Puffin perfection

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026

Heimaey, Iceland

The first stop on Le Lapérouse is Heimaey, Iceland. Off the southern coast of Iceland, it is the only inhabited island in the Westman archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. The name Heimaey means “home island”.

The excursion turned into a real adventure with a broken coach, but a major triumph for puffin lovers! It was thrilling to see a fledgling puffin, up close rescued by our tour guide. Then we visited the puffin nesting grounds. Westman islands is home to the largest puffin colony in the country where they furrow into side of the steep cliffs, mate for life and create their eggs. Once the offspring are old enough, the parents leave, to return a year later to the same place. These extremely nimble seabirds are fishers and the red beaks change colors and turn bright orange during mating season. Quite adorable and lovable, no wonder they’re considered the official bird of Iceland and excellent brand ambassadors!

Such a place of contrasts: a destructive volcano, unforgiving terrain, nesting grounds for endangered species and resilient humans!

Art appreciation! Our activity when the bus went kaput! Art used as a windbreak!

The best golf course in Iceland — the sand must have been imported as the island is totally volcanic black rock! A devastating volcanic eruption in 1973 buried much of the island in lava and gas. They nickednamed this exclusion the Pompeii of the North. Fortunately few lives were lost by Eldfell and about half of the homes were destroyed. By divine providence, the fishing boats were in port due to stormy seas, allowing the boats to be used by citizens to escape with only the clothes on their backs. What a story — perhaps explains the locals’ cheerful, resilient attitudes and fierce loyalty to the island. Fascinating!