Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

Reykjavik’s Premium Puffin tour gets you close to Lundey by fast RIB, the small inflatable boat that can approach the island more closely than a larger whale-watching vessel. I like the warm flotation suit, the short one-hour schedule, and the small group of no more than 12 people. You have a good chance of seeing many puffins, but you still remain on the boat and must keep a respectful distance from the nesting cliffs.

I also like the cushioned RIB seats, the handles in front of each seat, and the guides’ live explanations. The main drawback is simple: a rocking boat and small, quick birds make sharp phone photos difficult. Binoculars are useful, and calm water is never guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• Lundey is only about 10 minutes from the harbor: Most of the short outing is spent near the puffin island rather than on a long ride offshore.
• The RIB carries no more than 12 people: This gives you a better view of the guide and keeps the outing personal.
• You stay on the boat: The tour approaches the nesting island, but there is no landing and no walking among the puffins.
• Warm gear is provided: Expect a flotation suit and safety equipment, with hats, gloves, and eye protection provided according to the tour experience.
• Bring your own binoculars: The supplied binoculars may not show much detail, especially if you want to see birds on the cliffs.
• This is a seasonal outing: Puffins are present around Iceland during their nesting season, so timing matters if they are your main reason for going.

A fast RIB ride from Reykjavik harbor

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching on Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s harbor area. You check in there, receive your equipment, and return to the same meeting point after the outing. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the harbor yourself.

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. That matters because it can run close to the small islands and maneuver more easily than a large sightseeing boat. It also means a more direct ride, with open exposure to wind and spray. The RIB is not a luxury cruiser, but the seats are cushioned and designed with handles in front of you.

The trip takes about one hour. That is a real advantage if you are fitting puffins into a packed Reykjavik day. You can pair it with other harbor sights, museums, or a city walk without giving up half a day.

The tradeoff is that this is a boat trip first and a bird-watching platform second. On calm water, the ride can feel smooth and playful. On rougher water, it can bounce and cause seasickness. One person found the ride quite rough, while another described the boat as stable and comfortable. Both experiences are possible, since conditions can change quickly.

Meeting puffins at Lundey

Lundey is the main stop, and the island is the reason to choose this tour. The ride to the puffin area takes roughly 10 minutes, leaving plenty of the hour for watching birds around the island and nearby water.

Puffins use the island for nesting during their season. You may see them perched on the cliffs, flying around the boat, floating on the water, or returning with small fish in their bills. The most memorable sight may not be a single bird on a cliff. It can be a group bobbing beside the RIB, or several birds trying to land while others skim the water.

The crew also points out other seabirds. The guides explain puffin behavior and identify birds you may otherwise miss. One guide, Knute, received special praise for his clear explanations, while other outings have been led by guides including Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy. The exact guide depends on the departure, but live commentary is part of the experience.

The phrase close up and personal needs a little context. The RIB gets closer to the island than a classic larger-boat outing, but the crew does not take you right up to the nests. That distance protects the birds during their nesting period. You cannot step ashore, and you should not expect to stand beside a puffin burrow.

This is a good example of a nature tour where the animals set the terms. If the boat stays farther away than you hoped, that is not necessarily a failure. Puffins are small, fast, and easily disturbed. Still, if you are picturing a bird within arm’s reach, adjust that expectation before booking.

Why binoculars matter more than your phone

You can take pictures from the RIB, but photography is one of the harder parts of this experience. The boat moves, the birds move faster, and puffins on the cliffs can look tiny through a phone camera.

I would bring your own binoculars if you have them. The company may hand out binoculars, but the quality has not impressed everyone. Your own compact pair can make the difference between seeing a dark shape on a cliff and seeing a puffin’s bill, face, and fish.

The guides may also take photographs with a larger camera and share them at the end. That helps fill the gap when your phone struggles. Even so, I would treat photography as a bonus rather than the main goal. Watch the birds first, then take a few pictures when the boat settles.

You might get excellent phone images if the RIB comes near a group on the water. Several outings have produced decent pictures of puffins swimming close to the boat. Cliff shots are more demanding.

