Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

The best part of this tour is the fast RIB boat, which gets you closer to Lundey than a larger sightseeing vessel can. You stay on the water, near the nesting cliffs, watching puffins fly, swim, and return with fish in their beaks.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the full warm gear, including flotation suits, hats, gloves, and eye protection. The main catch is simple: close to the island does not mean touching distance, and a phone camera may struggle to capture these small, quick birds.

Key points at a glance

• A one-hour RIB ride to Lundey: This is an easy add-on to a full day in Reykjavik.
• Up to 12 people: The small boat keeps the guide close and the outing personal.
• Warm flotation suits included: You do not need a full set of specialized outerwear.
• Puffins stay on the island: You view them from the boat and do not walk onto the nesting grounds.
• Bring your own binoculars: The supplied binoculars may not give the sharpest view.
• Best during puffin nesting season: Outside that period, these birds may not be present.

A quick ride from Reykjavik harbor to Lundey

The tour begins at Elding Whale Watching, at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s harbor district. From there, you board a rigid inflatable boat, usually called a RIB, for the short run toward the puffin islands.

The islands are only about 10 minutes from the harbor according to the tour details shared on the trip. That leaves much of the one-hour outing for wildlife watching rather than a long commute. For a first or last activity in Reykjavik, this compact schedule is useful.

The RIB is built for speed and close access. Its low profile lets you approach the island more closely than a large whale-watching boat, while cushioned seats and handles help you hold on as the boat moves across the water. The ride can be smooth in calm conditions, but wind and sea conditions matter. One outing may feel gentle, while another can be fairly rough.

You should expect movement. This is not a slow harbor cruise. Several people found the ride comfortable and safe, while others noted rough water or mild seasickness. If you know you are sensitive to boat motion, sit where the crew directs you, hold the seat handle, and consider whether a fast inflatable boat suits you better than Elding’s calmer classic puffin option.

What happens at Lundey

Lundey is the main wildlife stop. The name means Puffin Island, and it is used as a nesting site by large numbers of seabirds. You remain aboard the RIB, watching the cliffs and water around the island.

That distance is important. The boat aims to get close, but it must not enter the nesting grounds or disturb the birds. The phrase close up and personal is best understood as close by boat, not face-to-face on land. You will not step onto Lundey, walk among the puffins, or approach the nests on foot.

The exact view depends on the birds and the sea. On a strong outing, you might see puffins sitting on the water near the boat, flying low across the waves, or carrying small fish back to their young. You may also see other seabirds, and the guide explains what you are looking at rather than leaving you to guess.

The listed schedule gives about 40 minutes to Lundey. Some trips also pause at more than one viewing area, depending on conditions and where the birds are active. Do not expect a fixed parade of puffins at a set distance. Wildlife does not work that way. The captain and guide must balance a good view with safe boating and respect for the island.

Why the small group matters

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That is a real benefit on a short trip. You are not one person in a large crowd trying to hear a guide over a dozen conversations.

A small group also makes it easier to shift your view as the boat turns. The guide can point out birds, answer questions, and explain the behavior of puffins and other seabirds. The crew has been praised for clear bird facts and calm handling of the boat.

Names associated with the guiding and boat crew include Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy. Crew assignments can change, but the experience is built around live explanation rather than a recorded script. Some guides also take photos with a larger camera and share them at the end, a useful extra when your phone cannot catch a sharp image.

That last point matters more than it might sound. Puffins are small against the cliffs, and they move quickly. Even when the boat is in a good position, getting a crisp photo from a rocking RIB takes luck and a steady hand.

Warm gear makes Iceland’s water easier

Elding supplies a warm flotation suit and the necessary safety equipment. Depending on conditions and what you need, this may include a hat, gloves, and eye protection. The suit is practical, not decorative. Wind on the water can feel much colder than the air temperature at the harbor.

You should still dress in layers. The supplied suit helps with warmth and safety, but it does not turn a windy boat into a heated room. Wear clothing that lets you move comfortably underneath, and keep your hands ready for the seat handles and your camera.

The boat seats have cushioning and handles on the seat in front. Taller passengers may find the setup comfortable, while shorter passengers could find their feet do not reach the floor easily. The minimum age is 10, and the minimum height is 145 centimeters, or about 4 feet 9 inches. These limits relate to the boat and safety equipment, so check them carefully before booking for a child.

