Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

Puffins are the stars here, but the fast RIB ride is half the fun. From Reykjavik’s harbor, you reach Lundey in roughly 10 minutes, then spend about 40 minutes watching birds from the water. You stay aboard, close enough for a good look, but not so close that nesting sites are disturbed.

I like the small 12-person limit, which keeps the guide’s commentary easy to hear. I also like the full flotation suit, hat, gloves, and eye protection. You stay warm and secure without packing a pile of extra gear.

The main catch is simple: close up does not mean standing beside a puffin. Your view depends on the sea, the boat’s movement, and the birds’ location. Bring your own binoculars if you have them, and do not count on sharp phone photos every time.

Key points before you book

• Lundey is only about 10 minutes from the harbor, leaving most of the hour for bird watching.
• The RIB carries no more than 12 people, a useful edge over larger whale-watching boats.
• Warm flotation suits and safety gear are included, along with live guiding in English.
• You remain on the boat, since landing on the puffin island is not part of the trip.
• The ride can be lively, though cushioned seats with handles help you stay steady.
• Puffins are seasonal, so this tour makes the most sense when they are nesting around Iceland.

Racing out from Reykjavik’s harbor

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s harbor. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. The harbor is near public transportation, which makes this a practical add-on to a day in the city.

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. It is smaller and more agile than a standard whale-watching vessel, allowing the captain to approach the islands closely while keeping a respectful distance from the birds. That design is the reason this tour can offer a more personal view of the puffin colonies.

You will receive a warm flotation suit before boarding. The provided gear can include a hat, gloves, and eye protection, which matters in Reykjavik even on a day that feels mild on land. The water adds cold, and the boat’s speed creates extra wind.

The boat has cushioned seats with handles on the seat ahead of you. That is a welcome detail on a moving vessel. The seating may feel less comfortable for a shorter person, since your feet can dangle, but the height rule is in place for safety. You must be at least 10 years old or 145 centimeters tall.

Lundey, the puffin island near Reykjavik

The main stop is Lundey, reached in about 10 minutes from the harbor. The itinerary allows about 40 minutes for the puffin viewing portion, though the exact pattern depends on sea conditions and where the birds are gathered.

Lundey is a nesting island, and the puffins are seen from the boat. That point matters. You will not step ashore, walk among the birds, or pose beside a nest. The captain brings the RIB as close as is sensible without disturbing the colony.

That approach gives you a real look at puffin behavior. You may see them sitting on the water, flying low over the waves, or returning with fish in their bills. Large groups can gather around the boat, and you might also see other seabirds. The guides explain what you are looking at rather than leaving you to pick out tiny black-and-white shapes on your own.

The birds can be surprisingly difficult to photograph. A puffin is small, quick, and usually surrounded by moving water. Add a rocking boat and a phone camera, and you may end up with a lot of gray sea and one blurry bird. I would treat photos as a bonus and focus first on watching the colony.

Some departures include guide photographs taken with a larger camera, shared after the outing. That can help fill the gap between what your eyes saw and what your phone managed to capture.

How close is close enough?

The word premium refers mainly to the RIB approach and the small group, not to walking onto the island. You are closer than you would be on a larger classic-style boat, but the captain still keeps the boat at a respectful distance from the nesting cliffs.

That balance is good for the birds, even if it may disappoint anyone expecting a wildlife park-style encounter. One person may find the boat impressively close, while another may wish for a few more meters. The difference often comes down to expectations, sea conditions, and whether the puffins are sitting on the water or high on the cliffs.

I suggest bringing binoculars. The onboard binoculars have not always been praised for clarity, and your own pair may give you a much better view of bills, feathers, and fish. A phone can still produce decent images when birds float close to the boat, but a larger lens will help when they stay near the cliffs.

The good news is that puffins are not the only reward. The guide may point out several other seabirds, and on one outing a humpback whale appeared in the same area. That kind of sighting cannot be promised, but it shows why you should pay attention beyond the puffin colony.

What the guide adds to the hour

This is a short wildlife outing, so the guide’s commentary does a lot of work. Guides have explained puffin behavior, identified other seabirds, and shared practical facts about the colony. Knute received especially strong praise for his clear guiding, while Adam and Naina are among the other guides named in connection with the tour.

The group cap of 12 helps here. You are not trying to hear a speech over a large engine and dozens of people. A small group also makes it easier to ask a question or point out a bird without losing the guide’s attention.

