Reykjavik · REYKJAVIK PUFFIN WATCHING TOURS
Puffins nest on the islands off the old harbour from May to August, and the cruise is short enough to fit a morning. These 15 compare boat size, time on the water and the ones that combine puffins with whales.
Cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour aboard the wooden Puffin Express, or Old Skuli, to Lundey and Akurey. An English-speaking guide such as Patrick, Joe, or Rebekka explains puffins and other seabirds while you watch from the boat. Binoculars are provided, and puffin sightings are guaranteed.
“It was a fun trip to see the puffins. The guide was knowledgeable and humorous.”
Take a one-hour express boat from Reykjavik to Akurey Island, where puffins gather from May through August. Your English-speaking guide, perhaps Patrick, Peter, or Joe, explains puffins and local seabirds while you circle the island with binoculars on board. The trip suits a busy sightseeing day.
“We had the opportunity to see some puffins on this trip. It was a good time, the only issue was we could not understand the gentleman who was talking about the puffins.”
Cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor on two separate wildlife trips. The shallow-draft Old Skúli gets close to puffin islands, while the spacious Andrea searches Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Guides such as Patrick and Rebecca add facts, humor, and help spotting wildlife.
“The Whale Watching was incredible! Our guide did a great job of pointing out all the dolphins and telling us all about the animals we were seeing. They also did a great job of finding a big group of Humpback Whales and finding ways for us to observe them safely and respectfully which was great. We also loved doing our Puffin Tour and would recommend brining binoculars for anyone planning on doing this part as the puffins were much smaller than we thought.”
Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to Akurey, Engey, or Lundey with Elding Adventure at Sea. Your English-speaking guide points out puffins, eider ducks, terns, guillemots, and more. Free binoculars, rain gear, blankets, and seaman’s coffee help you stay warm while you watch the birds.
“Amazing boat tour, lovely guides too. We got given free binoculars to use on the boat which was really handy. We seen the puffins really close up, I really recommend this tour.”
From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you’ll ride a fast RIB boat across Faxaflói Bay to puffin colonies near Lundey Island. Your captain and English-speaking guide point out puffins, gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. The trip lasts one hour, with coveralls, safety gear, and binoculars provided.
“We loved the puffin tour with Whale Safari. Nice friendly staff on arrival, who helped with our suits and safety equipment. It was fun on the rib boat as we got nice and close and it doesn’t matter where you sit as everyone gets to see. Megan and Miquel were very informative and happy to answer any questions. There were plenty of puffins and other birds too. We managed to get some good pics with our camera but Miquel took plenty too. It was a great trip all round and fun with some speed too making it a fun ride. On our return we made sure they had our email…”
Meet Elding Whale Watching at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a roughly one-hour cruise to Engey, Akurey, or Lundey. Your guide explains puffins and other seabirds while the crew provides binoculars and raincoats. The boat also gives you fine views of Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Sun Voyager.
“An incredible opportunity to see hundreds of Puffins! We went on Puffin excursion in Holyhead, Wales and were terribly disappointed…not one Puffin! Short excursion but well worth your time and money. They also had binoculars available to see them up close!”
Join a small group of up to 12 from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB ride with a marine biologist guide. Look for puffins, dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, and humpbacks, then return past Harpa and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Warm suits, gloves, and goggles are provided.
“The staff were amazing and very friendly, the guide Matt knew his stuff. one of the best experiences I've ever had. I would highly recommend it”
Meet at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a one-hour RIB boat ride to two or three puffin nesting islands. A guide such as Maja, Alex, or Ricardo shares bird facts while the captain brings you close without landing on the protected islands. Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and binoculars are included.
“Amazing tour. Gear up was easy, entire tour was organized and our Guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to see these cute birds!”
Travel by ferry from Reykjavik’s south coast to the Westman Islands, where you’ll watch puffins, see Elephant Rock, visit Eldheimar Museum, and hike Eldfell Volcano. Guides such as Tomasz, Rebecca, and Thor are praised for local insight and careful pacing, but this is a long, active day.
“puffins!!!! our guide truly knew the area and was able to inspire and answer all questions. she was friendly and knowledgable. no improvements needed”
From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, pair a short Akurey puffin cruise with a longer Faxaflói whale watch. Guides such as Jo, Lucas, Blanca, and Patrick have helped guests spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Binoculars, Wi-Fi, and warm overalls are included, but sightings are never guaranteed.
“Never no what you see! Don’t expect jumping whales otherwise you’ll be disappointed! But the of seeing the fountains of air of a humpbag and their backs snd vins gliding through the water are exiting enough. The boat ride itself is an adventure on its own! Puffin tour in smaller boat is nice, good guide provided lots of info and you can see a lot of birds. Youre not allowed to acces the islands where they breed so you are bound to the boat.. but very nice trip!!”
Join Elding Whale Watching for a one-hour RIB ride from Reykjavik harbor to Lundey, where puffins gather during nesting season. A small group of up to 12, warm flotation suits, safety gear, live guiding, and shared guide photos make this a quick, personal wildlife trip.
“This was a great tour. We saw many, many puffins and were able to get close enough to get some decent phone camera pics. Awesome!”
Start with a one-hour puffin cruise to Lundey or another breeding island, then take a three-hour whale watch into Faxaflói Bay. Marine biologist guides explain the animals and help you spot minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises. The tours use separate boats with time for lunch between them.
“We toured mid August and while we did see some puffins (not a lot of them tho), and they were at such a distance in the water or flying. The pictures the tour company provided were nice, because it was difficult to see them. Wasn't really impressed with the puffin tour. Maybe another date when more are actually there. We did see puffins at the top of the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks on the Reynisfjara Beach and you could actually see them. I'm really glad we saw them there. As for the whale watching tour... again not really impressed, we did see a humpback and followed it around for a bit,…”
Cruise from Reykjavik’s Skarfabakki Harbour to Akurey Island, where an expert guide points out puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds. The small boat circles the island, pauses with the engine off for photos, and returns in about an hour. Binoculars, coffee, and port transfers are included.
“Amazing, amazing, amazing! The crew gets you really close to the puffins, there are soo many of them flying by and over your head as well as bobbing along on the water and wandering about on the island itself. I was nervous as I'd seen reviews saying the birds are soo small you can't even see them. I've come to the conclusion these reviewers should have gone to specsavers.”
Sail 15 minutes from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to the puffin islands aboard a small boat limited to 38 passengers. An English-speaking biologist guide explains the birds, while binoculars, open viewing areas, and close city and bay views help you make the most of this one-hour trip.
“it was amazing, the water was calm and it was a beautiful day. we saw lots of puffins actively fishing and flying back to their nests. A real treat and so glad we did this! the guide was knowledgeable and the trip was just right in length.”
Join a large-vessel whale watch from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then take a smaller boat toward nearby puffin islands. Guides explain wildlife behavior in English, with binoculars on the puffin trip, WiFi, and seasickness tablets available.
“Saw so many whales and puffins! I loved both tours. The guides were enthusiastic. Highly recommended to do the combo tour if you wanna see the puffins up closer after the whale tour”
Pick a road out, a boat or a hot spring.
