Iceland’s wildlife is as wild and wonderful as its landscapes. From minke whales to arctic foxes, Atlantic puffins to Icelandic horses, here’s your guide on animals to look out for during your cruise to Iceland.
Arctic Foxes
Common Name: Arctic Foxes
Scientific Name: Vulpes Iagopus
Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivore
Size: Body and tail - up to 26.75 inches
Weight: Up to 17 pounds
Small, shy and perfectly adapted to Iceland’s rugged wilderness, the arctic fox is the country’s only native land mammal. With their thick fur coats that change colour with the seasons (white in winter, brown or grey in summer), these clever creatures are masters of camouflage.
Often seen darting across open tundra or peering from rocky outcrops, arctic foxes are surprisingly resilient. They’ve been thriving in Iceland since the end of the last Ice Age, weathering sub-zero temperatures and navigating harsh volcanic terrain with ease. While they tend to keep to themselves, you might just catch a glimpse of one while exploring remote coastal regions or during a shore excursion.
Atlantic Puffins
Common Name: Atlantic Puffins
Scientific Name: Fratercula Arctica
Type: Bird
Diet: Carnivore
Size: 10 inches
Weight: 17.5 ounces
With their bright orange feet, bold beaks and slightly comical expressions, Atlantic puffins have become unofficial ambassadors of Icelandic wildlife. Endearing and unmistakable, these seabirds spend most of their lives out at sea, only coming ashore during the summer to nest in cliffside burrows along Iceland’s coast.
Each year, between May and August, millions of puffins return to Iceland - home to around 60% of the world’s puffin population - making it one of the best places in the world to see them up close. Despite their playful appearance, puffins are remarkable fliers and divers, using their wings to ‘fly’ underwater in search of small fish like sand eels. And while their time on land is brief, the sight of these little seabirds waddling to and from their burrows or taking off in bursts of clumsy flaps is a joy to behold.
Icelandic Horse
Common Name: Icelandic Horse
Scientific Name: Equus Ferus Caballus
Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Size: Up to 56 inches
Weight: Up to 838 pounds
Don’t let their stature fool you - the Icelandic horse might be small, but it more than makes up for it with character, strength and a dash of Viking heritage. These sturdy, sure-footed animals have been part of Iceland’s story for over a thousand years, brought to the island by Norse settlers and carefully protected ever since. In fact, once a horse leaves Iceland, it’s never allowed to return - a rule that keeps the breed pure and disease-free.
You’ll see them dotted across the countryside in small herds, often with windblown manes and a watchful gaze. Their thick coats make them well-suited to Iceland’s unpredictable weather, and their friendly nature makes them a firm favourite with visitors. What really sets them apart, though, is their unique fifth gait - the tölt. Smooth, swift and comfortable for riders, it’s a source of national pride.
Icelandic Sheep
Common Name: Icelandic Sheep
Scientific Name: Ovis Aries
Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Size: Up to 31.5 inches
Weight: Ewes up to 154 pounds and rams up to 220 pounds
Rugged, resilient and surprisingly charming, the Icelandic sheep is as much a part of the landscape as the lava fields and glaciers they roam. Brought over by the Vikings more than a thousand years ago, this ancient breed has adapted beautifully to Iceland’s tough terrain and harsh weather.
You’ll often spot them grazing in the hills or wandering across open countryside in small groups - and during the summer months, they’re given the freedom to roam wild across the highlands. It’s only in early autumn, during the traditional réttir roundup, that farmers on horseback gather them in again - a cultural event as much as a practical one.
Minke Whales
Common Name: Minke Whales
Scientific Name: Balaenoptera Acutorostrata
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Size: Up to 396 inches
Weight: Up to 22,046 pounds
Iceland is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, with over 20 different species known to visit its cold, nutrient-rich waters. From the mighty blue whale to the acrobatic humpback, these ocean giants are a regular presence along the coast, but none are quite as frequently sighted as the minke.
Smaller than some of their more famous cousins, minke whales typically grow to around eight to ten metres in length and can weigh up to ten tonnes. Despite their size, they’re surprisingly elusive, often surfacing with little fanfare before disappearing with a flick of their tail. That said, if you’re lucky, you might spot one breaching or gliding alongside a whale-watching boat.
