Classic Puffin Watching Cruise in Reykjavik
About this activity
Highlights
- Cruise from Reykjavik harbor
- Spot puffins in their natural habitat
- Learn from expert naturalist guides
- Enjoy panoramic city views
- Capture memorable wildlife photos
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided boat tour from downtown Reykjavik
- Expert naturalist guide
- Binoculars for optimal viewing
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
Pass by: Meet us at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík and board one of our smaller boats that will take you to the charming puffins!
We stop by one of three puffin islands (Engey, Akurey or Lundey) outside Reykjavík to watch the thousands of puffins that travel to Iceland each summer to breed. As the islands are nature reserves we cannot step foot on land, but rather try to sail as close as possible. Borrow binoculars or bring your own. We recommend a good zoom camera for good quality pictures.
Pass by: Along the cruise you will have the chance to see Reykjavík from a unique angle, among it the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall, the towering Hallgrímskirkja Church and perhaps the Sun Voyager sculpture!
Meeting point
Start Location
Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates in all weather conditions; cancellations are rare
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Pets are not permitted on the boat
Know before you go
- Dress in layers to accommodate changing weather conditions
- Bring a camera with a zoom lens for wildlife photography
- Wear non-slip footwear suitable for boat decks
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- As the birds are small in size, we recommend bringing a tripod and a good zoom lens for 'close up' photography and/or binoculars (also available to lend on board)
- The deck on the boat can be slippery. We recommend wearing good sturdy footwear. For optimal viewing and a more enjoyable cruise this tour is weather dependent.
Traveler reviews
Puffins in the wild
Really enjoyed viewing the puffins and tge harbour cruise.
Puffin tour
This was a fantastic experience. It was easy to book and access. The guide was great - enthusiastic and informative.
Fun puffin tour out of old habor.
Fun time going out on a cruise to see puffin island. Learned a lot about these cute clown birds and their ways. Our guide Joe and the captain were a lot of fun and kept the trip lively. Also staff at the site were helpful and easy to work with. Would highly recommend.
Come ready to be entertained!
It was so fun to watch these little creatures (well, birds) waddle (flap, maybe you could call it fly...) around the boat. We had a really good time, the waters were calm the day we went, which was a plus. Be ready for cold wind, it felt considerably colder on the water than on land - but totally worth it! Our guide was super knowledgeable and even shared some of the amazing pictures she took of the puffins with us afterwards. A+
Wonderful experience
We were given binoculars to see the puffins up close, and the guide sent us the professional photos later that day. It was great to know we would be sent the photos later, so everyone could be fully present in the moment rather than trying to get the best shots on our phones! We also got more than we bargained for when, after seeing the puffins in all their feathery glory, we spotted a minke whale on the way back to the harbour!