You need moderate physical fitness. This is not a strenuous hike, but you must board the boat, sit securely, cope with boat movement, and follow crew instructions. Tell the operator about any mobility needs before booking. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

Can you really get close enough for photos?

You can get closer to Lundey than on the classic tour, but no boat should press right against the nesting cliffs. The crew keeps a respectful distance so the birds can feed and raise their young without unnecessary disturbance.

That means your eyes may enjoy the scene more than your phone does. Puffins are easy to spot as colorful shapes, but their faces and beaks can be hard to capture from a moving boat. A larger camera with a zoom lens gives you a clear advantage.

I strongly suggest bringing your own binoculars if you have them. The onboard pair may be adequate for a quick look, but the optical quality has not impressed everyone. Good binoculars let you watch puffins on the water, flying toward the island, or carrying fish without relying on digital zoom.

Take photos when the boat is steady, but do not spend the whole 40-minute stop staring at a screen. The most enjoyable moments can be short: a puffin popping up beside the boat, a group floating together, or a bird racing low over the waves. The guide’s shared photos may give you better close-up images than your phone.

A good value at $85

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest hour you can spend in Reykjavik. Its value comes from the boat type, small group, safety equipment, warm flotation suit, and direct access to the puffin islands.

You are paying for a focused wildlife outing rather than a long cruise with many stops. The short duration keeps the price and time commitment manageable, especially if you are fitting the tour between museums, pools, food, or a larger day trip.

The value is strongest for someone who specifically wants to see puffins from Reykjavik and prefers a lively ride. You get a more personal setting than a large boat, plus a better chance of being near the island. The value is weaker if you expect guaranteed close-up portraits or a long, slow wildlife session.

Weather can also affect the calculation. Rough water may limit comfort, while poor conditions can cancel the trip. If Elding cancels because of bad weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The best time to see puffins

Puffins are seasonal visitors to Iceland. They appear around the islands during nesting season, then leave for the rest of the year. If seeing puffins is the main reason for booking, confirm that your travel dates fall within the operating season for this wildlife.

The tour cannot promise a particular number of birds. One trip may bring views of hundreds or even thousands around the water, while another may produce fewer sightings. One unhappy outing reported no puffins and mostly a fast ride in the harbor. That is a reminder that nature trips carry some risk, even when the route is well planned.

On a good day, the payoff is memorable. You may watch puffins bobbing around the boat, flying with fish, or struggling comically to get airborne from the sea. You might also spot other seabirds, and an unexpected whale sighting is possible, though it is not part of the promised itinerary.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this tour if you have a short window in Reykjavik and want a compact wildlife experience. It suits adults, older children who meet the age and height rules, photographers who bring proper binoculars or a zoom lens, and anyone who enjoys a little speed with their bird watching.

It is also a good fit if you want a small boat rather than a large group cruise. The guide can keep the commentary close at hand, and the captain can position the RIB near the island without carrying a crowd.

I would think twice if you need a completely calm ride, dislike wind, or want to walk on an island. You cannot land on Lundey. I would also lower my expectations for phone photography. You may get fine shots, but you should book the trip for the live sight of puffins in their natural setting, not for a guaranteed gallery of close portraits.

Snacks are not included, so eat beforehand if you need food during the hour. The meeting point is in Reykjavik, and the tour returns there after the outing, which makes it easy to plan around other city activities.

Should you book the Premium Puffin tour?

Book it if you want the closest practical boat approach to Reykjavik’s puffins, appreciate a small group, and can handle a fast ride on open water. The warm suit, capable crew, and short schedule remove much of the hassle.

Bring binoculars, dress in layers, and treat the photography as a bonus. The strongest reason to go is the chance to watch puffins flying and feeding around Lundey, with a guide explaining the birds as you see them.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, a motionless viewing platform, or the ability to walk among the birds. For most people who want a quick, well-organized puffin trip from central Reykjavik, the $85 price is fair, provided you understand that respectful distance and changing sea conditions are part of the deal.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

The tour lasts about one hour, including the RIB ride from Reykjavik harbor to the puffin viewing area and the return to the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the warm clothing included?

Yes. A warm flotation suit and necessary safety equipment are included. The supplied gear may also include items such as a hat, gloves, and eye protection.

Can I get off the boat at Lundey?

No. You stay on the RIB and view the puffins from the water. The boat keeps a respectful distance from the nesting grounds.

What is the minimum age and height?

The minimum age is 10 years, and the minimum height is 145 centimeters.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted. If poor weather causes Elding to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.