Reykjavík: RIB Speed-Boat Puffin Watching Tour

The best part of this one-hour trip is the boat itself. A custom RIB speedboat carries you from Reykjavík harbor toward puffin-populated islands, giving you a lively ride and a closer view than a big sightseeing vessel can usually offer. Along the way, you see the coast and Harpa Concert Hall from the water.

I like the practical warm gear, especially the full-body waterproof suit and goggles. I also like the two-for-one nature of the outing: you get a short wildlife trip and a quick view of Reykjavík’s waterfront without spending half a day at sea.

The trade-off is comfort. The suspension seats help, but one recent passenger found the boat seats hard on the back. The meeting point can also be confusing, so arrive early and look carefully for the small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

Key points to know before you book

• About 40,000 puffins visit the nearby islands, making this a strong choice for a short wildlife outing during puffin season.
• The RIB gets closer to the islands than larger boats, though sightings remain dependent on nature and conditions.
• Harpa Concert Hall looks different from the water, adding a quick Reykjavík sightseeing bonus.
• A full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are included, but waterproof shoes are not.
• The ride lasts one hour, so it fits neatly into a busy Reykjavík day.
• The tour costs $81 per person, a fair but not bargain-level price for a short, guided boat trip.

Why a RIB makes this puffin trip different

A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, is smaller and more nimble than the large boats used for many whale-watching outings. That matters here because the puffins gather around offshore islands, and a compact boat can approach the colonies more closely.

You are not simply crossing the bay and hoping to spot a distant bird. The purpose is to reach the places where the puffins gather, then spend time watching them from the water. The boat’s mobility gives the guide more freedom to position you for views and photographs.

That said, the RIB is part of the experience, not just transport. You should expect a faster, more active ride than a standard harbor cruise. The suspension seats are designed to soften the movement, but they do not turn the boat into a cushioned lounge. If you have back problems, this outing is specifically not recommended.

The boat carries you into Reykjavík Bay and along the city’s coast. This gives the trip a useful sense of place. You are not being taken to a remote part of Iceland for a single wildlife sighting. You leave from the capital and soon see Reykjavík from a new angle.

Getting ready at the Reykjavík harbor

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. You need that time to find the meeting point, check in, and put on the safety equipment.

Look for a small wooden hut in a row of similar huts. It is marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. This detail matters because the meeting point is not described as a large terminal or obvious building. One passenger had trouble finding it, including confusion around a building marked 5G that was locked. The simplest plan is to arrive early, inspect the row of huts, and ask next door if you are unsure.

You receive a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Waterproof shoes are not included, so choose footwear that can handle a wet outing. Do not bring luggage or a large bag, since those are not allowed on the tour.

The suit is useful even when the Reykjavík weather looks mild from land. Speed on open water creates a chill, and the waterproof layer protects you from spray. The goggles also make sense on a fast boat, especially if the wind picks up.

Leaving Reykjavík and seeing Harpa from the water

Once everyone is prepared, the boat heads out from the harbor into Reykjavík Bay. The first part of the trip gives you a moving view of the city’s waterfront.

Harpa Concert Hall is one of the key sights from the boat. Its glass exterior looks different when you are looking back from the water rather than walking past it on land. This is a short viewing moment, not a separate architecture tour, but it adds value to a trip focused mainly on wildlife.

I like this change of viewpoint because it helps connect the puffin outing to Reykjavík itself. You get a taste of the capital’s waterfront before the islands become the main attraction. If you have already spent time around the harbor, the boat ride gives you a fresh angle without adding another long city tour.

The speed also keeps the one-hour schedule useful. You are not spending most of the outing slowly leaving the port. The RIB is built to reach the bird colonies quickly, leaving more of the limited tour time for the islands and the birds.

Reaching the puffin islands

The islands near Reykjavík are home to approximately 40,000 puffins. Iceland is also home to around 60 percent of the world’s puffin population, so this short trip takes place in one of the best-known countries for seeing these birds.

Your guide explains the puffins and the wider issue of puffin hunting in Iceland. A recent passenger particularly valued the discussion of how hunting harms puffin numbers and what people can do to support conservation. That gives the outing more purpose than a simple photo stop.

The islands are the heart of the trip. Puffins are wild birds, so you should expect natural behavior rather than a staged display. They may sit on the water, fly around the cliffs, or gather near the islands. The boat’s small size helps you get closer, but it cannot guarantee a perfect pose or a specific number of sightings.

This is also where the RIB’s mobility helps. Larger boats can give you a broad view, but a smaller vessel can work its way nearer to the islands. That shorter distance matters when you want to see the birds clearly or take photographs.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The tour lasts only an hour, and the puffins are not trained to perform. If you want the best chance at useful photos, have your camera ready before the boat reaches the islands. Protect it from spray, and remember that a waterproof suit does not make every personal item waterproof.

