If you want puffins fast, this is built for it. You’ll ride a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) out to Lundey and get as close as is safe and respectful, with the whole outing running about an hour end-to-end. I like that the tour is small-group (max 12), so you’re not stuck behind a crowd of random wind-blocking hats. I also like that you get all the key protection—a warm flotation suit plus safety gear—so you can focus on spotting birds instead of shopping for layers at the last minute.

One thing to plan for: this is a speed-boat experience, and the ride can feel a bit choppy depending on conditions. If you’re sensitive to motion, bring your sea-sickness plan, because the boat’s job is to get you close.

Key things to know

• RIB access gets you closer to Lundey than typical harbor tours.
• Max 12 people keeps the spotting and explanations practical.
• Warm flotation suits and safety gear mean you travel prepared.
• You stay on the boat—you’re viewing nesting cliffs from the water.
• Binoculars/eye gear may be provided, but bringing your own can help for phone photos.
• Fortune favors the brief: short tour time, big bird numbers.

Reykjavik Premium Puffin Tour in plain terms

This is a Reykjavik puffin tour focused on one outcome: seeing Atlantic puffins up close enough to feel the thrill, without disturbing nesting areas. The format is straightforward—meet at Elding Whale Watching, ride out to the islands, spend a chunk of time at the best viewing area, then head back.

The vibe is efficient, not slow. You’re not spending half a day waiting. You’re trading comfort for closeness, and that trade is usually worth it because puffins are quick, skittish, and best viewed when you’re near the action.

The RIB ride: fast access, real weather factor

The boat is a RIB, which is a big part of why this tour exists. Compared with calmer boats, RIBs can get you up to the viewing zone faster and keep you where the birds are. Multiple people liked that the ride felt safe and that the captain handled things confidently.

Still, go in with the right expectations:

• The ride can be rougher than you’d guess, especially with wind.
• Several reviews noted it wasn’t as rough as feared, while another mentioned a rougher ride in the harbor area.
• They do run with an idea of timing and conditions, so the experience often depends on day-of sea state.

If you get motion sick, you’ll want to take it seriously. This is not a floating-on-a-pond type of outing.

Lundey stop: why you never land, but still get the close-up

Your main stop is Lundey, with about 40 minutes allocated there. This is where the puffin viewing happens—often with huge numbers of birds in the water and flying around the cliffs. People talk about seeing puffins “everywhere,” including birds swimming close to the boat and trying to fly while diving for fish.

Important detail: you stay on the boat. You won’t step onto the island. That’s not a limitation so much as the point—puffins nest on small islands off the coast, and the goal is to observe them from a respectful distance to protect nesting grounds.

So what’s close-up, exactly?

• You’ll be positioned to watch behavior: fish delivery, short bursts of flight, and the constant motion of diving and resurfacing.
• You may still find photography tricky. Puffins are small and fast, and a phone struggles when the boat is rocking and the birds are moving targets.

A practical tip: if you care about photos, bring your own binoculars if you have them. One review mentioned that the provided binoculars weren’t great for seeing details, while your own will be better matched to your eyes and your phone setup.

Guides, safety, and the “small group” advantage

This tour caps at 12 travelers, which changes everything about how the experience feels. With a big group, you end up watching from angles you didn’t choose. With a small group, the guide can actually manage spotting and explain what you’re seeing without repeating the same thing to the same people over and over.

The people running the show seem to be a big strength. Reviews mention guides such as Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy, plus office support from Sara when people needed special transport requests tied to disability needs. (Not every group will have the same guide, but the recurring theme is organized teamwork and clear instruction.)

On the safety side, you’ll get:

• Necessary safety equipment
• A warm flotation suit
• Gear that helps you stay upright and warm in a boat environment

One review specifically praised how safe and well run it felt throughout. Another noted that they were outfitted with warm gear including hat and eye gear, and that the seats helped with stability while riding.

Gear checklist: what to wear and what to bring

The tour includes a lot of what you’d normally forget: warm flotation suit and safety equipment. That said, you can make the experience easier on yourself with a simple plan:

What you should bring

• Your own binoculars if you have them (this can make a noticeable difference in bird detail)
• Your best winter layers for under the flotation suit (you’ll get a suit, but you still want warm base clothing)
• Something for motion if you need it, since the ride can be choppy
• A camera strategy that works on a moving boat (phone works, but go in expecting some misses)

What to expect from provided gear

• The flotation suit and safety kit do the heavy lifting for warmth and safety
• Eye gear may be provided, and some groups also reported binoculars being handed out
• If you bring a phone, accept that you may be using it more for quick shots than perfect photos

Also note: snacks aren’t included, so if you’re touring all day around Reykjavik, plan a meal buffer before or after.

