Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Thousands of puffins gather on two small islands just 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, making this a quick wildlife trip with a genuine sense of adventure. The RIB boat can approach the rocky shores closely, then shuts off its engine so you can watch the birds in peace.

I like the short one-hour schedule, which fits neatly around museums, meals, or a larger day trip. I also like the small group of no more than 12, plus the full-body waterproof suit and goggles supplied for the ride. The main catch is simple: puffins are small and quick, so you may see plenty but still struggle to get a sharp photo.

Key points at a glance

• Two puffin islands, only 15 minutes from the harbor: Lundey and Akurey give you a fast route to Iceland’s nesting seabirds.
• The engine goes quiet near the birds: You get a calmer viewing moment instead of watching from a boat constantly under power.
• A proper RIB ride, not a slow cruise: The trip adds speed, spray, and open-water excitement to the bird watching.
• Full-body suits are included: You still need waterproof shoes, since footwear is not supplied.
• Other birds add variety: Look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.
• The tour suits a tight Reykjavik schedule: It lasts one hour, but weather can affect the sailing decision.

From Reykjavik harbor to the puffin islands

Your trip begins at the Old Harbor, where you look for the small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is used to check in, get fitted with safety gear, and prepare for the boat, so do not treat the listed one-hour duration as the full time needed at the harbor.

The departure point is practical for a city break. You do not need a long transfer out of Reykjavik, and the harbor itself gives you a clear sense of the town’s relationship with the sea. From the water, you can take in views toward the mountains and back toward the city.

Special Tours has run puffin trips for more than 20 years, and its puffin watching program has been operating for more than a decade. That matters here because the trip depends on more than simply reaching an island. The crew needs to judge the weather, approach rocky shores carefully, and give you useful context about the birds without disturbing them.

The RIB ride is part of the attraction

The Puffin Express uses a rigid inflatable boat, often called a RIB. This is a lightweight, shallow-draft speedboat designed for quick movement and close approach in coastal water. You are not simply sitting on a large sightseeing vessel while the islands pass in the distance.

The ride from the harbor to Lundey or Akurey takes about 15 minutes. That is enough time to feel the speed and open-water motion, but not so long that the boat ride takes over the entire experience. Depending on conditions, you may feel spray and sharp movement, which is why the supplied waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are useful rather than decorative.

I would dress in warm layers beneath the suit and wear sturdy waterproof shoes. Waterproof shoes are not included, and your feet can still get wet even when the rest of you is well protected. The suit is full-body, so bulky clothing may be awkward underneath it.

The boat is limited to 12 participants. That gives you a better chance of hearing the guide and finding a useful viewing position than you would on a much larger vessel. It does not mean every person will have an uninterrupted view at every moment, though. Puffins move quickly, and the boat may need to shift position so everyone gets a fair look.

Lundey and Akurey, small islands with big bird activity

Lundey and Akurey are small islands in Reykjavik Bay. Their low hills, slopes, and rocky shores provide nesting ground for large numbers of puffins during the season. The islands are close to the capital, yet once the engine stops, the setting can feel much removed from the streets and buildings.

The RIB’s shallow draft lets it move close to the rocky edges. You are not going ashore. The value is in seeing the birds near their nesting habitat while remaining on the water.

When the boat reaches the islands, the captain turns off the engine. This is one of the best parts of the trip. The sudden quiet gives you time to watch bird behavior and listen to the guide without the constant vibration of a motor. You can look across the slopes, scan the rocks, and keep an eye on the water for birds moving between the islands and the sea.

The exact number of puffins you see can vary with conditions and bird activity. The tour description refers to thousands of puffins, but you should still think of this as a wildlife outing rather than a guaranteed close-up photo session. Nature controls the timing, the light, and the birds’ movements.

Puffins are charming, but not easy to photograph

Puffins have an outsized reputation because of their colorful bills and upright posture. In person, they are smaller and faster than many first-time visitors expect. A bird may sit briefly, fly low over the water, or disappear among other birds before you have framed a picture.

That is why I would treat your camera as a bonus, not the purpose of the trip. Bring it if you like, but keep your attention on the islands and the movement of the birds. A phone may capture a few good moments, yet the guide’s explanation and the quiet boat stop are likely to be more satisfying than a gallery of blurry images.

You may also see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. This wider bird life makes the trip more worthwhile for anyone interested in coastal ecology, not only people chasing a puffin photograph.

The guide speaks English and explains the puffins and other birds you encounter. 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 tour language is English, while the app can give you extra information in one of those five languages.

