If you want puffins without spending your whole day driving, this Reykjavik Premium Puffin RIB tour is a smart use of time. You’ll head out from the city on a fast inflatable boat so you can view puffins from very near the nesting cliffs at Lundey, with live guidance and the right cold-weather gear.

Two things I really like: the small-group cap (max 12) keeps the spotting and Q&A more personal, and the crew focuses on safety and comfort with a warm flotation suit plus on-board safety equipment. One possible drawback: it’s a speedboat/RIB ride, so if you’re sensitive to choppy water, you may want to plan for rougher moments even when conditions are better than usual.

Key takeaways before you go

• Max 12 people means better attention and less time waiting around for the captain’s instructions.
• RIB positioning gets you close to Lundey while still keeping a respectful viewing distance from the nests.
• Warm flotation suit and safety gear reduce the cold factor, which matters when you’re out near sea wind.
• Live guidance from the crew (including guides like Knute, Adam, Naina, and Andy) helps you spot puffins quickly.
• Photography is possible, but not magic; phone cameras can struggle with fast, small birds.
• Binoculars help a lot—and I’d bring your own if you want sharper detail.

Why this Premium Puffin RIB tour is a great use of your Reykjavik time

Reykjavik has a way of pulling you in multiple directions—whale tours, waterfalls, hot springs, city sights. This puffin tour is valuable because it’s short enough to fit cleanly into a full day. When you only have a limited window, a one-hour outing that still delivers real wildlife time is hard to beat.

The other reason it works is the ride style. You’re not viewing puffins from a distant platform. A RIB lets the captain move the boat closer to the islands (within the boundaries of bird welfare and safe operation). That “closer viewpoint” is exactly what most people want when they’re paying for a premium puffin experience.

Meeting at Elding Whale Watching and getting kitted up quickly

You’ll start and end back at the same place: Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. That matters more than it sounds. No complicated end transfers. No guessing where you’ll be dropped. You can plan your Reykjavik meal or next activity without building in extra buffer time.

Once you arrive, the operation is built around speed and readiness. You’ll be given the key safety gear and a warm flotation suit so you’re protected from wind and spray. Based on what many guests notice on board, they do a good job getting you properly dressed for Icelandic conditions—so you’re not relying on your own guesswork about temperatures and wetness.

Practical tip: this isn’t a tour you want to show up “almost prepared” for. Even if you feel fine on land, sea air can flip the comfort switch fast.

The RIB ride: close to the action, and yes, it can feel bumpy

The big draw of a RIB tour is the ride to the islands. You get a fast, sea-level viewpoint, and that makes wildlife viewing feel immediate. Guests often describe the ride as safe and comfortable, especially when seas are calmer, but a few mention it can be rough depending on wind and conditions.

Here’s how to think about it:

• Choppy water is normal possibility, because you’re on the ocean and wind affects everything.
• The captain and crew take safety seriously, including safety equipment and briefings.
• The ride may not be “rough” for everyone, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, bring your usual tools (ginger, medication if you use it, and so on).

You should also expect that the boat’s movement can affect what you can capture on your phone. That’s not the tour’s fault—it’s ocean reality plus fast birds.

The main stop at Lundey: puffins at their natural nesting cliffs

Lundey is the heart of the experience. This is where you go to see puffins in their natural habitat. Your time there is about 40 minutes, and that’s enough time to get multiple chances at spotting—because puffins aren’t posed in a museum. They swim, fly in and out, and pop up in different positions around the cliffs.

A key expectation-setting detail: even on a premium tour, the crew keeps a respectful viewing distance so nesting birds aren’t disturbed. That’s why the tour can be described as close, but not like you’re stepping right onto the island (you can’t). If you’re the kind of person who needs puffins filling your frame from inches away, you might feel a little frustrated—especially if you’re comparing to footage shot with specialized lenses.

But if you want real wildlife viewing—breathing the sea air, seeing birds doing bird things—Lundey delivers. When conditions are right, you can see a huge number of puffins and other seabirds in the same area, and the movement makes it feel alive.

Your “up-close” expectation: spotting beats stalking

Puffins are skittish. They’re also tiny and quick. So the best way to enjoy this tour is to shift from stalking behavior to spotting behavior.

