Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

The best part of this tour is the close approach to puffin colonies just outside Reykjavik. You ride a fast, 12-seat RIB speedboat toward the islands, then the crew cuts the engines so you can watch the birds in peace. Celia, Patrickgin, Rebecca, and Joe are among the guides praised for making the ride both informative and fun.

I like the small group, which gives you a better view and room to ask questions. I also like the warm waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles, since Iceland’s wind can turn a short boat trip into a chilly one. The main drawback is that the water near the puffin island can be rocky, and the tour depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you go

• A 12-seat RIB keeps the group small, with more personal guidance than a large sightseeing boat.
• The engines are turned off near the islands, allowing quieter viewing of puffins in their natural habitat.
• Warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket are included, so you do not need to bring specialist boat gear.
• The noon departure fits neatly into a Reykjavik day, leaving your morning and late afternoon open.
• The ride can be thrilling but rocky, especially close to the puffin island.
• Children must be at least 140 cm tall to take part in the RIB trip.

A fast route from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This is a short wildlife outing with a clear purpose: get out to the islands quickly and spend as much of the hour as possible near puffins. The boat leaves from Ægisgarður 5F in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, close to the city center and public transportation.

The speed of the RIB matters. You are not spending most of your time slowly chugging away from shore. The boat reaches the islands outside the city at a brisk pace, leaving more of the tour for bird watching and commentary.

The vessel holds a maximum of 12 people. That is a useful size for this kind of trip. You get a better chance of seeing the birds without a large crowd competing for the same view, and it is easier to hear the guide while the boat is moving.

This is not a landing tour. The experience centers on viewing puffins from the boat and respecting the birds’ space. When the RIB reaches the islands, the engines are switched off. That small detail improves the mood considerably. You hear the water and the birds rather than constant motor noise.

What happens at the Old Harbour

Plan to arrive at the meeting point with enough time to find the departure area. The tour starts at 12:00 pm from Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to the harbour. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the central location makes it practical to pair the trip with a walk around the waterfront before or after the boat ride.

The crew provides your warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and lifejacket. These items are not just extras. A cold wind over open water can make a mild day feel much sharper, and the protective gear also helps keep spray off your clothes.

You should still dress for Icelandic weather underneath the provided gear. The supplied information does not specify a full clothing list, so I would avoid arriving in ordinary city clothes alone. Wear comfortable layers and shoes suitable for getting into a boat.

Harpa and the Reykjavik waterfront

The route includes views around Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre. Harpa is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable modern buildings, with a striking glass exterior facing the harbour.

From the water, you see the city from a different angle. The tour is not simply a bird trip with no connection to Reykjavik. The guide also provides information about the city and local wildlife, so the opening and closing parts of the ride help place the puffin colonies within the wider setting.

The route also takes in Reykjavik itself. This portion is brief, but useful if you are still getting your bearings in the city. It gives you a change from street-level sightseeing and adds a city-view element to the wildlife outing.

You should not book this expecting a full architectural cruise. The central attraction is the puffins, while the views of Harpa and Reykjavik are part of the setting and commentary.

Sun Voyager and the Old Harbour views

The Sun Voyager is another named point along the route. This well-known waterfront sculpture is shaped like a stylized Viking ship, and seeing it from the water gives you a fresh perspective on a landmark you may already have passed on foot.

The boat also returns to the Old Harbour area. That makes the trip easy to combine with nearby plans, though you should allow some flexibility. The advertised duration is approximately one hour, while one account put the full experience at about an hour and a half from start to finish.

That difference is not unusual for a weather-dependent boat activity. Boarding, fitting gear, waiting for the group, and returning to the harbour can add time. If you have a tightly timed lunch reservation, airport transfer, or another excursion, leave a buffer.

Videy Island and the puffin colonies

Videy Island is the key point of the outing. The islands just outside Reykjavik provide the setting for watching puffins in their natural habitat.

The RIB gets you there quickly, then the crew turns off the engines. This is the moment the tour is built around. You are close to the islands, but the quiet approach avoids turning the experience into a noisy chase.

Puffin sightings are never something a wildlife tour can guarantee in a particular number. The supplied experiences report seeing many puffins and getting close to them, but you should still think of this as a nature outing rather than a staged animal encounter.

The guide’s role matters here. A good guide helps you notice behavior, identify birds, and understand what you are looking at instead of leaving you to scan the rocks and water on your own. Celia was praised for explaining birds, wildlife, and the city. Patrickgin was described as funny and full of puffin information, while Rebecca was noted for her friendly manner, useful guidance, and attention to safety. Joe was also praised for combining bird facts with humor.

The range of comments suggests that the guide can shape the trip as much as the boat itself. You are likely to get plenty of explanation in English, with time for questions because the group is limited to 12 people.

