Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

The best part of this tour is the fast RIB ride to Lundey, where puffins gather on the water and around their nesting cliffs. You stay aboard, but the boat can approach closer than a standard sightseeing vessel. I like the small group of no more than 12 and the thoughtful cold-weather gear, which makes this a simple way to add wildlife to a busy Reykjavik day.

I also like that the tour lasts only about an hour. You can see a great number of puffins, hear lively explanations from guides such as Knute, and still have most of the day free. The catch is important: close up and personal does not mean landing on the island or touching the birds. Some departures keep a respectful distance, and phone photos can be difficult.

Key points to know before booking

• Lundey is only about 10 minutes away by boat, leaving plenty of time to watch puffins rather than spend the whole trip in transit.
• The RIB carries a maximum of 12 people, giving you a better chance to hear the guide and see around the boat.
• Warm flotation suits, hats, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are provided, though you still need sensible clothing underneath.
• Bring your own binoculars if you have them, since the supplied binoculars may not show fine details clearly.
• The boat can be lively in rough water, so this suits you better if you are comfortable with speed, wind, and a little motion.
• Puffins are seasonal in Iceland, and the tour can be canceled or moved if weather makes the trip unsafe.

A quick RIB run from Reykjavik harbor

Elding’s Premium Puffin Tour begins at Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s harbor area, and returns to the same place. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. The harbor is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in central Reykjavik.

The whole outing takes about an hour. That short length is a real advantage. You can fit it between a morning visit to Hallgrímskirkja and an afternoon museum, or use it as a compact wildlife break before dinner. If your Iceland itinerary is already crowded with the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, and whale watching, this tour asks for very little time.

The RIB is the star of the trip. It can travel close to the small offshore islands, where a larger boat would need to stay farther out. The ride is not simply transportation to the birds. On calm days, the speed and open-water view are part of the fun.

Still, do not picture a glassy, gentle cruise. The boat can bounce when the wind rises, and one person found the ride quite rough. Other outings have been calm enough to feel easy and stable. Conditions in Faxaflói Bay matter, so your experience can change from one departure to the next.

Lundey and the puffin colony

Lundey is the main stop, with about 40 minutes devoted to the puffin area. The islands off Reykjavik provide nesting ground during the season when puffins come to Iceland. You remain on the boat, since landing would disturb the birds and their nests.

That boat-only setup is worth understanding before you pay. The crew aims to get as close as it safely can, but the distance is controlled by bird welfare, sea conditions, and the shape of the cliffs. You might see birds sitting on the water near the RIB, flying past, or carrying fish. You may also see puffins clustered around the island and other seabirds using the same waters.

The most memorable moments may not come from a single perfect portrait. Puffins bobbing beside the boat, struggling into flight, or returning with fish can be more entertaining than a static view on a cliff. Several sightings have included very large numbers of birds, and occasional extra wildlife, including a humpback whale.

The guide explains puffin behavior and points out other seabirds. That matters because the boat moves, the birds are small, and the action can be easy to miss. A good guide helps you look in the right direction rather than stare at an empty patch of water.

What close up and personal really means

The tour title sets high expectations. In practice, close means closer than a classic boat trip, not standing beside a puffin. You cannot get onto Lundey, walk among the nests, or approach the birds on foot.

This is the right approach for a protected nesting site. Puffins are easily disturbed, and a boat that stays at a sensible distance allows you to see natural behavior without turning the colony into a photo set. The crew’s answer to disappointed passengers is clear: the Premium trip brings you nearer than the classic option, but it still respects the birds.

Your view depends on the day. Some people get close enough for decent phone pictures. Others find the birds too far away for sharp images, especially when the boat rocks. Even with a good camera, fast-moving puffins and low light can make photography tricky.

I would bring binoculars if you own a compact pair. The onboard binoculars are useful in principle, but the quality may not be enough for detailed viewing. A larger camera lens helps, too. The guide may take pictures with a better camera and share them at the end, which can give you images that a phone cannot manage from a moving boat.

Warm suits and a steady seat

Elding provides a warm flotation suit and the necessary safety equipment. The gear can include hats, gloves, goggles, and a warm outer layer, depending on the equipment issued for the departure. This is helpful in Iceland, where a sunny harbor can turn cold once the RIB is moving.

Wear comfortable clothing underneath the suit. You do not need to bring a full expedition wardrobe, but avoid dressing as if you will remain on a sheltered city street. Wind reaches you quickly on open water, and warm hands make it easier to use binoculars or a camera.

The RIB has cushioned seats with handles on the seat ahead. The seats are designed to move with the boat, which can make the ride more comfortable than a hard bench. Shorter people may find that their feet do not rest naturally, and the minimum height requirement is 145 centimeters. The minimum age is 10.

