Iceland · PUFFIN WATCHING TOURS

The 15 Best Puffin Watching Tours in Iceland

24 tours  ·  from $60

Puffins are ashore from about May to early August and gone by the middle of it. These 15 cover the island colonies off Reykjavík, the cliffs in the north and the Westman Islands, priced and clear about how close the boat really gets.

Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour - Lundey and Akurey, where the puffins gather
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

1.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

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

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour aboard the wooden Puffin Express to Lundey and Akurey. Guides such as Patrick, Joe, and Rebekka explain puffins and seabirds while you watch from the deck or roof. Binoculars are provided, but wind, waves, and viewing distance can affect photos.

“A really enjoyable hour long boat trip to watch the puffins coming and going, adorable creatures, and saw plenty of other sea birds too. Joe the guide was excellent, entertaining and informative. Would highly recommend this trip.”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - Starting at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík
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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 a guide such as Austin, Iñaki, or Ignacio aboard a 12-seat RIB from Húsavík. Race across Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, then visit Lundey Island for puffins from April 15 to August 20. Warm overalls and life vests are provided.

“The team was great and very nice and knowledgeable. We saw several whales, dolphins and many puffins (summer season only). The speed boat has around 12 seats so its a small group, which makes the experience more exclusive.”

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Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi - Sprangan: a glimpse of island courage
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Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi

3.Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi

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

Spend two fast-moving hours touring Heimaey by comfortable, air-conditioned minicoach with local guide Ebbi. See puffin colonies, Elephant Rock, Eldfell volcano, Herjólfsdalur, Stórhöfði, and the Viking Town while learning about island life, history, and the daring sport of Sprangan.

“Originally, we booked the puffin and volcano tour with Ebbie because our cruise ship tours were full. We were so glad they were! It turned out this was the best tour of our vacation! Ebbie is so personable and it’s obvious he loves his home and showing visitors around! He included much more than the puffins and volcanoes! He gave us a great glimpse into the history of the island and what it’s like to live there. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik - Why the guide can make the short trip worthwhile
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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

4.Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

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

Join an English-speaking guide and captain for a one-hour boat trip from Reykjavik to Akurey Island. From May through August, you may see puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. Guides such as Patrick, Peter, and Joe are known for lively bird stories, and binoculars are provided.

“You do see puffins but not close enough for any decent iPhone pictures. Would love a more in depth and longer trip.”

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Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour - Choosing between Akurey, Engey, and Lundey
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Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

5.1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

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

Sail from Ægisgarður harbor toward Akurey, Engey, or Lundey for a close look at puffins and seabirds. Your English-speaking guide explains puffin life, while onboard binoculars, rain gear, blankets, and a warm indoor area help in Iceland’s changeable weather. Ask about tide times for the closest approach.

“This was an excellent tour. We saw lots of puffins despite the cloudy weather. The crew was helpful and friendly. The boat was nice and the group size was just right. Overall a nice cruise.”

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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour - Meeting the puffins on the offshore islands
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

6.Puffin Watching Tour

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

Join Whale Safari at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor for a one-hour RIB cruise to the puffin colonies of Faxaflói Bay. Your English-speaking guide explains puffin behavior while the captain brings you near nesting islands. Guides such as Anna, Maria, and Mikel have been praised for lively talks and helpful photos.

“The puffin tour was amazing. We expected to see a small number of puffins but saw hundreds of them. Maria, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and also took pictures that were shared with us through email. The boat was able to get very close to the island and we were able to watch puffins on the shore as well as swimming and flying all around us. It was an excellent tour.”

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Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík - The 15-minute run to the puffin islands
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Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

7.Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

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

Meet Elding at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a one-hour puffin cruise to Engey, Akurey, or Lundey. An English-speaking guide, sometimes including Freya, explains the birds while you use loan binoculars and view Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Sun Voyager from the water.

“Tour guide was excellent in explaining about Puffins. Took close to the island to get good photos. Boat also supplied binoculars and rain wear.”

