Puffins, fast boats, and Icelandic seabird drama. This Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour gets you out to Lundey by RIB for a close, respectful look at nesting cliff birds, and I love how it’s capped at 12 for easier spotting and calmer guiding. I also like the included warm flotation suit and safety kit, which makes the experience feel well handled from minute one. One heads-up: the ride can feel a bit choppy depending on conditions, so if you get motion sick easily, plan for that.

You meet at Elding Whale Watching in central Reykjavik, gear up, and head out on a 1-hour-style puffin outing designed to fit neatly into a full sightseeing day. Bring your own binoculars if you want crisp detail—some visitors found the provided ones tough for tiny, quick birds.

Key points to know before you go

• RIB ride to the puffin islands: You’re headed out by speedboat style to get as close as is responsible.
• Small group of up to 12: Easier viewing and more personal guidance than bigger tours.
• Warm flotation suit included: Big comfort upgrade in Iceland wind and spray.
• Safety gear on board: You’ll get what you need before leaving the harbor.
• Binoculars are a mixed bag: Some people suggest bringing your own for better detail.
• Phone photos can be tricky: Puffins move fast and the boat rocks—guide photos can help.

Reykjavik Premium Puffin Tour: what this is really like

This is the Reykjavik puffin outing for people who want the birds, not just a distant “we saw something” moment. You’ll head out by RIB—an inflatable, rigid-hull speedboat—so you can reach the puffin nesting area fairly quickly from the harbor. The tour is also intentionally small (max 12), which matters because puffins are tiny and quick, and it’s a lot easier to track them when you’re not packed shoulder-to-shoulder.

The vibe is action-focused but not chaotic. The crew gives live guidance, safety equipment, and a full warm flotation suit setup. In other words, you’re not just paying for transport—you’re paying for a guided wildlife experience that aims to keep you comfortable while the birds do bird things: fly in short bursts, hover, dive, and pop back up with fish.

The big thing to understand up front: close doesn’t mean landing. You stay on the boat and observe from a respectful distance, because puffins nest on islands and disturbing them is not the point. If you want contact with the birds, this isn’t that tour. If you want the best practical viewing angle from water, it’s a good match.

Price and value: why $85 can make sense

At $85 per person, you’re paying for four practical advantages:

• Time efficiency: About an hour on the water-style experience. It fits into a day of city sights without turning into a half-day commitment.
• Close-by access: RIB transport is specifically used to get you near the nesting areas without giant detours.
• Gear included: The warm flotation suit and safety equipment reduce the hassle (and cost) of figuring out what you need to stay warm.
• Small-group guiding: A cap of 12 means you’re less likely to miss key moments when the boat is moving and birds are scattered.

I’d call it decent value if you’re going primarily for wildlife viewing and you don’t want to manage cold-weather gear logistics yourself. If your priority is ultra-stable comfort, you might prefer a more calm option. But if you want the puffins as the main event, this one makes sense.

Meeting at Elding Whale Watching and what to expect on arrival

You’ll start at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That back-to-base setup is handy: no complex transfers, no mystery shuttles at the end.

The location is also near public transportation, which helps if you’re bouncing between other Reykjavík stops. You should expect a quick check-in and then time to get suited up.

One detail that’s worth knowing from real-world experience: people report that the crew outfits you properly. Think warm outer layers and full protection (including items like a hat and eye gear in at least some cases). The goal is straightforward—keep you warm enough to enjoy the ride and keep you protected enough for wind and spray.

The RIB ride: speed fun with a weather reality check

This tour uses a RIB for the run out to Lundey and the puffin areas. That’s part of the appeal: the boat can cover distance quickly, and you can get yourself into viewing range without spending all your energy waiting.

Now for the reality check. A couple visitors noted the ride can feel rough when wind is up. Others said it was not as rough as expected and that seas were calmer than usual. So you should treat this as a “conditions matter” experience.

If you’re the type who gets seasick, I’d plan like this:

• Dress in warm layers (you’ll get suited up, but your own clothing matters under it).
• Sit where you feel most stable on the boat (the crew can guide you).
• Bring any motion-sickness aids you normally use, since you can’t control the sea.

The upside is that the crew is focused on safety. Many comments specifically mention feeling safe and supported the whole time.

Lundey stop: where you actually spot the puffins

Your first main stop is Lundey, and the time allocation is about 40 minutes. This is where you go looking for those adorable puffins in their nesting landscape—especially the cliff and island zones where they hang out during nesting season.

What makes Lundey special is simple: puffins use small islands off the coast, and from Reykjavík this is one of the practical ways to reach those areas. The birds don’t sit still like museum exhibits. They pop up, swim, and fly in quick bursts. If you come ready to watch rather than chase, you’ll have a better time.