You should have moderate physical fitness. The tour is not a strenuous hike, and one description found it less physical than expected. You still need to manage boat boarding and remain seated during a moving ride. If you are prone to motion sickness, the RIB format and wind deserve serious thought.

A small group with live English guidance

The maximum group size is 12. That is small enough to keep the outing personal without turning it into a private charter. You are more likely to hear the guide, move your gaze when a bird is pointed out, and ask a question without competing with a large crowd.

Guides have included Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy, with a captain handling the boat. Knute has been singled out for clear explanations, while other guides have been praised for sharing facts about puffins and the wider birdlife. The company’s office team has also helped with special transport requests in at least one case, though standard hotel transfers are not included.

The live guidance is delivered in English. The information adds value because puffins can look like small black-and-white marks from a distance. Knowing what they are doing, where to look, and how to recognize a bird carrying a fish turns a quick sighting into a more rewarding one.

The crew also explains seabirds beyond puffins. That broadens the outing without making it feel like a formal birding class. You get the main attraction, plus a clearer sense of the life around Reykjavik’s offshore islands.

Price, timing, and overall value

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest hour you can spend in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small-group boat, a fast RIB, safety gear, warm flotation clothing, and a guide. The value is strongest if you specifically want to see puffins and do not want to spend half a day at sea.

The short duration makes the price easier to justify. A longer wildlife tour gives you more time on the water, but it also takes a larger piece of your schedule and can be tiring. This trip works well for a first or last day in the city, especially if you have limited time or a cruise stop.

I would not book it only for a guaranteed postcard photograph. Weather, distance, bird movement, and boat motion all affect the result. I would book it for the chance to see puffins in their natural setting, hear useful explanations, and enjoy a brisk ride close to the islands.

The tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging about 56 days in advance. That suggests you should not leave it until the final morning if puffins are a priority. It is especially sensible to reserve early during the limited puffin season, since these birds are present in Iceland only during their nesting period.

Weather, comfort, and the risk of disappointment

The operator requires good weather for the trip to run. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent into unsafe water, but it also means your schedule needs some flexibility.

If you have several days in Reykjavik, place the tour early enough to allow a change of date. If you are visiting for one day from a cruise ship, the weather risk matters more because there may be no spare departure. Contacting the operator about transport needs is wise if you require special arrangements, since ordinary pickup and drop-off are not part of the tour.

Sea conditions also shape comfort. One trip can feel stable and easy, while another can be rough enough to cause seasickness. The RIB is designed for this kind of water, and the safety equipment and experienced captain help, but no boat can remove the wind and waves.

If you know you react badly to motion, consider this carefully. The classic puffin option may provide a calmer experience, according to the operator’s guidance, but the Premium tour is the one that gets closer to the islands.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This is a strong match for you if you want:

• A short wildlife outing from central Reykjavik
• A small group rather than a large sightseeing boat
• A faster, more active ride
• Puffin sightings without committing to a full-day excursion
• Live explanations about puffins and other seabirds
• Warm outer gear supplied at the harbor

Families with children aged 10 and older can consider it, provided the child meets the 145-centimeter height requirement and is comfortable on a moving boat. The height rule is practical, since the seating and safety equipment need to fit properly.

It is less suitable if you need a smooth, quiet cruise, want to walk on the nesting island, or need close photographic portraits with a phone. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is certainty. Wildlife is unpredictable, and one departure produced no puffin sightings.

The high overall rating and 92 percent recommendation suggest that the tour usually delivers a satisfying outing, but the weaker experiences explain the conditions. The tour is not a zoo visit. You are going to sea to look for wild birds.

Should you book the Reykjavik Premium Puffin Tour?

I would book this tour if puffins are high on your Iceland wish list and you value a compact, well-organized outing. The small RIB group, warm gear, and strong guiding make it a better choice than simply hoping to spot seabirds from the city shore.

Book it with realistic expectations. You will stay on the boat, and the crew may need to keep farther from the cliffs than the title suggests. Bring binoculars, protect your camera from spray, and allow for changing weather.

For the best balance of time and access, this is a good Reykjavik add-on. For the calmest possible ride or the best chance of a long, slow wildlife search, consider a different puffin format. If you want a lively hour, a close approach that respects the birds, and the chance to see hundreds of puffins around Lundey, this tour earns its place on your plan.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Premium Puffin Tour begin?

It begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the puffin tour last?

The RIB outing lasts approximately one hour. About 40 minutes are spent at Lundey and the puffin area.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a one-hour RIB trip, a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, and live English guidance.

Are hotel pickup and snacks included?

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

What is the minimum age and height?

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

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.