Meaning
Puffin Island
The name comes from 'lundi' (puffin) and 'ey' (island), a straightforward description of its best-known residents.
Lundey: Puffin Island near Reykjavík
A small island in Faxaflói bay named "Puffin Island" for the thousands of Atlantic puffins that nest here each summer. It is the closest puffin colony to Iceland's capital.
Location
Faxaflói Bay, Near Reykjavík
The closest puffin viewing spot to Iceland's capital.
Quick Answer
Lundey, 'Puffin Island', holds the puffin colony closest to Reykjavík, with thousands of birds each summer. Boat tours leave the Old Harbour, some with whale.
Lundey (literally "Puffin Island" in Icelandic) is a small, low-lying island in Faxaflói bay, a short boat ride from Reykjavík's Old Harbour. Each summer, thousands of Atlantic puffins return to nest in burrows on the island's grassy slopes; no other puffin colony is as easy to reach from the capital. Whale watching tours routinely pass by Lundey and its neighbour Akurey and look for minke whales, humpback whales, and white-beaked dolphins on the same trip.
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Updated: 2026-09-10
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Distance
Near Reykjavík
A short boat ride from Reykjavík's Old Harbour puts you within viewing distance of the puffin colony.
Season
Summer
Puffins nest from mid-April to mid-August, with peak activity in June and July.
What to Expect
Puffin Viewing from the Boat
Tour boats cruise slowly past Lundey's shoreline for close-up views of puffins sitting on rocks, flying overhead, and diving for fish.
Whale Watching Combo
Most operators combine puffin viewing at Lundey with whale watching in Faxaflói bay, where minke whales, humpbacks, and dolphins are regularly spotted.
Akurey Island
Tours often pass both Lundey and neighbouring Akurey, another puffin island, so you see two colonies in one trip.
Photography Opportunities
The boat-level perspective and close approach to the island suit puffin photography. Bring a zoom lens.
Accessible from Downtown
Tours depart from Reykjavík's Old Harbour, within walking distance of the city centre. No car or long transfer needed.
Family Friendly
Puffin boat tours suit all ages and typically last 1 to 1.5 hours, a manageable length for children.
Getting There
Puffin and whale watching tours depart from Reykjavík's Old Harbour (Ægisgarður), an easy walk from the city centre. Several tour companies offer dedicated puffin tours or combined puffin and whale watching excursions. Tours typically run from mid-May through mid-August, with departures multiple times daily in peak season. The boat ride to Lundey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes each way.
Best Time to Visit
June and July offer the best puffin viewing, as the birds are most active feeding chicks and returning to their burrows. Tours begin in mid-May when puffins first arrive and continue through mid-August when they depart for the open ocean. Morning tours can be less crowded, but puffins are active throughout the day. Calm seas make for a more comfortable boat ride, though operators sail in most summer conditions.
A puffin tour may visit another island
Mr. Puffin’s own FAQ names Lundey, Akurey and Engey as possible stops, selected by the captain according to weather and recent sightings. Booking a Reykjavík puffin tour therefore does not guarantee Lundey specifically.
For this operator, the Classic boat has an indoor space and toilet; the Premium RIB does not have an onboard toilet and is not wheelchair accessible. Ask about the actual vessel and boarding arrangements if those affect your choice. Puffin tours are seasonal, rather than an autumn or winter substitute for whale watching.
Planning help
Lundey FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Can I land on Lundey island?
Generally, no. Most tours pass by Lundey by boat without landing, as the island is a protected nesting site. Whale watching and puffin tours from Reykjavík sail close enough for good views of the puffin colony from the water.
What does Lundey mean?
Lundey means 'Puffin Island' in Icelandic. The word 'lundi' means puffin and 'ey' means island. There are actually several islands named Lundey around Iceland, but this one in Faxaflói bay near Reykjavík is the most visited.
When can I see puffins on Lundey?
Puffins are present on Lundey from mid-April to mid-August. Peak viewing is in June and July when the birds are most active, returning to their burrows with fish for their chicks. Boat tours from Reykjavík's Old Harbour run throughout this period.
Can I combine a Lundey puffin tour with whale watching?
Yes. Several Reykjavík tour operators offer combined whale watching and puffin tours that pass by Lundey and Akurey (another puffin island) while also searching for minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins in Faxaflói bay.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.