For bird enthusiasts, Mykines is nothing short of a dream. This small island in the Faroe Islands is home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Europe, and if you’re traveling through the Faroes, dedicating at least one evening here is a must.
When to Visit Mykines
The prime season for puffin watching is from mid-May through mid-August. I visited in late May and was blessed with perfect weather. At that time, the puffins were still busy building their burrows, and the chicks hadn’t hatched yet. If your goal is to capture puffins carrying fish in their beaks, early July would be your best bet.
Getting There
Access to Mykines is possible by ferry or helicopter. The helicopter is primarily for locals, and tourists can’t usually book round trips for the same day. I opted for the ferry to reach the island and a helicopter ride back the following morning. Everything, including the mandatory tourist fee, can be arranged online. Keep in mind that the island has no shops, so bring your own food.
Weather can make travel unpredictable. The ferry service is often canceled due to rough seas, and many travelers arrive in the Faroes only to miss out on Mykines entirely. I was lucky—despite cancellations all week, my ferry actually departed as planned. It was crowded, and some passengers were left behind, but after a bumpy 45-minute ride, we arrived.
I stayed in a cozy Airbnb hosted by Katrin. The house was warm, well-equipped, and welcoming—a surprise considering that fewer than a dozen people live on the island year-round. Looking back, I wish I had booked a longer stay.
If visiting Mykines is high on your list, I’d suggest booking the helicopter and staying at least two nights. Flights are less likely to be canceled than ferries, and there’s plenty to explore beyond puffins. The island’s quiet landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and sweeping views make it a rewarding destination for photographers and nature lovers alike.
A Birder’s Paradise
The island teems with seabirds: puffins, fulmars, gannets, and guillemots. Puffins dominate the scene, especially along the path to the lighthouse. You’ll know you’ve reached the heart of the colony when hundreds of puffins wheel overhead and dozens of burrows dot the grassy slopes. From the bridge leading to the lighthouse trail, you can also spot nesting fulmars, kittiwakes, and guillemots clinging to the cliffs below.
I hired a local guide, Heini Heinesen, who helped me safely find the best vantage points for photography. Standing near the cliff edges alone can feel daunting, and his guidance made the experience both safe and memorable.
The gannets nest further along the trail toward the lighthouse. To see them clearly, you’ll need to step closer to the cliffside, but always use caution. No bird is worth risking your safety. At the end of the hike, the lighthouse rewards you with sweeping views and a striking gannet colony nesting on a nearby rock.
The Magic of Evening on Mykines
The true gift of spending the night on Mykines is the quiet after the last ferry leaves. That evening, I wandered out around 8 p.m. and watched the sky turn gold as puffins circled overhead. Aside from a few fulmars, oystercatchers, and the occasional sheep, it was just me and the birds. I chose not to return to the lighthouse at sunset to avoid disturbing the colonies, but there were more than enough puffins around to enjoy and photograph.
At one point, two fulmars landed beside me and began a courtship display, tapping their beaks together in a gentle dance. They carried on as if I wasn’t even there, a perfect reminder of how special this place is.
Mykines is wild, remote, and unpredictable—but for those who make it, the experience of sharing an evening with puffins is unforgettable.