Warm clothing and safety on the water

I like that the price includes a warm flotation suit and the necessary safety equipment. In the cooler Icelandic weather, that removes one worry. Reports from the boat also describe hats, gloves, and eye protection being provided, so you are not expected to arrive in specialist marine clothing.

The suit is practical, not stylish. You put it on for warmth and flotation, then head out in clothing that can handle wind and spray. The crew gives safety instructions, and the boat has handles that help you brace yourself.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour has a minimum age of 10 years, or a minimum height of 145 centimeters. That height rule also relates to the seating and safety setup. If you are short, your feet may not rest comfortably, and one person found that their legs dangled a little.

The RIB can feel exciting without being an extreme activity. One person expected something much more physical and found it manageable. Still, if you are prone to seasickness, the boat’s speed and open seating deserve attention. The calmer the day, the more relaxed the ride will feel.

What the $85 price buys you

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. The value depends on what you want.

You are paying for a small group, a fast boat that can approach the islands, warm flotation gear, safety equipment, and a guide who explains the birds as you watch them. A large boat may offer a calmer ride, but the RIB gives you a better chance of getting near the islands. If puffins are high on your Iceland list, that difference matters.

The one-hour length also helps the price make sense. You are not committing a full morning or afternoon. You can fit it between city plans, and the return to the same harbor meeting point keeps the logistics simple.

The value is weaker if you want a relaxed cruise, a long wildlife session, or guaranteed close photographs. It is also weaker outside the puffin nesting season, when the birds may not be present. The tour requires good weather, so a cancellation can happen if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want a short, focused chance to see puffins from Reykjavik. It suits a first visit when you want a wildlife experience but do not have time for a long excursion outside the city.

It is also a good fit for people who prefer small groups. With a maximum of 12, you should have a clearer view of the guide and less crowding than on a large boat. The crew can also give the outing a more personal feel.

Families with children 10 or older may find the trip manageable, provided everyone meets the 145-centimeter height rule and can handle a moving boat. People with mobility needs should contact the operator before booking. The company has helped with special transport requests, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard tour.

I would be more cautious if you dislike wind, bouncing boats, or open water. The Classic Puffin tour may be better if you want a calmer experience, according to the operator’s own advice. The Premium trip is about getting closer by RIB, not about sitting in a quiet cabin.

How to get the most from the hour

Arrive ready to put on the provided gear and keep the schedule moving. Wear comfortable clothes underneath the flotation suit, and bring binoculars if you own a pair.

Keep your camera accessible, but do not spend the whole trip staring at the screen. Watch the water around the boat. Puffins may appear beside you, and those moments can pass quickly.

Listen for the guide’s bird information, not just the puffin count. The crew identifies other seabirds and explains what you are seeing. A good guide turns a short ride into more than a quick tick on a sightseeing list.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. You can see hundreds or even thousands of puffins in the right conditions, but the birds may be farther away than photographs suggest. The best part is seeing them in their own setting, with the boat close enough to show their flight, swimming, and feeding behavior without entering the nesting grounds.

Should you book the Premium Puffin tour?

Book it if you want the closest practical puffin view from Reykjavik, enjoy a quick RIB ride, and can accept changing sea conditions. The small group, warm gear, strong bird commentary, and one-hour schedule make it a useful addition to a city stay.

Skip it if you need guaranteed close-up photographs, dislike choppy water, or want to walk on the island. For the best chance of seeing puffins, plan for their nesting season, bring binoculars, and choose a day when the weather looks favorable.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour start?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik’s harbor.

How long does the puffin tour last?

The RIB tour lasts approximately one hour.

Which island does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Lundey, where you see puffins in their natural habitat.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 people.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, and the one-hour RIB ride. Hats, gloves, and eye protection have also been provided during the experience.

Can you get off the boat at Lundey?

No. You stay on the boat and observe the puffins from the water. The boat approaches as closely as is appropriate without disturbing the nesting grounds.

What is the minimum age and height?

The minimum age is 10 years, or the participant must be at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.