Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

The best part of this outing is the close approach to puffin islands just outside Reykjavik. The RIB speedboat gets you there quickly, then the engines are switched off so you can watch the birds in peace. I like the small 12-person boat and the warm waterproof overalls, which make this a far more personal and comfortable trip than a large sightseeing cruise.

I also like the timing. The boat leaves at noon and lasts about an hour, or roughly an hour and a half from start to finish according to one account, so you can fit it between city sights. The main drawback is the sea: the water near the puffin island can be rocky, and this is not the right choice if you want a calm, dry ride.

Key points to know before booking

• A 12-seat RIB keeps the group small, with a better chance to ask your guide questions.
• Videy Island and nearby islets provide the wildlife focus, with puffins seen in their natural setting.
• The engines are turned off near the birds, reducing noise during the main viewing time.
• Warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket are included, so you do not need to bring specialist boat gear.
• The noon departure protects the rest of your day, making this easy to pair with Reykjavik sightseeing.
• Children must be at least 140 centimeters tall to take part in the RIB ride.

A fast boat ride from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at Ægisgarður 5F in Reykjavik, close to the Old Harbour. The activity returns to this same point, and the departure time is 12:00 p.m. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your route to the harbour yourself.

The boat is a luxury RIB with room for a maximum of 12 people. That number matters. You are not packed into a large vessel with a distant guide and a narrow view. Instead, you have a better chance of hearing the commentary and asking about the birds, the islands, or the Reykjavik shoreline.

A RIB is built for speed, and that is useful here. The islands around the city are close, but the boat spends less time getting there and more time around the puffins. If you have only a short stay in Reykjavik, this efficient format gives you a taste of Icelandic sea life without consuming half a day.

Before departure, you receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. The overalls are especially useful because the boat ride can feel cold even when the weather looks mild from the harbour. The goggles protect your eyes from wind and spray, which is one reason this is a more active ride than a standard harbour cruise.

Harpa, the city shore, and the route out

The route takes in several recognizable Reykjavik sights as the boat heads toward the islands. Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre is one of the visual markers along the way, with its distinctive glass exterior on the waterfront.

You also get views back toward Reykjavik itself. This gives the tour a useful two-part character: part city sightseeing, part wildlife trip. The city looks different from the water, and the change of angle helps you understand how close the harbour and open sea are to the center.

The Sun Voyager, the well-known steel sculpture along the waterfront, is another route highlight. From the boat, it becomes part of the shoreline rather than a stop where you get off for photographs. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and wind.

The Old Harbour is both your starting and finishing point. Because the ride ends where it begins, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. You can continue with lunch, museums, shopping, or another Reykjavik activity after the boat comes back.

Videy Island and the puffin encounter

The main wildlife area is around Videy Island and nearby islands outside Reykjavik. The aim is not to land on the island or walk among the birds. You stay aboard the RIB and watch puffins in their natural habitat from the water.

The speedboat helps the tour reach this area quickly. Once the boat arrives, the crew turns off the engines. This small choice makes a big difference. Without the motor running, you can listen to the natural sounds around the islands and watch the puffins without constant engine noise.

Puffins are the reason to book this excursion, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife does not perform on command. The supplied information indicates that puffins are commonly seen on the outing, with one account describing many sightings, but no responsible wildlife trip can promise a fixed number of birds or a particular behavior.

You may see puffins flying, sitting on the water, or gathered around the island. The boat’s ability to get close is a strong point, but close still means respecting the birds and remaining on the boat. This is a look at wildlife in its own setting, not a visit to an enclosure.

The sea can be choppy near the puffin island. One account specifically notes that the water felt rocky there. The RIB is fast and suited to the setting, but the ride may still bounce. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider how you normally handle speedboats before booking.

Guides who make the short trip count

The guide is an important part of a one-hour wildlife trip because there is little spare time. You need clear instructions, useful explanations, and someone who can keep the group focused when the boat reaches the birds.

Guides named in the available feedback include Celia, Patrickgin, Rebecca, and Joe. Celia was praised for her information about birds, wildlife, and Reykjavik. Patrickgin was described as funny and full of puffin facts. Rebecca was noted for her friendly, helpful manner, while Joe combined bird information with humor during the ride.

You may not know which guide will lead your departure, so do not book around one particular name. The useful point is that the guiding is not an afterthought. Commentary covers the puffins, the wildlife, and the city, giving the ride more substance than a quick boat loop.

The small group helps here. With no more than 12 people aboard, you can ask questions without trying to speak over a crowded deck. If you want to know why puffins gather around the islands, how the boat approaches them, or what you are seeing along the shore, this format gives you a good chance to ask.

