Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

The best part of this Puffin Watching Speedboat Express is the quick run from Reykjavik harbor to the nearby islands. The RIB is small, fast, and able to get close to the birds before cutting its engines. That gives you a quieter look at puffins in their natural setting, not a rushed glimpse from far offshore.

I like the 12-seat limit, which keeps the ride personal and gives you a fair chance to ask questions. I also like the practical gear: warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket are supplied. The main drawback is the open-water ride. It can get rocky near the puffin islands, so this is not the best choice if you dislike motion or want a calm sightseeing cruise.

Key points at a glance

• A fast route to the islands: The RIB covers the distance quickly, leaving more of the hour for watching puffins.
• Quiet wildlife viewing: The crew turns off the engines near the islands so you can watch the birds without constant motor noise.
• A truly small group: The boat holds no more than 12 people, with room for direct questions and personal guidance.
• Warm gear is included: Waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket help with Iceland’s cool, wet conditions.
• A useful midday slot: The 12:00 p.m. departure leaves your morning and evening open for other plans.
• A short but lively outing: The advertised ride lasts about one hour, though you may want to allow a little extra time around the harbor.

Why this short RIB trip works well in Reykjavik

Puffin watching often sounds like a major day out, but this trip keeps things simple. You meet at Ægisgarður 5F by Reykjavik’s harbor, board a 12-seat luxury RIB, and head straight toward the islands outside the city.

That compact format is the real appeal. You do not spend most of the outing reaching the wildlife area. The speedboat moves quickly, so the ride can focus on the islands and birds rather than a long transfer across the bay.

You also get a different view of Reykjavik. The route includes sights around the harbor and waterfront, including Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall, the Sun Voyager sculpture, Reykjavik itself, and the Old Harbour. These are not long sightseeing stops where you get off the boat. Think of them as part of the route and the view from the water.

The tour is offered in English, and the guide provides information about puffins, other wildlife, and the city. Guides named by the operator and past guests include Celia, Patrickgin, Rebecca, and Joe. Their styles vary, but the common thread is an entertaining, well-informed guide who keeps the small boat involved.

Leaving from Ægisgarður 5F

Your meeting point is at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavik. The activity returns to this same point, which makes planning before or after the trip fairly easy.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the harbor, but the meeting point is near public transportation. That is worth noting if you are staying in central Reykjavik, since you will need to build in time to reach the dock rather than expecting a transfer from your accommodation.

The departure time is 12:00 p.m. This is a handy middle-of-the-day choice. You can use the morning for breakfast, a city walk, or another excursion, then spend the afternoon on your own after the boat ride. Since the trip is short, it does not take over the whole day.

At the dock, you receive a lifejacket and the supplied clothing. The warm waterproof overall is especially useful because the RIB is open to the air and speed creates extra wind. Gloves and goggles protect your hands and eyes during the ride. Wear practical clothes underneath, since the outer gear is meant to keep you warm and dry rather than replace every layer.

A fast ride past Harpa and the Sun Voyager

Once aboard, the first part of the trip is as much about getting out to the islands as it is about wildlife. The RIB is built for speed, so you get across the water quickly instead of spending most of your hour at a slow cruising pace.

The route takes in the waterfront around Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre. From the boat, Harpa helps anchor the city view and gives you an immediate sense of where you are. You also pass the Sun Voyager, the well-known steel sculpture facing the water.

These sights are useful points of orientation, but keep your expectations clear. This is not a city sightseeing cruise with extended commentary at each attraction. The main purpose is puffin watching, and the urban views are part of the ride to and from the islands.

The speed is part of the fun. You get a lively run across the water, with the boat’s movement adding a little adventure before the quieter wildlife portion. If you prefer a gentle, steady boat ride, this format may feel brisk. If you enjoy a bit of motion and want to reach the birds quickly, it makes good use of limited time.

Reaching the islands near Reykjavik

The main wildlife area is around the islands outside Reykjavik, including Videy Island on the route. The key change comes when the boat arrives near the puffins: the engines are turned off so you can watch the birds more quietly.

That engine-off pause matters. It reduces the mechanical noise and gives the guide a chance to point out what you are seeing. You can focus on the birds rather than trying to hear commentary over a running motor.

Puffins are wild animals, so the exact number and behavior can vary. The experience is not built around a guaranteed performance. You may see birds flying, resting, or moving around the island, but the guide cannot control where they go. The advantage here is the close approach by a small RIB, which offers a more direct view than a large vessel might provide.

Past outings have included plenty of puffin sightings, and the guide’s role is important. Celia has been praised for sharing information about birds, wildlife, and Reykjavik. Patrickgin has been described as funny and full of puffin facts. Rebecca has been singled out for her friendly, helpful manner, while Joe brought humor and useful information to the ride.

