Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík
Recommended by 97% of travelers
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy a time-saving way to discover seabirds including puffins and other wildlife on this speedy rigid-inflatable boat (RIB) tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. In small groups led by a naturalist guide, ride across Faxaflói Bay aboard a vessel that provides the best possible access to the wildlife without disturbing the nesting birds. Make several stops, catching great views (and photos) of Iceland's wild side.
- Maximize your chances of seeing puffins and other seabirds in Faxaflói Bay
- Get up-close to native wildlife without disturbing them
- Choice of several departures throughout the day to fit your schedule
- This small-group tour ensures a more personalized experience
What's Included
- Local taxes
- Binoculars for each passenger
- Warm overalls, gloves, goggles and all necessary safety equipment
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Our ticket office is conveniently located at the Old Harbour in downtown Reykjavík - Ægisgarður 5D. Right at the corner of the harbour across the street from a variety of shops and restaurants.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Make your way to Old Harbour in Reykjavík, where you'll present this voucher for a bird watching tour. This tour is operated during the best months for spotting birds near Reykjavík, from May 15th to August 20th, and there are up to four departures each day. You’ll travel in a custom RIB boat—the Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats are the gold standard for fast trips on Faxaflói Bay, as the captain can shut off the engine in order to silently approach birds and wildlife.
Watch for some of the 30,000 puffins that nest off the coast of Reykjavík, along with the flightless great auk, and gannets, the largest seabird in the North Atlantic. Throughout the tour, the guide and captain will share facts and stories about Iceland’s puffins, Faxaflói Bay, and any wildlife you spot along the way. This tour concludes back at the Old Harbor, close to the city’s attractions, restaurants, and sights.
Watch for some of the 30,000 puffins that nest off the coast of Reykjavík, along with the flightless great auk, and gannets, the largest seabird in the North Atlantic. Throughout the tour, the guide and captain will share facts and stories about Iceland’s puffins, Faxaflói Bay, and any wildlife you spot along the way. This tour concludes back at the Old Harbor, close to the city’s attractions, restaurants, and sights.
1
Whale Safari
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Akurey
50 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minimum height is 145 cm
- Not recommended for travellers with knee problems
- Not recommended for young children
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Shilpa_A
Maja was an incredible guide on this lovely, intimate puffin tour. She was so knowledgeable and kind. We saw so many puffins and beautiful landscapes. Highly recommend!
Reviews
4.9
based on 124 reviews
Thomas_J, Aug 2025
Fantastic experience. Although we were at the end of the breeding season for the Puffins.... The crew made sure that we went to a few places that still had them. They were very informative and even took some of there own pictures on our tour to email us. Most of us were using our phone camera's and they had much better SLR digital camera. They sent along their images the very next day. Highly recommend their tours. We did the Puffin Tour but I think they also have Whale watching and others.
Francis_P, Aug 2025
The ride was extremely bumpy and frightening. I hurt my knee on one of the bumps. I believe there should be a warning on this ride. I did not realize how extreme the ride to see the puffins were. Speaking of puffins, you don't get close to them so I am not sure I can recommend this trip.
Kaliopie_O, Aug 2025
Great tour!! Saw sooooo many puffin. Small group is the way to go so you can get close to the islands where the puffins are. Very knowledgeable guide Alex. Highly recommend
Shilpa_A, Aug 2025
Maja was an incredible guide on this lovely, intimate puffin tour. She was so knowledgeable and kind. We saw so many puffins and beautiful landscapes. Highly recommend!
Kevin_N, Aug 2025
Amazing tour. Gear up was easy, entire tour was organized and our Guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to see these cute birds!
Kellie_C, Aug 2025
First time ever on a puffin tour. So fun ! Our tour guide Sam - was amazing She was very knowledgeable about the puppin life
Lisa_J, Aug 2025
The rib boat is very comfortable! So much fun! We saw SO many puffins! It’s a must do!
If you are on a cruise boat, hop in a taxi (taxis line right by ship) and it’s a 6min ride to Whale Safari operator of puffin excursions
Patricia_L, Jul 2025
We wanted to see the Iceland Puffins !
There were several companies that would provide a Puffin Experience; however we chose Mr Puffin because of the ability to get very close to the Puffin Island, the Guide Experience and the ability to travel with a small group and the Time (1 1/2 hours).
It was an Excellent Tour and our Guide Ricardo was a Great,Ambassador for the Puffins. He was knowledgeable and very professional. Our boat driver Sulle was Superb. She was careful and just excellent in getting us to / from the Puffin Island.
It was Great Fun and we saw hundreds of Puffins.
