North Iceland Bird Photography: Mývatn, Hrísey and Grímsey
Photograph breeding ducks, waders and Atlantic Puffins on a ten-day summer journey through Lake Mývatn, Dalvík, Hrísey and Grímsey, with field tuition and long hours of northern light.
About this tour
Summer bird photography in North Iceland brings together two contrasting settings: inland lakes and rivers used by breeding waterbirds, and islands where seabirds gather along the coast. This ten-day Wild Photography Holidays journey follows that contrast from Akureyri to Lake Mývatn, then through Dalvík and Hrísey to Grímsey on the Arctic Circle. The scheduled departure is July 16–25, 2027, with a maximum of eight guests and a listed price of £5,450 per person.
At Mývatn, the emphasis is on birds within a volcanic landscape. Shoreline inlets and the River Laxá provide opportunities to look for Harlequin Duck, Barrow’s Goldeneye, divers and other waterfowl. Time in the field is balanced with photographic guidance, including help with technique, composition and reviewing images. Geothermal ground, lava formations and Goðafoss waterfall add landscape subjects to the birding sessions.
The next stage uses Dalvík as a base beside Eyjafjörður. Wetlands in Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve and around Hrísatjörn offer different settings for waders and waterbirds, while a ferry visit reaches Hrísey. Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, grebes and swans are among the birds described for this part of the route. Actual observations depend on conditions and bird activity.
Grímsey changes the scale of the experience: a small island, cliff-nesting seabirds and time to photograph Atlantic Puffins both at rest and in flight. Razorbills, fulmars, guillemots and kittiwakes share the cliffs, and Arctic Terns nest nearby. Extended summer daylight allows photography beyond conventional daytime hours, with soft light over the sea and island vegetation.
The journey includes nine nights of accommodation, meals, domestic flights and the island ferries. Lodging combines a hotel in Akureyri, lakeside cabins at Mývatn, a hotel in Dalvík and a guesthouse on Grímsey; rooms on the island are shared. International flights, travel insurance, alcoholic drinks and extra drinks or snacks are excluded. Guests should arrange onward travel only after confirming the final transport schedule.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Iceland.
Birds you can spot
Sterna paradisaea
target
Fratercula arctica
target
Bucephala islandica
target
Rissa tridactyla
target
Limosa limosa
target
Gavia immer
target
Tringa totanus
target
Charadrius hiaticula
target
Melanitta nigra
target
Gallinago gallinago
target
Calidris alpina
target
Haematopus ostralegus
target
Anas crecca
target
Numenius phaeopus
target
Mareca penelope
target
Pluvialis apricaria
target
Stercorarius skua
target
Aythya marila
target
Falco rusticolus
target
Histrionicus histrionicus
target
Podiceps auritus
target
Clangula hyemalis
target
Falco columbarius
target
Fulmarus glacialis
target
Anas acuta
target
Corvus corax
target
Spatula clypeata
target
Stercorarius parasiticus
target
Anser brachyrhynchus
target
Calidris maritima
target
Alca torda
target
Phalaropus lobatus
target
Gavia stellata
target
Aythya fuligula
target
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival flight and introduction
Meet at Reykjavík’s domestic airport for the group flight north. Transfer to the Akureyri hotel, with dinner, introductions and a photographic briefing.
Day 2
Days 2–4: Mývatn waterbirds and volcanic landscapes
Travel from Akureyri to the lakeside cabins, with a possible photographic stop at Goðafoss. Explore the lake and River Laxá for breeding waterbirds while tutors help with field technique and image review. The surrounding geothermal terrain provides contrasting landscape subjects.
Day 5
Days 5–6: Dalvík wetlands and Hrísey
Continue through Akureyri to Dalvík on Eyjafjörður, visiting birding locations along the way. Work around Svarfaðardalur and Hrísatjörn, then take the ferry from Árskógssandur to Hrísey for island bird photography. Evening photography depends on the weather.
Day 7
Grímsey seabird photography
Reach Grímsey by ferry and settle into the guesthouse near the seabird cliffs. Photograph puffins and other nesting seabirds against coastal scenery, using the extended summer light. The journey finishes with onward domestic travel arrangements confirmed before booking international connections.
Locations & map
- Akureyri - Iceland
- Lake Mývatn - Iceland
- River Laxá - Iceland
- Goðafoss - Iceland
- Dalvík - Iceland
- Svarfaðardalur Nature Reserve - Iceland
- Hrísatjörn - Iceland
- Hrísey - Iceland
- Grímsey - Iceland
Availability & pricing
Availability is confirmed after your inquiry.
Included
- Nine nights of accommodation
- Meals during the tour
- Domestic flights
- Ferries to Grímsey and Hrísey
- Day 1 transfer to the Akureyri hotel
- Photographic tuition
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Additional drinks and snacks outside meals
Transport & stays
- Flight and ferry Domestic flights and ferry travel connect the northern route. Flight times and onward connections must be confirmed before travel.
Accommodations
- Akureyri hotel
- Lake Mývatn cabins
- Dalvík hotel
- Grímsey guesthouse
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.