Those names give you a sense of the tone to expect. This is not a silent birding expedition. You get a guide who talks, answers questions, and adds context, but the engine is still switched off during the closest wildlife viewing.

Videy Island and the waterfront views

Videy Island is one of the listed points along the route. Its importance here is less about a land visit and more about the chance to see the islands where puffins live during the tour.

You do not get off the boat to explore Videy. That is a benefit if you want a compact outing, but a limitation if you hoped for a walking tour or time ashore. The RIB keeps you moving, and the wildlife encounter remains the focus.

The return route brings the harbor and Reykjavik back into view. Harpa and the Sun Voyager provide familiar landmarks, while the Old Harbour marks the practical end of the ride. This combination gives you a quick look at the city from the water without asking you to give up a full morning or afternoon.

I would treat the waterfront views as a bonus, not the main reason to book. If your priority is city architecture, a land-based walk around Reykjavik will give you more time. If your priority is puffins and a short boat adventure, the city views nicely fill out the ride.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The stated duration is about one hour. That makes this easy to fit between other Reykjavik plans, but you should not plan another activity with no gap at all. One past account put the full experience at about an hour and a half from start to finish, so allow some breathing room around the advertised ride time.

The 12:00 p.m. start is also worth checking against your wider schedule. You need to reach the harbor, receive your equipment, and board before departure. The exact amount of preparation time is not provided, so arrive with enough time to find Ægisgarður 5F without rushing.

The short format is ideal for a first day in Reykjavik when you want to keep your schedule flexible. It also works well if you have a free midday and do not want to commit to a long whale-watching or island excursion.

The trade-off is simple: one hour gives you a taste, not a full marine wildlife expedition. You get a focused visit to the puffin islands rather than a long search across a wide area. For many people, that is exactly the right balance.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik, but the price includes several useful elements. You are paying for the RIB, the guide, wildlife interpretation, warm waterproof clothing, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

The small group improves the value. With a maximum of 12 people, the guide can answer questions without trying to address a packed boat. You are also less likely to feel separated from the action than you might on a large sightseeing vessel.

The speed matters too. A slower boat could spend more of the excursion simply traveling to the islands. Here, the RIB gets there quickly and preserves more time for the puffin encounter.

I would call the price reasonable if you want three things at once: a close wildlife view, a thrilling boat ride, and a short schedule. It is less appealing if you mainly want a cheap harbor cruise or a long, relaxed day at sea.

Comfort, safety, and the rocky water

The supplied overalls and gloves make a real difference. Iceland’s weather can feel cool on the water, and the open RIB exposes you to wind. Goggles are also practical during the fast section of the ride.

You wear a lifejacket throughout the activity. Safety is treated seriously, and the small group allows the guide and crew to keep a close eye on the boat. Still, the sea can be choppy. The water near the puffin island has been described as rocky, so expect movement rather than a glassy ride.

A child must be at least 140 centimeters tall to take part in the RIB tour. Most people can participate, but the height rule is firm and is especially important for families planning around younger children.

If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully before booking. The trip is short, but a fast RIB on uneven water may be more demanding than a large covered boat. On the other hand, the short duration means you are not committing to several hours offshore.

Who should book this puffin trip?

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a close look at puffins without giving up half a day. It suits first-time visitors who want a little adventure, families with children tall enough for the boat, and people who like guided wildlife outings in a small group.

It is also a good choice if you value practical planning. Warm gear is supplied, the harbor is near public transportation, and the 12:00 p.m. departure leaves other parts of the day open.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike speed, rocking water, or open boats. This is not a slow cruise with lots of room to move around. It is a compact RIB ride with a clear aim: reach the islands, quiet the engines, and watch the puffins.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from seven reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the guides, the fun of the ride, the close puffin sightings, and the fact that the gear is provided. Those are the qualities I would use to judge it, rather than expecting a long, elaborate excursion.

Booking, weather, and the final call

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

I would book this tour if you want an efficient wildlife outing with a bit of speed and a strong guide-led element. The best fit is someone who wants to see puffins in their natural habitat, appreciates a small group, and does not mind a rough patch of water.

I would skip it if your ideal boat trip is quiet, slow, and sheltered. For everyone else, the mix of warm gear, fast access to the islands, engine-off viewing, and a one-hour schedule makes this a sensible Reykjavik add-on.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express begin?

It begins at Reykjavik by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Ægisgarður 5F.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately one hour. One account described the full experience as about an hour and a half, so allow extra time around the ride.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB has a maximum capacity of 12 people.

What clothing and safety equipment are included?

The tour provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can children join the RIB tour?

Yes, but a child must be at least 140 centimeters tall to participate in the RIB tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.