The World’s 15 Best Birding Boat Trips

Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

1.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175Our pick

From central Húsavík, you suit up in a warm safety overall and board a 12-seat RIB with a guide such as Matteo, Clara, or Jo. The boat reaches whale sightings quickly, visits Puffin Island from mid-April to mid-August, and covers Skjálfandi Bay in two hours.

“Amazing tour! Much recommended! We saw whales and got the best time with Jo and the lovely captain which unfortunately I don’t remember his name but he was the best- making the most of the tour by changing direction and spot according to the whales, thank you we really enjoyed it!”

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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

2.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

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

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you’ll cruise aboard the wooden Puffin Express, also called Old Skuli, toward Lundey and Akurey. Expect close views of puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots, with binoculars on board and an English-speaking guide such as Patrick or Joe.

“Lots of puffins. Weather was great. Everything on time. Great experience”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

3.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

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

Join a guide and captain aboard a 12-seat RIB from Húsavík for two hours on Skjálfandi Bay. The fast boat covers ground quickly, helping you reach whale sightings, while summer trips visit Lundey, or Puffin Island. Warm overalls and life vests are supplied, but bring gloves, a hat, and extra layers.

“Fabulous! Zina was a wonderful guide and the whole trip was brilliant!”

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2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

4.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Best reviewed

From Bay Bulls, you’ll spend about two hours cruising the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve with naturalist guides, watching puffins, murres, razorbills, petrels, and other seabirds. Whales and dolphins may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed. Expect useful narration, local songs, optional screeching-in, and a boat ride that can feel cold, so bring warm clothing.

“We were accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, Noah, who even sang folk songs. We were blessed to have a sunny day. Too early for whales or Icebergs but just being on the water and observing seabirds in their natural habitat was well worth it!”

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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

5.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

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

Join Husavik Adventures for a two-hour RIB boat trip across Skjálfandi Bay. A captain handles the boat while a guide explains whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. The boat carries no more than 12 people, includes warm waterproof overalls and a life jacket, and visits Puffin Island during the April 15 to August 20 season.

“Easy and enjoyable! From booking to the event we were informed and provided a memory we will find challenging to forget. The outfit kept us warm and dry and we saw the whales and puffins as close as possible. The driver and guide were knowledgeable and pleasant. The trip fulfilled all of our expectations.”

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2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

6.2 Hour Award-Winning Whale and Seabird Boat Tour from St. John’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 455 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $112

Cruise from St. John’s Harbour toward Signal Hill, Fort Amherst, Blackhead Sea Caves, and Cape Spear. Your captain and crew explain local history, seabirds, whales, and ocean life. A heated cabin offers shelter, while the open deck gives you the best views. Whales and icebergs are possible but never guaranteed.

“The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. We didn’t see whales but it wasn’t the season for it, we still did have a great time.”

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Ushuaia: Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

7.Penguin Watching Tour by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 5 hours · from $180

Cruise from Ushuaia to Martillo Island aboard a modern catamaran, stopping near Bird Island, Sea Lion Island, and Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse. A Spanish and English-speaking guide explains the wildlife and the 1930 SS Monte Cervantes wreck. You watch Magellanic and gentoo penguins from the boat, with a heated cabin, snacks, and drinks available.

“Really fun way to get up close to the penguins. Also saw other sea life -- sea lions and various birds -- but the penguins are the main show. The scenery is spectacular and the guide was knowledgeable and informative. Her English was good and she was very attentive. Don't miss this if you are in Ushuaia.”

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Ushuaia: Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

8.Catamaran Sailing to Penguin Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 436 reviews · 5h 30m · from $92

You’ll spend about five and a half hours aboard a catamaran from Ushuaia, with guides speaking English and Spanish. The route passes sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, Chilean islands, and Martillo Island, where Magellanic and Gentoo penguins gather in summer. You watch the colony from the boat, not from shore.

“Lovely trip boat is comfortable and does really well on ensuring all get a chance to get up close to the sights”

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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

You’ll ride a fast RIB boat from Húsavík into Skjálfandi Bay with a guide and captain searching for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. Guides such as Nicoletta, Clara, Mario, and Victoria have been praised for clear wildlife commentary. Puffin visits run roughly April 15 to August 15, while whale watching remains the main focus outside that period.

