The nature of Iceland, part 3 of the travelogue
In the first and second parts of this post, I shared some basic facts about Iceland, how to approach booking accommodations and car rentals, as well as information about the local currency and payment methods. In this third part, I dive into the nature of Iceland, its wonders and wildlife.
Seasons and Climate in Iceland
The Arctic Circle passes through Iceland at 66° latitude, which means winter days are mostly dark, with only 1-2 hours of daylight. In summer, it stays light until very late—around 11 PM—though it never gets completely dark.
If you enjoy bright, long days, summer is your season. However, don’t expect constant sunshine and warm weather. Summer temperatures peak around 16°C and can drop as low as 8°C. The long daylight hours are convenient if you plan to cover a lot of sights in a day.
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and can change suddenly. Sunshine can quickly turn to rain or wind, and often all three occur simultaneously. Rainbows are frequent and magnificent, appearing over the ocean, waterfalls, and across the landscape.
If you prefer cold, dark conditions and want to see the Northern Lights, winter is the time for you. However, be prepared for snow, freezing temperatures, and challenging driving conditions.
Advice: When heading to Iceland, pack solid waterproof gear—boots, jacket, and pants made of at least GoreTex or, ideally, Dermizax. Don’t visit waterfalls without waterproof clothing.
Iceland is the only place where we experienced rain, a waterfall, and the Atlantic Ocean all at once. Yes, even the ocean can unexpectedly drench you while whale-watching or exploring the coast.
The nature of Iceland- Flora and Fauna
Iceland’s wild nature includes many fascinating plants and animals. I noticed the flora resembles what we have in mountain regions. Imagine the scenery of Vitosha Mountain, but add volcanic rocks covered in lichens and moss, and you get a sense of Iceland’s landscape—although, of course, it’s not quite the same.
At one time, the island was rich in birch trees, but they were cut down. Now there are efforts to reforest the island with birch. If you look closely, you’ll spot them—trees whose crowns start almost at the ground, with twisted trunks that often resemble shrubs.
Iceland is home to a wide variety of birds, the most notable being puffins. There are special places where you can watch them, and it’s well worth the trip to see these amusing creatures.
Spoiler: If you’re wondering what a puffin looks like, think of Sven from *Happy Feet*, who pretended to be a penguin but was actually a puffin.
In the waters around Iceland, especially during the summer, you’ll find many whales, orcas, and dolphins—one of the country’s main attractions.
Domestic animals in Iceland include sheep, horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.
The sheep roam freely, and you’ll see them everywhere—on meadows, hills, and even wandering the roads like tourists. We joked that they must eat a lot of Icelandic moss, which keeps them healthy and strong. Sometimes they venture onto roads, causing traffic jams, despite the presence of electric fences.
Advice: Drive carefully and don’t speed, especially when visibility is limited. There might be a ram blocking the road just around the bend.
In September, farmers start rounding up the sheep. They identify their animals by markings, and this time of year is a festive occasion for Icelanders. They gather to feast, sing, dance, and—well—slaughter the sheep. Hence, lamb is a traditional Icelandic dish.
Icelandic horses are beautiful, and I often wanted to stop and photograph them. They come in a variety of colors—white, spotted, and dappled—with golden manes. However, they are also raised for meat.
Unfortunately, some restaurants in Iceland serve whale and puffin. Personally, I find this practice distasteful.
Whale hunting is a tradition in Iceland that outsiders may find hard to understand. Iceland is in conflict with the WWF over this practice, and currently, only one company holds a license to hunt whales. The license must be renewed periodically, and strict rules regulate when, how, and which species can be hunted, though it’s still a controversial issue.
The whales found around Iceland’s coasts include humpback, blue, minke, and fin whales.
Each whale species has its own unique communication “language,” akin to a dialect. I saw in a documentary that when different species gather at popular migration spots, they exchange parts of their linguistic cultures.
As you drive through Iceland, you’ll see livestock grazing freely or lying on the ground. I wondered why they lie down—were they lazy, or was there another reason? It turns out, they lie down because the ground is warm. Moss acts like a cozy carpet, warming them when the fierce winds blow and the freezing rain falls.
Along the roads, you’ll also spot many bales of hay wrapped in white or black plastic. These are stored as winter feed for the animals, wrapped to keep the hay dry and protected from mold.
In the next fourth part of this post, I’ll talk about what you can do in Iceland, of course accompanied by more tips and tricks!
How to book your stay?
I recommend that you check the packages that the hotel offers on their website because they are very affordable. But for your convenience, I have also put a box on booking.com. Compare the prices and choose an option.
Booking.com
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