Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland

Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

Outty Ranking 76 4.7 · 381 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $65

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$65
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Outty Ranking

76/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 381 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík worth booking?

Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík is a 1-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $65 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 381 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
76 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (381)
Duration
1 hours
From
$65 per person

This tour offers a memorable way to experience Iceland's wildlife, just minutes from downtown Reykjavík. Depending on the tides and conditions on the islands our captains will take you to either Engey, Akurey or Lundey,

What you get

    About this experience

    This tour offers a memorable way to experience Iceland's wildlife, just minutes from downtown Reykjavík. Depending on the tides and conditions on the islands our captains will take you to either Engey, Akurey or Lundey, which are well known for their plentiful birdlife. In addition to puffins you have the opportunity to view other birds such as eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots and cormorants. You may also see seals, adding to the excitement of the tour. Our crew will share interesting facts about puffins against the scenic backdrop of rocky shores, and if the weather is good, we might turn off the engines so you can enjoy the natural sounds! If no puffins make an appearance on the tour, we will offer you to try again another day, free of charge!

    What's included

    Included

    • Excellent Live Guidance in English
    • Photos taken by crew (if any)
    • Use of binoculars
    • Use of raincoats

    Not included

    • Pickup / Dropoff (available for a fee)
    • Food & Drinks (bring your own or purchase on board)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Old Harbour

      Meet us at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík and board one of our smaller boats that will take you to the charming puffins!

      Pass by without stopping

    2. We stop by one of three puffin islands (Engey, Akurey or Lundey) outside Reykjavík to watch the thousands of puffins that travel to Iceland each summer to breed. As the islands are nature reserves we cannot step foot on land, but rather try to sail as close as possible. Borrow binoculars or bring your own. We recommend a good zoom camera for good quality pictures.

      60 minutes here

    3. Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

      Along the cruise you will have the chance to see Reykjavík from a unique angle, among it the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall, the towering Hallgrímskirkja Church and perhaps the Sun Voyager sculpture!

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Reykjavik

    Meet us in the ELDING ticket office located at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district in Reykjavík. Once at the pier, simply follow the red colour to find us! Be sure to arrive at least 15 min. before departure to ensure enough time to check in and to board the boat.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Meet us in the ELDING ticket office located at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district in Reykjavík. Once at the pier, simply follow the red colour to find us! Be sure to arrive at least 15 min. before departure to ensure enough time to check in and to board the boat.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Elding Whale Watching

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • As the birds are small in size, we recommend bringing a tripod and a good zoom lens for 'close up' photography and/or binoculars (also available to lend on board)
    • The deck on the boat can be slippery. We recommend wearing good sturdy footwear. For optimal viewing and a more enjoyable cruise this tour is weather dependent.
    • Please note that our fleet is not completely accessible for low mobility as there are steep stairs between lower and upper decks and high thresholds to get from the decks into the saloon as well as from the saloon to the toilets.

    Photos

    Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik, photo 2Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik, photo 3Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik, photo 4Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik, photo 5Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik, photo 6Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík in Reykjavik, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 381 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    5 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    381 verified traveler reviews for Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    316
    4 star
    43
    3 star
    9
    2 star
    7
    1 star
    6
    Sort
    PerSe5974 · August 2026

    Worth the trip.

    Very efficient and easy booking. Spent lots of time at puffin island. The guides were very informative and shared their photos after the tour. Because of the size of the boat we couldn’t get as close to the island as other tours could. But the smaller boat couldn't go out because the rough water.

    via Tripadvisor

    kathysB6201XG · August 2026

    Picture Perfect Puffin Tour

    A very enjoyable experience where we saw lots of puffins😀

    via Tripadvisor

    255344Peter · August 2026

    A memorable experience

    A fantastic tour, we saw plenty of puffins as well other varieties of sea birds. The crew were very knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy answering questions from all on the tour. Crew members also took photos of the puffins and the other sea birds which they downloaded to all the passengers which was fantastic as their photos are superior to ones that I took with my phone which give me better memories of the trip. Well done to Elding tours.

    via Tripadvisor

    bhotka · August 2026

    Nice boat ride, but take your own pictures.

    I loved the excursion. Everyone was great. The boat ride was good. We got close to the island. We were told we didn't need to take pictures, that they had someone onboard that would be taking pictures. I was sorely disappointed in the 17 pictures we got from them. Fortunately, my husband took pictures.

    via Tripadvisor

    921sabinat · August 2026

    Great experience!

    It was a lovely experience and the guide was amazing!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    133
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 76

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)79
    Review evidence (18% weight)76
    Booking momentum (14% weight)72
    Value for money (12% weight)75
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)42
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.

    How much does Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík cost?

    +

    Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.

    Is Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 381 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík?

    +

    Around 133 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater, Reykjavík Small group Walking Tour - by CityWalk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Reykjavik?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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