Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

Puffins in a fast boat. That’s the deal here.

This short Reykjavik outing is built around a RIB ride that puts you as near as practical to the offshore nesting islands without messing with the birds. I like that it’s small-group (max 12), so you’re not stuck watching puffins through a crowd.

My two favorite parts: the tour hands you warm safety gear so you can actually enjoy the ride, and the guides focus on real bird talk, not just generic facts. One thing to consider: “close and personal” still means you’re observing from the water at a respectful distance, and in any choppy wind, the RIB ride can feel rough.

Key things to know before you go

• Small-group cap of 12 helps you hear the guidance and spot seabirds without elbowing anyone
• Warm flotation suit and safety gear mean you’re dressed for the North Atlantic, not the brochure
• RIB speed and closeness give you a front-row view compared with walking-around-from-the-shore options
• Puffins are skittish: you’ll get great chances to see them, but photos can be tough with a phone
• Bring your own binoculars if you care about details; the provided pair may not be enough
• Plan for conditions: wind and waves can make the ride feel more than gentle

The value: $85 for 1 hour of puffin viewing done the practical way

At $85 per person for about an hour, this tour isn’t cheap in Iceland terms, but it also isn’t trying to be a full-day sightseeing activity. What you’re paying for is simple: a guided RIB trip to seabird areas that you can’t reach close-up by normal walking routes, plus the gear that keeps you warm and safe.

The math works better than it looks if you’re limited on time. Reykjavik sightseeing can be a lot of museums, cafés, and lookouts. This is one hour where the main event is live wildlife, and the whole operation is designed to move efficiently.

Also, the price feels fair because the basics are covered. You get the warm flotation suit and necessary safety equipment, so you’re not standing there in your own jacket guessing if it’s enough for wind off the water. If you’re someone who hates shopping for cold-weather gear you’ll never use again, this is a win.

Meeting at Elding and why that location matters

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. The meeting point is near public transportation, which matters because Reykjavik parking can be annoying and taxis can eat your day. It also helps if you’re lining this up with other Reykjavik plans.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point. That’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between feeling free all day and feeling like you’re stuck with a long, complicated return.

One more useful note: this isn’t described as a hotel pickup situation. If you’re used to tours that roll up to your door, you’ll want to plan your own arrival time.

On the RIB: the ride that puts you in the puffin zone

You’re going out by RIB, which is a ridged-hull inflatable boat built for getting close fast. That’s the core “premium” part of this experience. From Reykjavik’s harbor area, puffins are offshore on nesting islands. A boat that can run in a tight route toward the birds gives you better viewing than calmer boats that keep more distance.

Now, let’s be honest about the ride feel. Several reviews mention the RIB ride can be rougher than people expect, especially with wind. The good news is that the crew emphasizes safety, and you’re given the flotation suit and safety equipment before departure. That combination helps you relax and focus on the birds instead of your own comfort.

Practical tip: if you’re even slightly prone to motion sickness, bring whatever you normally use for boats. The tour itself is only about an hour, but wind can make the boat’s motion more noticeable. The tour is not described as extremely physically demanding, yet it is still a real boat ride, and you’ll want a moderate comfort level for getting underway.

Stop at Lundey: where the puffin action happens

The tour focuses on Lundey, where you’ll have about 40 minutes to watch puffins in their natural habitat. This is the moment you came for.

Here’s what Lundey means in practical terms: puffins nest on small islands off the coast, and they’re not statues you can approach. The crew keeps you on the boat away from the cliffs. You’ll get close for viewing, but you won’t be stepping onto land.

That’s important. Puffins are sensitive during nesting. The tour’s job is to let you see them while following a respectful distance rule so nesting grounds aren’t disturbed. If you’re expecting to sprint onto an island for a handshaking moment with a puffin… reset your expectations. What you can expect is frequent sightings: puffins flying, puffins swimming, and puffins popping up around the nesting area when conditions are right.

How you’ll actually experience the birds (and why photos are hard)

Puffins are small, quick, and doing puffin things like diving for fish and darting around the water. That makes them magical to watch, but it can be frustrating for phones. Reviews repeatedly point out that getting photos can be tough because of the boat motion and the puffins’ speed.

