Looking for puffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands

Looking for puffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands

In search of the famous puffins we travel to Mykines, the westernmost island of the Faroe Islands

“We don’t have bad weather,” says the Faroe Islands website.

“Just a lot of weather.”

Floating in the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Iceland and Norway, the 18 islands of the Faroe Islands actually have weather. Here it is tangible: an ever-looming presence that rips your car door away, bangs on your window and screams shrilly into the quiet.

The weather would be suitable if the nights were long and dark, but in June sunset is just before midnight and the eerie twilight only adds to the mystery of these wild Atlantic islands.

There's plenty to do here, from world-class hiking to drysuit diving, but first on our agenda was spotting puffins in Mykines (pronounced meech-ih-ness), the Faroe Islands' westernmost island.

Mykines or Vestmanna Bird Cliffs?

Every visitor wants to know where to see puffins in the Faroe Islands. We were torn between the Vestmanna Bird Cliffs and Mykines, both known for rich bird life including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and gannets.

alt="Puffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands">Atlas & BootsPuffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands

After researching online and speaking to locals, Mykines seemed the best place to see puffins in the Faroe Islands, so we booked two last-minute tickets for an additional ferry.

Note: Book your tickets in advance if you really want to see puffins in the Faroe Islands, as additional ferries do not always operate.

Puffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands

We got off in Mykines with modest expectations. We had seen stunning images of puffins up close but assumed they were taken with a telephoto lens.

We agreed that we wouldn't leave too disappointed if we didn't see any puffins on Mykines. After all, this carless island, with its colorful dwellings, wave-lashed cliffs and foamy ocean views, was beguiling in its own right.

• alt=“Rasendach in Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“die stadt mykines, färöer inseln“>
• alt=“ein haus in mykines, färöer inseln“>
• alt=“eine Landzunge in Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“Braut verbindet Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“kia auf Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“Mykines aus dem Meer“>
• alt=““>

However, we both secretly knew that we would be devastated if we didn't see any puffins here. Given the remoteness of the Faroe Islands, it was unlikely we would return, so this was our only chance.

We set off on a 6km circular hike to Holmur Lighthouse on the island of Mykineshólmur. About 15 minutes later, Peter pointed to a cliff.

A colorful puffin sat there alone. Unfortunately, he didn't wait very long, but the quick glimpse boosted our hopes.

alt=“A puffin bread in Mykines, Faroe Islands”>Atlas & BootsA puffin bread in Mykines, Faroe Islands

As we continued hiking we saw a puffin or two hopping across the grass, stopping just long enough to take a photo or two.

Just before the bridge to Mykineshólmur we passed an area called Lambi. Here we found dozens of puffins lounging in the fading sun.

alt=“A group of puffins on Mykines, Faroe Islands”>Atlas & BootsA group of puffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands

We were a little early for the peak breeding season, which runs from mid-June to August, so most of the puffins were still at sea. When we stopped and looked seaward, we actually saw hundreds in the water.

Unfortunately they weren't quite visible from a distance, but it gave us a hint of what to see in the middle of the season when the puffins come ashore in droves.

Faroese puffins breed in colonies on grassy, ​​steep slopes where they dig nesting cavities. You will see these holes all over the ground, which is why it is important to never stray from the path. Mykines is the most fragile of the Faroe Islands and visitors must therefore follow strict guidelines (see 'Tips' below).

We spent a short time taking photos (hikers are asked not to stay in the colony) and continued on to the lighthouse.

We took a break there to eat our lunch. It's worth noting that you should always be aware of your surroundings. In a depression directly below us, three puffins stopped for a chat. None of the other hikers noticed and we managed to get some of our favorite pictures.

• alt=“Eine Gruppe Papageientaucher auf Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“Papageientaucher entspannen sich auf Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“Papageientaucher streiten auf Mykines, Färöer-Inseln“>
• alt=“mykines“>

Of course, puffins are not the only birds that frequently visit the Faroe Islands. A total of 305 species have been recorded here. Of these, around 50 species breed regularly on the islands, partly due to their sheer remoteness; There is no other country nearby!

This may help explain the Faroe Islands' unique appeal. They have an international airport, an excellent road network and even Google Street View. But alongside technological advancements, they steadfastly cling to a traditional way of life.

There is little globalization here, and although this may one day soon change, for now the Faroe Islands remain a magical land of peeping puffins, midnight sun and plentiful weather.