“So it was early in the season, so we were a bit worried if we would see anything. Lets just saw we walked away stunned. Saw a couple of humpback whales within the first 20 mins, and then found a blue whale. The tour guide went speechless for about a min, she was just as amazed as we were. We tracked it for about 30 mins. The boat and captain were great, saw the larger boats in the distance, but they could not pivot quickly enough to catch it like we did. Probably one of the biggest highlights of the trip.”

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Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

10.Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 326 reviews · 3h 30m · from $199

From Bleik Marina, Christina, Norbert, Bekka, or Katie may guide you through Bleik Canyon in a 12-person RIB. The 3.5-hour trip combines whale watching, puffin colonies, sea eagles, and a fast open-water ride. Warm flotation suits, photos, and tea, coffee, and muffins are included.

“Highly recommended!!! Wonderful guide and skipper!!!we saw 2 wailles and it was amazing. Thank you for the once in a lifetime experience!”

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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

11.Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 293 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join a small group of up to 12 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB trip with a marine biologist guide. You’ll visit puffin islands, search for whales and dolphins, and return past Harpa and Sun Voyager. Warm waterproof gear, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are supplied. Expect a bouncy, windy ride.

“Liked the entire whale watching trip! Saw a hump back and a few minkie whales!”

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Two-Hour Everglades Dolphin, Manatee and Birding Boat Tour

12.Two-Hour Everglades Dolphin, Manatee and Birding Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 151 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

Board a small boat at Chokoloskee for two hours among the Everglades’ 10,000 Islands. Your guide may point out dolphins, manatees, pelicans, ospreys, bald eagles, herons, sea turtles, fish, shells, and mangrove ecosystems. Captains such as Don, Dan, Glenn, Matt, and Ray are praised for their local knowledge and personal attention.

“Our tour Guide Don was great--totally knowledgeable about the area, the flora and the fauna. He was pleasant, fun, patient as well. We saw all kinds of birds, nests, and Calusa shell formations--centuries old! The 2 highlights were seeing a huge flock of white pelicans resting on the beach of one of the islands. I've seen them at Ding Darling but never as close as we came without disturbing them and having dolphins visiting us and performing! Worth the price of the trip! Again, I've seen dolphins before but never so close. Don led us in singing Flipper's them song and a great time was had by all--Paula, Chatham, MA”

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Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

13.Catamaran Tour through the Beagle Channel and Penguins in Isla Martillo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 124 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $240

Sail from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel with bilingual guidance, stopping near seabird and sea lion colonies, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and Martillo Island. You stay aboard while the catamaran circles close to Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. The boat has restrooms, a café, indoor seating, and outdoor viewing decks.

“We managed a great weather day and also lots of sea lions and penguins to be seen. Quite a leisurely day and the cafe on board was good too, they had a great way of queuing around the boat so everyone gets a great opportunity to see the penguins and take pictures making it really fair for all. The guide was really knowledgable too, a great day out.”

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Lisbon: Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve Birdwatching Boat Tour

14.Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve Birdwatching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 117 reviews · 3 hours · from $58

Join guide Carlos Cera for a three-hour birdwatching cruise from Parque das Nações into the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve. With space for up to 10 people, binoculars, life vests, and multilingual guidance included, you can look for flamingos, spoonbills, ibises, herons, ospreys, and other wetland birds just minutes from Lisbon.

“How wonderful to spend several hours with someone who knows his birds and loves his river. Carlos used the changing tide to ensure we we arrived at mud flats just as they were exposed and the pelagic birds arrived to feed. He was informative, flexible and all that we envisioned when we booked. So glad he is offering this experience to interested birders.”

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Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

15.Martillo Island: Boat Trip to the Penguin Colony & Beagle Channel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 108 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $177

Sail from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel to Martillo Island, watching Magellanic penguins from a comfortable catamaran. Along the way, your guide points out sea lions, cormorants, Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, mountain views, Puerto Williams, and local history. This shared tour does not include walking on the island.

“This was a lovely and memorable experience, and one I would absolutely recommend. Seeing the penguins in their natural habitat was a real highlight. We observed them from the boat, which felt respectful and in line with responsible tourism practices. It was disappointing to see another tour operator arrive and walk on the island itself — I really hope this is something that will be restricted or stopped in the near future, as watching wildlife without disturbing it is so important. The scenery along the Beagle Channel was stunning, and the overall experience was smooth, well organised, and easy to enjoy. Everything ran on time and the crew were professional…”

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