The tour does help with this in two ways:

• You’re positioned so you can see puffins at a much better angle than from shore.
• Some gear is provided, including eye gear and binoculars in many cases.

Still, if you want details—like seeing the faces and movement patterns clearly—bring your own binoculars. One review specifically recommended doing that, saying the provided binoculars didn’t let them see puffins on the cliffs well. If you care about crisp bird detail, your own pair is a low-effort, high-return upgrade.

Another neat touch: several reviews mention that the guide took photos with a larger camera and shared them afterward. Even if your phone photos come out as adorable blobs, you may have alternate images for your puffin album.

The guides and the onboard vibe: small group, clear talk

The experience runs in a small group capped at 12, and that changes the vibe. You can actually hear what the guide is pointing out, and you’re more likely to get help with spotting birds.

Guides named in reviews include Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy (plus Knute for another group). What stands out is that the guidance isn’t only about puffins. Guides also point out other seabirds you may see in the same area, which makes the hour feel more like a guided wildlife safari than a one-note show.

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys learning why an animal behaves the way it does—flight patterns, nesting habits, diving behavior—this is a tour format that supports that kind of attention.

And yes, safety messaging came up in a big way. Multiple reviews mention feeling safe throughout. That’s not a guarantee you won’t feel the boat’s motion, but it does suggest the crew runs a tight operation.

What’s included (and what you’ll want to plan yourself)

Included:

• Warm flotation suit
• Necessary safety equipment
• 1 hour RIB tour
• Live guidance in English

Not included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Snacks

So, I’d plan to eat before you arrive or be ready to buy a snack afterward. The tour is short, but hunger can spoil the focus when you’re trying to watch fast-moving birds. Iceland travel is expensive enough without adding an impulse food run during your only wildlife window.

What to wear:

• Wear layers you can move in. You’ll get warm outer gear, but you still want comfortable clothing underneath.
• Think wind. Even with the flotation suit, wind off the water can chill you quickly if you’re not layered.

Who this tour is best for

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a quick wildlife hit while staying based in Reykjavik
• Like small-group tours with more guide attention
• Enjoy seeing animals in real conditions, not in a controlled setting

You’ll likely appreciate it less if you:

• Want the birds guaranteed extremely close for selfies from land (that’s not the model here)
• Are highly sensitive to motion and wind and don’t handle boat rides well
• Expect phone photography to look like a nature magazine cover without any practice

Minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm. That helps you judge whether it fits your group. The tour also asks for moderate physical fitness, which likely means you can manage boarding and being on a moving boat for an hour comfortably.

Planning timing: when you want this on your Iceland trip

This tour runs on a good weather requirement. If weather is poor, it can be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s a practical heads-up for Reykjavik, where weather can change quickly.

Booking earlier is also smart. On average, this is booked about 56 days in advance, which tells me it’s a popular slot. Puffins aren’t year-round residents. If you’re traveling during nesting season and you have a tight itinerary, planning early increases your odds of getting the timing you want.

Should you book Reykjavik Premium Puffin Close Up and Personal?

I’d book it if your top goal is seeing puffins from the water with expert guidance, and you want a short, efficient trip that fits inside a Reykjavik day. The value comes from the included warm gear, the small group size, and the RIB access that gets you closer than typical viewing options.

I would hesitate only if you have fragile expectations about distance. This is close, but it’s still observing from a respectful spot on the boat. Also, if you’re motion-sensitive, plan for wind and chop.

If you want the best experience, go armed: wear layers, and if you’re picky about bird detail, bring your own binoculars. Then let the hour do what it does best—put you where the puffins are, and keep you warm enough to enjoy the show.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

It’s listed at about 1 hour.

How close can you get to the puffins?

You’ll ride out on a RIB as close as possible for viewing, but you still observe puffins from the boat at a respectful distance rather than getting on the islands.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, live guidance (English), and a 1-hour RIB tour.

What should I bring?

You’ll want warm layers under the provided suit, and bringing your own binoculars can help if you care about seeing puffins clearly.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, and you meet at Elding Whale Watching (Ægisgarður 5c).

What are the age and height requirements?

The minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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