Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Cruise from Old Harbour

Puffins, seals and Reykjavik's skyline in one morning on the water

You board at the Old Harbour, sail to one of three puffin islands (Engey, Akurey or Lundey), and watch the birds from the water with binoculars and a raincoat provided. The crew shares facts and takes photos while you also see Reykjavik's landmarks (Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, Sun Voyager) from the water. If no puffins appear, you get another cruise free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Puffin watching cruise from Reykjavík

• Meet at Old Harbour in Reykjavík
• Board smaller boat to puffin islands
• Stop near Engey, Akurey, or Lundey islands
• Watch puffins and other birds from boat
• View Reykjavík landmarks from the water

The experience

You're standing at the Old Harbour in Reykjavik, salt air already in your face, and the boat is ready. The crew hands you a raincoat and binoculars before you step aboard one of the smaller vessels: the kind built to get close to the islands without disturbing the birds. Depending on tides and conditions that morning, the captain will head toward Engey, Akurey or Lundey, each one a nature reserve where thousands of puffins arrive each summer to breed. You won't set foot on land (the islands are protected), but the boat maneuvers near enough that you can watch them dive, surface and waddle across the rocks. The crew shares facts about puffin behavior as you scan the water, and if the light holds, they'll cut the engines so you hear only the birds and the waves.

Beyond the puffins, the morning brings other birds into view: eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots, cormorants. Seals sometimes surface nearby, which tends to shift everyone's attention fast. The real payoff, though, is the angle on Reykjavik itself: the Harpa Concert Hall's glass face catching the light, the Hallgrímskirkja Church rising sharp against the sky, and if you're lucky, the Sun Voyager sculpture from the water. It's the kind of perspective you don't get from shore, and it's why the puffin cruise pulls double duty as a city view tour. Bring a camera with zoom or a tripod if you want close-up shots. Binoculars are available to borrow, but many travelers bring their own.

The deck can be slippery, so wear sturdy footwear. The crew will remind you, but it's worth knowing before you board. The boat has steep stairs between decks and high thresholds into the saloon and toilets, which matters if you have mobility concerns. Weather shapes the whole experience. Rough seas or poor visibility can change what you see, and if puffins don't show up, the operator offers you another day free of charge. Most mornings in summer, though, you'll leave the harbor with photos, crew-taken shots if the moment was right, and the sound of thousands of birds still in your head.

What’s included

Your morning includes pickup at the Old Harbour in downtown Reykjavik, a smaller boat suited to close island viewing, binoculars and raincoats for each passenger, live English guidance from the crew, and photos taken by crew members when conditions allow. You'll sail to one of three puffin islands (Engey, Akurey or Lundey) depending on tides and weather, and return to the harbor after 2–3 hours on the water.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 Apr 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (7 to 15 years) · Infant (under 7): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Elding Whale Watching

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see puffins without arranging your own transport from central Reykjavik. The boat leaves from the Old Harbour, steps from downtown. The smaller vessel gets closer to the islands than larger tour boats, though expect a slippery deck and steep stairs between levels, and plan for weather to shape what you see that morning.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 15 years); Infant (under 7): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How close does the boat get to the puffins?

The boat sails as close as possible to the islands without landing. The islands are nature reserves, so you stay on the water, but binoculars and zoom cameras help with viewing and photography.

What other animals might I see?

Eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots, cormorants and seals are common sightings alongside the puffins.

How long is the cruise?

The tour is typically 2–3 hours on the water, depending on conditions and which island the captain chooses.

What's included in the tour?

Binoculars, raincoats, live English guidance from the crew and photos taken by crew members (if conditions allow) are included.

What should I bring?

Sturdy, non-slip footwear is essential. A camera with a good zoom lens or a tripod will help with close-up photos. Binoculars are available to borrow if you don't have your own.

Is the boat accessible for people with mobility issues?

The boat has steep stairs between decks and high thresholds into the saloon and toilets, so it's not fully accessible for low mobility.

What if we don't see puffins?

If puffins don't appear, the operator will offer you another cruise on a different day at no extra charge.

Is the tour weather dependent?

Yes. Rough seas or poor visibility can affect the experience and which island the captain visits. The tour operates year-round, but summer offers the best puffin viewing.