Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

The star of this one-hour trip is the chance to watch Atlantic puffins in the wild, perched on rocky island slopes or flashing past the boat with quick wingbeats. From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you cruise into Faxaflói Bay aboard Old Skuli, a small wooden boat that feels more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. Guides such as Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, and Vera add facts, jokes, and plenty of bird lore along the way.

I like two things right away: binoculars are available on board, and the short length fits neatly into a busy Reykjavik day. I also like the engine-off viewing near Lundey and Akurey, when the boat settles and you can watch the birds without chasing them.

The catch is simple: the sea can be rough, the guide’s microphone may be hard to hear over wind and engine noise, and puffins are not always as close as your camera would like. The tour guarantees sightings, but not a perfect close-up photograph.

Key points for your Reykjavik puffin trip

• Old Skuli keeps the group small: The wooden boat carries up to 33 passengers, giving the outing a friendly, compact feel.
• Two nearby islands are the main bird stops: Lundey and Akurey are known for puffins and other nesting seabirds.
• The engine is turned off for viewing: You can watch the birds in a quieter setting instead of circling them under power.
• Puffin sightings are guaranteed: The company advertises a 100% sighting guarantee, with weather-related cancellations refunded.
• Guides make the hour memorable: Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, Vera, and others have been praised for humor, clear explanations, and care with children.
• Morning and evening may be smart choices: One useful tip is to consider departures before 11 a.m. or around 6:30 p.m. for better chances of seeing puffins on land.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is a handy starting point if you are already exploring the waterfront, and the boat trip begins without a long transfer out of town. Transportation to the harbour is not included, so plan your own way there.

The first part is a cruise across Faxaflói Bay toward the small islands of Lundey and Akurey. This is not a long open-sea expedition. The islands are close enough to make the one-hour format work well, especially if you want to add the tour before lunch, after a city walk, or between other Reykjavik plans.

The boat is the Puffin Express, officially the old wooden vessel Skúlaskeið, affectionately called Old Skuli. It holds 33 people, which is large enough to offer a stable shared outing but small enough to avoid the feel of a major sightseeing ferry. You may find the wooden boat part of the charm, though it also means this is a proper boat ride, not a motionless viewing platform.

The ride can be bumpy when the water is up. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual precautions before boarding. Calm conditions make the trip easier and help the captain bring the boat close to the islands.

Lundey and Akurey, the puffin-viewing islands

Lundey and Akurey are low islands with small hills and sloping ground. Their appeal is not human history or built attractions. You come for the bird colonies and the sense of seeing wildlife in its own place, just offshore from Iceland’s capital.

As the boat approaches, look for movement on the island and in the air above it. Puffins may be standing on the slopes, flying out over the water, swimming, or returning from feeding. You can also watch them passing close to the boat, though the exact distance depends on sea conditions and the captain’s position.

The boat’s engine is turned off at the islands. This is one of the best details of the trip. Once the motor quiets, your attention shifts from the ride to the birds. The guide can point out activity on the island, and you can use the binoculars provided on board to make sense of what you are seeing.

Do not expect a zoo-style encounter. The puffins are wild, and the boat does not land on the islands or walk you through the colony. One useful way to set your expectations is to think of this as a respectful viewing trip, not a guaranteed close-up portrait session. You may see dozens of birds clearly through binoculars, while your phone captures only small shapes.

The number of puffins can be impressive. One guide explained that about 30,000 live on an island, which gives you a sense of the scale of the colony. Still, bird activity changes. Puffins may sit on the water, fly overhead, or gather farther up the island rather than posing near the boat.

More than puffins: fulmars, terns, and guillemots

The puffins are the reason to book, but the boat also gives you a quick introduction to Icelandic seabirds. Look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. Eider ducks have also been pointed out on the route.

This matters because puffins are small and quick. If you spend the whole hour waiting for a bird to hold still, you may miss the wider birdlife around the islands. A good guide helps you notice patterns: which birds are flying over the water, which are sitting on the sea, and which are using the island slopes.

Guides have used photographs to help identify different species, and the explanations are pitched for ordinary sightseers rather than serious bird researchers. That makes the tour a good choice if you like wildlife but do not know the difference between a fulmar and a gull before boarding.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Patrick, often called the Puffin Man, has been praised for his humor and enthusiasm. Joe has included jokes, answered family questions, and made a point of involving children. Rebekka has been singled out for her warm delivery and obvious affection for the subject, while Vera has offered clear explanations and patient help.

The tone is lively rather than formal. You may hear an Icelandic lullaby or a sea chanty, depending on who is guiding the boat. That playfulness helps during the quieter moments when the birds are farther away.

What the one-hour format gets right

An hour is enough to reach the islands, spend time near the colonies, and return to the harbour without taking over your day. I consider that a real strength in Reykjavik, where you may be fitting several short activities around meals, museums, and changing weather.

The short format also works well for families. A five-year-old can manage an hour more easily than a half-day boat trip, and the compact outing gives children a clear goal: ride the boat, find puffins, look at other birds, and head back. Older children and teenagers can enjoy the photo challenge and the boat ride itself.

There is a tradeoff. If the sea is rough, the hour can feel very short because part of it is spent in transit. If the puffins are active and close, you may wish you had more time. A longer three-hour option is also available from the same operator, but this review concerns the one-hour outing.

For most first-time visitors to Reykjavik, I think the shorter tour is the sensible starting point. It gives you a real wildlife experience without committing half a day. Choose the longer option only if birdwatching is one of your main Iceland goals.

