Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik
Badge of Excellence
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get up close to puffins on this boat tour from Reykjavik. With your local naturalist-guide, step aboard a custom boat that lets you glide right up to Akurey Island's jagged shore to watch the seabirds in their natural habitat. Enjoy engaging commentary about the puffins' biology and behavior from your guide. Includes binoculars for birdwatching and a multilingual audio guide app.
- See a side of the Reykjavik region many other visitors miss
- This efficient tour is perfect to fit in a busy day of sightseeing
- Pick from a range of departure times to suit your schedule
- Get as close as possible to Akurey Island for prime puffin viewing
What's Included
- Expert guide
- Binoculars on board
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional cost - please contact supplier directly).
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Please make your way to the Special Tours ticket office. There you will check in and meet your guide, who will take everyone to the boat just before the departure time. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Following pickup (if option selected), head for the shoreline and hop aboard the express boat to Akurey, an island just off the coast of Iceland's capital that boasts a healthy population of puffins. Choose from numerous departure times throughout the day to suit your Iceland itinerary.
During your trip, learn from your expert guide about the puffins as well as other local seabirds, such as northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots. Watch the seabirds nesting and diving into the water after their next meal.
Between May and August every year, the puffins nest on the island. The rocky outcroppings and slopes that form protected areas are perfect for hatching and raising young puffins. Riding on a custom-designed boat means you can get as close as possible to the birds. Binoculars are also included on your tour. When you reach the island, circle it a few times before the captain turns off the engines, allowing you to enjoy the birds in peace.
Your tour ends with drop-off back where you started (if selected).
During your trip, learn from your expert guide about the puffins as well as other local seabirds, such as northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots. Watch the seabirds nesting and diving into the water after their next meal.
Between May and August every year, the puffins nest on the island. The rocky outcroppings and slopes that form protected areas are perfect for hatching and raising young puffins. Riding on a custom-designed boat means you can get as close as possible to the birds. Binoculars are also included on your tour. When you reach the island, circle it a few times before the captain turns off the engines, allowing you to enjoy the birds in peace.
Your tour ends with drop-off back where you started (if selected).
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (extra fees apply)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 33 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
lyoder289
You cannot go wrong with this tour. We had a beautiful day and saw many puffins. Our tour guide, Patrick, made this one of the best experiences we had with our stay in Iceland. He was so knowledgeable and his presentation was not only educational but extremely entertaining. You can tell that he really cares about his job and his puffins! Still smiling :-)
Reviews
4.5
based on 838 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Connor_B, Aug 2026
Best tour I have been on! Super fun time, even though it was the end of the Puffin season, we saw plenty and as a bonus we got to be right next to a baby calf whale feeding. The team went above and beyond!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fun time with us. Seeing plenty of puffins at the end of the season is always a treat, and having a whale calf feeding nearby is the kind of unforgettable wildlife encounter that makes every tour unique.
We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure in the future!
Victoria_H, Aug 2026
The team on the boat were extremely friendly and informative. The short boat ride to the small island is a must to learn all about these beautiful endangered birds.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found our team both friendly and informative. The puffin islands offer a unique opportunity to learn about these remarkable seabirds in their natural habitat, and we're glad the experience was both enjoyable and educational for you. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again on your next visit to Iceland!
Kathleen_S, Aug 2026
Stellar crew. Christina, Sammy, and Hjalmar got us to the island, gave a great narrative of life there. Saw puffins and a surprise guest of a young humpback whale in the harbor. Can't say enough about the passion and knowledge of the crew.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour and that Christina, Sammy, and Hjálmar helped make it such a memorable experience. It's fantastic that you got to see the puffins and were treated to the unexpected bonus of a young humpback whale in the harbor. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to the crew. Their passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for Iceland's wildlife and history are what make these tours so special. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Mary_N, Aug 2026
The afternoon cruise was canceled. They wanted me to book earlier, but I arrived that day and didn't want to chance it. I emailed the address shown on the cancelation notice, and the mail didn't go through. I tried several more times to no avail.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are sorry to hear about your disappointment.
Regarding your attempt to contact us, our cancellation notifications are sent from a no-reply address. However, each message includes clear instructions on how to reach our team, including the correct email address and contact link for customer inquiries. We have not experienced any issues receiving emails through these channels and respond to guest inquiries regularly.
As for the tour cancellation, whale watching operations are subject to weather and sea conditions, and safety must always remain our top priority. While we understand that cancellations can be frustrating, they are occasionally necessary to ensure the wellbeing of our guests and crew.
