I learned the hard way that puffin tours are not all the same. My first trip, I booked the cheapest option. The boat was crowded. The guide shouted facts I could not hear. We spent ten minutes near the island before turning back.
Six months later, I tried again. This time I did my homework. The difference was night and day.
Here is what I discovered after testing six different operators. No marketing fluff. Just honest advice from someone who spent too much money learning these lessons.
When to Go: The Puffin Season Window
Iceland hosts roughly 8 to 10 million Atlantic puffins during summer. That is 60 percent of the world's population . But they are only visible from land from May through mid-August.
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The peak months are June and July. This is when colonies are at full capacity. Adults perform courtship "billing" displays. Parents fly back and forth with beaks full of sand eels. It is the iconic postcard image.
Early August marks the start of departure. Most adults are gone by mid-August. I visited in late August once and saw zero puffins. Do not make my mistake.
Late August brings the "Puffling Patrol" in the Westman Islands. Local children rescue disoriented puffin chicks from town streets. It is heartwarming. But you will see more birds in June.
A sobering note: Iceland's puffin population has declined roughly 70 percent since 1995. Climate change has disrupted their food supply. The birds are now classified as Critically Endangered on Iceland's Red List. Your tour fees help fund conservation research. So pick an operator that contributes.
Best Tour from Reykjavik: The Classic Choice
Reykjavik's Old Harbour is the most convenient starting point. You are in the city already. Tours last one hour. Perfect for a quick outing.
Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide
Operated by Special Tours Wildlife Adventures.
Cost: $63 USD
Duration: 1 hour
Rating: 4.5 stars from 762 reviews
Boat type: Standard sightseeing vessel
Group size: Large
Pros: Iceland's original puffin tour company since 1996. You reach Akurey Island in 15 minutes. The island hosts roughly 30,000 nesting puffins. Binoculars are provided. Multi-language audio guide available in nine languages. A 100 percent puffin viewing guarantee means you get another try for free if you see nothing.
Cons: Phone cameras produce disappointing photos from a distance. Bring a 200mm+ lens for meaningful shots. The boat can feel crowded during peak season.
My take: This is your safe bet. Affordable. Reliable. Good for families. You will see puffins. Just not close enough for Instagram-worthy photos.
Best Premium Experience: The Small-Group RIB Option
If you want close encounters, this is the tour I recommend most.
Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching Tour
Operated by Mr. Puffin / Whale Safari.
Cost: $103 USD
Duration: 1 hour
Rating: 4.9 stars (top-rated in Reykjavik)
Boat type: Custom RIB (rigid inflatable boat)
Group size: 12 passengers maximum
Pros: The RIB boat covers more territory and gets closer to puffins than larger vessels. I sat within arm's reach of the birds on my tour. Warm flotation suits, gloves, and beanies are provided. The guide takes professional DSLR photos and shares them with the group afterwards. This solves the phone-camera problem.
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Cons: Minimum height of 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches). Minimum age of 10 years . Not suitable for pregnant travelers or those with back/heart conditions . The boat ride is bumpy. I enjoyed it. Some people might not.
What travelers say: "If you want a small group/boat experience, I would highly recommend Mr. Puffin Premium Puffin tour. It was in a small boat, holding 12 people! It was a comfortable ride and it was great to get up close and see the puffins in their habitat".
My take: This is the tour I send my family on. The extra cost is worth it. You see more puffins. You get better photos. You hear the guide clearly. No regrets.
Best Combo Tour: Puffins and Whales Together
Why choose one when you can do both?
Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise + Whale Watching
Operated by Special Tours.
Cost: $154 USD
Duration: 4.5 hours total
Rating: 4.2 stars
Boat type: Sightseeing vessel + Express boat
Group size: Large
Pros: One ticket covers both experiences. The puffin tour uses the small boat Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli), which can get close to the islands. The whale tour uses the Andrea, the largest whale watching boat in Iceland. It has a cafeteria on board. Warm overalls are supplied. The crew uses binoculars on the puffin portion.
Cons: The 4.2 rating reflects mixed feedback. Whale watching earns consistent praise. The puffin portion draws complaints about crowding and brevity . You can split the tours across different days if you prefer.
Whale sightings: Most common sightings in Faxaflói Bay are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
My take: A good value if you want both experiences. Just know the puffin portion is rushed. If puffins are your priority, choose the premium RIB tour and do whales separately.
Best North Iceland Option: Husavik Tours
Husavik is Iceland's whale watching capital. The views of Skjalfandi Bay are stunning.
Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour
Operated by Gentle Giants.