The captain matters just as much. The RIB can feel exciting, especially when the water is rough, but experienced handling helps it feel controlled. Many passengers feel safe throughout the trip, though the ride is not always smooth.

Do not confuse the small size of the boat with a calm-water cruise. The RIB may bounce over waves, and wind can make the trip feel more physical than the one-hour length suggests. One outing can be fairly gentle, while another can involve a rough ride out and back. If you are prone to seasickness, that is the main concern to weigh.

Warm gear and the physical side of the trip

The included flotation suit is one of the tour’s best practical features. You do not need to arrive dressed like an Arctic explorer. The outer suit adds warmth and buoyancy, while the supplied accessories protect you from wind and spray.

You should still expect to climb aboard and remain seated in a moving boat. The physical demand is moderate rather than extreme, but you need enough balance and mobility to manage the boarding process and handle the ride. The operator lists a moderate fitness level as appropriate.

The minimum height of 145 centimeters is not a minor rule. It relates to safe seating and boat handling. Children under 10 or below that height cannot join, even if they are enthusiastic bird watchers.

The seats are designed with cushioning and handholds, which makes a difference when the RIB accelerates or crosses choppy water. Shorter people may find the foot position awkward, but holding the forward handle gives you something solid to brace against.

The value of an $85, one-hour trip

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to fill an hour in Reykjavik. You are paying for a specialized boat, a small group, protective equipment, a captain, and a guide who knows how to find and interpret the birds.

The value improves if you have limited time in the city. The tour is short enough to fit before or after other sightseeing, and the puffin islands are close to the harbor. You do not give up half a day to see one type of bird.

It is also a better fit than a larger boat if your priority is getting nearer to the islands. The premium is most useful for the RIB itself and the 12-person limit. If you mainly want a low-cost harbor ride or a long, calm outing, this is not the right use of your money.

There are no snacks and no hotel transfers. Those omissions are easy to manage, but you should eat beforehand and allow time to reach Ægisgarður 5c. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you can continue with Reykjavik plans afterward.

When puffins are part of the plan

Puffins are seasonal visitors around Iceland. They are present during their nesting season, not all year. If seeing puffins is the main reason you are booking, check the operating dates and season before paying.

Even during the right season, wildlife is wildlife. You may see hundreds of puffins, or you may have a weaker outing if the birds are farther from the boat or the sea limits the approach. One poor trip reported no puffins and mostly a fast harbor ride. That is unusual compared with the stronger sightings, but it is a real risk with any wild-animal tour.

The operator can cancel for poor weather. In that case, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, so keep your plans firm once the cutoff passes.

Who will enjoy this puffin trip most?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, focused wildlife outing and like the idea of a lively boat ride. It suits photographers who bring binoculars or a proper camera, families with older children who meet the height rule, and anyone who wants a more intimate alternative to a big sightseeing boat.

It is especially useful for a tight Reykjavik schedule. An hour on the water leaves plenty of time for museums, cafes, the harbor, or other day trips. The compact timing also makes it easier to fit into a cruise stop, though you still need to arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.

I would think twice if you need a very calm boat, dislike wind, or expect to walk on the island. I would also skip it if your only goal is a perfect close-up photograph. Puffins move quickly, and the boat cannot always approach the cliffs as closely as a camera lens would like.

Should you book the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

Book it if you want the closest practical boat-based view of Reykjavik’s puffins, a small group, and a quick outing that fits neatly into a city day. The warm suit, steady seating, safety gear, and strong bird commentary make the $85 price fair when the birds are present and the sea cooperates.

Bring binoculars, protect your camera from spray, and set your expectations correctly. You will watch puffins from the RIB, not stroll through their colony. If that sounds like the right balance of access, care, and excitement, this is a good choice. If you want calm water or guaranteed close photographs, choose a slower option instead.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour start?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik’s harbor.

How long does the puffin tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour, with about 40 minutes allocated to the Lundey puffin viewing stop.

How many people can join the RIB tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What is the minimum age for the tour?

The minimum age is 10 years, or you must be at least 145 centimeters tall.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English and includes live guidance.

Is safety equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes necessary safety equipment and a warm flotation suit. Gear can also include warm accessories such as a hat, gloves, and eye protection.

Can you get off the boat at Lundey?

No. You remain on the RIB and view the puffins from the water. Landing on the island is not included.

Does the price include hotel pickup or snacks?

No. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and snacks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.