Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat from Reykjavík

Puffins are the stars here, and this one-hour RIB trip gets you close to their rocky island homes without putting you ashore. From Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, you head toward Lundey or Akurey, two small islands known for puffins between May and August.

I like the small group limit of 12, which should make it easier to hear the guide and get a clear look at the birds. I also like the practical warm gear and suspension seats, two useful touches on a cold, bumpy boat ride. If you expect a full-throttle thrill ride, though, adjust your hopes: one passenger found the boat much slower than expected.

Key points to know

• Puffin season runs from May through August, when the birds nest on Lundey and Akurey.
• The RIB approaches the rocky shore closely, giving you a better angle than a distant harbor cruise.
• Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life jackets are provided, so you do not need to bring marine gear.
• Suspension seats add comfort during the ride across open water.
• The group is capped at 12 people, a good size for bird watching and questions.
• The tour costs $85.01 and lasts about one hour, making it a short, focused wildlife outing rather than a major half-day excursion.

A short boat ride with a clear purpose

This is a focused puffin trip, not a general sightseeing cruise. You meet at Ægisgarður 5F in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour at noon, get fitted with safety gear, and board one of two RIB speedboats.

The route takes you just offshore to Lundey or Akurey. The exact island is not promised in advance, but both are used for puffin watching. Their rocky shores and low hills provide nesting ground for the birds, and the boat is designed to come close enough for useful views from the water.

That close approach is the main reason to choose this outing. Puffins are small birds, and a distant view can quickly turn into a search for black-and-white specks. From a RIB, you get a lower position on the water and a more direct look toward the shoreline. You still need to pay attention, since birds move and sightings depend on nature, but the setup gives you a fair chance to see them well.

The trip returns to the same harbor after about an hour. That makes it easy to fit into a Reykjavík day, especially if you have only a short window before another activity.

Meeting at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

The meeting point is Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík. The tour begins at 12:00 pm and ends back at the same place.

No hotel transfer is included. A transfer can be arranged for an additional fee, typically 2,200 ISK, but the tour location is near public transportation. If you are staying in central Reykjavík, check the harbor route and allow enough time to find the office and complete the pre-boarding process.

The departure procedure matters more than it may sound. You are not simply stepping onto a sightseeing boat in street clothes. Before boarding, you receive warm overalls, a life jacket, gloves, and goggles. The gear protects you from cold air, spray, and the wind created by the boat’s movement.

You should wear comfortable clothing underneath. The supplied overalls are especially useful because the sea can feel much colder than the city streets, even on a mild day. The goggles may look like a small detail, but they help shield your eyes from wind and spray.

What the RIB ride is really like

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, built for a quick run over the water and a close approach to rocky shorelines. You sit in suspension seats, which are intended to soften the effect of the boat moving over waves.

The name suggests speed, and the equipment certainly looks more serious than a basic harbor launch. Yet you should not book this trip expecting a nonstop adrenaline ride. One passenger felt the pace was surprisingly slow despite the safety warning and full protective equipment. That slower speed can be a disappointment if the boat itself is your main reason for booking.

There is another side to the slower pace. A boat carrying people toward nesting seabirds needs to balance movement, safety, viewing time, and the condition of the sea. The tour description emphasizes getting close to the shore rather than racing around the bay. You may find that the ride feels more like a controlled wildlife outing than a thrill attraction.

The suspension seats help with comfort, but this remains a boat trip on open water. The weather requirement is important. If conditions are poor, the operator can cancel the trip and offer another date or a full refund. That is sensible for a small boat near rocky islands, but it means you should avoid placing this outing at the only possible moment of a tightly packed schedule.

Reaching Lundey or Akurey

The first and only planned stop is the puffin area around Lundey or Akurey. These islands sit just off Reykjavík and are known for their bird life.

Puffins nest there from May through August. The islands have small hills and slopes, while the shores are rocky. You do not go ashore. Instead, the specially designed boat approaches the edge of the island so you can watch from the water.

This arrangement protects the island environment and keeps the outing simple. You do not spend time hiking, scrambling over rocks, or waiting for a landing. The tradeoff is that your view depends on where the boat can safely position itself and where the birds happen to be.

Your guide points out the puffins and explains their behavior and connection to the area. The guide also helps you identify other birds, including northern fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns. That added bird focus gives the trip more value than a simple ride to take photographs of one species.

A good guide makes a real difference on a short tour. There is little time for a long lecture, so clear explanations help you notice things you might otherwise miss. Celina, one guide named in the tour feedback, was especially praised for keeping the trip entertaining while teaching about puffins, the local area, and how the birds interact with it. She is not guaranteed to lead every departure, but her approach gives you a sense of the kind of guiding this experience aims for.

Puffin watching from the water

Puffins are appealing because they look almost cartoon-like, but the best part of this outing is seeing them as working seabirds in their own setting. The islands are not a staged animal attraction. You watch from the boat while the birds use the rocky slopes and shore.