Thank You !
ElaineAnne_P, Jul 2025
If you have back issues maybe think twice as you crash down on rough waves. However, the tour was Perfect! We saw sooo many puffins up close and if you like speed boats this is for you. They ensure your comfort with special clothing and our guide Rachael was knowledgeable, super friendly and right there for any issues. Loved this adventure!
Chad_A, Jul 2025
These folks are amazing. We ran into issues with our flight and getting there with our scheduled time.
They were amazing in accommodating us.
Their staff were professional and the trip was better than described. Maja was remarkably friendly and helpful.
Well worth it, highly recommend.
Kristina_P, Jul 2025
It was very well organized and well communicated from the beginning. Beautiful weather helped and then there were the puffins. Sooo many puffins. Loved it!
jessie_l, Jul 2025
Alma was an excellent guide who took great photos for us. We get pretty close to the puffin island but If you have good binoculars bring them because the ones provided weren’t that great.
Lynn_Z, Jul 2025
Great tour! Well organized - saw lots of puffins. Fantastic boat & we didn’t get wet at all!! They also provide very warm jumpsuits which were perfect!
Samuel_W, Jul 2025
Really enjoyed this tour. Seeing the Puffins was something I have been wanting to do. All gear was included to make sure we were taken care of. Recommend!!!!!!
Madeleine_K, Jul 2025
Nice trip to see the puffins. They are adorable! Guides were nice and informative. We saw some at the first island and then so many at the second island. They are very small though and we could only get so close in the RIB boat. I had a 24-70MM zoom and I was in the front and it was still kind of hard to see the puffins. From what I could see, the puffins were very cute
Karen_A, Jul 2025
Small group made for ease of taking photos.
This was an awesome tour. Was able to take great photos.
Marilyn_P, Jul 2025
Great professional service. Excellent equipment provided for the windy, rainy day.
Only minus is: no photo email yet 4 days after our tour.
Tori_L, Jul 2025
The very best way to see puffins up close. The weather cancelled the whale watching on the RIB but the puffins tour was still going because it’s closer to shore.
Kanda_V, Jul 2025
The perfect way to safely get close to puffins in their habitat! There were so many on the islands, in the water, and in the air. Highly recommend this experience for nature lovers.
Runa_G, Jul 2025
Great experience, fun tour and everyone was super nice, and knowledgeable, we were well taken care of. super safe.
Joshua_W, Jul 2025
Saw so many puffins. Definitely worth the price and the trip. Morning trip worked great. I would definitely recommend.
Elizabeth_B, Jul 2025
Great way to see puffins in their natural habitat. We went in early July and there were puffins everywhere. Our boat drove to 2 islands right off the coast of Reykjavik and the larger island is home to 25k puffins during the summer! Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared tons of fun facts with our group. We also got a link to download photos that the guide had taken during our trip via email. It’s nice that they provide jumpsuits, gloves and goggles bc the wind can be brutal, even in July.
Sharon_G, Jun 2025
I have always wanted to see Puffins and this tour made it happen. Maya our guide was fabulous. She is a marine biologist and so knowledgeable. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The captain was skillful and it was a smooth ride. Highly recommended.
Amy_S, Jun 2025
Got to see a lot of puffins and some very close. Wish the guides would have given some info/history/things to do, etc. about the city on the way to and from the puffin island.
Barbara_S, Jun 2025
They take care of everything. Lots of Puffins and Fun! Staff was accommodating and the guide was friendly and knowledgeable.
CamillaVigand_P, Jun 2025
If you not tall try not to sit in the back of the boat. I was the smallest a could not see so much cos of very tall people
scotohara, Jun 2025
Our tour to see the nesting puffins has been a top-of-list activity as soon as we knew we were really going to Iceland. The tour was so easy! We walked there from our downtown hotel and the tour team got us organized, ready in weather-and-situation-appropriate gear, and took us across the harbor to 2 different islands where the puffins nest. It was such a thrilling experience to be up close to the birds and see them nesting in the rocks on the island shoreline. Very cool - loved it!
MaryJane_G, Jun 2025
Informative, well done tour, with excellent viewing seats, protective gear with accessories as needed, and knowledgeable leaders. We got lucky with great lighting for photography and calm water as well. Go high tide for closest viewing of the birds on the islands.
Jeffrey_I, Jun 2025
Fun trip! We visited two islands and saw hundreds of puffins. Our guide was very knowledgeable and took pictures for our group (with a telephoto lens).
Robert_R, Jun 2025
Great experience, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was run very professionally and great that they provided all the gear needed.
From $103.54
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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