Birdwatching
Sailing / Boat Tour

Reykjavík Classic Puffin Watching

from8.300 kr.

Experience the ultimate puffin adventure from Reykjavík as we take you to one of three nearby islands where these charming birds are known to nest!

Tour type: Day Tour / Activity
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup service: Yes
Pickup time: 45 min before
Booking in advance: 2 days
Availability: April
Minimum age: No age limit

The experience

About this tour

Our classic puffin tours offer an intimate and enjoyable adventure on a small boat, providing a unique opportunity to observe puffins, often referred to as the "clowns of the sea," in their natural habitat from late April to mid-August.

The tour takes you to one of three islands (Engey, Akurey or Lundey) known for their abundant birdlife depending on the tides and conditions. While we don’t land on the islands, the captains expertly navigate close to the shores, allowing for an up-close experience with the puffins without disturbing their nesting areas. In addition to puffins, you’ll have the chance to see other bird species, such as eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots and cormorants.

Additionally, there's a possibility of spotting other wildlife, such as seals, adding to the excitement of the tour. The rocky shores of the islands provide the perfect backdrop as our knowledgeable crew shares interesting facts and stories about the puffins and the surrounding environment. If the weather allows, the engines might be turned off, enhancing your experience by letting you fully immerse yourself in the natural sounds of the birds and the environment. This tour is designed to offer a comfortable and memorable way to enjoy Iceland’s stunning wildlife, only a few minutes away from the city centre of Reykjavík.

Family Friendly
Couples
Eco Friendly
Group Friendly
Outdoor

Itinerary

How it runs

4 stops

01
Check-in
AEgisgardur 5, 101 Reykjavík
Meet us at our ticket office at least 15 min. before departure to check-in and receive your boarding card(s). Our team will show you to our boat, that is usually docked at the floating pier in front of our Visitor Centre / Wildlife Exhibition.
02
Boarding
Ægisgarður floating pier, 101 Reykjavík
Our team will greet you on board the puffin boat and welcome you on board. Make sure to have your boarding card(s) readily available to ensure a smooth boarding process. Once on the boat, you are free to walk around, chat with the crew or find the perfect lookout spot!
03
Puffin Watching
Puffin Island, 101 Reykjavík
Depending on the tides, we will visit the puffin colonies on either Engey, Akureyri, or Lundey. These three islands, located just off Reykjavík, are known for being breeding grounds for these charming birds during the summer. The islands are protected, so we won’t be able to set foot on them, but the captain will sail as close as possible without disturbing their natural behavior. Keep an eye out for seals as well; they can often be seen resting on the rocks or hunting for food. Binoculars are available on board for you to use.

The journey to the islands can take up to 15 minutes.
04
Disembarking
Ægisgarður, 101 Reykjavík
The total duration of the tour is about 1-1,5 hrs. from boarding to disembarking, while the duration spent with the wildlife can vary. We hope you have a pleasant time on the tour and leave with a smile on your faces, as well as ever lasting memories. Feel free to email us at elding@elding.is for feedback or photos, which our team will happily provide if they were able to take any on the tour!

Now that you’re back on land, we recommend taking a stroll through the Old Harbour area, it is a small and quaint section with shops, restaurants and cafés.

What the price covers

Included

1 Hr. Puffin TourExcellent Live Commentary In English

Use Of RaincoatsUse Of Binoculars

Puffin Guarantee (or Try Again For Free)

Not included

Pick Up / Drop Off (available For An Extra Charge)Refreshments

Ticket types

Adults (16+)
Youth (7 - 15)
Children (0 - 6)

Where it starts

Elding ticket office
Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, IS
Open in Google Maps

Meeting: Meet on location or pick up
Pickup: Yes
Be ready: 45 min before departure
Location code: Reykjavík (REY, IS)

Please stop by the Elding office in the Old Harbour no later than 15 min. prior to tour departure to collect your ticket(s).

Good to know

Since The Birds Are Quite Petite, We Suggest Bringing A Good Zoom Lens For Capturing High Quality, Close-up Photos. Binoculars Are Also Available To Borrow On Board If Needed.
Since This Is A Wildlife Tour We Can Never Predict Or Guarantee Sightings Of Any Kind. Additionally, Abide By A Code Of Conduct For Responsible Wildlife Watching And Thus Each Encounter Is On The Animal's Terms. This Means That We May Manoeuvre The Boat In A Certain Way Or Keep Our Distance To Minimise Potential Disturbance. In The Event That We Don't Encounter Any Puffins, We Do Not Offer Refunds, But Instead Give Our Passengers A Complimentary Ticket To Use Another Day.
Can't Get Enough Of The Sea? Combine This Tour With Whale Watching Or Try Our Premium Puffin Tour That Will Take You Closer And Faster To The Wildlife!

Your ticket

THANK YOU FOR BOOKING YOUR ADVENTURE AT SEA WITH ELDING

Meet us at our ticket office, located at Ægisgarður 5c at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík, where you will receive your boarding ticket(s). Be sure to arrive no later than 15 minutes before scheduled departure, for check-in and boarding. If you are arriving by car, please note that there is no parking allowed at the harbour. See here for more information.

The weather in Iceland is famously unpredictable and therefore we urge you to dress accordingly and plan ahead. In case of unfavourable conditions, the itinerary may be altered or the tour could get cancelled on short notice. You will be notified of any changes as soon as possible, but we advise that you have a look at our website for tour updates. In the event of your tour being cancelled, you will be offered the option to rebook, reschedule or receive a full refund.

This is a wildlife excursion and as such we can never predict or guarantee sightings. In case we don't encounter any puffins however, we do not issue a refund, but instead hand out complimentary tickets so you have the opportunity try again another day, free of charge.

Please contact us directly if you have any questions or need further information regarding the tour or your booking. We look forward to welcoming you on board!

Elding is an environmentally conscious tour operator, dedicated to sustainability and conservation. Please help us in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint by displaying this voucher on your device, rather than printing it out!

Type: Day Tour / Activity
Season: April
Cutoff (relative to start time): 1 hour before
Requests confirmed within: 2 days
Details updated: 7 Aug 2026