Iceland travel guide and tour reviews
Puffins feel unreal from the water. This classic Reykjavik cruise is built for one job: getting you as close as responsibly possible to Atlantic puffins near their summer nesting areas, without stepping onto protected land. I love how the guides explain what you’re seeing in plain English, so the birds turn into a story, not … Read more
Speed plus puffins equals pure Iceland joy. This 1-hour RIB run across cold Faxaflói Bay is built for close views of puffins nesting on sea cliffs and rocky islets. One consideration: this is an open-air, high-speed style of wildlife outing, so rougher conditions (or fewer birds later in the season) can affect how close they … Read more
Puffins, from Reykjavík, in about an hour. This short cruise is a smart way to experience Iceland’s famous seabirds without committing to a full day. You sail out from the harbor, get guided help spotting birds on rocky islands, and come back quickly enough to keep your Reykjavík plans flexible. I especially like the free … Read more
Whales up close in Iceland are real. This original Big Whale Safari and Puffins outing runs from Húsavík in a RIB speedboat, with the goal of getting you eyes-on whales, porpoises, and puffins (when in season). You’re out on Skjálfandi Bay with live onboard commentary, so it’s not just driving around hoping for the best. … Read more
Reykjavik makes wildlife watching feel hands-on. This whales and puffins express cruise combo turns the day into two different boat experiences—first up-close puffins on a small skiff, then whale watching from a larger boat in Faxaflói Bay. I especially like the smart pairing of boats. The puffin portion runs on the Old Skuli (Skúlaskeið), designed … Read more
Cold air, big sea creatures, warm drinks. This Húsavík cruise is one of those Iceland experiences where the best moments come from patience: you’re out on Skjálfandi Bay in a traditional oak boat, scanning the water for whales and dolphins while puffins flutter around the edges of Puffin Island. Even when wildlife feels quiet at … Read more
Small boat, big animals, cold water. I love the 12-passenger RIB setup, because it gives everyone a real chance at a clear view when a whale surfaces. I also like that the guide rides separately from the captain, so you get steady, in-the-moment live commentary instead of splitting attention while the boat handles waves. The … Read more
Puffins, right off Reykjavik’s coast. I love how this trip targets Akurey Island for serious bird watching time, and I also like that binoculars are included so you’re not stuck guessing at tiny specks on the water. My main heads-up is simple: when the boat is full, spotting and hearing can get harder, and photos … Read more
Heimaey feels personal fast. This short puffin and volcano tour around Vestmannaeyjar turns the island into a string of story stops, from early settlement sites to Stórhöfði’s famous birds and the Eldfell crater. I love the way Ebbi, an island guide, keeps the facts moving with real personality, and you’ll also like how the route … Read more
RIB speedboats turn whale watching into a sprint. This original Húsavík safari uses a modern RIB to cover more of Skjálfandi Bay, giving you a better shot at big whales while you also hit Puffin Island during nesting season. The idea is simple: move fast, listen closely, and stay warm so you can enjoy what … Read more
Whales feel close here, fast. This Húsavík speedboat tour runs out of Skjálfandi Bay on a small RIB with an expert guide, so when whales show up, you’re not stuck waiting like you would on a big ship. I love how the boat can cover a lot of water in a short time, which turns … Read more
Puffins from a Reykjavik boat is pure Iceland joy. This 1-hour Puffin Express trip takes you out from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay, then to the small bird islands of Lundey and Akurey—where puffins pop up close enough to feel like you’re watching them, not just looking at them. I especially like the feel … Read more
Puffins first, whales second, same Reykjavik day. This Iceland Super Saver bundle strings together two wildlife trips at a discounted price, and you can swap the order if your day goes sideways. You’ll get nonstop narration on puffin behavior and physiology, plus guide-led searching for whales in Faxafloi Bay, where minke and humpback whales are … Read more
Puffins and a volcano in one long day. This Westman Islands trip from Reykjavik is built around real scenery and real geology: a ferry over to Vestmannaeyjar, cliff-top puffin spots, and the climb up Eldfell. I love that the day pairs the birds with context, not just photo stops. You’ll spend time at Eldheimar Museum … Read more