Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

Puffins, wind, and a fast little boat. This one-hour outing from Reykjavik takes you across the bay by RIB, a rigid inflatable boat, toward Lundey, where puffins gather in their natural setting. I like the small group of no more than 12 and the fact that warm flotation suits and safety gear are provided. I also like how easily the trip fits into a busy day in Reykjavik.

The main catch is distance. You get closer to the islands than on a larger boat, but you still stay on board and keep away from the nesting cliffs. Phone photos can be tricky, binoculars help, and rough water can make the ride less comfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Lundey is the main wildlife stop: Expect about 40 minutes around the puffin island, with the remaining time used for the boat ride and safety preparations.
• The RIB gets close, not onto the island: You stay on the boat so the birds and their nesting grounds are not disturbed.
• The group is capped at 12: This gives the guide room to answer questions and helps everyone get a reasonable view.
• Warm gear is included: You receive a flotation suit and the necessary safety equipment. Hats, gloves, goggles, and other cold-weather items have also been provided on some departures.
• Bring your own binoculars if you have them: The supplied binoculars may not give you the sharpest view of small birds on the cliffs.
• The water can be rough: The ride is often described as safe and stable, but calm conditions are not guaranteed.

Leaving Reykjavik harbor on a high-speed RIB

You meet Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik. The harbor location is practical for anyone staying in the city center, and it is near public transportation. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off included, so you need to make your own way to the dock.

Before departure, the crew fits you with a warm flotation suit and safety equipment. This matters in Iceland, even on a short trip. The air can feel cold on the water, and the RIB moves fast enough to create a strong wind chill.

The boat seats are designed for speed and stability, with cushioned seats that move with the boat and handles on the seat in front of you. That setup gives you something solid to hold during faster sections. Still, this is a small open boat, not a sheltered sightseeing vessel, and the ride depends on the weather.

I would treat the RIB ride as part of the attraction, not just transport. It adds energy to the trip and gets you close to the islands. On calm days, it can feel like a quick, lively run across the bay. On rougher days, the same speed and open seating can feel bumpy, especially if you are short and your feet do not rest comfortably.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The minimum age is 10, and you must be at least 145 centimeters tall. Those limits are worth taking seriously because the boat seats and safety setup are not designed for very small children.

Lundey and the puffins in their nesting season

The main destination is Lundey, one of the small islands near Reykjavik. The ride to the puffin area can take only around 10 minutes, leaving a good portion of the one-hour outing for watching birds and listening to the guide.

The island itself is not a place you visit on foot. You remain on the RIB, observing from the water. That may sound less personal than the tour title suggests, but it is the right approach for nesting seabirds. Getting onto the island would disturb the birds, so the boat keeps a respectful distance while still moving closer than a larger vessel can.

Puffins are small, quick, and constantly on the move. You may see them floating on the water, flying around the cliffs, or returning with fish in their beaks. Some departures have produced sightings of hundreds or even thousands of puffins, with birds close enough to see clearly without leaving the boat.

The guide adds useful context about the puffins and other seabirds in the area. Guides have included Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy, and the strongest part of the experience is often the live explanation while the boat is positioned near the birds.

Do not expect the birds to pose. They may gather in large numbers, but a phone camera still has a hard time catching them on a moving boat. A bird that looks close to your eye can appear tiny in a photo, especially when the RIB rocks or the puffin takes off.

A phone can still produce good memories, particularly when birds float near the boat. For better detail, bring binoculars from home. The binoculars supplied on board have been useful for some people, but not everyone finds them strong enough for seeing fine details on the cliffs.

What the short 40-minute wildlife stop feels like

The listed stop at Lundey lasts about 40 minutes, which is a good balance for a quick city excursion. You have enough time to see the birds, hear the guide, and watch the boat reposition itself without giving up half a day.

The crew may pause at more than one viewing area, depending on conditions and where the birds are active. That gives you different angles and can improve your chances of spotting birds on the water as well as near the nesting cliffs.

The boat itself becomes your viewing platform. You cannot walk around the island, and you may need to keep your attention moving between the guide, the cliffs, and the water. The best sightings can happen suddenly, so keep your binoculars and phone ready.

Photography takes patience. A rocking boat, quick birds, wind, and distance all work against crisp pictures. I would enjoy the birds first and treat clear photos as a bonus. The guide may also take photographs with a larger camera and share them at the end, which is especially helpful when your phone cannot capture the details.

The wildlife is not guaranteed. One departure produced no puffins and mostly became a fast harbor ride. That is the risk with any wild animal outing, and poor conditions can also affect the route. If seeing puffins is the central goal of your Iceland trip, build in flexibility rather than relying on one fixed departure.

How close is close enough?

