The 15 Best Puffin Tours in Reykjavik

1.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,052 reviews · 1 hour · from $64Our pick

Join a one-hour puffin cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour aboard the wooden boat Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli. A guide such as Patrick, Joe, or Rebekka explains puffins and other seabirds as you cruise to Lundey and Akurey. Binoculars are supplied, and the boat holds up to 33 people.

“Fantastic! Both the guide (Joe) and the captain ((Anders?) were very knowledgeable, funny, kind, and helpful. Everything went smoothly and as advertised.”

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2.Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 636 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63

Set out from Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik for a roughly one-hour cruise to Akurey Island. Your guide explains puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots while the captain circles the island and pauses near nesting areas. Binoculars are included, and hotel pickup can be arranged for an extra fee.

“I was seeing the birds all through Iceland and this trip was perfect to get to see them up close! 10/10 would go again!”

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3.Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 442 reviews · from $148

You’ll take two separate cruises from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor: a close-range puffin trip on the shallow-draft Old Skúli, then a whale search aboard the spacious Andrea or a faster boat. Guides such as Patrick and Rebecca add humor and solid wildlife facts. Choose classic or express whale watching, and leave time for weather and sea conditions.

“The combination offered by Special Tours was a really good choice, especially choosing the faster tour for the whale watching. Less time travelling to the area, same amount of time to spot the whales, perfect! Going to watch puffins afterwards was great. Good explanations on both tours, a downloadable app with more info, binoculars to borrow for free to spot the puffins, everything was great! Also, despite the many tourists they have every day, they remembered me and gave me a discount for booking a second tour with them to go sea angling, lovely.Read more”

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4.1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 305 reviews · 1 hour · from $66

From Ægisgarður 5, Elding’s English-speaking guide takes you by yacht toward Akurey, Engey, or Lundey. You will watch puffins, eider ducks, terns, guillemots, and other seabirds from the water, with binoculars, warm overalls, rain gear, and blankets available onboard. Guide Frida has also shared bird photos with guests.

“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.”

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5.Puffin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 277 reviews · 1 hour · from $101

Join Whale Safari at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a one-hour RIB trip to the puffin colonies of Faxaflói Bay. You’ll wear provided coveralls, ride close to rocky islands, and watch puffins, gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Guides such as Anna, Maria, and Mikel have been praised for lively explanations and helpful photography.

“So cool getting up close to the Puffins and having them fly all around the boat. Super neat experience.”

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6.Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 276 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Best value

Meet Elding Whale Watching at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a one-hour cruise to Engey, Akurey, or Lundey. Your guide explains puffins and other seabirds while the captain positions the boat near the protected islands. Binoculars, raincoats, and crew photos are available, but bring warm layers and sturdy shoes.

“We saw so many Puffins… Very well organized. Beautiful boat that allowed us to get very close to the two nesting islands just outside the Reykjavik harbor. The had binoculars for everyone that wanted them and a guide on the boat that pointed out and provided information about the puffins and other birds around the islands. Highly recommend..”

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7.Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 179 reviews · from $191

Join a small group of up to 12 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB ride to puffin islands and whale grounds. An English-speaking marine biologist guide helps spot wildlife, while the captain covers more water than larger boats. Warm suits, gloves, goggles, and photos from the crew are included.

“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”

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8.Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $105Top rated

Meet at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a roughly one-hour puffin trip in a small RIB boat carrying no more than 12 people. From May 15 to August 20, guides such as Maja, Sam, Alma, and Ricardo take you near nesting islands in Faxaflói Bay. Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, safety gear, and binoculars are included.

“The ride was extremely bumpy and frightening. I hurt my knee on one of the bumps. I believe there should be a warning on this ride. I did not realize how extreme the ride to see the puffins were. Speaking of puffins, you don't get close to them so I am not sure I can recommend this trip.”

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9.Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 110 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $156

Pair a short Akurey puffin cruise with a longer Faxaflói Bay whale-watching trip from Reykjavik. You can choose the order, use onboard binoculars and warm gear, and hear natural-history commentary. Guides such as Patrick, Blanca, Jo, and Lucas have earned praise for clear, lively explanations, though wildlife sightings and viewing distance vary.

“The whale watching part of the tour was great. We were lucky to see both whales and dolphins, the tour guide was pleasant and gave us a lot of information about the whales. That being said, I think it's important to keep in mind that seeing whales is not guaranteed, our boat was fortunate enough on that day, but it is possible that you could spend a few hours at sea and not see any wildlife, not that it would be the tour company fault though. They provided us with warm overalls which we gladly put on, as even in June it was very cold and windy. They also gave…”

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10.Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 71 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $85

Join Elding Whale Watching at Reykjavik’s Ægisgarður harbor for a one-hour RIB trip to Lundey. A group of up to 12 rides in warm flotation suits with safety gear and live English guidance. Guides such as Knute explain puffins and other seabirds, while the boat gets as close to the nesting island as safety and bird welfare allow.

“Fun and exciting. The crew did a wonderful job of explaining not only the puffins we saw but also several other sea birds we saw.”

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11.Two-In-One: Whale & Puffin Watching Tours from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $140

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you take a one-hour puffin cruise to Lundey or another breeding island, then a three-hour whale trip into Faxaflói Bay. Two separate boats, English commentary, marine biologist guides, warm indoor seating, binoculars, protective clothing, WiFi, and a free return whale trip if cetaceans do not appear.

“Saw a large number of puffins on land and on sea. Very cute animals. Also saw a large number of whales, a couple even showed us their white bellies.”

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12.Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Skarfabakki Harbour to Akurey Island, where your guide points out puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds. The boat circles the island, pauses with its engine off for photos, and returns in about an hour. Binoculars, coffee, commentary, and a port shuttle are included.

“Loved seeing the Puffins floating on the sea near the island in the harbor where the covered boat had taken us. Our guide, Joel, was super nice and very knowledgeable regarding the Puffins. He also pointed out other unusual birds for that area.”

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13.Puffin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · 1 hour · from $66

Join a small boat tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a one-hour trip to the puffin islands, about 15 minutes offshore. An English-speaking biologist guide explains the birds and bay, while the captain positions the boat for clear views. Binoculars are supplied, but bring a camera and warm, weatherproof clothing.

“Guide was helpful. Saw few puffins as they start to leave by this time.”

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14.Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $153

Set out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a 2 to 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise, then take a separate one-hour puffin boat to nearby islands. You’ll look for humpback and minke whales, watch puffins with provided binoculars, and hear live English commentary. Guide Daniel has earned special praise for his warm, lively approach.

“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”

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15.Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join a two-hour evening wildlife cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour in a fast, stable RIB boat limited to 12 people. Your captain and English-speaking guide search Faxaflói Bay for whales, dolphins and puffins, then return along the shore past Harpa and the Sun Voyager. Warm overalls are supplied.

“We are very lucky to see a splendid show by multiple whales under sunset. Puffins are also cute and tiny! Guide is nice. Whale Safari provides excellent services. Highly recommended.”

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