The 11 Best Puffin Watching Tours in Iceland

1.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

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

Join the Puffin Express from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a one-hour cruise to Lundey and Akurey. Your English-speaking guide points out puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots from the wooden boat Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli. Binoculars are provided, and guides such as Patrick and Joe are known for lively, informed commentary.

“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.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

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

Join a small RIB tour from Húsavík for two hours of whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay. The boat carries up to 12 people, reaches wildlife quickly, and visits Lundey Island for puffins from April 15 to August 20. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, and Ignacio add useful nature facts while warm overalls protect you from the cold.

“A great Must-go experience in Iceland! My family love the whale-watching trip and we DID see 4 whales. The guide Martin (see if the name is correct) is a very nice guy, who is professional and cared a lot about my parents‘ safety. Highly recommended!”

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3.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

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

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat trip with up to 12 passengers. Your English-speaking guide, possibly a marine biologist such as Matteo, Rui, or Zara, leads you to Puffin Island and whale-rich Skjálfandi Bay. Warm overalls are supplied, but expect a brisk, bumpy ride.

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

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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 two-hour tour of Heimaey by air-conditioned minibus. Visit the Viking Town, Eldfell crater, Stórhöfði puffin colony, Elephant Rock, and Herjólfsdalur. Expect frequent short walks, local stories, dramatic views, and a weather-dependent chance to see puffins.

“Absolutely amazing tour! Beyond what we expected! Ebbi was very knowledgeable on ALL things related to the Island and I feel so lucky to have gotten such a great tour and so many local facts from him!”

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5.Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

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

Board a fast boat from Reykjavik’s Geirsgata harbor and circle Akurey Island, where puffins nest from May through August. Your guide, possibly Patrick, Peter, or Joe, explains puffins and local seabirds while binoculars are provided. The cruise lasts about an hour, making it easy to fit into a busy Iceland day, though birds can be far away and numbers drop sharply by mid-August.

“Great tour. We did see the puffins. Wish we could have seen them closer but we did see them. Glad we got to see them before they leave the area.”

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6.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

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

Speed across Skjálfandi Bay in a RIB boat carrying no more than 12 people, searching for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins. A guide such as Austin, Alessandra, or Danny explains the wildlife while the captain handles the boat. Expect cold air, spray, and a lively ride.

“The experience was amazing! We saw three whales, some of them very close! In addition, the tours are very individual. Personally, I found the small groups much more pleasant than the large ships.”

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7.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

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

Join North Sailing from Húsavík for a roughly 3 to 3.5-hour cruise on a traditional oak boat. A live English-speaking guide helps you spot whales, dolphins, and puffins around Skjálfandi Bay. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included. Puffins may be viewed from a distance.

“Great trip on a sailboat - we have seen 3 different whales from very close. Amazing experience. Only drawback: we have seen puffins but from quite a distance. Had expected to get closer.”

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8.Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

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

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor on two separate wildlife trips. Old Skúli gets close to puffin islands, while the Andrea or faster express boat searches Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Guides such as Patrick and Rebecca add clear facts, humor, and practical wildlife advice.

“We had a great experience with a whale that liked to show off so we were very lucky!!”

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

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

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat safari across Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide may lead you to humpback, minke, blue whales, dolphins, and Puffin Island during the April to August season. The boat carries no more than 12 people, with warm safety overalls supplied. Expect speed, spray, cold air, and a serious chance of wildlife.

“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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10.1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

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

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor to Akurey, Engey, or Lundey with an English-speaking naturalist guide. You will watch puffins, eider ducks, guillemots, terns, and other seabirds from the boat, using free binoculars. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets help in cool weather, and guides such as Frida add lively puffin facts to the hour-long outing.

“Guide was knowledgeable. Perfect amount of time to circle the island.”

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11.Puffin Watching Tour

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

Meet the Whale Safari team at Reykjavik Old Harbour for a one-hour RIB ride to Faxaflói Bay and its puffin colonies. Your captain and English-speaking guide explain puffin behavior while you watch birds on the water, cliffs, and in flight. Coveralls, safety gear, and binoculars are included. Expect speed, spray, and a bumpy ride.

“Fun adventure for people of all ages! Puffins were remarkable! Saw lots of them and the boat ride was a blast!”

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