The Premium tour is designed to bring you nearer to the islands than the classic tour. That makes a real difference, but the phrase close up should not be read as standing beside a puffin or stepping onto the nesting ground.

You remain at a safe distance from the cliffs. The crew has to protect the birds, and puffins can be skittish. The result is a compromise: closer access than a larger boat, but no hands-on wildlife encounter.

I think that distinction is important when deciding if the $85 price is fair. You are paying for a small, fast boat, warm equipment, a short guided outing, and a better position for viewing than a standard harbor cruise. You are not paying for guaranteed close photographs or a landing on Lundey.

For many people, that is good value. The tour takes only about an hour, so you can fit it around museums, a city walk, or another Reykjavik activity. The small group also makes the experience feel less crowded than a large boat trip.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a calm ride or guaranteed photographic results. A larger, slower boat may feel easier for someone sensitive to motion, though this particular tour is the one that gets closer to the islands. You have to choose between comfort and proximity.

Safety, comfort, and the weather factor

Safety receives steady attention from the crew. You are given the required equipment, and the captain handles the RIB while the guide explains the wildlife. The boat can feel stable, but stable does not mean smooth.

Some outings have calm water, while others have been rough enough to make the ride uncomfortable. Wind adds to the effect. If you get seasick, consider taking appropriate precautions before departure, though the tour provider does not list a specific seasickness service in the supplied details.

The flotation suit is one of the best practical features. You do not need to arrive dressed like a polar explorer, although warm layers are still sensible. The crew has also supplied hats, gloves, goggles, and other protective gear on some trips.

Shorter people should pay attention to the height requirement. One account found the seat less comfortable because the feet dangled. The moving cushioned seats and front handles help, but this is still a boat built around safety and speed rather than lounge-chair comfort.

Weather can cancel the outing. If that happens, Elding offers another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you can receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a quick wildlife outing without committing to a full morning or afternoon. It is a strong fit for adults, older children who meet the age and height rules, and anyone who likes a little speed with their birdwatching.

It also suits you if you want a small group. A cap of 12 keeps the guide close enough to explain what you are seeing, and it reduces the chance of standing behind a crowd on a large deck.

The tour is a good choice for first-time puffin watchers who value convenience. You meet in Reykjavik, receive the necessary protective gear, travel to Lundey, and return to the same meeting point. There is no extra transfer to arrange.

I would hesitate if you need a fully calm, sheltered ride, have limited physical fitness, or expect to walk among the puffins. The tour does not land on the island, and the sea may be rough.

It is also not ideal for a serious wildlife photographer unless you bring suitable equipment and accept that conditions may defeat even a good camera. The guide’s larger-camera images can help, but you should not book this as a guaranteed close-up photography session.

Practical advice for a better hour on the water

Arrive ready to find the Elding Whale Watching meeting point at Ægisgarður 5c. Since hotel transport is not included, give yourself enough time to reach the harbor by public transportation or on foot.

Bring binoculars if you own a pair. This is the clearest practical tip for improving the experience, especially when birds are resting on the cliffs rather than floating beside the boat.

Wear comfortable clothes under the flotation suit. The supplied gear handles much of the cold-weather work, but Icelandic weather can change quickly and the boat is exposed to wind.

Keep your phone secure and easy to reach. You may get excellent moments when puffins pass near the RIB, but you will not have much time to prepare once a bird appears.

Listen for more than puffins. The guide may point out several kinds of seabirds, and the outing can include unexpected wildlife. One trip even produced a humpback whale sighting, though that is a fortunate extra, not part of the promise.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. The best version of this tour is not a private meeting with a puffin. It is a well-organized short ride to the birds’ island, with a better viewing position, warm gear, and a guide who helps you notice what the fast-moving birds are doing.

Should you book the Premium Puffin Tour?

Book it if you want the closest practical puffin viewing from Reykjavik, a small group, and a fast one-hour trip that leaves room for other plans. The crew, warm equipment, safety focus, and strong bird sightings make the $85 price reasonable for many visitors.

Skip it if you require a calm boat, perfect photographs, or a guaranteed puffin sighting. Bring binoculars, prepare for wind and motion, and remember that close means closer to the island, not onto it. With those expectations, this is an efficient and exciting way to meet Iceland’s famous seabirds.

FAQ

Where does the Premium Puffin Tour start?

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

How long does the puffin tour last?

The full RIB tour lasts approximately one hour. The stop at Lundey is listed as about 40 minutes.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, live guidance, and the one-hour RIB tour. Snacks and hotel pickup or drop-off are not included.

Can I get off the boat at Lundey?

No. You stay on the RIB and observe the puffins from the water so the nesting grounds are not disturbed.

What is the minimum age and height?

The minimum age is 10 years, and participants must be at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires suitable weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.