Puffin Watching Boat Tour from Reykjavik
Seeing a puffin in real life is one of the quintessential experiences when visiting Iceland. Puffins are a symbol for Iceland in the eyes of many, having become inextricably linked with the country in recent years. Indeed gift-stores aimed at visitors are known locally as lundabúð or puffin stores.
Experts estimate that up to 60% of the Atlantic Puffin population spend part of the year in Iceland. That adds up to 8-10 million puffins! Indeed the largest nesting puffin colony in the world can be found on the Westman Islands. Puffins come to Iceland sometime in May and depart for warmer climes in August. When not mating or nesting on land in Iceland, puffins spend much of their lives at sea.
So why not join the Puffin Express boat tour and get a closer look at these remarkable creatures. Operated on the specially designed vessel Old Skuli and guided by experts with more than two decades of experience, this is the easiest and most convenient way to view puffins in their natural habitat. You will be sure to learn all about puffins with these experts.
- Binoculars are provided on board
- Travel aboard the specially designed boat
- Experienced guide & friendly crew on every tour!
- Free retry in the unlikely event of an unsuccessful tour.
- Pickup is not included but is available for an additional charge
- In the unlikely event that you don´t see puffins during your tour, you are welcome back for a free retry.
- This tour is operated by our trusted partner Special Tours. Download the Special Tours app to enjoy guidance in English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese.
- Cancellation policy: Cancellation fee of 100% if cancelled 24 hours or less before departure
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![Winter scene of downtown Reykjavik. [Photo credit to Yanshu Li]](https://bustravel.is/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Reykjavik-downtown-view-from-Hallgrimskirkja-church-tower-1200x645.jpg "Reykjavik downtown view from Hallgrimskirkja church tower")
Itinerary
Itinerary
- Meet on locationReykjavik Harbor
Our puffin watching adventures begins at our meet up point in Reykjavik Harbor.
Puffin Watching TourOnce all passengers are on board, the boat ventures out a short distance from Iceland´s downtown Old Harbour towards the unoccupied islands, Lundey and Akurey. These islands are some of the best places to see puffins in Iceland. The shallow draft of the boat allows us to get very close to the shore and the rocky outcrops of the islands and once there the engines are turned off so as not to disturb the nesting puffins and other bird-life.
Puffins don´t build nests, but rather lay their eggs in holes that they burrow in the ground. The islands are also known to be nesting grounds for many other sea birds, including Gulls, Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots and more so this tour is perfect for those with an enthusiasm for bird watching.
Our puffin watching adventures begins at our meet up point in Reykjavik Harbor.
Once all passengers are on board, the boat ventures out a short distance from Iceland´s downtown Old Harbour towards the unoccupied islands, Lundey and Akurey. These islands are some of the best places to see puffins in Iceland. The shallow draft of the boat allows us to get very close to the shore and the rocky outcrops of the islands and once there the engines are turned off so as not to disturb the nesting puffins and other bird-life.
Puffins don´t build nests, but rather lay their eggs in holes that they burrow in the ground. The islands are also known to be nesting grounds for many other sea birds, including Gulls, Arctic Terns, Black Guillemots and more so this tour is perfect for those with an enthusiasm for bird watching.