A Complete Guide to Seeing Puffins on Mykines, Faroe Islands
The Mykines puffin experience is an unforgettable wildlife highlight in the Faroe Islands. After traveling by boat from the village of Sørvágur, visitors arrive at Mykines, a remote island renowned for its dramatic cliffs and thriving seabird colonies. Exploring the island offers incredible opportunities to see Atlantic puffins up close, alongside sweeping ocean views and rugged coastal scenery. This iconic visit showcases the raw, untamed beauty of the Faroes and its rich birdlife in a truly memorable way.
Puffin on Mykines Island
Activity Overview and Map
Operators: In order to see the Puffins on Mykines it is mandatory to book an organised tour via the Hiking FO website. Note that this must be booked seperately to the ferry ticket which only allows access onto the island.
Ferry Meeting Point: located at the port in the town of Sørvágur (Vagar) | Google Maps
Parking: close to the ferry location | Google Maps
Ferry Schedule: There are two departure times during the summer season of 9:30 AM or 15:30 AM | Ferry Timeable
Tour Time Slots: Tours run twice daily, aligning directly with the ferry departures
Tour Meeting Point: Once on Mykines the meeting point is at the local school | Google Maps
Duration: The activity goes for 3 hours
Tour Price: Tour cost is 400 DKK per person
Ferry Price: The ferry is approximately 120 DKK per adult for a return trip
Highlights: Views of Drangarnir sea stack, Tindhólmur Island, Mykines village and a variety of seabirds including Puffins
Getting There
From Tórshavn:
Hire Car
All generic hire car companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar) are available from Vágar Airport (Vágar) or Tórshavn city centre (Streymoy)
Car hire costs vary substantially and it is usually one of the most significant costs of a trip to the Faroe Islands so it is best to check and compare prices at the time of booking
The roads are well surfaced the entire way so a 2WD is fine for the journey
The drive takes around 45 minutes one-way to Sørvágur
The total distance is around 47 km one-way
Overall a hire car is the best way to get around the Faroe Islands if its within your budget
Mykines Ferry View
General Tips
I would reccommend arriving at least 15 minutes before your ferry departure to ensure that you have enough time to find parking.
The ferry is quite basic with no options to buy food or drinks onbaord but it does have bathrooms.
The boat trip itself over to Mykines is amazing. When the conditions are fairly calm the crew will sail past the Drangarnir Sea Stack and Tindholmur Island, as such I would suggest sitting outside.
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
Once on Mykines you usually have around 20 minutes to walk up the stairs and find the meeting point before the tour begins.
The tour first involves an introduction to Mykines town, before commencing a walk up to some lookout points and circling back around to the town center totalling approximately 5 km of walking.
The initial walk is fairly steep so I would only suggest this activity if you have at least a decent base level of fitness.
Make sure that you stick to the designated paths and follow the instructions of the guide to ensure you don’t scare any nesting Puffins.
The path can get quite waterlogged and muddy so sturdy waterproof footwear is recommended throughout.
In general the weather is extremely unpredictable in the Faroe Islands so always prepare for rainfall with a rain/windproof jacket.
I would suggest bringing a waterbottle with you on the hike as there is no where to purchase any after you leave the townsite.
At the end of the tour there is a small cafe where you are able to purchase food and drinks.
Sørvágur Ferry Port
Drangarnir Sea Stack
Mykines Island
Mykines Village
Puffin Hiking Tour
Puffin Tour Group
Puffins of Mykines
Where to Next
Trøllkonufingur: About a 15-minute drive from Sørvágur, this striking sea stack, known as the Witch’s Finger, rises dramatically from the North Atlantic, making it one of the Faroe Islands’ most iconic coastal landmarks.
Múlafossur Waterfall: About a 15 minute drive from Sørvágur, the stunning Múlafossur Waterfall plunges roughly 30 metres straight into the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the Faroe Islands’ most iconic and photographed natural landmarks.
Related Posts:
Dunnesdrangar is a dramatic pair of sea stacks rising from the North Atlantic off the rugged coast of Vágar in the Faroe Islands. Towering just offshore, these striking rock formations are best viewed from the cliffs near the village of Sørvágur, where sweeping ocean views and powerful waves set the scene. Reaching these viewpoints involves a rewarding coastal hike across rolling green hills and exposed cliff paths, immersing visitors in the raw elements and untamed landscapes that define the Faroe Island