The RIB ride: exciting, short, and sometimes rocky

A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, gives this outing its speed and character. It is not the quiet, steady ride you get on a large passenger vessel. The boat moves fast, and the open-water ride can feel thrilling.

That is a plus if you want your puffin watching paired with a bit of adventure. The boat reaches the islands quickly, and the ride itself becomes part of the experience rather than mere transport.

The tradeoff is motion. The water near the puffin island can be rocky. One account specifically described that section as a bit rough, though still enjoyable. If you are sensitive to boat movement, keep this in mind before booking.

The provided goggles help protect your eyes from wind and spray. The waterproof overall and gloves provide warmth, while the lifejacket covers the basic safety requirement. The crew also places clear attention on safety without making it the focus of the outing.

Because the boat is small, conditions may feel more noticeable than they would on a larger vessel. The operator requires good weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions comes with the choice of another date or a full refund.

Why the 12-seat limit matters

The group size is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a larger boat. With no more than 12 people, you have a better chance of hearing the guide and asking a question without waiting through a crowd.

A small boat also feels more personal when the engines go quiet near the islands. You are not looking across several rows of passengers or trying to find a gap between heads. The exact view still depends on where you sit and how the birds move, but the group limit improves your odds of having a clear look.

The size also helps the guide keep an eye on the group. The supplied information says most people can participate, but children must be at least 140 cm tall for the RIB tour. That height rule is important because this is a fast, open-water boat rather than a standard harbour cruise.

How the $76 price measures up

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. The value comes from the combination of transport to the islands, a small boat, guide commentary, and supplied cold-weather gear.

You are paying for a focused experience rather than a long day out. There is no hotel transfer, meal, or extended sightseeing included. If you mainly want a quick chance to see puffins and prefer a lively boat ride, the price is reasonable for the format.

The value is strongest when you use the timing well. The noon departure leaves your morning free for a museum, breakfast, or a city walk, and you still have much of the afternoon available afterward. That makes it easier to add the tour to a short Reykjavik stay.

The price is less attractive if you want a slow, relaxed cruise or a broad whale-watching style outing. This trip is compact and specialized. Its main promise is a close view of puffins from a speedy RIB.

The guides make the short trip count

An hour goes quickly. That makes the guide’s commentary especially important.

You receive English-language guidance about puffins, the city, and wildlife. Since the boat reaches the islands quickly, the guide can fill the journey with useful context instead of leaving you with a short ride and a few minutes of bird watching.

Celia’s explanation of birds, wildlife, and Reykjavik would suit you if you like connecting the animals with their surroundings. Patrickgin’s humor adds a lighter touch, while Rebecca’s friendly style and strong attention to safety make the trip feel well managed. Joe brings another mix of humor and bird knowledge.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not expect a particular person on your departure. Still, the repeated praise for the guiding style points to an important strength: the experience is not just a fast boat ride with a quick glimpse of birds.

Who should book this puffin trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a short nature experience without giving up most of a day in Reykjavik. It suits people who enjoy wildlife, do not mind a fast ride, and like the idea of a small group.

It is also a good fit for a first visit if you want city views and birds in the same outing. Harpa, Reykjavik, the Sun Voyager, and the Old Harbour give you recognizable city sights, while Videy Island provides the natural setting.

Families should check the 140 cm minimum height before booking. Most people can participate, but the height rule means this is not suitable for smaller children.

You may want to choose another style of outing if you dislike rough water, want a guaranteed long viewing session, or prefer a large, stable boat. The tour is weather dependent, and the open-water ride is part of the deal.

Booking, cancellation, and practical timing

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. The activity is offered in English.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Icelandic time.

If bad weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy matters in Reykjavik, where conditions can change and a boat trip needs safe water.

The tour ends back at the same harbour meeting point. Since hotel transportation is not included, plan your route to Ægisgarður 5F in advance and leave time for the gear fitting before the noon departure.

My verdict on the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

Book this tour if you want close puffin viewing, a lively RIB ride, and a compact schedule. The small group, quiet approach near the islands, warm gear, and strong guide commentary give the experience more substance than a quick sightseeing lap.

Think twice if rocky water makes you uncomfortable or if you need a perfectly fixed one-hour schedule. For the right person, though, $76 buys a focused slice of Icelandic wildlife with enough city scenery to make the short trip feel well used.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express depart?

It departs from Reykjavík by Boat at Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, in the Old Harbour area.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 12:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately one hour. You may want to allow extra time for boarding, gear, and returning to the harbour.

Are warm clothes and safety equipment provided?

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

How many people can join the boat trip?

The RIB has a maximum group size of 12 travelers.

Can children take part?

A child must be at least 140 cm tall to participate in the RIB tour.