Westfjords & Puffins Photo Workshop
In this workshop, we explore the remote Westfjords of Iceland, where we photograph deep fjords, puffins, unique waterfalls, dramatic seascapes and the fishing culture in some of the most remote towns in Iceland. With our main focus being the Atlantic puffin as Iceland is one of the best places to photograph these magical birds. With 8 to 10 million puffins inhabiting the island, Iceland is home to more than 60% of the world’s entire Atlantic puffin population.
We will visit Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Iceland, and one of the most thrilling bird-watching spots in Iceland. The 14 kilometers long (8.75 mi) bird cliffs rise to 441 meters (1,447 ft) in height. It’s an awe-inspiring place that provides amazing close-range opportunities for bird photographers. These cliffs are vital for the survival of entire species of birds since they host up to 40% of the world’s population for some, such as the razorbill. Látrabjarg is home to millions of birds, including puffins, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, white-tailed eagles, red-throated loons, arctic terns, redshanks, snipes, auks, murres, kittiwakes, fulmars, snow buntings, and ringed plovers, to name a few.
The endless landscape photography opportunities will be our other objective in this workshop. The majestic waterfall Dynjandi, the Westfjords pride waterfall along with the beautiful Hraunfossar & Barnafossar waterfall. Arctic Exposure’s Remote Westfjords & Puffins Photo Workshop is truly a landscape and birdlife photography adventure.
Highlights
The Atlantic puffin – Látrabjarg and Puffin island for puffin photography
Waterfalls – Dynjandi, Hraunfossar, Barnafossar and more
Remote and unique – Remote locations and fishing towns where not many visit and photograph
Bird and other wildlife – During the summer all sorts of birds can bee seen and if we are lucky we might see an arctic fox or two
Transportation – In order to travel across the rugged Icelandic terrain in comfort and ease, our groups travel in specially modified and spacious 4×4 super trucks
Professional Photography Guides – All of our guides are professional photographers based in Iceland with years of experience leading photography workshops
Activity Level – Easy to medium
Small groups – Maximum number of participants: 10
Duration – 11 days / 10 nights
All-inclusive workshop – Included in the price of the workshop are your accommodations, all meals, guiding and transportation
Schedule
2023
Date
Available
Guide
Payment info
- Deposit payment of $1,000 USD upon booking
- Payment in full is required 90 days prior to the tour starting date
- Double occupancy accommodations for ten nights at hotels, while single rooms are available upon request
- Single room supplement adds $1000 USD
Total price: $6,600 USD
SIGN UPWhat's included
- All accommodations with private bathrooms during the workshop
- All meals
- Guided by a professional Icelandic photographer
- Image critique and post-processing session
- Super truck transportation
- Private airport transport directly to and from your hotel in Reykjavik
What's not included
- International flights
- Cancellation insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuity for your photography guide
- Dinner on the last night
Itinerary
DAY 1 – Arrival in Reykjavík
As always in Iceland, we need to be flexible and adjust to weather and conditions to make the most out of our workshop and travel safely.
Arrival in Iceland and check into your hotel in Reykjavik. In the evening, we meet for a group dinner in Reykjavik where we briefly go through the tour itinerary, safety instructions, and some practical things before we start our adventure in Iceland. If you arrive early, you can photograph some of the top attractions in the city such as the Harpa concert hall, Hallgrimskirkja, the Sun Voyager or Perlan.
DAY 2 & 3 – Snæfellsnes peninsula & Kirkjufell mountain
We start early in the morning and travel from Reykjavik to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The entire peninsula is a photographers paradise, with many different seascapes, rock formations, a glacier, lava fields, birds and even whales.
Snæfellsnes is a 90 km long peninsula that comprises a world of diversity. Friendly towns and villages, spectacular mountains, a multitude of bird species nesting on treacherous cliffs, long stretches of beaches popular among equestrians, and scattered remnants and relics of times and ways of life long past.
The Snaefellsjokull National Park is at the westernmost part of the peninsula and includes the mystical glacier Snæfellsjökull, as well as other unique sites such as Djúpalónssandur, Þúfubjarg, and various lighthouses and churches.
DAY 4 & 5 – Látrabjarg, Atlantic Puffins & Birdlife
We stay in the area for two nights and explore the coastline, lighthouses, a stranded boat and the famous sea cliff Látrabjarg which is arguably the best location to photograph puffins in Iceland.
Látrabjarg is one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs, a home to birds in unfathomable numbers. This westernmost point of Iceland is made up of several cliffs, 14 kilometers long and up to 441 meters high. Safe from foxes, the birds are fearless and provide stunning photographic opportunities from close range. The puffins are particularly tame and are the ones frequenting the grassy, higher part of the cliffs.
DAY 6 – Dynjandi, Ketildalir & Korpudalur
We move on into the bay of Dynjandisvogur, known for the waterfall Dynjandi which plummets over the edge of the cliff. Measuring 30 meters wide at the top and 60 meters at the bottom, Dynjandi is about 100 meters high, the most impressive waterfall in the Westfjords and one of the most beautiful in all of Iceland. Below it, a series of waterfalls cascade.
Arnarfjordur is one of the most beautiful fjords in the Westfjords because of its diverse landscape, magnificent mountains and the natural masterpieces of Ketildalir valley and the Dynjandi waterfall.
From there, we continue on to Önundarfjörður. This particular fjord is often referred to as the Westfjords most beautiful with the amazing Korpudalur and Holt beaches. The small fishing town of Flateyri features a Museum of Nonsense. After a photography stop in Önundarfjörður, we head into the capital of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður and stay there overnight.
DAY 7, 8 & 9 – Strandir, Remote Fjords & Puffin Island
We explore the remote area of Strandir for a couple of days. The area has unique landscapes and rock formations in the sea, which is ideal for long exposure seascapes. We will take a boat tour to a fantastic island full of puffins and other nesting birds. A breaching whale or two is sometimes possible to spot on the boat ride.
Strandir is the plural form of the Icelandic term for a coast, which describes the route perfectly, as it takes you along the coastline of the eastern part of the Westfjords of Iceland. Sparsely populated, peaceful and all but ignored by travelers, the Westfjords’ eastern spine is one of the most dramatic places in all of Iceland. Indented by a series of bristle-like fjords and lined with towering crags, the drive north of Hólmavík, the region’s only sizeable settlement, is rough, wild and incredibly rewarding. The end of the line in Iceland, Strandir was thought to be the home of the island’s great, persecuted sorcerers.
DAY 10 – Borgarfjörður & Hraunfossar
A few hours drive back towards Reykjavik and we are in the heart of West Iceland, Borgarfjörður, known for Viking Sagas, great salmon rivers, and Langjökull glacier. Here, we photograph the Icelandic horse, the beautiful waterfall Hraunfossar and nearby waterfalls.
We end the day at a hotel in Reykjavik where the workshop concludes. You will have the evening free to explore the capital, take a few photographs, shop, have dinner or just prepare for your flight home and rest.
DAY 11 – Departure
Transfer to Keflavik international airport.
If photographers would like to extend their stay in Iceland it is easy to arrange private day tours before or after the workshop. Popular day-trips include the South Coast & the Highlands of Iceland.
For cancellation and refund policy for our workshops, please visit the Terms & Conditions page.