Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

The best part of this one-hour RIB trip is the setting: you leave Reykjavik’s harbor and reach Lundey, a puffin-nesting island, in roughly 10 minutes. The boat gets closer than a standard whale-watching vessel, while still keeping a respectful distance from the birds.

I like the small group, capped at 12, and the warm flotation suit, which matters in Iceland even on a bright day. I also like how little time this takes, making it easy to fit beside museums, pools, and a walk around central Reykjavik. The catch is simple: close up does not mean landing on the island or standing beside a puffin. You stay on the boat, and a rough sea can make photos and stomachs unhappy.

Key points to know before you book

• Lundey is only about 10 minutes from the harbor, leaving around 40 minutes for bird watching and commentary.
• The RIB holds no more than 12 people, so the guide can speak to the whole group without shouting across a large deck.
• Warm flotation suits are supplied, along with safety equipment and other cold-weather gear.
• You stay aboard the boat, because the puffins nest on protected islands and must be watched from the water.
• Bring your own binoculars if you have them, since the supplied pair may not give you the sharpest view.
• The ride can be rough, though several people found the boat stable and felt safe throughout.

From Reykjavik harbor to Lundey in minutes

You meet Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan to reach the meeting point yourself. The harbor is near public transportation, which makes the start fairly easy to fit into a day in town.

The short harbor routine matters here. This is not a half-day boat trip with long stretches of open water. You receive your flotation suit and safety equipment, listen to the guide’s instructions, and head out in a rigid inflatable boat, usually called a RIB.

The ride to the nesting islands takes about 10 minutes according to the practical details shared during the trip. That leaves much of the hour for the reason you came: watching puffins near Lundey and, at times, other sea birds in the same area.

A RIB gives you a low, direct view of the water. It can also move close to the islands in a way a large vessel cannot. The tradeoff is comfort. A RIB is nimble and exciting, but the ride responds to wind and waves. On calm water, it may feel smooth and controlled. On a rough day, you can feel every change in the sea.

What Lundey gives you

Lundey is the main stop, and it is the heart of the experience. The island is a natural nesting site for puffins, so you are not visiting a bird enclosure or a staged viewing platform. You watch the birds where they feed, fly, rest, and return to the cliffs.

The boat cannot pull up for a walk. You do not step onto the island, and that is important to understand before booking. The crew keeps the boat at a respectful distance so nesting birds are not disturbed. The Premium trip brings you closer than the classic option, but it still has to put the birds first.

That distance can feel different from the tour title. Sometimes puffins may float near the boat or pass close enough for a phone photo. At other times they remain small against the cliffs or water. You might see hundreds, even thousands, gathered around the island, yet still struggle to make out their faces without binoculars.

The guide fills that gap with live commentary. Knute is one guide associated with the trip, and the wider team includes guides such as Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy. Names and crew assignments can vary, but the useful point is that the outing depends heavily on the guide’s eye and timing. A good guide helps you spot puffins, points out other sea birds, and explains what you are seeing while the captain positions the boat.

The route may also include more than one viewing area. The listed itinerary centers on Lundey, while the experience can include additional stops or sightings around the nearby islands. That gives you more chances to see birds in the water, not only on the cliffs.

Puffin watching from a moving boat

Puffins are small, quick, and often farther away than your camera makes them appear. They may sit on the sea one moment, then flap hard to take off or return with a fish in their bill. Their movement is part of the fun, but it also makes photography a test of patience.

I would bring binoculars if you own a compact pair. The boat provides binoculars, but the supplied pair may not offer the clearest view for everyone. A larger camera lens helps, though you should not count on getting a perfect close-up with a phone.

The crew may also take photographs with a camera equipped with a longer lens and share those images afterward. That is a useful extra because it gives you a better record of the birds than a quick phone snapshot from a moving boat.

Keep your expectations realistic. The phrase close up and personal describes the RIB’s access, not physical contact with the puffins. The best view may be a bird bobbing beside the boat, a cluster near the water, or several puffins flying between the sea and the cliffs. The trip is about seeing wild birds in their own space, not guaranteeing a portrait-quality image.

You may see more than puffins. The guides explain other sea birds, and an occasional larger sighting is possible. One outing included a humpback whale in the same area, but that is a bonus, not something to book this tour expecting.

Warm gear makes a real difference

Elding supplies a warm flotation suit and necessary safety equipment. Additional gear such as hats, gloves, and goggles may also be provided, depending on the setup that day. This removes much of the worry about owning special boating clothing.