What helps:

• Let the guide drive the looking. Their job is to point out activity patterns and where birds are likely to surface or fly past.
• Use the right viewing tools. If the crew provides binoculars, great. If not, you’ll quickly understand why people recommend bringing your own.
• Aim for repeated looks, not perfect shots. In a rocking RIB, chasing one photo moment can make you miss five good sightings.

This is also why the tour’s “premium” positioning matters. From the boat, the captain can place you where you have the best sightlines for cliffs and bird traffic—so spotting is easier than it would be from farther out.

Photography help: phones, binoculars, and shared guide photos

Getting photos of puffins is a classic Iceland challenge: small birds, fast movement, and you’re on a moving boat. Several guests note that phone cameras can struggle, even when you’re close enough to see lots of action.

Here’s my practical approach:

1. Bring binoculars if you can. Even when the tour provides eye gear, you may find your own setup is clearer for detail.
2. Stabilize your phone the best you can. Tuck elbows in, use both hands, and don’t try to zoom too aggressively.
3. Expect more “video and moments” than pin-sharp stills. Puffins move like they’ve got somewhere to be.

One bonus from the experience: guides sometimes share their own photos at the end of the tour. That’s useful because they’re able to capture with the kind of lens detail phone cameras often can’t manage from a moving boat.

Safety and comfort: warm flotation suits and a confident crew

This tour is built around safety and comfort, and it shows. Guests frequently mention feeling safe throughout the trip. The tour includes the necessary safety equipment and a warm flotation suit, which makes a real difference when wind and spray are in play.

Also, small-group structure matters here. When there are fewer people, instructions can be clearer, and it’s easier for the crew to manage where everyone is seated and where they’re looking.

Guide style is another big part of why people enjoy the hour. You’ll likely get clear puffin explanations plus context on how puffins live during nesting season. Some guides named in guest feedback include Knute, Adam, Naina, Andy, and others (with one captain also called Tarzan). Even if you don’t catch names, you’ll notice that the guiding is active, not just background chatter.

How the price stacks up for an hour-long puffin fix

At $85 per person for roughly 1 hour, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But it’s also not a “buy a ticket and sit quietly” kind of cost.

You’re paying for:

• A RIB ride designed to get you close to the islands
• Warm flotation suit and safety gear
• Live guidance focused on helping you actually spot birds
• A small-group cap that limits crowding during the viewing time

So the value comes down to what you want most. If your priority is seeing puffins as close as possible in Reykjavik without sacrificing your day, this premium format makes sense. If you’re perfectly fine with fewer close moments, you may prefer a less premium option to keep costs down. But if you’re choosing between “time” and “distance,” premium tends to win.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This tour has a minimum age of 10 years or 145 cm. There’s also a note about moderate physical fitness—not because you’re hiking, but because you’ll be transferring on and off the boat and wearing gear in a marine setting.

It’s a good fit if:

• You want puffins without a long day trip
• You like learning while watching wildlife
• You’re okay with a short boat ride where conditions can change

You should think twice if:

• You’re very prone to seasickness and you don’t usually handle boat motion well
• You strongly need extreme close-ups that feel like you’re on the cliffside (the birds are protected, and you’ll view from the water)

The RIB experience can be exciting for many people, but it’s still ocean conditions. I’d plan your expectations around that.

Should you book the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

I’d book it if you want the best chance of seeing lots of puffins in a short window, and you like the idea of a small group plus an experienced crew doing the spotting with you. The warm flotation suit and safety focus make it more comfortable than many “just go look at birds” options. And the ability to get close to Lundey is exactly the point of paying for premium.

Skip it or consider an alternative if your top priority is smooth, calm sightseeing with zero motion. Also be realistic about photos: even with binocular help, puffins are small fast targets on moving water. If you’re okay with a mix of sightings, short bursts of great moments, and learning from the guide, this is a very enjoyable way to spend an hour in Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour?

It runs for about 1 hour.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the ticket price?

The tour includes a 1-hour RIB tour, a warm flotation suit, safety equipment, and live guidance.

What should I bring and what is not included?

Snacks are not included. You should also plan to have your own comfort items as you’d normally for a cool, windy outing at sea (the tour provides the flotation suit and safety gear).

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10 years, or 145 cm.

Is there a group size limit?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.