Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Thousands of puffins gather on the small islands just 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. The RIB speedboat gets close to their rocky shores, then shuts off its engine so you can watch the birds in peace.

I like the one-hour length, which fits neatly into a busy day in Reykjavik, and I like the mix of speed and quiet observation. You get a brisk ride across the bay, followed by time to listen to the guide and watch puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

The main trade-off is simple: puffins are small, quick, and not always easy to photograph. The boat is also exposed to Icelandic weather, so anyone with back problems, anyone who is pregnant, or anyone under 140 centimeters should choose another outing.

Key points to know before booking

• The islands are only 15 minutes from the harbor: Most of the hour is spent reaching the birds, watching them, and returning to Reykjavik.
• The RIB can approach rocky shores closely: Its shallow draft helps the boat get near Lundey and Akurey.
• Your engine goes quiet near the islands: This gives you a better chance to watch the birds without constant motor noise.
• The price is $84 per person: That includes the guide, waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest, but not shoes, food, drinks, or hotel transport.
• The group is limited to 12 people: A small boat means a more direct view of the guide and a less crowded ride.
• Weather controls the departure: The captain decides whether to sail, with passenger safety and comfort taking priority.

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbor to the puffin islands

The outing begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, in a small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You need to find your own way there, and you should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters because you need time to get into the supplied gear. The operator provides a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. Waterproof shoes are not included, so your footwear needs to handle wet conditions. Food and drinks are also your responsibility.

Once prepared, you board the RIB speedboat with a maximum of 12 participants. The small group helps in two ways. You can hear the English-speaking guide without fighting a large crowd, and you have a better chance of getting an open view toward the islands.

The RIB format is a big part of the appeal. This is not a slow, large sightseeing boat. The ride is built to feel lively, with the boat moving quickly across Reykjavik Bay. You get a different view of the city as the harbor falls behind and the open water takes over.

That speed also comes with a practical warning. A RIB is close to the water, and conditions can make the ride bumpy. The waterproof suit protects your clothes, but it does not turn the boat into a sheltered cabin. If you prefer a calm, enclosed ride, this may not be the right bird-watching trip for you.

Lundey and Akurey, two small bird islands

The boat heads toward Lundey and Akurey, two small islands in the Reykjavik Bay area. Each island has low hills and slopes, with rocky shores that give puffins places to gather.

You are not walking ashore. The boat stays on the water and uses its shallow draft to approach the island edges. This is useful because the birds remain in their natural setting rather than being seen in a zoo or from a distant city viewpoint.

As the boat reaches the islands, the captain turns off the engine. This is the quiet heart of the trip. The sudden change from speed to stillness gives you time to watch the puffins and take in the water, islands, mountains, and Reykjavik views.

The pause also makes the experience feel less like a simple boat ride. You have a chance to notice how the birds move and where they gather. The guide fills in the details, explaining puffin behavior and pointing out other species around the islands.

The exact number of birds you see can vary, and no wildlife trip can promise a perfect showing. Still, these islands are described as home to thousands of puffins, and puffin watching is the main purpose of the route. You should book this for the chance to see them in their own setting, not for a guaranteed photo of a bird holding a fish.

Puffins are charming, but difficult to photograph

Puffins look comical and approachable, but they are not slow, tame subjects. They are small and fast, and the boat is moving or bobbing on the water. A guest who enjoyed the guide’s explanations also noted that puffins can be hard to photograph or record.

That is useful advice. Bring a camera if you like, but do not make a perfect close-up your measure of success. You may get a good view through binoculars or with your own eyes, then find that your phone records only a blur.

I would treat photography as a bonus and pay attention to the guide. The tour is designed to explain the birds as well as show them. A good guide can help you spot movement, identify different birds, and explain why the islands matter to seabirds.

The guide may also demonstrate puffin sounds. One especially memorable detail from the experience is a guide imitating the noises puffins make, sounds you might not otherwise notice from a moving boat. That sort of live explanation gives the hour more character than simply pointing a camera at the shore.

More than puffins: the other birds around Reykjavik Bay

Puffins are the headline act, but they are not the only birds you may see. The tour also looks for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

That variety makes the trip worthwhile even during moments when puffins are difficult to spot. The guide can explain the difference between the species and help you look beyond the most famous bird.

Northern fulmars may be seen around the water, while gulls are familiar but still part of the coastal birdlife. Arctic terns and black guillemots add more variety to the scene. The provided tour information does not promise a fixed list of sightings, so think of these birds as possible extras rather than guaranteed stops.

