Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

Puffins up close, without the island hopping. This Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour takes you by RIB as near as possible to the nesting islands at Lundey, with live guidance and a tight small-group setup.

I especially like that you get warm flotation suit gear and safety equipment, so the cold and spray feel manageable. I also love that guides bring the puffins to life with practical bird spotting tips, not just random facts.

One thing to keep in mind: even with the close approach, you still watch from the boat at a respectful distance, and phone photos can be tough because the puffins are fast and the boat may rock.

Key points before you go

• Small-group cap of 12 keeps the experience personal and makes it easier to hear the guide.
• RIB cruising lets you get closer than most shore-based viewing in Reykjavik.
• Warm flotation suit and safety gear mean you are not gambling on Icelandic weather.
• Lundey stop is about 40 minutes of focused puffin watching time.
• Bring your own binoculars if you care about fine details on cliff birds.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours helps when Iceland’s weather gets moody.

Reykjavik Premium Puffin on a RIB, what close-up really means

This tour is built for one goal: seeing puffins while they are actually doing puffin things, on their own nesting territory. You are not going to a viewing platform or staring at birds through a shoreline fence. Instead, you go by fast RIB boat out from Reykjavik with the aim of getting as close as wise to the cliffs and islands.

The “premium” part shows up in the comfort and control. You’ll get warm flotation gear and the crew is geared up for a quick, efficient puffin session. The trip is short enough that you can fit it into a Reykjavik day without turning your schedule into a juggling act.

Why the 12-person limit changes the whole experience

A max group size of 12 might not sound huge, but it matters out on the water. When the boat is moving and the puffins are small, you need quick sight lines. Smaller groups also make it easier for the guide to manage attention, point out where birds are diving or flying, and keep everyone on the safe side of the action.

In the reviews, the standout theme is how well the tours feel organized and run. People mention guides by name like Knute, Adam, Naina, Tarzan, and Andy, and the repeated message is clear: you spend your time watching, not figuring out what you are looking at.

The hour on the water: gear, safety, and comfort reality

The tour runs about 1 hour total, and that timing is part of the value. You are not spending half a day commuting across the coast. You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, get geared up, and head out.

You’ll be provided with:

• Warm flotation suit
• Necessary safety equipment
• Guided instruction during the ride and viewing

The flotation suit is key. Even when the air is not brutally cold, water spray can make you feel it fast. The gear also buys you peace of mind. More than one review mentions feeling safe the entire time and credits the captain as a pro.

How rough is the RIB ride?

A RIB is exciting by design. That means wind and choppy water can make things feel bouncy. One person said the ride was rough, and another said it was not as rough as expected and noted that seas were calmer than usual.

My advice: if you know you get motion sick, treat this as a real variable, not a guarantee. The tour requires a moderate physical fitness level, and the boat ride is part of the experience, not a background detail.

Stop at Lundey: puffins, photo challenges, and what to watch for

Your main viewing stop is Lundey, with about 40 minutes focused on puffins. This is where the tour earns its name. You are close enough to see behavior, not just the birds as tiny dots.

What you should look for:

• Puffins flying low or skimming across the water
• Birds swimming and then popping up with fish
• Clusters of puffins near the waterline when they return and depart

Some tours are all about one neat moment. This one often turns into a loop of moments, because puffins keep moving. Reviews mention seeing hundreds, even thousands, and watching puffins dive for fish and try to fly right after they’ve been swimming.

Photo and binocular advice that actually helps

Here is the honest part: getting sharp puffin photos with a phone on a moving RIB is hard. Several reviews point out that puffins are small and quick, and the rocking boat makes framing tricky. One review specifically recommends bringing your own binoculars, saying the binoculars provided were not good enough for fine detail.

So if you care about what you see, do this:

• Bring your own binoculars if you have them.
• Plan to use phone photos as “record the moment,” not “capture the National Geographic cover.”