We appreciate your feedback and regret that your experience did not meet your expectations.
john_r, Aug 2026
This was an amazing experience, in one hour we saw so many puffin, on the island and flying around the boat a lot with fish.
We also saw a whale close to the boat.
The crew was very nice and accommodating
Would highly recommend
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience. Seeing so many puffins both on the island and flying around the boat with fish is always a spectacular sight, and spotting a whale up close makes the trip even more memorable!
We're also thrilled that our crew helped make your tour enjoyable and comfortable. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another unforgettable wildlife adventure!
Donna_Y, Aug 2026
Very informative during short boat ride to island. Lots of puffins. Definitely worth the price- was very pleasantly surprised.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the informative boat ride and seeing so many puffins. It's especially great to know that the experience exceeded your expectations and felt worth the price.
Jocelyn_P, Aug 2026
I have seen Puffins in Newfoundland and Ireland. But Iceland is the closest I have ever got to them.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that Iceland gave you your closest puffin encounter yet. It's always special to see these amazing birds up close, and we're glad you enjoyed the experience with us.
John_W, Aug 2026
The boat ride to see the puffins exceeded our expectations! The captain maneuvered the boat into good positions to see the puffins. We had excellent narration of the life of a puffin plus looked at a scrapbook she’d prepared. The added bonus was seeing four whales! Our lucky day! Highly recommend this group!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that the tour exceeded your expectations. It's great to know you enjoyed the puffin sightings, the informative narration, and the captain's efforts to provide the best viewing opportunities. Spotting four whales as well is truly an amazing bonus! Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon.
Kevin_K, Aug 2026
Great way to see the Puffins without traveling far from Reykjavik or spending a fortune to get there.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted that you found the tour to be a convenient and affordable way to see the puffins. We hope you had a memorable experience and look forward to welcoming you on board again soon!
Elizabeth_W, Aug 2026
Enjoyable for the whole family. Nice boat, friendly and knowledgeable staff. We saw lots of puffins. Great time!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted that the whole family enjoyed the tour, and that our crew helped make it a memorable experience. We're especially glad you got to see so many puffins. Hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Michelle_T, Aug 2026
It was an excellent trip with lots of information given on board and plenty of opportunities to see the puffins.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We're glad you found the tour informative and had excellent opportunities to see the puffins. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back in the future.
Marlene_M, Aug 2026
Puffin cruise was the perfect short excursion on a busy day. The guide was very knowledgeable and funny!!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your great review! We're delighted to hear that the Puffin Cruise was the perfect short excursion for your day. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide's knowledge and humor made the experience even more enjoyable. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
Jacqueline_B, Aug 2026
The tour was wonderful. The tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate about Iceland's wildlife. I loved seeing the zip through the sky and float on the water. My only constructive feedback - we were originally supposed to be on a smaller boat, which would have allowed to get closer to the puffins. Instead we were changed to a larger boat that couldn't get as close.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that our guide's knowledge and passion for Iceland's wildlife helped make the experience memorable. Watching puffins soar through the sky and bob on the water is always a special sight!
We also appreciate your constructive feedback regarding the boat change. Operational circumstances occasionally require us to use a different vessel than originally planned, and we're sorry that this meant you weren't able to get as close to the puffins as expected. Thank you for your understanding, and we're glad you still had a great experience overall. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Victoria_M, Aug 2026
Nice short, boat ride to see puffins in a natural habitat. Stayed ti view about 10 to 15 minutes. Long enough to see plenty of birds and get photos. Guide was knowledgeable and made it even more fun
Recommend
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the great review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and had plenty of time to watch the puffins in their natural habitat, as well as capture some memorable photos. It's wonderful to know that our guide's knowledge and enthusiasm helped make the experience even more enjoyable. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon!
rajnish_g, Aug 2026
this is a nice one hour diversion you go to the island but not very close
you can see puffins in water and on the island but mostly are 100 meters off so it is not a very close view
it is well managed and informative but the birds are not close up
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear you found the tour well organized and informative. Puffins are wild birds, and their location can vary throughout the season, so viewing distances are not always as close as we'd like. We're happy that you were still able to observe them both on the water and around the island, and we appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you for joining us!
Bjacob01, Aug 2026
Puffins are not congregating making it easy to see. They mostly fly so you need to have fast eyes and reflexes.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review! We're glad you enjoyed the tour and had the chance to see puffins in their natural environment. Wildlife sightings can vary from day to day, and puffins are often quite active in flight. We appreciate your feedback and are happy to hear you joined us for the experience. Thank you for choosing to sail with us!
