Perlan - Wonders of Iceland

In summer, the cliffs are full 🐦

Not just puffins, but thousands of seabirds sharing the same narrow ledges. Each species finds its place, nesting close together on steep rock above the ocean.

From a distance, it looks crowded. Up close, it’s organised.

Air, sea, and rock meeting in one place, supporting a dense and active ecosystem.

Tomorrow, on June 21, the summer solstice takes place in the northern hemisphere 🌞

In Reykjavík, the sun doesn’t really set. It moves toward the horizon, then rises again, never fully disappearing below it.

Instead of night, there is a long stretch of twilight. The light softens, but it never fades.

This happens because the Earth is tilted toward the sun at this point in its orbit, giving the north its longest day of the year.

Today is June 17, Iceland’s National Day 🇮🇸

In 1944, Iceland became an independent republic. The date was chosen in honour of Jón Sigurðsson, a leader in the country’s independence movement.

Across Reykjavík, people gather in the city centre. Flags, music, and celebrations fill the streets.

But beyond the events, the day marks something more lasting. A shift from being governed by others to shaping a country on its own terms.

A moment in history that continues to define the present.

In summer, glaciers begin to change 🧊

As temperatures rise, meltwater forms on the surface and finds its way down through cracks in the ice. Some of it reaches the base, helping the glacier move.

Rivers swell. Sediment is carried downstream. The landscape below responds.

Most of it happens gradually, day by day. But the movement never really stops.

Today is Nature Photography Day 📷

From glaciers to small details in the landscape, there’s always something to notice.

A nod to those who take the time to capture it.

In June, parts of Iceland turn purple 🌿

Lupine spreads quickly across open land, covering fields that were once bare. It was introduced to help stabilise soil, especially in areas affected by erosion.

It worked.

But over time, it has also changed the landscape. Native plants that grow slowly and stay low to the ground can struggle to compete.
And some of the plants that were there before begin to disappear.

A beautiful result of something more complex beneath the surface.

Today is World Oceans Day 🌊

World Oceans Day focuses on the role the ocean plays in supporting life, and the need to understand and protect it.

Around Iceland, the ocean is always in motion. Cold currents flow from the Arctic, warmer water arrives from the south, and where they meet, life builds.
Nutrients rise. Fish gather. Whales follow.

Most of it happens out of sight, beneath the surface.
Even when it looks still, it is part of a much larger system.

Today is Sjómannadagurinn, Seamen’s Day ⚓

For generations, life in Iceland has been shaped by the sea. Fishing routes, weather patterns, and coastal communities all built around it.

The ocean provided food, work, and connection to the outside world. But it also demanded experience, timing, and respect.

Even now, that relationship remains. Harbours still fill in the early hours. Boats still follow the same waters.

A day like this marks that connection, between people and the ocean that surrounds them.