Tips for visiting Mykines

• Lesen und befolgen Sie in erster Linie die Richtlinien zu Papageientauchern, Vogelbeobachtung und Wandern auf Mykines. Wir sahen zwei Menschen, die trotz der Anweisung, den Pfad niemals zu verlassen, zwischen den Höhlen umherirrten.
• Entscheiden Sie sich für die Fähre statt für den Helikopter nach Mykines. Die Fähre bietet eine bessere Aussicht auf die Inseln, kann als Tagesausflug gebucht werden (der Hubschrauber kann dies nicht) und macht Hubschrauberplätze für Einheimische frei, die sie als Transportmittel nutzen.
• Buchen Sie Ihre Tickets frühzeitig, da sie normalerweise ausverkauft sind. Planen Sie einen Besuch zu Beginn Ihrer Reise ein, damit Sie im Falle einer Annullierung der Fähre eine zweite Chance bekommen. Beachten Sie jedoch, dass Sie durch die Stornierung keinen vorrangigen Zugang zu späteren Fähren erhalten.
• Tragen Sie viele Schichten und packen Sie eine Mütze, Handschuhe und einen Schal ein. Auch sommerliche Temperaturen können belebend sein.
• Wenn Sie unter Reisekrankheit leiden, möchten Sie möglicherweise Medikamente einnehmen.
• Wenn Sie sich bezüglich Ihrer Abholzeit von Mykines nicht sicher sind, wenden Sie sich an die Crew!
• Nehmen Sie ein Lunchpaket mit, um es auf Mykines zu essen, da es auf der Insel keine Verpflegung gibt. Es gibt ein kleines Café, das Kuchen und heiße Getränke anbietet, aber es lohnt sich auch, ein Sandwich mitzunehmen.
• Nehmen Sie sich Zeit für die 6 km lange Rundwanderung zum Leuchtturm von Holmur auf der Insel Mykineshólmur. Basierend auf dem Fahrplan der Fähre haben Sie auf Mykines etwa sechs Stunden Zeit. Wir sind zum Leuchtturm gewandert, haben unser Lunchpaket gegessen, sind zurück in die Stadt gewandert, haben Kuchen und Kaffee getrunken und hatten noch eine Stunde Zeit.
• Bleiben Sie also nicht in der Kolonie. Verlassen Sie niemals den Weg und achten Sie darauf, nicht auf Papageientaucherhöhlen (kleine Löcher im Boden) zu treten. Dies ist sehr wichtig, da die Papageientaucher direkt neben dem Weg unter der Erde nisten.
• Es ist leicht, sich bei der Suche nach Papageientauchern zu verfangen. Nehmen Sie sich etwas Zeit, um die unzähligen anderen Vögel auf der Insel sowie ihre außergewöhnliche natürliche Schönheit zu genießen.

• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>

Mykines, Faroe Islands: the essentials

What: Search for puffins in Mykines, Faroe Islands.

Where: We stayed at The Old Millar House, a charming cottage 1km from the city center. The cottage is warm and cozy with a traditional turf roof and access to a grotto-like garden.

There is a beach just a few meters away (although it might be too cool for swimming!) and the Sandá River flows practically on the doorstep. If you want to experience the Faroe Islands' nightlife, you may want to stay closer to the center, but for those who like to retreat to cozy evenings, the Old Millar House is an excellent option.

Click here to get a discount on your first Airbnb stay or find alternative accommodation on Booking.com.

    Booking.com

When: The best time to visit Mykines in the Faroe Islands is mid-June to mid-August, when puffins flock to land to nest. For two weeks you are likely to see some puffins on both sides, but most will still be at sea.

How: Ferries run between the port of Sørvágur (on Vagar) and Mykines during the summer months. This takes 45 minutes and costs 60 DKK (10 USD) per person. Check mykines.fo for the timetable ('itinerary') and book your tickets in advance.

Additional ferries can be added during high season at a higher cost (scroll down on mykines.fo to see if there are “Extra Trips”).

Helicopters also fly to Mykines (tyrla.atlantic.fo). This option is surprisingly affordable, but cannot be booked as a round trip in a single day.

We recommend taking the ferry as it offers better views and frees up helipads for the locals who use it as transportation.

Visitors to Mykines must also pay a hiking fee (100 DKK / 15 USD per person). We paid this at Sørvágur harbor, but there are plans to manage the fee online (mykines.fo).

We reached Sørvágur by car. As you approach the port, look for a blue sign that says “Mykines” and follow it to the departure point behind the Effo gas station.

There is also a bus that runs from the capital Tórshavn to Sørvágur.

We flew to the Faroe Islands with Atlantic Airways.

old=““>

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

      .