Puffin Watching in Reykjavik

Puffin Watching in Reykjavik

What's the best time of year to see puffins in Reykjavik? Between May and August, these birds return to Iceland after a long winter at sea and inhabit the Nordic islands.

After boarding our boat, we'll set sail to the north, where we'll find some of the Icelandic islands with the largest populations of puffins. Their black and white feathers can make them hard to distinguish from penguins, until you see their brightly coloured beaks! There will be plenty of time to take photos and to use binoculars to get a closer look at the birds.

Throughout the tour, the English speaking guide will reveal curious facts about the lives of these birds. Did you know, for example, that puffins are monogamous? And that they only lay one egg a year? You'll be puffin experts by the end of our trip! What's more, you'll also get to see some of the other birds that inhabit the area, such as the common eider, the arctic tern and cormorants.

After an hour's puffin watching boat trip, we'll return to the original departure port.

What island will we visit?

On the day of the tour, the boat captain will decide which Reykjavik island we'll visit for the best puffin sighting opportunities. Depending on the tides and weather conditions, we may head towards Engey, Akurey or Lundey. All three are located a similar distance from the city and are known for the abundant presence of puffins.

We won't disembark on any island so as not to disturb the birds, but we'll get as close as we can to their coasts, always respecting the puffins.

Pick up

This activity doesn't include pick up from every hotel as the roads in central Reykjavik aren't accessible by coach. When you choose the name of your hotel during the booking process, you'll be shown the nearest pick-up point. If the text "Bus stop" with a number appears next to the name of your hotel, you'll need to go to that stop. There are thirteen bus stops:

• Ráðhúsið / City Hall. Bus stop 1.
• Tjörnin /The Pond. Bus stop 2.
• Lækjargata. Bus Stop 3.
• Tryggvagata. Bus Stop 4.
• Harpa. Bus Stop 5.
• Safnahúsið/Culture House. Bus Stop 6.
• Traðarkot. Bus Stop 7.
• Hallgrímskirkja. Bus Stop 8.
• Snorrabraut. Bus Stop 9.
• Hlemmur. Bus Stop 10.
• Austurbær. Bus Stop 11.
• Höfðatorg. Bus Stop 12.
• Rauðarárstígur. Bus Stop 13.

You can check the location of the bus stops on this map. The bus will pick you up from the specified meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled time. 

Whale watching in Reykjavik

If you can't get enough of Iceland's incredible wildlife, don't miss Whale Watching in Reykjavik.