Puffin Express Cruise from Reykjavik: Appreciate Puffins in Their Natural Environment
4.5
446 Ratings
Reykjavík

Enjoy a close-up view of puffins on the puffin express trip from Reykjavik. Our specially outfitted vessel brings you near the rugged beach of Akurey Island to observe these beautiful ocean birds in their wild surroundings. Gain insights about puffins and other marine birds inhabiting the region from our expert onboard tour guide.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Geirsgata 11 - After meeting your guide, board the comfortable puffin express boat for a 15-minute cruise to Akurey, an island known for its puffin population, just off the coast of Reykjavik.

Puffins nest between May and August on this island, which is covered with small hills and slopes and known for its colorful bird life. As the island’s shores are rocky, your puffin-watching boat is specially designed to get you as close to the shoreline as possible, so you can get an up-close look at these adorable creatures!

On board, learn from your expert guide about the puffins as well as other interesting seabirds that you may spot on the tour, such as northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns and black guillemots. Enjoy watching the seabirds flying and diving into the water.

When you arrive at the Akurey shore, circle around the island for more observation time before the captain turns the engines off, allowing you to enjoy the peace and quiet among Iceland’s natural treasures.

You have the choice of five departure times throughout the day (up to seven departures from June-August) to suit your Iceland itinerary.

What's Included
  • Use of binoculars included
  • Guidance from an expert guide
  • Access to the Special Tours App in multiple languages
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional cost - please contact supplier directly).
Additional Information
  • Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (extra fees apply)
Location
Geirsgata 11
Geirsgata
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(446 Ratings)
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Morgan_g
Jun 22, 2024
Puffin Excursion - Cute tour for adults and kids! About 1.5 total. Our boat driver and guide knew so much about different birds we saw along the way which was great. You get pretty close to the island and can see the puffins nesting and flying which was great.
Review provided by Viator
Robin_r
Jun 22, 2024
So many puffins and we... - So many puffins and we got closer than expected. Really cute to see them - great trip. Ran on time. Super happy!
Review provided by Viator
Tracey_s
Jun 21, 2024
Picture Perfect Puffins - Tour left on time and went for he advertised length of time. Tour guide, Joel, was very friendly and his presentation was informative and delivered in an entertaining manner. The boat's captain manoeuvred the boat to allow for ample opportunities to photograph the puffins. A great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Geraldj462
Jun 21, 2024
So many Puffins - Puffin trip so nice. This little mini-excursion put you up close to puffin island. It is a small cozy historical vessel, that was a fun sight-seeing cruise. You must checkin to the special tours office, 15 minutes before departure for your boarding pass. Company provides great commentary and binoculars. If you have a high powered long lens camera, bring it. Crew was fantastic. Recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Queenvictoria
Jun 19, 2024
Worth it ! - Amazing ! Bear in mind that it lasts only 1 hour and hence keep your eyes open during the trip on the views. Use the binoculars that they provide as puffins are quite small.
Review provided by Viator
Reunionsmama
Jun 17, 2024
Fun (and quick) puffin experience - The guide really made this trip - extremely knowledgeable, provided super insight into the puffins and their daily/seasonal routines. Early June is a bit too early to see the pufflets, but we saw plenty of puffins when we visited. As others have mentioned, don't count on great photos, as they are far away. Binoculars were provided and quite helpful. Shoutout to the captain for his ability to navigate close to the island in a manner safe to the puffins and the passengers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alicia0717
Jun 16, 2024
Audits Tours Puffin express tour - Awesome experience! The island is home to thousands of puffins and they were Everywhere. On land, in the water and flying around us. Our guide, Marta, was fun and knew her Puffin facts. Our tour was full with about 33 people and we were able to interact with the guide and see all around us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anne_v
Jun 20, 2024
Puffins from afar - We did see puffins, but needed the binoculars to really see them. Very difficult to take photos with an iPhone. Marta was a lovely guide. I had hoped for a closer experience.
Review provided by Viator
Connie_p
Jun 15, 2024
Good Info, Hard to see Puffins - Good Captain and Guide, but the boat couldn’t get close enough to really get a good look at the birds.
Review provided by Viator
Taylor_g
Jun 18, 2024
Not worth the price - We apparently picked a bad day for this tour due to weather and timing of the tide (boat not able to get close to island as much as other times). I would highly recommend not prebooking this tour and to just buy it once you are in iceland and choose your time based on the tides. I think the fishing tour we did was better and they also drove us by the same island, so it's a tour that could be skipped to save cost I think. I could barely hear the guide most of the time and she really needed a microphone system.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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