Three viewing areas and time on the water

The route can include three different places around the islands and coast. That variety helps prevent the hour from feeling like a single stationary stop. You may move between areas as the guide looks for good views and explains what you are seeing.

Each stop is likely to feel brief because the full outing lasts only 60 minutes. That is both a strength and a limitation. You can fit it between other Reykjavík plans, but you do not have the long, patient viewing time offered by a full-day wildlife trip.

For me, the short format works best when you want one focused nature experience rather than an entire day devoted to birds. It is also useful at the start of a Reykjavík stay, when you want to get out on the water and understand the city’s setting.

The guide provides a live tour in English. The commentary covers the birds and the conservation concerns linked to hunting. The quality of the guide’s explanations matters because the actual route is compact, and good context makes the island visits more meaningful.

Photos, comfort, and the real feel of the ride

The tour is designed for close views and photographs. The small boat can approach the puffin islands more closely than larger boats, and the open position gives you a direct view instead of placing you behind a row of windows.

You should also prepare for movement. This is a speedboat trip, not a calm harbor cruise. The suit, goggles, and life vest make the outing practical in cold, wet conditions, but they do not remove the physical feel of the ride.

The suspension seats are a useful feature, particularly when the boat moves over choppy water. Even so, one passenger found the seats hard on the back. I would take that seriously if you are sensitive to firm seating or rough movement. People under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters, cannot join, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

For everyone else, wear layers beneath the suit and choose shoes that are comfortable for standing and moving around. Warm clothing is specifically recommended. You may not need to carry much because large bags are not allowed, so keep your essentials small.

Is $81 a fair price for one hour?

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Reykjavík from the water. The tour lasts only one hour, and food, drinks, and hotel pickup are not included. You can purchase pickup and drop-off as an add-on, but the basic price assumes you make your own way to the harbor.

The value comes from the combination of features. You receive a guided wildlife outing, a fast RIB ride, close access to puffin colonies, waterfront views, protective clothing, goggles, and a life vest. If you would otherwise book a separate harbor cruise and a separate puffin trip, this compact format may make sense.

The price is easier to justify if puffins are high on your Iceland list. You are paying for access to the islands and for the boat’s ability to get closer than a larger vessel. If you mainly want a cheap boat ride or a long, relaxed cruise, this is not the right fit.

The one-hour length can also save money in a different way: it leaves your day open. You can combine it with Reykjavík sights, museums, food, or another excursion without giving up an entire morning or afternoon.

When this tour fits best into your Reykjavík plans

The trip works well for a short stay because it begins and ends at the same general harbor area. You can add it to a day of sightseeing without committing to a long transfer outside the capital.

It also suits anyone who wants wildlife without a full whale-watching schedule. Puffins are the focus, and the nearby islands keep the route compact. The harbor setting means you get a small piece of city sightseeing as well.

I would choose this outing for:

• You want close puffin views from a smaller boat.
• You enjoy a fast, active ride more than a slow cruise.
• You have only an hour available.
• You want an English-speaking guide and basic wildlife context.
• You are comfortable with open-water movement and firm seating.
• You can reach the harbor independently and travel light.

I would look elsewhere if you have back problems, are pregnant, need a more stable boat, or want a long wildlife session with time to wait quietly for perfect photographs.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while you organize an Iceland trip around changing weather and plans.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The tour is offered in English, and the guide accompanies you throughout the outing.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard booking. They are available for an extra charge, so decide in advance if you want the convenience or prefer to make your own way to the harbor.

The meeting point deserves extra attention. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure, find the wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT, and avoid bringing large luggage. These simple steps will make the start much less rushed.

Who should book this puffin trip?

You should book it if you want a short, active encounter with Icelandic puffins and like the idea of getting closer to the islands in a small boat. The strong points are clear: the RIB adds excitement, the gear protects you from cold and spray, the guide provides useful conservation context, and Harpa adds a quick city view.

The outing is less appealing if comfort is your main concern. The boat seats may feel hard, the ride can be active, and one hour does not leave much time for lingering. At $81, you should choose it for the puffins and the small-boat access, not simply because it is an easy harbor activity.

For a compact Reykjavík wildlife trip, I think the mix is worthwhile. Book it when you want your puffin experience to feel close, quick, and lively. Skip it when you need a gentle ride, extra space, or a longer time watching birds.

FAQ

How long does the puffin boat tour last?

The tour lasts one hour, including the boat trip from Reykjavík to the puffin-populated islands and the return to the starting point.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the small wooden hut in the row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so you have time to find the hut and prepare.

What equipment is included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems. The boat has suspension seats, but the ride and seating may still be physically demanding.

Can children under 140 centimeters join?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters.