Dear Iceland-lovers,
My girlfriend and I have decided to go to Iceland! We are leaving the 29th of August and will return home the 13th of September.
This will be our first trip to Iceland and we are both very interested in the Fauna and Flora! Especially whales and puffins. Are there people who have experience with observing these amazing animals in September?
And are there other 'specialties' that Iceland could offer us in September?
Brent
I am very sorry to say that the puffins will have left the island upon your arrival. But you will have ample opportunities to go whale watching.
There are so many things Iceland has to offer and I don't know what interest you guys the most, but you could for example go on an Icelandic road trip around the country like proposed here:
https://tripcreator.com/share/plan/8000151c-a661-4736-b9f0-7b76675e0c20
And are there other 'specialties' that Iceland could offer us in September?
You mean specific to the season? Berry picking that time of year.
You can't see puffins on land so long time after the breeding season
And you can't see them on the sea because you can't find them. Puffins are reliably visible up to about the end of the first week in August, and sometimes people spot them a bit later than other places on Heimaey. But by the middle of August no chance.
Latrabjarg in the Westfjords is one of the best places in Iceland to see puffins but this is not sure that you will see them, as said in earlier posts, they are starting leaving Iceland end of July and are really few (or none) left end of August.
If you really want to see them and if you can, I recommend to come earlier in August.
I think it is fair to say that Iceland is not exactly renowned for its flora and fauna (it only has one species of land mammal - the Arctic Fox - and they are extremely elusive). Most people come for the scenery and you have two weeks which is ample enough time to travel around Iceland..maybe think about what else you would like to see and do and then come back and post on here and we would be happy to give more specific advice?
I think it is fair to say that Iceland is not exactly renowned for its flora and fauna
It is renowned for its birds, but May-July is the best time for them. There is also considerable interest in its sea-mammals.
Thank you for all the reactions!
Off course we aren't only going to Iceland for the whales and puffins, but we would like to see the country itself. We both love too walk and enjoy the sites. We also like horseback riding, canyoning, rafting,... Anything 'adventurous'. Are there 'must see tours' or 'great adventurous days'?
What are your experiences?
You will find a standard adventurous day-tour offer very prominently advertised anywhere you stay, especially in Reykjavik where most of these things operate from. The range on offer tends to expand in high season, which is winding down by about 20 Aug, but you'll have a fair choice in the shoulder season. You can also find out about it on the web pretty easily. If there is anything slightly less standard that appeals to you, you might like to make advance arrangements, but remember that everything in Iceland is always contingent on weather, because they have a lot of it.
We have been looking for guided tours and activities. But we were also wondering if there were people here that just rented a car and drove around in August/September. We don't know what is possible on the Icelandic roads with a 'normal ' car. We haven't decided on a car yet, but we've read that a 4x4 isn't necessary in September.
Are there people that can recommend us a beautiful tour that we can make in +- 14 days and that gives us time to stop and enjoy this beautiful country?
We also love to camp, so if there are any good ideas where we can go with our tent...
Thanks!