If you want an upgrade, you may also be able to benefit from guide photo sharing. One review mentions the guide shared photos taken with a big lens camera, which is a smart workaround when you cannot hold a phone steady.

When the birds are active: expect more than just puffins

Even though puffins are the headline, the tour experience tends to include extra wildlife and other sea birds. One review even mentions a humpback whale showing up in the same area. That is not something you can count on, but it does fit the pattern: once you are out there, the ecosystem puts on a show.

This is also why a short tour can be satisfying. You’re not waiting all day for one rare sighting. You’re heading out when puffins are active during nesting season, then spending a concentrated chunk of time on the water.

Price of $85: is it good value for a one-hour RIB puffin sprint?

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see puffins from Reykjavik. But it is also not trying to be. You are paying for:

• A fast RIB ride that gets you closer than many shore options
• A small-group cap of 12
• Warm flotation gear and safety equipment
• Live guidance during your short window outdoors

So the value comes from efficiency plus proximity. One hour sounds brief, but that is what keeps the experience focused. You are not spending half your day in transport. If puffins are the one thing you want to see in Reykjavik, this can be a very direct use of money and time.

Where the price feels less great is when expectations are too strict. A disappointed review complained about being far from puffins compared with the ads. The key reality is that you still need respectful viewing distance around nesting grounds. Close approach is part of the formula, but it is not the same as stepping onto an island.

Who this tour fits best, and who might want a different plan

This tour is ideal if you:

• Want a quick Reykjavik activity that still feels like an adventure
• Like small groups and clear, live bird talk
• Are comfortable in a boat setting where wind can matter
• Want the warm gear included rather than building your own cold-weather kit

You might consider a different option if:

• You are highly sensitive to motion or rough water
• You expect guaranteed, super-close puffin portraits from a phone
• You want a calmer outing rather than a high-speed RIB approach

Also note the basics: minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm. The tour is offered in English and uses mobile tickets.

Smart tips to get more from your puffin watching

These are the small choices that make the biggest difference:

Bring binoculars even if they offer viewing gear. One of the most practical critiques is that the handed-out binoculars can be hard to use for cliff details. Your own pair gives you control.

Dress for spray, not just air temperature. You’ll get the suit, but wind and water can still get to you around edges. Wear layers you can move in.

Plan for rocking reality. Even if the ride is not wildly rough, you are on a boat. Keep your phone secured, and treat shots as a bonus.

Give the guide your attention early. Guides often point out where puffins are diving or where to look for flight patterns. If you tune in for the first minutes at Lundey, the viewing gets easier fast.

Use the guide’s photo help if they share it. If you end up with usable guide photos, it’s one of the best ways to get crisp results when conditions make phone photos frustrating.

Should you book the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

If your top goal is puffins and you want to do it fast, this is a strong choice. The small-group size, the warm flotation suit, and the RIB approach are exactly what you want for close viewing from Reykjavik, especially with about 40 minutes at Lundey.

I would book it if you can handle a boat ride where wind can make the water feel lively, and if you go in with the right expectation: you are watching puffins from the water at a respectful distance, not landing on a cliff.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour and how much time do I spend at Lundey?

The tour is about 1 hour total. Lundey is the main stop, with about 40 minutes for puffin viewing.

Where do I meet for the tour, and does it end at the same place?

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What gear and safety equipment are included?

The tour includes a warm flotation suit, necessary safety equipment, and live guidance during the RIB ride and puffin viewing.

How big is the group, and what are the minimum age or height requirements?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers. The minimum age is 10 years or 145 cm.

Should I bring my own binoculars?

It can be a good idea. One review suggests that bringing your own binoculars helps because the binoculars provided were difficult to use for seeing details.

Can I cancel for free, and what happens if the weather is poor?

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

Should you book this tour if you want a calm experience?

If you want something very calm, keep in mind it is a high-speed RIB ride and conditions can affect how rough the water feels. If you are comfortable on boats, it is a great, focused puffin outing.