Iceland · PUFFIN TOURS

Puffins in Iceland: The 15 Best Tours

32 tours  ·  from $60

They hold the cliffs from May and are gone by early August, so the calendar does the choosing. These 15 cover the short boats off Reykjavik and the northern colonies, priced, timed and honest about how close you really get.

Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour - What the puffin guarantee really means
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

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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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - Starting across Skjálfandi Bay
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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

2.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198

Join an English-speaking guide and captain on a fast, small-group RIB from Húsavík. Search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, then visit Lundey Island for puffins from April 15 to August 20. Warm water-resistant overalls are supplied, but bring your own hat and gloves.

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) We went on the Big Whales Island Speedboat Tour in Húsavík and had a wonderful experience! The guide was fantastic — very knowledgeable and passionate about the whales and the local nature. I really loved his explanations and the great vibes he created throughout the trip; it felt both educational and fun. What I liked the most was how close we could get to the whales while still respecting their space — it was truly unforgettable! The scenery around the island was breathtaking, and the speedboat made the whole experience exciting and dynamic. I highly recommended if you visit Húsavík!”

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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat - Puffin Island from April to August
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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

3.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 973 reviews · from $159

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB safari across Skjálfandi Bay. Your English-speaking guide, possibly a marine biologist such as Matteo or Zara, leads you to Puffin Island in season and searches for humpback, blue, and minke whales. The boat carries up to 12 people and includes warm safety overalls.

“Very nice experience and approach, we got useful information. Thanks to our guide and the captain.”

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Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi - Viking Town and the story of the first settlers
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Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi

4.Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 731 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $114Top rated

Join local guide Ebbi for a fast-moving tour of Heimaey Island by air-conditioned minicoach. You’ll visit puffin colonies, Stórhöfði, Eldfell’s crater, Elephant Rock, Herjólfsdalur, and the Viking Town, while hearing local stories and watching a demonstration of Sprangan, an old island sport.

“Wonderful, small group tour with Ebbi who has loads of character and lots of local knowledge. Enjoy 😎”

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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik - Why the puffin season matters so much
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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

5.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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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík - A guide, a captain, and room to ask questions
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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

6.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203

Set out from Húsavík on a two-hour RIB ride across Skjálfandi Bay. Your captain covers ground quickly while an expert guide, such as Austin, Alessandra, or Danny, explains the whales and seabirds. The boat carries no more than 12 people, with warm suits and life jackets provided. Puffins are seasonal, usually from mid-April to August 20.

“Overall fun experience even though we took the 9am tour which was the first tour of the day hoping to see Whales, but only saw a few fins, not that exciting. Very cold, wet and rough waters getting out there so expect to get wet! They provide great gear for all. Austin our guide was great, very informative. I will say the negative was that it was also suppose to be whales & puffins, but the puffins aspect of the tour was never addressed, so not sure if what happened with that (?) overall no regrets.”

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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour - Getting ready at the North Sailing office
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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

7.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

From Húsavík, cruise Skjálfandi Bay for roughly 3 to 3.5 hours aboard a traditional oak boat. An English-speaking guide explains whales and seabirds while you look for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins near Puffin Island. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun help take the edge off the cold.

“The whale watching and puffin island trip was one of the highlights of our Iceland trip. The weather was favorable and we saw plenty of puffins at the puffin island. We were also fortunate to see a number of humpback whales and porpoises. But the biggest highlight of the trip has to be the blue whale spotting. It was such an once in a lifetime experience for us. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting information with us. The hot chocolate at the end of the trip was just the cherry on top. Had the most amazing experience. Would recommend to everyone visiting Husavik.”

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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour - Getting close to puffins on Old Skúli
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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

8.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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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík - Crossing Skjálfandi Bay in search of whales
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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

9.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

Set out from Húsavík in a 12-person RIB for two hours on Skjálfandi Bay. Guides such as Nicoletta, Clara, Mario, and Victoria have led trips featuring humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and puffins. Warm safety overalls are supplied, but bring waterproof layers and expect a lively ride.

“Well organized & professional. Give & Captain excellent. Only downside was not being able to get close pictures of Puffins, otherwise, really great. Saw many whales.”

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Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour - Thirty minutes with puffins and seabirds
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Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

10.1-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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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour - Watching Atlantic Puffins around the small islands
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

11.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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Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík - Why the Season Makes a Difference
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Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

12.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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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour - Puffins around Reykjavik’s islands
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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

13.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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Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík - The RIB ride across Faxaflói Bay
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Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík

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

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

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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From Reykjavik: Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands - The ferry to Heimaey sets the mood
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From Reykjavik: Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands

15.Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 111 reviews · 14 hours · from $272

Travel from Reykjavik by minibus and ferry to Vestmannaeyjar, where you’ll watch puffins at Stórhöfði, see Elephant Rock, visit Eldheimar Museum, explore Skansinn, and hike Eldfell Volcano. Guides such as Tomasz, Rebecca, Thor, and Elisa are praised for clear local insight. Bring boots, layers, water, and snacks.

“Its not cheap to be in Iceland (food, tours, accommodation, rental car and gas) but this was definitely the best tour of the 3 that we took and worth the price. We did Golden Circle Small Group, Whale Watching and this one - all via Arctic Adventures. I liked this one the best because the ferry ride to Westman was gorgeous. Everything about every stop at Westman was next level beautiful. The small lookout to watch the Puffins was fantastic as was the hike up to the volcano (bring a hiking pole for support (it gets narrow at the very top and a bit steep if you are a beginner…”

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