Plizio Visual Lab

Eldey Gannet Colony

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

wildlife

Weather…

Eldey is an imposing, sheer-sided volcanic island located approximately 15 kilometers off the southwestern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The basalt rock rises abruptly 77 meters from the ocean and covers a tiny surface area of just 0.03 square kilometers. Eldey is globally renowned for hosting one of the world's largest colonies of Northern gannets, with breeding pairs estimated between 14,000 and 18,000. Due to the massive accumulation of guano over centuries, the top of the rock often appears stark white, making it visible from a great distance. The island holds significant historical weight as the site where the final two specimens of the Great Auk were killed in 1844, officially marking the extinction of the species. Eldey has been under strict nature protection since 1940, and landing on the island is strictly prohibited without a special scientific permit. Today, bird monitoring is primarily done remotely via webcams to prevent any disturbance to the nesting process.

Location: Iceland
Nearby: Grindavík (28 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	4	4	4	5	7	9	11	11	10	7	6	5
Rain mm	136	112	115	84	66	55	65	88	120	109	117	129

📋 Practical info

📅

Best season

The best time to watch northern gannets on Eldey is from May to July when the breeding colony is most active. From August onward the young leave the nests and the colony gradually disperses.

🌅

Best time of day

The birds are very active during the day, especially late morning when they fly out to fish and return. Early morning can be foggy, while afternoon is often clear.

📜

Etiquette

Landing on the island is not allowed without a special permit to protect the breeding colony. Boats must keep a minimum distance of 100 meters, and drones are banned in the entire area.

🎒

What to bring

A high-quality binocular or a spotting scope with tripod is necessary to observe the birds from the required distance. Sturdy clothing and a windbreaker are recommended on the boat as it can be windy.

🧭

Getting there

Eldey is only accessible by specialized boat tours offered from Reykjanes or Grindavik, often with experienced guides. Sea conditions can be rough, so a calm sea is required for the trip.

🦌

What to expect

Although the gannets are present in huge numbers, the distance from the boat can be challenging. Plan to spend a long time on the water and enjoy the spectacle of their diving and flying maneuvers.