How close is close?

This tour aims for “close as is wise,” not “arrive at the island and stand near nests.” You’ll observe from the boat and keep distance to protect nesting grounds. That’s why you’ll still feel you’re in the action, but photos depend heavily on camera setup, boat movement, and whether birds are active right then.

Photos and binoculars: plan for both

One of the most repeated practical tips is about optics. Some visitors found the provided binoculars hard to use and suggested bringing their own. Another comment said the birds were hard to photograph from a rocking boat, even though there were lots of puffins.

My advice: bring your own binoculars if you have them. If you’re using a phone, expect fewer crisp “postcard” shots and more “I saw a puffin do its thing” moments. Also, don’t ignore what the guide offers—some tours include guide photos taken with a bigger lens setup and shared after the outing, which can be a lifesaver if your shots got blurry.

Guides, instruction style, and why it matters for bird spotting

What you want in a puffin tour isn’t just facts. You want a guide who helps you locate the birds quickly and explains what you’re seeing while the boat is moving.

The tour’s guiding is live and hands-on. Several guide names show up in feedback—people mention guides such as Adam, Naina, Tarzan, Andy, and also Sara in the office for special help requests. You can’t count on meeting any specific person, but you can count on a professional, talkative onboard approach.

A good puffin guide does a few key things:

• explains puffin behavior so you know what to look for (flying paths, diving rhythm, and where they tend to be)
• keeps everyone safe while staying focused on viewing
• points out other seabirds too, so you’re not staring at emptiness if puffins are momentarily quiet

This one is built around that idea: wildlife education paired with real viewing time.

Gear and comfort: flotation suits are doing real work here

The tour includes a warm flotation suit plus the safety equipment you need. That’s not just a checkbox feature. It changes the whole experience.

In windy Reykjavík, being warm lets you stay outside your comfort zone longer. It means you can keep watching without constantly going numb. And the suit setup also helps you feel secure, which makes the ride more fun even if it’s choppier than you expected.

A few visitors specifically praised how well the company dressed them for cold and how stable the experience felt. If you’ve ever tried to see seabirds in Iceland and lost feeling in your hands too early, you’ll appreciate the included warmth.

How long it takes and how it fits into your Reykjavik day

This experience runs about 1 hour. That short runtime is a major advantage. You can book it without stealing half your trip from things like cafés, the harbor walk, or other Reykjavík highlights.

The pacing also works with how bird-watching behaves. Puffins are active in bursts. A shorter tour keeps you focused on the active window rather than dragging through dead time.

The only timing downside: you need decent conditions. This activity requires good weather, and if conditions aren’t right, it may be rescheduled or refunded under the tour’s weather plan.

Who should book this puffin tour (and who should think twice)

This is a good fit if you:

• want puffins as the main event of your day
• like guided wildlife outings where someone helps you spot what matters
• don’t mind a wind-and-water ride if it gets you closer
• prefer a small group for a more personal experience

You might think twice if you:

• are extremely sensitive to motion (it can get rough with wind)
• expect island-level closeness or landing (you stay on the boat)
• want perfect “holding still” photo conditions (puffins move fast and the boat can rock)

It’s still worth doing if you accept the bird-watching reality: you’re here to observe behavior, not to stage a portrait shoot.

Practical tips to make your hour count

Here are the small things that can change your outcome a lot:

• Bring your own binoculars if you have them. Provided binoculars may not be as effective as you’d like for tiny, fast subjects.
• Charge your phone, then protect it. A rocking, wind-blown boat is not the place for flimsy handling.
• Wear layers you’re comfortable moving in. Even with a suit, you’ll feel better if you’re not battling bulky clothing.
• Focus on watching patterns, not just chasing individuals. When puffins are flying and diving, they show up in rhythms.
• Listen to the guide’s pointing and explanations. Bird spotting improves fast when you know what behavior looks like.

Should you book the Elding Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

If your dream is to see puffins from Reykjavík with real viewing range, in a small-group format, with warm gear and safety support, I’d say yes—this is one of the most practical ways to make that happen. The $85 price is easier to justify when you consider what’s included: RIB transport, guided spotting, and the suit setup that keeps you comfortable in Iceland weather.

Book it if you can handle a potentially bouncy ride and you’re okay with staying on the boat while the crew helps you watch. Skip it (or consider a calmer option) if you’re expecting “up close” to mean landing on the island or if motion sickness is a hard stop.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

The tour duration is about 1 hour.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is the price per person?

The price is $85.00 per person.

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is included in the Premium Puffin tour?

It includes a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, excellent live guidance, and a 1 hour RIB tour.

What is not included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and snacks are not included.

What are the age and size requirements?

The minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is weather important for this experience?

Yes. This experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.