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Capital Region of Iceland Puffin watching

Our most recommended Capital Region of Iceland Puffin watching

Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

1. Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

Step aboard the Puffin Express for a charming bird-watching adventure in Reykjavik. Enjoy a 100% guarantee of puffin sightings, and learn about these and other local birds from an expert guide. Head out from the Old Harbour of Reykjavik to the surrounding Faxaflói Bay and onto two nearby islands, Lundey and Akurey, covered in small hills and slopes and known for their colorful birdlife. Once arriving at the islands, observe the native birds and picturesque surroundings with the boat's engine turned off. Enjoy seeing puffins as well as other birds, such as northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. All of this takes place on an old wooden boat, Skúlaskeið, which is fondly referred to as "Old Skuli." It is spacious enough to hold 33 passengers but not too big, in order to ensure that your tour is personal and comfortable.

Reykjavik: Half-Day Whales and Puffins Cruise Combo Tour

2. Reykjavik: Half-Day Whales and Puffins Cruise Combo Tour

Discover adorable puffins on a cruise from the Old Harbor in Reykjavík. Search for local whales on a second cruise from Reykjavík to Faxaflói Bay. Stay warm with inside seating and overalls. See local wildlife clearly with the use of binoculars on the puffin tour. Travel by a small boat named Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli), perfect for puffin watching, since it has a shallow draught, and therefore can get really close to the small islands where the puffins live. The guides are very knowledgeable about the thriving bird life in Reykjavík's surroundings. Benefit from this combo tour's included classic whale watching tour, operated on the Andrea boat, lasting 3 to 3.5 hours. The Andrea is the biggest whale watching boat in Iceland, and has an educational and interactive focus. It is also family friendly and spacious with a cafeteria on-board. If you choose to, you can switch to the express tour leaving 1 hour later on a faster boat that gets you out to the whale watching area quicker than the other whale watching boats, but still allows you to have plenty of time. Most common whale sights in Faxaflói Bay are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Note that these are two separate tours and you don't have to do them on the same day.

From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

3. From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Climb aboard a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) equipped with special shock suspension seating for a smoother ride. Look for whales and other marine life in the wild. Travel aboard the 12-meter long boat to get extra close to whales in a way that is safe for passengers and the animals. Benefit from warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves and goggles to keep you cozy and safe, and avail of the services of an experienced guide who will provide information about the animals and bay in English.  Stop by the island of Akurey to look for adorable puffins during the summer. See their nests along the coast during their breeding season. Head out to the bay on a fast and thrilling ride with the wind in your hair. Reach a comfortable cruising speed of 32 knots and get plenty of time in the feeding grounds. Then, take a scenic route back along the coast of Reykjavik. After your tour, you can visit the Whales of Iceland Museum, located in the Grandi harbor district of Reykjavik. Here, you can discover more about the various whale species of the Atlantic, with exhibits on whale biology, migration, and conservation.

Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

4. Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Discover the puffins of Iceland on a wildlife watching tour by RIB Boat, These boats cover a larger area and get closer to the puffins than on a conventional vessel. Watch the birds as they nest, dive and fly, and learn about their characteristics as you cruise around the rocks and cliffs. Make your own way to Reykjavik Old Harbour in the early morning and meet the captain of your RIB. Listen to a short safety briefing, put on your provided coveralls, climb aboard, and take hold of the grab rail as your boat sets off. Take in the views of Faxaflói Bay as your RIB zips out over the ice-cold waters. As you cruise, watch for Iceland’s wildlife, including the many species of sea birds that frequent the bay and its islands in summer. As well as puffins, gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns all visit the local waters. Bump over the waves toward the rocky islands and sea cliffs, and sail up close to the rocks and inlets to view the puffins that nest here between May and August. As you watch the puffins, listen to interesting facts about the species from the expert guide and captain. Hear about their natural behaviors and diet, and snap photos of them nesting, diving, and flying as you sail around the little inlets.  After about an hour on the sea, arrive back at Reykjavik harbor where your puffin watching cruise ends.

Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

5. Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

The tour begins with a cruise along the beautiful coastline of Reykjavik before heading out to Faxafloi Bay in search of whales. The minke whales and humpback whales are the main goal of this tour, the giants of the ocean. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a group of white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. There's also a good chance that you'll observe different sea birds and puffins throughout the summer. During the summer, the puffins are frequently seen sitting on the ocean and diving for food. This activity enables you to escape the crowds and benefit from a yacht cruise with fewer passengers and more personal service on board. Ride on a stable boat with an on-board bar and lounge and spacious outdoor deck areas for maximum comfort.

Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

6. Reykjavik: 1-Hour Puffin Watching Tour

The charismatic puffin has attracted local and tourist attention around Iceland for many years. It is their prismatic appearance and curious behavior that gives rise to this intrigue. Their most obvious characteristic during the breeding season is their brightly colored bill which, added to their striking piebald plumage, has given rise to nicknames such as “clown of the ocean” or “sea parrot.” Depending on tides and weather conditions, you will head to Akurey, Engey or Lundey on a 1.5-hour cruise. These islands are well known for their plentiful birdlife, and in addition to puffins you will have the opportunity to view other birds, such as eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots, cormorants, fulmars, geese and oystercatchers. The islands' shores are rocky, but the captains know the best spots to get close to the puffins in their natural habitat. If the weather is right he might even turn off the engines so that you can listen to the birds' calls. Luckily the puffins usually stay put for a while, so they are easy to photograph. Although you get close to the islands, the puffins are comparatively small birds and the free use of binoculars on board comes in handy. You can also borrow a rain jacket to keep your dry, and sip authentic seaman's coffee to keep warm.

