Photograph the seabirds' own clown and many other species at Norway's southernmost bird cliff
Puffins on Runde
Overview
Join Frode and Brutus to photograph the seabirds' own clown and many other species at Norway's southernmost bird cliff.
Runde is an island located relatively far south along Norway's long coastline just south of Ålesund. It is the southernmost breeding site for puffins. The island itself has a population of around 100 inhabitants.
Runde is primarily known for its enormous number of birds. Figures usually mentioned are 500,000 to 700,000 seabirds that live and breed on the island. And above all, it is precisely the puffins that attract visitors to Runde.
The sea parrot
Puffins are easy to recognize by their distinctive and colorful beak. Black-colored back, white on the underside or front and with a black band around the neck. It is often said that it resembles a human clown with its large red-yellow-orange parrot-like beak — it is called "søpapegøje" in Danish, by the way.
The easiest place to photograph puffins in the Nordic countries
We go to Runde as it is the closest and easiest place to reach for most people in the southern half of Sweden if you want to photograph puffins. We come at perhaps the best time, breeding is in full swing and chicks need food.
Early in the morning, the puffins head out to sea to feed themselves and search for food for their chicks. In the evening they come flying back to the cliffs of Runde, often with their beaks full of fish.
Gannets
Runde also has one of Norway's largest gannet colonies. We go out by boat from which we get to see the bird cliff from the sea side. From the boat we can also see other auks, shag and perhaps fulmar and kittiwake.
In addition to puffins and gannets, during the days and evenings we will have chances of, for example, great skua, grey heron, gulls, other coastal birds and of course the mighty white-tailed eagle. With a good portion of luck, killer whales and pilot whales may swim by and otters are spotted relatively often.
Dramatic landscape
Moreover, it is completely impossible to be on Runde and completely avoid landscape photos. The weather is changeable and changes occur quickly. All types of lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto come in handy and preferably a tripod.
Price
Standard price
1,210 EUR
per person
Secure your spot — registration fee
280 EUR
Travel guarantee included
Small groups, personal experience
Planned for light, timing and photo opportunities
Photo gallery
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at the accommodation on Runde no later than 5 PM. In the evening, Frode and Brutus have a review of photo techniques for the photography. If we have energy and the weather is good, we go up for a first photo session at 8 PM.
Day 2–3
During these days we shoot when the light is best and we adapt meals accordingly. Breakfast and lunch/lunch pack included. Evening meal is arranged individually on site — or you can eat at the accommodation's restaurant. There will be one or two photo sessions per day up on the mountain, we plan the boat trip depending on weather and wind. In between we rest or work on images together.
Day 4
Those who want and have energy can join a photo session up on the mountain early in the morning. Breakfast 8:30–9:30 AM. After breakfast we travel home.
Included in the price
- Share in double room
- Breakfast and lunch/lunch pack day 2 and day 3
- Breakfast day 4
- Guidance and photo advice from Frode and Brutus
- Boat trip day 2 or 3
Not included
- Travel to and from Runde
- Meals on arrival day and dinner day 2 and 3
- Extra boat trip cost 700–900 kr per person
Practical information
Camera equipment
As we will primarily be photographing birds, telephoto lenses or telephoto zooms are the priority. A zoom of 80/100-400 mm or 100-500/600, 200–600 mm are excellent. A 70-200 mm zoom is also good. To increase focal length, you can use teleconverters in certain situations.
A normal zoom equivalent to 24 or 28 mm on the wide-angle side is good to have for photographing landscapes, among other things.
Clothing
The weather is changeable on Runde and changes occur quickly so proper waterproof clothing, good boots and other rain protection are good to have. Hat and gloves are also not a bad idea to bring, the temperature is often 10–15 degrees but on fine days it can reach 25.
Accessibility
The mountain requires normal ability to walk, here and there you walk on stones.
Accommodation
We stay in apartments with two bedrooms each and common area/kitchen. Restaurant is available at the accommodation.
Travel
The workshop begins and ends on Runde. Swedish citizens need a passport or national ID card.
Good to know
Plan early for the best light windows
Early decisions improve flight options, logistics, and access to peak photo opportunities.
See current availability and prices in the booking form above