The English-speaking guide leads the live tour. Special Tours also offers an app for Android and Apple devices with text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. The live guide language for this activity is English, while the app gives some visitors another way to follow the information.

The app is most useful if you want extra context or do not catch every spoken detail over the boat’s engine and wind. It does not replace looking at the water, though. Keep your attention outside when the boat slows near the islands.

What the one-hour schedule means for your day

The tour lasts one hour from departure. The islands are about 15 minutes from the Old Harbor, so the outing includes the fast ride out, wildlife viewing near the islands, and the return trip.

This compact schedule is one of the strongest reasons to choose the RIB option. You can fit it between other Reykjavik plans without giving up half a day. It may work well before a city walk, after a morning activity, or during a short stay when every hour matters.

The short duration also limits what the trip can do. You are not spending a long stretch waiting for wildlife, and you are not visiting several distant islands. The route focuses on the nearby islands and a quick look at the birdlife around them.

I see that as a fair trade at $84 per person. You are paying for a guided wildlife outing, a small group, the RIB ride, and supplied safety gear. The cost is less attractive if your main goal is a long photography session or a relaxed boat cruise. It is stronger value if you want a focused puffin experience that fits into a packed Reykjavik itinerary.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be purchased as an add-on. If you are staying away from the Old Harbor, add both the extra cost and the time needed to reach the meeting point.

Gear, clothing, and comfort on the water

The full-body waterproof suit is important, not decorative. Reykjavik’s water can feel cold, and a fast RIB can send spray across the boat. The suit helps protect your clothes while you watch the birds.

Goggles are included as well. They can help with wind and spray during the ride, especially when the boat is moving quickly. A life vest is supplied and must be worn as part of the boat’s safety setup.

You need to bring suitable waterproof shoes because they are not provided. Do not assume ordinary trainers will be comfortable if the deck or your feet get wet. The available information does not give a recommended shoe type, so the practical choice is footwear that can handle water and stays secure on your feet.

The captain decides whether the boat sails based on weather conditions. That decision is made with passenger safety and comfort in mind, and the final call rests with the captain’s experience. If your schedule is tight, keep this in mind when planning other fixed activities around the tour.

This is not a suitable activity for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters tall. The boat’s movement and open-water setting are central to the experience, not minor details.

Who will enjoy this Special Tours outing

I would choose this tour if you want three things: puffins, a short schedule, and a lively boat ride. It suits adults and children who meet the height requirement and are comfortable with wind, spray, and a boat that can move sharply.

It is also a good fit for anyone who wants a small group. With no more than 12 participants, the guide can address the group directly, and you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd.

The tour works especially well for first-time visitors with limited time in Reykjavik. You get a quick look at the bay, views back toward the city and mountains, and an introduction to Icelandic seabirds without committing to a full-day excursion.

I would be more cautious if you have a serious interest in wildlife photography. The birds are small and fast, and the boat’s movement will make steady shots difficult. You may still get memorable images, but the outing is better understood as a close viewing experience than as a dedicated photo workshop.

Booking details that matter

The price is $84 per person. The fee covers the guided tour, full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest. You need to budget separately for waterproof shoes, food and drinks, and optional pickup and drop-off.

The meeting point is the Old Harbor, at the wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure so you have time to check in and put on the gear.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if you are arranging several Iceland activities before your plans are fixed.

The stated tour language is English. The optional app supports English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese through text and audio content.

Should you book the puffin RIB tour?

Book it if you want a fast, focused puffin outing close to central Reykjavik. The short route, small group, supplied protective gear, and quiet stop near Lundey and Akurey make good use of one hour.

Skip it if you need a sheltered boat, have back problems, are pregnant, are under the height limit, or want a long, unhurried wildlife cruise. Also think twice if your main aim is professional-quality puffin photography.

For most people who want to see Icelandic seabirds without spending half a day at sea, the $84 price is reasonable. Just dress for wet conditions, bring suitable shoes, arrive early at the harbor, and watch the birds first. Your best picture may be the one you never manage to take.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour depart from?

It departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Look for the little wooden hut in a row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so you have time to prepare for the boat ride.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts one hour. Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, a life vest, and a guided tour. Waterproof shoes are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be purchased as an add-on.

Can children or people with mobility concerns join?

Participants must be at least 140 centimeters tall. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The captain also decides whether to sail based on weather conditions, passenger safety, and comfort.