The tour takes place during the nesting period, from May through August. That timing is essential. Outside those months, this is not the same puffin experience, so check your dates carefully before booking.

You should bring realistic expectations about wildlife. The tour takes you to a known puffin area, and one account described seeing many puffins on two islands close to the harbor. Still, no boat trip can control exactly how close the birds come or where they gather. The guide and boat position improve your chances, but the sightings remain natural.

The low boat position can be a benefit for viewing. You are not looking down from a tall vessel or across a crowded deck. The RIB can move close to the rocky shoreline, allowing you to watch the birds at a useful distance. Goggles also help when the boat is moving or the wind picks up.

Photography may be possible, but the tour is not sold as a dedicated photo expedition. You will have only about an hour, and the boat may move as the guide searches for a good viewing position. Keep your camera secure and be ready to watch rather than spend the entire outing looking at a screen.

More than puffins: fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns

The other birds give the outing extra interest. Northern fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns may appear around the islands, and your guide can help you tell them apart.

That matters because puffins are not always the only birds worth watching. A short stop can become much more rewarding when you understand the activity around you. The guide’s role is to explain what you are seeing, not just point toward a flock and move on.

The species listed here also give you a reason to keep scanning the water and shore. If the puffins are temporarily out of sight, you still have other birds to look for. The experience remains centered on the islands and their bird life, but it is not limited to one target.

How much value do you get for $85.01?

At $85.01 per person, this is a moderate-cost activity for a one-hour outing. The price includes the RIB ride, an English-speaking expert guide, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, life jackets, and suspension seats.

The short duration is both the strength and weakness of the price. You do not lose half a day to the activity, and you can combine it with other Reykjavík plans. On the other hand, the cost per hour is high if you judge the outing only by time on the water.

I think the price makes the most sense if puffins are a priority for you and you want a simple trip from central Reykjavík. You are paying for a specialized route, a small group, protective clothing, and a boat that can approach rocky shorelines closely. You are not paying for a long coastal cruise, a meal, or hotel transportation.

Transfers are separate and typically cost 2,200 ISK. Food and drinks are also not included, though a one-hour departure does not require much planning around meals. The noon start leaves room to eat before or after the outing.

The group limit helps the value. With no more than 12 people, you should have a better chance of hearing the guide and finding a position with a clear view. A small group also suits wildlife watching, where everyone may need to shift attention quickly when birds appear.

Who should book this Reykjavík excursion?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if puffins are high on your Iceland wish list and you want a short outing without leaving Reykjavík. It also works well if your schedule includes museums, food stops, or other city activities on the same day.

Families and first-time wildlife watchers may appreciate the supplied clothing and simple format. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. The safety gear and suspension seats also make the trip easier to manage than an improvised boat ride in ordinary clothes.

Bird watchers may enjoy the added focus on fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns. The guide’s explanations give the outing more substance, especially if you like learning how birds use the islands rather than simply taking a quick photograph.

I would hesitate if you want a guaranteed high-speed ride. One passenger specifically found the pace too slow and felt the trip could have been done in a smaller, less powerful boat. That criticism is worth taking seriously. The RIB design does not guarantee a thrill ride, and the boat may move cautiously near the islands.

I would also think twice if your Iceland visit falls outside puffin nesting season. The activity may still operate depending on conditions, but the central reason to book it is the chance to see puffins nesting from May through August.

Booking, weather, and practical details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Weather can affect the departure. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the tour is only one hour, it is tempting to squeeze it into a packed itinerary, but I would leave some flexibility around it in case the sea or weather does not cooperate.

The tour is conducted in English. Food and drinks are not included. The outing begins and ends at the Old Harbour, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is a useful detail for anyone comparing this with larger boat tours. A smaller boat also brings you closer to the water, though it can make wind and motion more noticeable.

Should you book the Puffin Express?

Book it if you want a short, well-organized puffin outing from Reykjavík during the May to August nesting season. The close shoreline approach, warm equipment, small group, and bird-focused guiding give it real appeal. Celina’s praised teaching style is another encouraging sign, though guide assignments can vary.

Do not book it mainly for speed. The RIB can look like a thrill machine, but the actual ride may be measured and cautious. At $85.01, the trip is best value for someone who cares more about seeing puffins and learning about seabirds than racing across the bay.

For a compact wildlife experience that fits neatly into a Reykjavík day, I think it is a sensible choice. Keep your expectations centered on birds, weather, and a close coastal view, and you will be choosing the right experience for the right reasons.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Express tour begin?

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

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Lundey or Akurey, islands just off the coast of Reykjavík that are known for puffins.

When can I see puffins on the islands?

Puffins nest on the islands from May through August.

What is included in the price?

The price includes warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, an English-speaking guide, and suspension seats.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.