Cost: $176 USD
Duration: 2 hours
Rating: 4.8 stars from 575 reviews
Boat type: RIB speedboat
Group size: 12 passengers
Pros: This family-run company has over 160 years of local history. The RIB speedboat covers far more ocean territory than traditional boats. The itinerary visits Puffin Island (Lundey), home to over 200,000 nesting puffins, then ventures into Skjalfandi Bay.
The 99 percent whale sighting success rate makes humpback and blue whale encounters likely. Reviewers call it "the highlight of our Iceland trip.
Cons: Minimum age is 8 years. The RIB ride is fast and bumpy. Pregnant travelers and those with back conditions should avoid.
My take: This is the premium northern option. Expensive but unforgettable. I saw a blue whale breaching on this tour. That memory is worth every dollar.
Best Land-Based Viewing: Skip the Boat Entirely
Not everyone wants to get on a boat. I get it. Sea sickness is real.
Borgarfjordur Eystri
This is my number one recommendation for land-based puffin viewing.
Location: East Iceland, about 1.5 hours from Egilsstadir.
Cost: Nominal entry fee of about 500 ISK.
Viewing experience: Well-designed wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms at eye-level with nesting areas. Roughly 10,000 breeding pairs at Hafnarholmi. The birds are remarkably unperturbed by visitors.
What travelers say: "A carpet of puffins right beside the steps".
Pros: No dangerous cliffs. Free parking. No boat ride. You can stay as long as you want.
Cons: Requires driving. Not accessible by public transport. The location is remote.
The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
This is the world's largest Atlantic puffin colony. Roughly 800,000 to 1.1 million breeding pairs. That is 40 percent of Iceland's puffin population.
Getting there: 35-minute ferry from Landeyjahofn or a 30-minute flight from Reykjavik.
Viewing experience: Self-guided walking on Storhofdi Peninsula offers exceptional land-based viewing. The August "Puffling Patrol" is unforgettable for families.
Pros: Massive colony. Easy walking. Guided boat tours available too.
Cons: Weather can disrupt ferry schedules. Allow flexibility in your plans.
Puffin Tour Comparison Table
| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puffin Cruise (Special Tours) | $63 | 1 hr | 4.5 | Budget travelers, families |
| Premium RIB (Mr. Puffin) | $103 | 1 hr | 4.9 | Photo enthusiasts, small groups |
| Super Saver Combo | $154 | 4.5 hrs | 4.2 | Whales and puffins together |
| Husavik RIB (Gentle Giants) | $176 | 2 hrs | 4.8 | North Iceland visitors |
What to Bring and Know Before You Go
Dress for Arctic conditions. Even in July, the wind off the bay is biting. Wear layers. Bring a windbreaker. Gloves help.
Binoculars are essential. Most operators provide them. But bring your own if you have a quality pair.
Phone cameras will disappoint. I learned this the hard way. Puffins look tiny from a boat. Bring a camera with at least 200mm zoom for meaningful shots.
Book in advance for June and July. These months sell out. I saw many disappointed travelers turned away at the harbour.
Check weather before your tour. Tours are dependent on conditions. Captains cancel based on safety and comfort. If cancelled, you get a full refund.
Motion sickness medication helps. Even on calm days, the boats move. I take a tablet beforehand. No issues.
The Honest Cons of Puffin Watching Tours
You cannot land on the islands. All puffin islands in Reykjavik are protected nature reserves. Boat-access only. You stay on the boat. This means distance.
Some tours feel rushed. The puffin portion on combo tours is often brief. Ten to fifteen minutes near the island. If you want more time, choose a dedicated puffin tour.
Weather ruins plans. Fog, wind, and rain are common. Tours get cancelled frequently. Always have a backup activity planned.
Peak season means crowds. The Old Harbour buzzes with tourists in July. Expect lines. Expect noise. The premium RIB tours offer the best escape from this.
The Final Thoughts
If you have limited time and budget: Book the Puffin Cruise from Special Tours. $63. One hour. You will see puffins. Reliable and affordable.
If you want the best photos and experience: Book the Premium RIB Tour with Mr. Puffin. $103. Small group. Closer views. The guide's DSLR photos are a bonus.
If you want puffins and whales: Book the Super Saver Combo from Reykjavik. $154. Four and a half hours. Do both in one day.
If you are visiting North Iceland: Book the Gentle Giants RIB tour from Husavik. $176. The best northern experience. You will see puffins and whales in stunning surroundings.
If you cannot handle boats: Drive to Borgarfjordur Eystri. Walk the boardwalks. See puffins at eye level. No boat required.
I have done all of these. My personal recommendation is the Mr. Puffin premium RIB tour. It is the one I keep coming back to. The close encounters are worth the extra cost.