The guide also handles the practical side of the trip. You receive safety equipment and instructions, and the boat operates with safety in mind. That matters on a fast open-water ride, especially when conditions change.

Why the noon departure works well

The 12:00 p.m. start is one of the easiest features to use in your itinerary. You can spend the morning visiting a museum, walking the waterfront, or having a slow breakfast, then head to the harbour for the boat.

After the outing, you still have much of the afternoon and evening available. That makes the trip a good fit for a short Reykjavik stay, when every block of time needs to serve a purpose.

The listed duration is about one hour. A separate account places the full experience at about an hour and a half from beginning to end, so allow a little extra time beyond the stated ride length. This buffer is sensible for arrival, gearing up, boarding, and returning to the harbour.

The short duration is also the main limitation. You get a focused puffin outing, not a long expedition along the Icelandic coast. If you want a full day on the water or a wider range of wildlife, this trip will feel compact. If you want one clear activity that leaves room for other plans, the short format is a strength.

Warm clothing and what the boat feels like

The provided waterproof overall is more than a nice extra. On an open RIB, wind can make the ride feel much colder than the temperature on land. Gloves add protection for your hands, while goggles help with spray and fast-moving air.

You still need to dress sensibly underneath. The supplied information confirms the outer gear, but it does not specify personal clothing or footwear. I would wear warm layers and practical shoes, and keep loose items secure. The boat moves quickly, and the water may be rough near the islands.

A lifejacket is included. The combination of lifejacket, waterproof clothing, and goggles means you do not need to bring specialist marine equipment. That helps keep the price easier to justify, especially if you are visiting Iceland without outdoor gear.

The ride is designed to be thrilling as well as practical. The speed gets you to the islands fast, but it also means the boat will not feel like a gentle sightseeing vessel. You should be comfortable with motion, wind, and the possibility of a wet or bumpy ride.

The $76 price and what you receive

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik, but the price includes several useful elements. You get the RIB ride, English guidance, warm waterproof outerwear, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

The small capacity is part of the value. A maximum of 12 people gives you more space and a better connection with the guide than a large boat can usually provide. You are paying for a focused wildlife outing, not only transportation to the islands.

The price also reflects convenience. The RIB reaches the wildlife area quickly, and the noon departure protects the rest of your schedule. If you have already planned a full day of city sightseeing, the trip can fit neatly into it without requiring a major change of plans.

Still, the value depends on what you want. You are paying for a short activity, and wildlife sightings can never be fully controlled. If your priority is puffins near Reykjavik, the price is reasonable for a small group, provided the sea conditions are suitable. If you want guaranteed wildlife or a longer cruise, you may find the limited duration less satisfying.

Who will enjoy this puffin trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to see puffins without committing to a full-day excursion. It suits visitors who like a little speed, prefer small groups, and want a guide who can explain both wildlife and the city.

It is also a practical choice for photographers who want a close view from the water, though the moving boat and wind may make photography tricky. Bring patience. The boat may slow or stop near the birds, but you are still working with natural light, moving wildlife, and open-water conditions.

Families can consider it, but the height rule is firm: children must be at least 140 centimeters tall to participate in the RIB tour. The boat’s small size and fast movement may also suit older children better than very young ones, though the supplied information does not set a separate age limit.

You should think twice if you want a calm cruise, dislike bumpy water, or are uncomfortable with speedboats. The trip is built around an active ride, not a quiet floating platform. Poor weather can also lead to a cancellation, with a different date or full refund offered in that case.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are available. The tour operates in English and is offered close to public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the experience.

The activity is typically booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 22 days. That does not guarantee that every departure sells out, but it is a useful reminder to reserve early if your Reykjavik dates are fixed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Iceland.

Weather is an important part of the decision. The outing requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. This policy is helpful, but it also means you should avoid building your entire day around the trip until the forecast looks workable.

Should you book the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

Book it if you want a short, small-group puffin outing with a fast ride, provided warm gear, and time to continue exploring Reykjavik afterward. The strongest features are the 12-seat RIB, the quiet engine-off viewing near the islands, and guides who bring humor and useful bird information to the trip.

Skip it if you want a smooth cruise, dislike open-water motion, or need a long wildlife expedition. The ride can be rocky near the puffin island, and the one-hour format leaves little room for a slow, unhurried journey.

For most visitors who have limited time in Reykjavik and want to see puffins in their natural setting, this is a well-focused choice. Check the weather, meet at the Old Harbour with enough time to gear up, and treat the trip as a lively sea outing rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express start?

It starts at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What time does the tour begin?

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

Where does the activity finish?

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

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately one hour. You should allow a little extra time for the full experience, including preparation and boarding.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB has a maximum capacity of 12 participants.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

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.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.