The suit is useful for two reasons. It helps with Iceland’s cold air, and it provides flotation if someone falls into the water. You still need to follow the crew’s instructions and dress sensibly underneath. The boat is exposed to wind, and the ride can feel colder than the weather forecast suggests.

Eye protection is helpful on a fast RIB. Spray and wind can make it hard to keep your eyes open, especially when the boat picks up speed. The supplied gear lets you focus on the ride and the birds instead of trying to shield your face.

The seating is designed for a moving boat, with cushioned seats and handles on the seat in front. Shorter people may find that their feet do not rest comfortably on the floor, however. The tour has a minimum height of 145 centimeters, or a minimum age of 10 years, so this is not a ride for very young children.

How rough is the RIB ride?

This is the main comfort question. Some trips feel steady and surprisingly gentle. Other trips can be quite rough, depending on wind and sea conditions. The fast boat is part of the appeal, but it is also the reason this outing is not the best choice for anyone prone to motion sickness.

You receive safety equipment, and the captain controls the speed and route. The boat is built for this type of water, and the crew places safety first. Still, stable does not mean motionless. You will feel the sea.

The trip requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to board the boat, sit securely, manage the gear, and cope with a moving platform. If you have a disability or special transport need, contact the operator in advance rather than assuming the standard arrangement will suit you. Assistance with special transport has been available in some cases, but it should be arranged ahead of time.

If you want a calmer boat outing, Elding’s classic puffin tour may be a better fit. The Premium trip is the choice for closer access and a faster, smaller-boat feel.

Is $85 a fair price?

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. But the price includes the RIB ride, warm flotation suit, safety gear, and live guidance, so you are not paying only for transport across the harbor.

The value comes from the combination of time and access. You can see puffins without giving up half a day, and the small boat can approach the islands more closely than a larger sightseeing vessel. If you have limited time in Reykjavik, that compact schedule has real worth.

The price makes less sense if your top priority is a guaranteed close photograph. The birds are wild, the sea changes, and the boat must keep its distance. You are paying for a well-equipped chance to see puffins in their natural setting, not a guaranteed photo session.

I would consider it good value for a first visit to Reykjavik, especially if you like wildlife and want an active hour on the water. It is less attractive if you dislike speed, get seasick, or would rather spend more time on a slow, quiet bird-watching boat.

Who should book the Premium Puffin tour?

This trip suits you if you want several things at once:

• A short activity that fits into a full day of Reykjavik sightseeing
• A small group rather than a large boat with many passengers
• The closest practical boat approach to the puffin islands
• Warm outer gear supplied for you
• Live explanations about puffins and other sea birds
• A little speed and movement as part of the fun

Families with children aged 10 or older may find the format appealing, as long as everyone meets the 145-centimeter height rule and can handle a moving boat. The small group also helps the experience feel less crowded.

Photography-minded people should book with the right expectations. Bring binoculars and, if you have one, a camera with a strong zoom. A phone can capture a good moment when puffins come near, but it cannot reliably turn distant birds into large, sharp portraits.

If you are sensitive to motion, the decision is harder. The crew may provide a safe and controlled ride, but it remains a RIB trip. Calm seas can make it easy; rough seas can make the hour feel long.

Timing, cancellation, and practical details

The activity begins and ends at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. Hotel transportation is not included, and snacks are not included, though the trip is short enough that food is usually not central to the plan.

Confirmation arrives when you book. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

The tour needs suitable weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is worth remembering when planning a tightly packed Iceland schedule, since the sea, not just your calendar, controls whether the boat can run.

The tour is offered in English. It is generally booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 56 days. Summer puffin season is the key period for seeing these birds, so if puffins are high on your list, book early and leave some flexibility in your Reykjavik plans.

Should you book this puffin trip?

Book it if you want the closest practical view of Reykjavik’s puffins from a boat, like a small group, and can accept a little speed and sea motion. The warm gear, short duration, skilled crew, and access near Lundey make it a useful addition to a city stay.

Skip it if you need to step onto the island, expect guaranteed close-up photos, or know that rough water will spoil your day. For everyone else, this is a focused wildlife outing with a fair amount of fun packed into one hour. Bring binoculars, dress in layers, and let the guide do the spotting.

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.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB tour lasts approximately one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $85 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, live guidance, and the one-hour RIB tour.

Are hotel pickup and snacks included?

No. Hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, and snacks are not included.

Can I go onto the puffin island?

No. You remain on the boat and observe the puffins from the water.

What are the age and height requirements?

The minimum age is 10 years, or the minimum height is 145 centimeters.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.