BIRDWATCHING · PUFFIN WATCHING TOURS

The World’s 15 Best Puffin Watching Tours

33 tours  ·  from $60 a head

Puffins are ashore for a few weeks and then gone, so the date matters more than the boat. These 15 compare departure times, how close the skipper can get, and which ones run late enough in August to be a gamble.

Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat - Starting in central Húsavík
Birdwatching Boat Trips, Birdwatching Boat Trips in Iceland, Birdwatching Tours, Iceland Birdwatching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours in Iceland, Safari, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

1.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175Our pick

Review of Húsavík’s 2-hour RIB whale safari, with puffins, blue whales, expert guides, practical tips, price advice, and honest drawbacks.

“On a sunny day we were lucky to see a total of 3 individual humpback whales for at least 7 times. We had a great and knowledgeable guide which was able answer any questions we had about the wildlife. The skipper was amazing in bringing us to any whale that was popping up and navigated us as close as possible providing great views for people on both sides of the boat. Booking the speed boat is worth the extra as you can be at any sighting very quickly.”

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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour - Lundey and Akurey, the real focus of the trip
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

2.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,052 reviews · 1 hour · from $64

See Reykjavik’s puffins from a classic wooden boat, with island views, local birdlife, guides, binoculars, and a 100% sighting guarantee.

“You will see the puffins from a distence but there is nothing anyone can do about it. Participate it with realized expectation. Other than that was a good trip..”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - What the two-hour trip feels like
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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

3.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198

Review of Húsavík’s fast RIB whale and puffin tour, with practical advice on wildlife, comfort, price, weather, and who should book.

“I highly recommend this tour to everyone. It's well organized and executed, and the crew is outstanding. They allow plenty of time, and we were especially lucky to see blue whales because the crew chose an alternative search area compared to the other boats.”

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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise - Bay Bulls to Bull Head: the cruise begins
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Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

4.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94Top rated

See puffins, whales, seabirds, and spring icebergs on a lively catamaran cruise from Bay Bulls into Newfoundland’s Witless Bay reserve.

“Great day of fun and adventure! New and unique experiences with the added bonus of interacting with enjoyable people..”

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Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi - Starting at the harbor in Vestmannaeyjar
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Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi

5.Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 731 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $114

Review of Ebbi’s Heimaey puffin and volcano tour, with local history, Elephant Rock, Eldfell, Viking Town, practical tips, and value advice.

“Ebbi was the best. He is so knowledgeable of the island, which makes sense since he grew up there. You can tell he has so much love and passion for his home town and island. He took us to see so much beside the puffins and volcanos. We leaned about the town, the history of the island and several scenic views. Boom with ebbi you won't regret it.”

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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik - More than puffins: fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns
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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

6.Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 636 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63

Review of Reykjavik’s one-hour Akurey puffin cruise, with season tips, boat views, guide quality, pricing, and practical advice.

“We expect to get a refund seeing as we were given no directions on getting to tihis remote location. We finally took take a cab we charged 35.00 to find the office. We were 2 minutes late a trip had left with out us. It left early as we saw nothing in the parking lot someone must have taken our spot. Plus all other tours were filled for the rest of the day. I am happy to say we have been happy with Viator up to this point. Very reliable maybe it was this office plus personnel was very flippant. Helen and Larry Vierow”

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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour - Puffin watching aboard Old Skuli
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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík - A small boat changes the whole experience
Akureyri Birdwatching Tours, Birdwatching Boat Trips, Birdwatching Boat Trips in Iceland, Birdwatching Tours, Iceland Birdwatching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours in Iceland, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching

Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

8.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203

Review of Húsavík’s Big Whales and Puffins RIB tour, with close wildlife viewing, practical tips, costs, weather advice, and booking guidance.

“Highly recommend this trip. The Guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. The style of boat gave everyone an excellent view when a whale was sighted. The timeframe of the trip (2 hours) was just right!”

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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour - The long search across Skjálfandi Bay
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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

9.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

See whales, dolphins, and puffins from Húsavík on a traditional oak boat, with warm overalls, hot chocolate, and cinnamon buns.

“Took longer tour to find whales and made sure we saw whales. Would have liked to see puffins closer. Great guides, and unexpected hot chocholate and cinnamon buns ❤️”

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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík - Puffin Island between April and August
Akureyri Birdwatching Tours, Birdwatching Boat Trips, Birdwatching Boat Trips in Iceland, Birdwatching Tours, Iceland Birdwatching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours in Iceland, Safari, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching

Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins - Getting ready for a fast RIB ride
Birdwatching Boat Trips, Birdwatching Tours, Norway Birdwatching Tours, Puffin Watching Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour - Choosing Akurey, Engey, or Lundey
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Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

12.1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 305 reviews · 1 hour · from $66

See Reykjavik’s puffins from the sea on a short Elding cruise, with binoculars, warm gear, birdlife, guide stories, and practical tips.

“This was a nice tour but I wish there were some binoculars offered because it was difficult to see morale than just blobs given that the birds aren’t very big.”

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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour - Getting suited up for Icelandic water
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Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

13.Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 293 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Review of Reykjavik’s 2-hour RIB tour for whales and puffins, with marine biologist guides, warm gear, fast boats, and practical booking tips.

“Because of bad weather the trip was moved around a couple of times. Good communication and service all around. When we went, a good weather window opened up, saw at least 8 humpback whales, 3 minke whales and a plethora of dolphins. It was epic! Loved the bouncing on the water btw!! Puffins were far away and not the best trip to see them…”

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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour - The short crossing to Reykjavík’s puffin islands
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

14.Puffin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 277 reviews · 1 hour · from $101

See Icelandic puffins up close on a fast RIB boat from Reykjavik, with warm coveralls, expert guiding, seabirds, and a one-hour bay cruise.

“We loved this! Excellent value for money. The guide was knowledgeable, funny and obviously loved her job! Anna was amazing!”

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Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík - A short ride with a useful city view
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Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

15.Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 276 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Best value

See Reykjavík’s summer puffins from a small boat, with binoculars, rain gear, live English guidance, and harbor views.

“Our trip got cancelled due to bad weather conditions. To cancel I received an email and they even phoned me to make sure I received the message. It was was we couldn't do they trip, but great service!”

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New in Puffin Watching Tours

★ 5.0Late Season Puffin & Scenic Coastal CruiseFrom $7118 reviews
Puffins and Pirates ATV TourFrom $1524 reviews
★ 5.0Puffin Jet ski tour in ReykjavíkFrom $17943 reviews
★ 5.0Half Day Private Tour with Puffins, Ponies and Past Shetland39 reviews
★ 4.5Eyjascooter Puffin Tour in IcelandFrom $15641 reviews
★ 4.7Stykkishólmur: Puffin and Wildlife Boat TourFrom $10440 reviews
★ 4.5Puffin Watching TourFrom $6645 reviews
★ 4.5Two-In-One: Whale & Puffin Watching Tours from ReykjavikFrom $14059 reviews
★ 4.0Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing CruiseFrom $6356 reviews
★ 5.0Volcanic Vistas & Puffin Paradise ATV TourFrom $21655 reviews
★ 4.0Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from SeydisfjordurFrom $21452 reviews
★ 4.5Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and PersonalFrom $8571 reviews

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