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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour - The RIB ride is part of the attraction
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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

8.Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

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

Join a 12-person RIB tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to see seasonal puffins, whales, dolphins, and seabirds. A trained marine guide explains animal behavior while the captain searches a wide area. Warm suits, gloves, and goggles are supplied, and crew photos are shared afterward.

“Great guides! Got to see whales, dolphins and puffins. Great fun! Bundle up”

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Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík - Starting at Ægisgarður in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour
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Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík

9.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 RIB boat ride to puffin-nesting islands in Faxaflói Bay. With guides such as Maja, Alex, Sam, or Ricardo, you’ll use provided binoculars and warm gear while watching puffins, gannets, and seabirds without going ashore.

“Our tour to see the nesting puffins has been a top-of-list activity as soon as we knew we were really going to Iceland. The tour was so easy! We walked there from our downtown hotel and the tour team got us organized, ready in weather-and-situation-appropriate gear, and took us across the harbor to 2 different islands where the puffins nest. It was such a thrilling experience to be up close to the birds and see them nesting in the rocks on the island shoreline. Very cool - loved it!”

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From Reykjavik: Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands - The ferry crossing to Heimaey
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From Reykjavik: Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands

10.Puffin and Volcano Tour in Westman Islands

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

Ride the Herjólfur ferry to Vestmannaeyjar, watch puffins at Stórhöfði, visit Eldheimar Museum, explore Skansinn, and hike Eldfell Volcano. Your English-speaking guide handles the long day, ferry timing, and island transport. Guides have included Tomasz, Rebecca, Thor, Elisa, and Hjalti.

“This trip was the highlight of our holiday. Tomasz was a fantastic guide and we saw so much of the island. He was informative and engaging for adults and children alike. Would definitely recommend.”

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Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Searching Faxafloi Bay for whales
Cruises & Boat Tours, Puffin Watching Tours, Reykjavik Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching

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

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

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

Set out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour on two separate cruises: a whale-watching trip in Faxafloi Bay and a short puffin cruise around Akurey. Guides such as Jo, Lucas, Blanca, and Patrick have been praised for clear wildlife commentary. Binoculars, Wi-Fi, blankets, and warm overalls are included.

“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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Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal - Lundey: puffins on the cliff and in the water
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Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

12.Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

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

Join Elding’s small-group RIB ride from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a fast, close look at puffins around Lundey. Your crew supplies a warm flotation suit, safety gear, and live bird commentary. Guides such as Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy have helped make the short trip lively and informative.

“The ride on the high speed R.I.B [ridged hull inflatable boat] was as much fun as taking photos of the seabirds. The photos came out great since you get as close as is wise to the nests in the cliffs.”

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Two-In-One: Whale & Puffin Watching Tours from Reykjavik - Lundey: puffins from a smaller boat
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Two-In-One: Whale & Puffin Watching Tours from Reykjavik

13.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, take a one-hour cruise toward Lundey or another puffin island, then enjoy free time before a three-hour whale search in Faxaflói Bay. Marine guides explain local wildlife in English, with warm clothing, binoculars, indoor viewing, WiFi, and a free return trip if no cetaceans appear.

“The Puffin tour was done on a party yacht repurposed for bird watching. It was uncomfortable for that purpose, especially at max occupancy. As others have mentioned, this isn't a single tour, but two completely independent tours. The whale watching is on a much bigger boat.”

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Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise - The small boat: better access, tighter seating
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Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

14.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 a small boat circles rocky nesting grounds in search of puffins and Arctic terns. An English-speaking guide, loaner binoculars, coffee, and round-trip port transfers are included. Guides such as Rebekah, Oscar, Joel, and Patricia have earned special praise.

“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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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour - Meeting the puffins on the offshore islands
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

15.Puffin Watching Tour

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

Set out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a one-hour puffin-watching trip to the small islands in the bay. A live English-speaking biologist guide explains the birds and wildlife while the captain handles the boat. You’ll have binoculars, open viewpoints, and striking views of the city and coast.

“it was amazing, the water was calm and it was a beautiful day. we saw lots of puffins actively fishing and flying back to their nests. A real treat and so glad we did this! the guide was knowledgeable and the trip was just right in length.”

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New in Puffin Watching Tours

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