot springs all year long, the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik being one of the most popular. It features a man-made lagoon, but it is nature that provides the steaming water, which can get as hot as 98-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik is one of the most popular geothermal hot springs.
Fortunately, winter does not last forever, and the arrival of spring brings radiant skies and the bustling renewal of flora and fauna. While only a handful of wild mammals can be found here—a result of the island’s challenging environment—more than 300 species of birds have been recorded in Iceland, including 80 species that regularly use the island as a place to breed. Among the numerous colonies of seabirds that flock to Iceland’s shores is the country’s most iconic: the puffin. Stout little birds with coloration similar to penguins aside from brightly colored beaks and feet, puffins are one of Iceland’s most beloved residents. These winsome seabirds are expert divers—their short wings are ideal for swimming underwater. But unlike their Antarctic doppelgangers, puffins can also fly quite swiftly, usually close to the ocean’s surface. Over half of the world’s Atlantic puffin population breeds in Iceland—which brings the total puffin population to approximately eight to ten million. Nesting in the safety of Iceland’s majestic fjords and craggy cliffs, puffins have become a tourist attraction of their own, with visitors anxious to catch a glimpse of them in their austere natural habitat.
For an island roughly the size of the state of Ohio, Iceland contains a striking array of natural wonders. From icy-blue thermal baths to seabirds that choose to nest in frigid environs, it is indeed a land of contrasts.
Tune in to Iceland’s unique nature show on O.A.T.’s Untamed Iceland adventure.