How long it takes, and how it fits your Reykjavik day

This is about 1 hour total, approximate, and it’s easy to slot into a fuller Reykjavik itinerary. That matters because Reykjavik days can get crowded: whale tours, city walks, the iconic spots, and sometimes a day trip or two.

This outing keeps the time cost low. You’re still getting a major nature highlight, but without the half-day squeeze that can happen with longer wildlife excursions.

One more practical item: there’s no hotel pickup. You’ll meet at the departure point:

• Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

And you’ll return back to the same spot when it ends.

Price and value: is $85 fair for what you get?

At $85 per person, you’re paying for three things at once:

1. RIB access to a specific puffin area (which costs more than a viewing-from-land approach)
2. Small-group management (max 12)
3. Warm gear and guided interpretation focused on bird behavior

Is it good value? For the right traveler, yes—because puffins are a “time-sensitive” target. They’re not something you can reliably hunt on your own. This tour also minimizes decision stress: you show up, get outfitted, get a guided plan, and ride out to where the birds are.

The main value risk is the expectation gap around closeness. The company’s stance is clear: they aim for “as close as possible,” but not at the expense of disturbing nesting grounds. So if your mental picture is puffins right next to the boat with zero distance, you might be disappointed. The tour is more about behavioral proximity than “you can reach out and touch the birds.”

Who should book this puffin tour (and who might skip it)

Book it if you:

• Want a quick Reykjavik wildlife hit without losing half a day
• Like tours with a small group, clear safety direction, and active guidance
• Are excited by behavior—watching puffins swim, dive, and fly—more than collecting flawless photos

Consider another option if you:

• Are very motion sensitive and dread speed-boat rides
• Need guaranteed perfect photography (a phone plus a rocking boat is always a challenge)
• Are chasing maximum closeness in the sense of stepping onto the island (this tour is from the boat)

If your family trip includes kids, note the limits: minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm. Also keep in mind they ask for moderate physical fitness—not because it’s a hike, but because you’ll be on and moving around a boat while staying properly outfitted.

Weather reality and what “good day” looks like

This experience requires good weather. Day-of conditions matter because you’re on open water and your viewing quality depends on how the boat ride goes. The good news is that you get a weather-based setup: if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a refund.

Also, puffin viewing can vary. Some days are packed with birds and flying action. Other days can feel quieter. The tour is built to maximize your chances during the short viewing window at Lundey.

Photo tips that actually match the conditions

Puffins are famous for being adorable and also famously hard to photograph. Here’s what helps, based on how the experience plays out from the boat:

• Expect rocking motion. Even if the ride feels manageable, the birds are moving too.
• If provided binoculars don’t help enough, your own will.
• Use bursts or video mode instead of single shots; the bird dives and resurfaces fast.
• Don’t hold your breath on landing-level close-ups. You’ll be viewing nesting cliffs from the water, which is exactly what keeps the experience responsible.

One nice bonus: some guides share photos they take with a bigger lens after the tour. Not every group will, but it’s worth asking on the boat if you want help getting at least one great image.

Should you book the Premium Puffin tour?

I’d book it if you want the best mix of time efficiency, small-group attention, and real proximity to puffins from Reykjavik. The price is not cheap, but $85 starts to feel reasonable when you factor in RIB access, warm flotation gear, and a guided plan designed around bird behavior.

I’d think twice if your main goal is static, crystal-clear close-up photos from calm water. This is a moving boat tour that prioritizes safe viewing over island access. If you’re okay with that trade—and you come prepared with warm layers and a binocular plan—you’ll likely leave feeling like you saw the real puffin show, not just a distant dot on a cliff.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

The tour is about 1 hour (approx.).

Where does the tour start and end?

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

What’s the minimum age requirement?

The minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm.

What group size should I expect?

This tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, and 1 hour RIB tour with live guidance.

Are snacks included?

No, snacks are not included.

What level of physical fitness is needed?

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

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

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