Timing your puffin watching trip

The tour operates at set departure times, and you need to check availability for the day you want. A useful timing suggestion is to consider an early departure before 11 a.m. or an evening trip around 6:30 p.m. One explanation given on the trip is that puffins may spend more time on land in cloudy or foggy conditions, while bright sun can send them out to sea.

Treat that as practical guidance, not a promise. Weather, light, water conditions, and bird behavior all affect what you see. The tour advertises a 100% puffin sighting guarantee, but the guarantee does not mean every bird will sit beside the boat or face your camera.

Seasonal timing also matters. A May trip can be more variable, as one early-season outing produced few puffins even though the guide gave a strong talk. By the first week of August, puffins were still being seen on the island during one trip. The exact pattern can change from year to year, so ask the operator if your dates are especially important to you.

Weather can cancel the trip. If that happens because of sea conditions, you receive a full refund. This is a good safeguard in Iceland, where a sunny harbour does not always mean calm water in the bay.

The view from the boat and the limits of your camera

The tour brings you close to the islands, but close is a flexible word on the water. You may see puffins flying, standing on rocks, swimming, and catching fish. You might also find that your best view comes through the provided binoculars rather than your phone.

There are several places to watch from on the boat, including the roof area. Sitting up high can improve your view, and one family especially liked using the roof to observe the birds. Check conditions and follow crew directions before choosing your spot, since the ride may be wavy.

The supplied binoculars are important. They make the experience much better for children and for anyone without a long camera lens. There are enough on board for people to use, but having your own pair may still help if you want to keep watching without waiting.

Bring a camera, but set a realistic goal. Puffins move fast, and the boat may rock just as you press the shutter. Your strongest memories may be the sight of the birds flying in groups or popping up on the water, not a perfect portrait.

Wind can also affect the guide’s talk. Several people found the guides entertaining and clear, but the microphone was sometimes hard to hear over the engine and gusts. Stand near the guide when possible, and do not worry if you miss every detail. The visual experience works even when the sound does not.

Is $64 a fair price for one hour?

At $64 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill an hour. You are paying for the boat, captain, guide, access to the islands by water, and the equipment on board. Food, drinks, and transfers are extra.

I think the price is fair if seeing puffins is high on your Iceland list. The boat leaves from central Reykjavik, the islands are nearby, and the outing is short enough to fit into a packed schedule. The guaranteed sightings also reduce the risk of paying for a wildlife trip and seeing nothing.

Value depends on your expectations. If you want a leisurely cruise with broad bay views, the hour may feel brief. If you want a serious photography session or a long birdwatching outing, the $64 price may feel less attractive than the three-hour option.

For a family, the short length can improve the value. You get a focused activity that younger children can handle, and binoculars are included. For a solo visitor or couple who has only one afternoon in Reykjavik, it is a simple way to add wild Icelandic nature without hiring a car or spending a full day away from the city.

Comfort, weather, and accessibility

Dress for the water, not just the temperature on land. Wind and spray can make the ride feel colder, and rain does not necessarily stop the tour. A light drizzle did not prevent one outing from being enjoyable, but calm water made viewing easier.

The captain works to keep the boat stable, though no captain can remove every wave. If you have motion sickness, prepare before boarding. The boat is described as spacious enough for 33 people, but space is still limited compared with a large ferry.

If you have mobility issues or medical concerns, tell the local partner in advance. Assistance is available, and one captain took particular care helping a passenger on and off the boat. That is useful, but you should still share your needs before the trip so the crew can plan properly.

There is no food or drink included. For a one-hour outing, that is rarely a problem. Eat before or after, and bring only what you can manage safely on a moving boat.

Who will enjoy Old Skuli most?

I would choose this tour for:

• Families who want a manageable wildlife activity
• First-time visitors who want puffins without a full-day excursion
• Bird lovers interested in several species, not just one
• Visitors staying in Reykjavik who prefer a simple harbour departure
• Anyone who likes guides with humor and a personal touch

I would think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need very close views for photography. You may also prefer a longer trip if the puffins are the central purpose of your Iceland visit.

The experience is accessible in spirit, but conditions are still marine conditions. Wind, waves, engine noise, and narrow boarding points can affect comfort. Ask about your specific needs before booking.

Should you book this Reykjavik puffin tour?

Yes, if you want a short, well-focused outing that combines a pleasant boat ride with a real chance to see Atlantic puffins in their home setting. I especially like the small wooden boat, the engine-off viewing near Lundey and Akurey, and the guides’ mix of facts and humor.

Book it with practical expectations. The birds may be farther away than your camera wants, the ride can be bumpy, and the microphone may not carry perfectly in the wind. Still, binoculars, the puffin sighting guarantee, and the close location of the islands make this a sensible choice for a Reykjavik itinerary.

I would aim for an early or evening departure when it fits your plans, keep your schedule flexible in case of weather, and bring warm layers. If the idea of seeing thousands of seabirds from a small boat appeals to you, this one hour is likely time and money well spent.

FAQ

Where does the puffin boat tour leave from?

The tour meets at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long is the puffin-watching boat trip?

The trip lasts one hour.

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

Yes. The experience includes a 100% guaranteed puffin sighting.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Lundey and Akurey, two nearby islands in Faxaflói Bay known for birdlife.

What other birds might I see?

You might see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and eider ducks.

Are binoculars included?

Binoculars are available on board for use during the tour.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

Weather-related cancellations receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.