From Reykjavik: 2-Hour Whale & Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

7. From Reykjavik: 2-Hour Whale & Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

See whales and puffins seasonally between May and August on a whale-watching tour from Reykjavik. Marvel at the marine fauna of Iceland in its natural environment. Travel aboard a stable boat to search larger areas. Embark on your journey from the Old Harbour in Reykjavík aboard a specially-engineered RIB boat that maneuvers closer to the whales and puffins than bigger boats can. Search wider areas to increase your likelihood of viewing wildlife in this lightweight craft.  Ride out to the islands to see puffins in their natural surroundings before heading out further in search of whales and dolphins. Get as up close as you can without disturbing the magnificent creatures.  Listen as your specially-trained guides enhances your experience with commentary and use their skills to increase the chance of some viewings. On the return trip, sail along Reykjavik's shores and admire the city's skyline and view the Harpa Concert Hall from the water. 

From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

8. From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

Get back to nature and look for whales off the coast of Iceland aboard a brand new RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) equipped with 12 suspension seats to enhance your comfort and safety. Make your way to the meeting point in the old harbor of Reykjavik and put on the provided warm waterproof overall, life jacket, googles and your own whale watching scarf. Depart from the harbor and pass the Harpa Concert Hall and Sun Voyager sculpture. Continue to Faxaflói Bay, where up to 23 species of whales, along with dolphins and seals can often be found. Look for the magnificent creatures in their natural environment and encounter sea birds of various species. Keep a look out for the puffins that come to lay their one egg on the many islands in Faxaflói Bay as you cruise up close. Ask your guide any questions you have and hear interesting facts about the whales and other wildlife.

Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

9. Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

During bright Icelandic summer nights the Nordic midnight sun just seems endless. Therefore, an evening cruise is the ideal way to make the most of your day in Reykjavík while enjoying close-up views of whales, dolphins, puffins and more. As the whales never fully sleep, you can expect encountering the same wildlife on this express whale watching tour as on regular day tours. Just off the coast of Reykjavík, you can encounter some of the best whale watching in the world and during the summer time whales are seen in over 95% of the tours.  This unique whale watching tour is conducted in small RIB speedboats which are extremely stable boats with high performance abilities. The small yet powerful vessel is capable of reaching high speeds, allowing you to cover a larger area and get closer to the Faxaflói bay wildlife than you would in a classic boat. Hold on tight while your captain zips you out of the harbor and look out for some of the wildlife Iceland is famous for. Loop around the wind-beaten islands of the bay to see puffins in their natural habitat and then head out on the open water to scout out whales and dolphins and, hopefully, get some close-up views. After the tour, return to Reykjavík by ending the tour with a unique ride along the city’s shoreline offering magnificent views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and the glittering Harpa Concert Hall. Colorful fishing huts and bustling restaurants make up the cityscape in this part of town, alongside some thought-provoking attractions. If you were unlucky enough to not spot any whales, worry not, your captain will give you a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave.

Reykjavik: Puffin Tour by RIB Speedboat

10. Reykjavik: Puffin Tour by RIB Speedboat

Enjoy the incredible opportunity to see puffin colonies while taking in the extraordinary backdrop of majestic Mount Esja and the city’s colorful skyline. Depending on the time of your visit, the mountains may be capped with ice and snow or colored bright purple with a blanket of summer lupin. At any time of the year, Reykjavík is always a stunning city to see from the water. During the summer months, these voyages will pass close to the famous puffin colonies of Faxaflói Bay. If that isn't enough, you'll get the opportunity to see whales in their natural habitat from a boat for small groups, so you won't have to worry about overcrowding or not getting the right spot to see these amazing creatures.

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What people are saying about Capital Region of Iceland

Having done whale watching tours on the larger boats before, this experience was so much more comfortable. There were heaters and blankets for if you're cold. The guide was friendly and they spent a good amount of time making sure we got to see the humpback whale that was luckily swimming in the bay. I would definitely recommend spending the little bit extra money to go on this smaller and more comfortable tour over the huge boats. The only thing I will say is that on the previous tours I've been on, the guides seemed more informative and passionate about the conservation of marine life. This was a great experience overall.

It's the luck of the draw whether you see the whales or not. We managed to see some Minke whales and the guide was so knowledgeable about the area and the whales. Overall a good experience, wish we'd seen more but giving 5 stars because the guides were great and it's not their fault we didn't see much! I'd go again maybe in warmer weather next time.

Thrilling ride out to see the cute little puffins. Guide was very knowledgeable about their habitat and lifestyles of those adorable 10 inch birds. Nice to be able to drift closer to the critters on the zodiac-like craft.

Really good tour and got some great views of the whales. Very knowledgable guides. Definitely recommend.

Fabulous boat and staff,gorgeous hot chocolate! We got to see numerous whales, amazing day!