Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

This boat gets you face-to-face with puffins. On this Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour, a RIB speed raft takes a small group out from Elding Whale Watching, aiming for the puffin islands near Lundey without bothering nesting birds. You get that fast, close-to-the-action feel that makes seabirds fun instead of a distant dot on a cliff.

I also love the warm flotation suits and safety kit, plus the live guiding you can actually follow in the wind and spray. Guides like Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, Andy, and Sara show up in the experience, and they help you spot what matters. My only caution: even on Premium, the puffins are watched from a respectful distance, so it is still not true island-explorer mode.

Key highlights of the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour (Close Up and Personal)

• Max 12 travelers, so the guide can keep an eye on everyone and you hear the bird talk
• Warm flotation suit and safety equipment included, which is a big deal in Reykjavik wind
• About 40 minutes at Lundey during the roughly 1 hour total outing
• Live guidance with names you might hear, including Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy
• Binocular tip: some binoculars may be handed out, but bringing your own can make cliff details easier

From Elding Whale Watching to Lundey, fast

Your tour starts at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in central Reykjavik, and it ends right back at the meeting point. That round-trip setup matters because it keeps the day simple. You can fit this into a full sightseeing plan without building in extra transit time.

The whole experience is about an hour total, with the main puffin stop taking around 40 minutes. In practical terms, you are not committing to a long boat day. You are making a focused hit at peak puffin viewing time.

Also, this is an English tour, and you get a mobile ticket. So you can roll in, show your phone, and get moving.

RIB speed raft setup: warm gear and safe feel

This is a RIB ride, which is basically the best kind of weather-proof adrenaline for a short day. The RIB design is made for speed and control, and the goal is to get you as close as possible to the islands that hold the puffins.

What really changes your comfort level is the included warm flotation suit plus safety equipment. People talk about being dressed properly for cold and wind, with extra items like hats, gloves, and goggles showing up depending on what you need. If you have ever regretted packing light in Iceland, this tour is the antidote.

A few reviews also mention that the ride feels safer and steadier than expected. Still, it is a small high-speed boat in open water, so if you are prone to motion sickness, go in with a plan. Even the gentlest day can come with a bit of bounce when the wind shifts.

Stop at Lundey: what close up means in real life

The puffins here are on islands off the coast, specifically around Lundey. The big idea is that you get close to the cliffs where the birds nest, without stepping onto land.

That is the tradeoff behind the Premium promise. Yes, the RIB gets you much closer than a more distant viewing cruise. But you still watch them from the water at a respectful distance to avoid stressing nesting birds. So if you arrive expecting you can practically reach out and touch the cliff, you may feel shorted.

On the plus side, this stop can be full of life. One highlight that kept coming up: seeing puffins in big numbers, including birds flying, swimming, and hunting. When the birds are active, the viewing feels nonstop. If you hit the quiet side of the tide or wind, you might have fewer dramatic moments, but you should still get great chances to spot the puffins’ patterns and behavior.

Live guiding that turns sightings into understanding

The guide experience is a major part of why this tour earns strong scores. You are not just handed a coat and pointed at birds. You are getting explanations in real time, with tips for what to look for when the birds are skimming the water or popping up along the cliff line.

In the guides people mention by name, Knute stands out for being excellent, and Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy also show up in the experience stories. That kind of consistent live commentary matters because puffins can be hard to track from a moving boat. A good guide helps you pick the right moment to look.

One detail I especially like: guides sharing photos taken with a bigger lens camera. When you are trying to photograph tiny birds from a rocking deck, a phone can struggle. Having high-quality photos afterward is a nice safety net for your vacation memory.

What you will see besides puffins, and your photo game plan

Yes, you are there for puffins. And you can get a lot of them. People describe seeing hundreds, and even thousands at times, plus puffins bobbing in the water near the boat. You may also spot other seabirds flying and diving, which keeps the wildlife viewing from turning into puffin-only autopilot.

There is also room for surprise wildlife. One person even reported a humpback whale in the same area. That is not guaranteed based on the info here, but it’s a good reminder that Iceland waters can be busy.

Now the photo reality check. Puffins are quick and small, and you are photographing from a moving craft. Even when you get close enough for phone pics, getting sharp detail takes timing and steadiness. If you care about photos, bring your own binoculars if you have them. Some guests found the provided binoculars less helpful for cliff detail. On the other hand, others loved the gear they received. Your safest move is to bring your own so you are never stuck guessing.

How rough can the RIB ride get?

This tour depends on weather, and the boat ride can feel rougher if the wind is up. That shows up in the experience: some people expected it to be much more physical than it was, while others mentioned a rougher ride or feeling seasick.

The practical lesson is simple. If you are sensitive to motion, you should plan for that. If you are not, you will probably find the ride fun and exciting, not punishing. And because the tour is short, you are not stuck out there for hours if conditions turn.

The good part is that the crew focuses on safety and comfort. A common theme is feeling safe throughout, with the included gear helping you stay warm even if the water is choppy.

Timing it with Reykjavik sightseeing: short, focused, doable

At roughly 1 hour total, this is a strong add-on to a Reykjavik day. It is ideal if you want wildlife without losing an entire afternoon to boats. You can book this early or mid-day depending on what else you want to see, since the tour returns to the same meeting point.

It also helps that there is a 40-minute window at Lundey. That gives enough time to settle in, find the birds, and enjoy the bird talk. You are not rushing through a quick photo stop and leaving.

If you are planning other city highlights like harbor walks or downtown neighborhoods, treat this as your high-impact nature moment. It keeps your day from feeling like only museums and cafés.

Price and value: $85 for a focused wildlife hit

At $85 per person, this is not a bargain-bin tour. But it is also not an all-day expedition. You are paying for three things that are hard to replicate on your own: the RIB transport that gets close to the islands, the included warm flotation gear, and a guide who helps you interpret what you are seeing.

The small group size capped at 12 is also part of the value. With fewer people, it is easier to get attention for spotting birds and easier for the guide to keep you oriented. That matters when your view is partially blocked by wind spray and the boat is moving.

If your priority is seeing puffins in Iceland while staying efficient with time, this price can feel fair. If your priority is maximum calm and gentleness, you might prefer a less “RIB-focused” option. But for many people, the closeness and the short duration are exactly what they want.

Who should book, and who may want a different option

This tour fits best if you want a close puffin experience from Reykjavik and you are okay with a quick boat outing. It also suits families who meet the limits, since the minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm.

It is recommended for people with moderate physical fitness. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with a bit of movement on the boat and getting properly dressed for cold weather.

If you hate the idea of choppy rides, or you want to feel totally relaxed the whole time, you may want to consider a calmer puffin format. And if you are expecting true island access, remember there is no getting on land during this experience.

Should you book the Premium Puffin tour from Reykjavik?

I think you should book it if you want the best shot at seeing puffins up close within an hour, and you like the idea of going out by RIB with warm included gear. The combination of small-group guiding, Lundey viewing time, and the chance to see hundreds of puffins is exactly the kind of Iceland nature moment worth setting aside.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed still-photo conditions, or if you feel strongly that close up should mean stepping onto an island. Here, close means close enough to spot behavior clearly, but still respectful from the water.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

It runs for about 1 hour total.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $85.00 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

What group size is this tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What safety and warm-weather gear is included?

You get necessary safety equipment and a warm flotation suit.

Do I need to bring binoculars?

Binoculars can be provided, but having your own can help you see small details on the cliffs more easily.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is there a minimum age or height limit?

Yes, the minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What happens if weather is poor, and can I cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.