Reykjavik
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Puffin Express Cruise from Reykjavik

Badge of ExcellenceReykjavík, Iceland

From $50.32

Select Date and Travelers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Reykjavik Tours
All Reykjavik Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Unique Experiences
  • 1 hour (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Get up close and personal with puffins on this eco-adventure from Reykjavik. With your local nature guide, step aboard a custom boat that lets you glide right up to Akurey Island's jagged shore and see the adorable animals in their natural habitat. Enjoy engaging commentary about the puffins's biology and behavior from your guide. Use of binoculars for viewing bird life is included.
  • 1-hour puffin express cruise from Reykjavik
  • Experience Icelandic native species and see puffin and other seabirds in their natural habitat
  • Learn interesting facts about seafowls from your knowledgeable guide

What's Included

  • Expert guide
  • Binoculars on board
  • NEW - Special Tours App (available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese)
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional cost - please contact supplier directly).

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Geirsgata 11
    Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

    Please make your way to the Special Tours ticket office. There you will check in and meet your guide, who will take everyone to the boat just before the departure time. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the departure.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Following pickup, head for the shoreline and hop aboard the express boat to Akurey, an island off the coast of Iceland's capital that boasts a healthy population of puffins. You have the choice of five departure times throughout the day to suit your Iceland itinerary.

During your trip, learn from your expert guide about the puffins as well local seabirds, such as northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns and black guillemots. Warm up with a fresh cup of coffee while watching the sweet seabirds nesting and diving into the sea after their next meal.

Between May and August every year, the puffins nest on the island. The rocky outcroppings and slopes that form protected areas are perfect for hatching and raising young puffins. Riding on a custom-designed boat means that you can get as close as possible to the funny little birds. Use of binoculars on your tour is also included. When you reach the island, you'll circle it a few times before the captain turns off the engines, allowing you to enjoy the bird life in peace. 

Your 1-hour tour ends with drop-off back where you started.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (extra fees apply)
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 33 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

See more

Traveler Tips

I suggest you dress warmly so you can stay outside and see more puffins!
Reviews
4.5
277 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 277 reviews
Go early in the season
Laura_N, Aug 2022
Unfortunately because it was mid-August, most of the puffins were no longer around. The tour company emailed me to let us know that our original time slot was canceled and then offered another slot or a refund right away. We showed up at the meeting point, and the guide stated that since the likelihood of seeing a lot of puffins was low, a refund or voucher would be offered. We decided to go on the boat tour anyway which was a nice ride. The company was transparent and upfront which was appreciated. Overall, the boat ride was nice, and we did see a few puffins. The guide and captain of the ship were pleasant and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this tour but earlier in the puffin season.
Sad and disappointing
Loretta_J, Aug 2022
Tried repeatedly to adjust the tour time the week b4 we left but login kept failing. Gave up. Rushed like crazy to get there on time. Got downtown and pulled up the reservation paperwork in my email. Nowhere was the address given. Phone lost reception. No way to call. We missed our tour. Still so disappointed. Seeing puffins was a lifetime wish. Now it's gone.
Response from Host, Aug 2022
We're very sorry to hear about your trouble in finding the right information and then missing your tour, Loretta. We try hard to include all the necessary information on our customers' receipts and vouchers. The information you needed should have been available there, but if you feel something was missing or could be better communicated, please do tell us. We would have gladly changed your booking. If you feel the issue was with accessing Viator, please let them know what you feel the problem was. If you would like another chance, we will happily give a complimentary tour at a time of your convenience. Please contact info@specialtours.is to book it.
A must see!
Chris_M, Aug 2022
Lovely boat trip with a great tour guide who gave us the history of the puffins in Iceland! We seen the puffins flying and swimming in groups and she showed us their nesting areas! Overall a very enjoyable experience! Iceland are super organised when it comes to tours and really give good value for money. Don’t miss out on this experience!
Puffin Cruise
Nancy_B, Aug 2022
Boat leaves right from downtown Reykjavik and it’s a short ride to the island with the puffins. When we went there were tons of puffins flying and swimming around us. Very cool to see and the whole tour is about an hour and a half so it’s a nice way to start or break up your day.
Puffin watch
jharvey1238, Aug 2022
15 minute cruise each way to see puffins. Comfortable small boat and a great guide. Binoculars were provided. Sound system was inadequate but a great, short excursion.
Nice presentation given...
Marco_B, Aug 2022
Nice presentation given during the boat trip, good opt to see Puffins in a short journey Good value for the price
Exactly what I expected
Pamela_T, Aug 2022
You're in Iceland, you're going to make some kind of effort to see wildlife native to the area. The puffin express cruise is just that: a direct trip out to an island where you can view the puffins.
Wonder trip!
Whitney_W, Aug 2022
Bothe the tour guide and the captain were wonderful! Was able to see many puffins! The crew even went out of their way to pick up a bag of trash floating in the water.
When we got to the port...
Susan_F, Aug 2022
When we got to the port the ticket person gave us tickets and pointed to a boat. She sent us to a whale watching cruise. We never got to see the puffins and we had another tour the next day. We were disappointed and had to change evening plans with friends. Very unhappy.
Awesome tour guide and captain
Deloris_G, Aug 2022
Seeing puffin’s up close, sharing it with a friend. Nothing more to say!!!This is annoying and I have nothing more to say. This particular survey question is what I am talking about.
Puffins
Peter_G, Aug 2022
Rebeca our guide was very pleasant and informative. I now so much more about puffins and would recommend this trip to friends
Great Trip
Chris_K, Aug 2022
Great time! Worth it to see the Puffins in their environment, able to get so close to them , recommend it
Great tour
Benjamin_W, Jul 2022
Cute tour of Arkurey island and a chance to see puffins. We saw a ton of them over the water and on the island. It was a small boat, which was both good and bad - great views, but a little rocky. Extremely friendly guide
Finally saw the puffin
Tina_B, Jul 2022
This trip was just the right amount of time needed to see the puffins. The guide and capitán were knowledgeable about their location and habits.
Fun & convenient way to see Puffins
James_M, Jul 2022
This was a fun and convenient way to see puffins. Small boat was comfortable. 27 passengers on our cruise. Short trip from pier to island. We were surrounded by many dozen puffins flying, swimming and walking on island. They pretty much ignored us. Our knowledgeable guide described what we saw and answered our many questions. We were at the island approximately half hour. Weather was excellent so we watched from outside. Boat also has an interior region with windows. A great way to see these interesting and animated birds.
Puffin tour
Carrie_C, Jul 2022
A very short and sweet tour to see many puffins! The tour guide gives you lots of facts about the birds and you are free to move about the boat to view. I went my myself and had a great time.
The guide gave a great background of puffin lifestyle!
Advanip1234, Jul 2022
The boat had binoculars for us so it was great to see puffins closer. After hearing the guide, we appreciated watching puffins even more! Skuas are other birds chasing puffins for their food which we saw in action
Worth the trip to see the Puffins and Fulmar
Robert_S, Jul 2022
Would have liked more time next to the puffins and fewer people on board the ship. It was tough tom get a clear view with other people in the way.
Lots of Puffins to See!
Vladislav_P, Jul 2022
We got to see soo many puffins! We got really close to them on the "bigger" boat. The guide told us about the puffins and other sea birds. Great experience.
Guide was excellent! She...
Drew_M, Jul 2022
Guide was excellent! She and the captain gave a lot of interesting information about both the puffins and Iceland.
...

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