The app is most useful if you want more detail during or after the trip. It should not replace paying attention to the guide, especially during the island stop, when conditions and bird activity are changing in front of you.

City, mountains, and open water in one hour

This tour gives you more than bird watching. The route offers views back toward Reykjavik and out toward the mountains, with the city appearing from a different angle than you get on land. Those views are especially useful early in a Reykjavik visit, when you are still getting your bearings.

The short length is a real advantage. You can fit the tour between breakfast and an afternoon museum, before dinner, or alongside another harbor activity. A full-day whale watching trip asks for a larger block of time and may feel like too much if your schedule is tight. This one gives you a taste of Iceland’s coastal wildlife without taking half the day.

The trade-off is that the experience is focused. You get one hour on the water, a fast run to the islands, and a bird watching stop. If you want a long, slow wildlife outing with many hours to search for animals, this is not that kind of trip.

Weather decides the final word

The captain decides if the boat sails, based on weather, passenger safety, and comfort. That is important on a fast open boat. Conditions in the bay can affect both the ride and your ability to watch the birds steadily.

You should keep some flexibility in your plans. Even a one-hour tour needs room for a weather decision, and a rough ride may not suit everyone. The trip is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters.

If you are prone to motion discomfort, the combination of speed, open water, and boat movement deserves honest consideration. The full-body suit helps with spray and cold, but it does not make the ride smooth. On a calm day, the speed adds fun. In rougher conditions, it may be the part you remember most.

Is $84 a fair price?

At $84 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small-group boat, safety equipment, a guide, a specialized shallow-draft vessel, and access to islands that are not part of a normal city walk.

The value improves if you want two things at once: a quick puffin outing and a lively boat ride. A slower, larger vessel may offer more room, but the RIB gives you a closer approach and a more active trip. The small group also helps justify the price, since 12 people is a manageable number for a guide and captain working around rocky island shores.

The value is weaker if you mainly want perfect photographs or a long wildlife session. Puffins are hard to capture clearly, and the one-hour format leaves little time for waiting if the birds are not cooperating. You are buying access, speed, and a compact experience, not a guaranteed image.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be purchased as an add-on. For most people already staying in Reykjavik, making your own way to the Old Harbor should be straightforward. Food and drinks are also not included, but the short duration makes that easy to handle before or after the trip.

Who will enjoy the Puffin Express most

I would recommend this for you if you want a short wildlife activity that does not consume a full day. It works well for first visits to Reykjavik, family groups with children who meet the height requirement, and anyone who enjoys a little speed with their sightseeing.

It is also a good pick if you like guided experiences with a clear focus. You are not left to identify birds on your own. The guide explains puffins and other species, and the app gives you another way to follow the information.

I would think twice if you have back trouble, are pregnant, or are below the 140-centimeter minimum. I would also choose a different outing if your top priority is a long, gentle cruise, a guaranteed calm ride, or highly detailed wildlife photography.

The tour’s strongest feature is the mix of access and timing. You reach the islands quickly, get a quiet viewing period with the engine off, then return to the city without losing most of your day.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive 30 minutes before departure at the wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. This gives you time to get organized without rushing into the suit and life vest.

Wear warm clothes and waterproof shoes. The full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are included, but footwear is not. Keep valuable electronics protected from spray, and do not rely on a phone case unless it is properly waterproof.

Bring binoculars only if they are compact and easy to handle. The boat ride and safety equipment leave limited room for extra gear. A camera with a secure strap can be useful, but the birds will test your timing.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These terms are handy when your Iceland plans depend on weather and changing day-trip schedules.

Should you book this Reykjavik puffin tour?

Book it if you want a compact, energetic introduction to Icelandic seabirds, especially if you like the idea of a RIB ride as much as the puffins themselves. The close approach to Lundey and Akurey, the engine-off viewing, the small group, and the included protective gear make the $84 easier to justify.

Skip it if you need a smooth boat, have physical restrictions, or expect every puffin to pose for your camera. Go with realistic expectations: you may see many birds, but they are quick, small, and guided by nature rather than a schedule. For an hour that combines wildlife, harbor views, mountains, and a splash of speed, this is a well-focused Reykjavik add-on.

FAQ

How long is the puffin watching tour?

The tour lasts one hour. The ride from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor to the puffin islands takes about 15 minutes.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Old Harbor in Reykjavik, at the small wooden hut in the row marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The tour travels to Lundey and Akurey, two small islands in Reykjavik Bay known for puffins and other bird life.

What equipment is included?

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

What other birds might I see?

You might see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots along with the puffins.

Can everyone join the RIB tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters. The captain also decides if the boat sails based on weather and passenger safety.