Atlantic Puffin in Norway 2025

Norway is home to 30% of the world's Atlantic Puffin population. This is the smallest species of puffin and is also known as the Arctic Puffin. These cute birds are distinguished by bright-colored mosaic-like beaks. Puffins prefer to live on the sea and might be found ashore only during their breeding season. However, the baby puffins or pufflings are carefully hidden in the ground holes to protect them from predators, so it is practically impossible to observe the chicks.

The colonies of Atlantic Puffins nest mainly in the Northern Norway, in particular on Lovund Island, Western Spitsbergen, Anda Island, and also Runde Island. They begin arriving on the islands in March, but the peak season is in May. The breeding season comes to its end in August.

Lovund Island is close enough to large Norwegian cities and boasts one of the largest puffin colonies in the country, that exceeds 300,000 birds. This island located off the Helgeland coast has just 475 inhabitants and covers less than 5 sq.km (7.7 sq.mi). You can get there by boat from Nesna or a ferry from Stokkvågen. Visit the local Coastal Culture Centre to learn about wildlife, fisheries and people's life on the island.