Barbara_J, Aug 2026
Great tour with a super knowledgeable and very engaging guide. She was so helpful and graciously answered all our questions.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that your guide's knowledge, enthusiasm, and engaging style made the experience so memorable. It's great to know she was able to answer all your questions and help make the tour even more enjoyable. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Diamond_S, Aug 2026
The hour boat ride was very pleasant and informative about the Puffins and other local birds. Also included some history about the harbor. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the boat tour and found it both pleasant and informative. It's great to know you appreciated learning about the puffins, other local birdlife, and the history of the harbor. Thank you for your recommendation!
Christine_R, Aug 2026
The puffins are so cute & the trip was very educational! If it's a wavy day wear waterproof gear! Great crew!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad you enjoyed seeing the puffins and found the tour educational. Great tip about bringing waterproof gear on wavy days, and thank you for sharing that advice with future travelers! We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to the crew. Hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Susan_I, Aug 2026
Great trip-really informative and engaging tour guide and great boat. Easy to find location and well paced
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour, found the guide informative and engaging, and appreciated the boat and overall pace of the experience. It's great to know that the departure location was easy to find as well. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Larry_C, Aug 2026
Laura and Patrick were terrific guides. This short boat trip provided a wonderful chance to view an extensive colony of puffins and learn about their world.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that Laura and Patrick helped make the tour so enjoyable. It's fantastic that you had the opportunity to see such a large puffin colony and learn more about these fascinating birds. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Mary_G, Aug 2026
It is short but sweet tour and you get pretty close to the nesting spots. My husband is a birder and was able to get really nice photos.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and were able to get great views of the puffins near their nesting areas. It's fantastic that your husband was able to capture some lovely photos. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Kristin_C, Aug 2026
Quick and fun way to see the puffins up close! The 1 hour trip was perfect to see the puffins. The captian was an excellent navigator getting us close to the island for pictures and the guide provided so much background knowledge. Highly recommend for part of a day in Reykjavik.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it a fun and easy way to see the puffins up close. It's great to know that the skipper helped you get excellent views of the island and that you enjoyed learning more about puffins from the guide. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Merideth_M, Aug 2026
The tour was fun and deeply informative. Both my kids loved seeing the puffins in thier natural environment.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your children enjoyed the tour and seeing the puffins in their natural environment. It's great to know that you found the experience both fun and informative. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome your family onboard again soon!
Ollie_A, Aug 2026
Very knowledgeable Team. Saw lots of puffins. Very enjoyable short Tour if you’re looking for something to do that takes less than an hour.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour, saw lots of puffins, and found the team knowledgeable and friendly. It's great to know that the shorter tour fit your plans so well. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Charles_A, Aug 2026
the crew was very informative and friendly. but the trip was not what we were expecting. we never got upclose to them. they were flying all around us but never could get a good picture.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear that you found the crew friendly and informative.
We're sorry the viewing experience did not fully meet your expectations. The islands are protected nature reserves, so boats must keep a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the puffins and their nesting habitat. While the birds often fly very close to the boat, getting close-up photos can depend on conditions and camera equipment. We appreciate you joining us and sharing your experience.
Rochelle_M, Aug 2026
The guide was very knowledgeable and lots of fun! Fantastic experience and would highly recommend! Well worth the money.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a fantastic experience and found the tour both fun and informative. It's great to know that you felt it was well worth the money. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Kathleen_T, Aug 2026
So much fun! The water was choppy but the guide and the skipper kept everyone safe and occupied. Both were super informative and hilarious! You would have thought they had worked together for years but come to find out it was the guides first day. I think her name was Rosanna. She was great. They got us super close and we learned a lot about puffins and the other birds on the island. It was a last minute addition to our trip and so glad we did it
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had so much fun on the tour. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Rosanne, who will be thrilled to hear that she made such a great impression on her very first day! We're glad you enjoyed learning about the puffins and other seabirds, and that our crew helped make the experience both informative and enjoyable despite the choppy conditions. Thank you for joining us, and we're so happy this last-minute addition turned out to be a highlight of your trip!
lisapomerance, Aug 2026
We had a very nice Puffin tour. Roseanne was excellent at explaining and answering questions about these interesting birds. The captain was an excellent driver in the rough waves around the island. The birds are very small but we saw hundreds flying around. It was also exciting to see the coast of Iceland from the water. I would recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and learning about these fascinating birds. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to Rosanne. It's great to know you were able to see hundreds of puffins and enjoy the unique perspective of Iceland's coastline from the sea. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Wendolin_E, Aug 2026
The waves were “rough” but the tour itself was really cool. So much information and lovely boat driver! Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour despite the rough seas. It's great to know that you found the experience informative and that our skipper helped make the trip memorable. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
From $65.11
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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