Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Thousands of puffins gather on two small islands just 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, and this one-hour RIB ride gets you close without taking half a day. The boat cuts across the bay, then shuts off its engine near Lundey or Akurey so you can watch the birds and take in the city and mountain views.

I like the small group of up to 12 people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and find a good viewing angle. I also like the practical setup: a waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are included, so you can focus on the birds instead of worrying about the spray.

The main catch is that puffins are small, quick, and not always easy to photograph. The ride is also weather-dependent, and this open speedboat is not suitable for pregnant people, anyone with back problems, or anyone under 140 centimeters tall.

Key points to know before booking

• Puffin islands close to Reykjavik: Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from the Old Harbor.
• Fast one-hour format: This fits neatly into a busy day of sightseeing.
• Engine-off bird watching: The boat stops near the islands so you can watch without the motor running.
• Other birds to spot: Look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.
• Gear is provided: You receive a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest, but not waterproof shoes.
• Small, weather-sensitive outing: The boat holds no more than 12 participants, and the captain decides whether conditions are safe.

Why this short RIB tour works so well in Reykjavik

I like activities that give you a real sense of place without consuming an entire day. This one leaves from the Old Harbor, reaches the bird islands quickly, and returns after only an hour. That makes it easy to pair with a museum visit, a harbor stroll, or another Reykjavik activity.

The speedboat is a big part of the appeal. You are not simply sitting on a large vessel waiting for wildlife to appear. The RIB gives the outing some movement and excitement as it crosses the bay, while its shallow draft allows it to approach the rocky shores of Lundey and Akurey.

The ride is not just about speed. Once you reach the islands, the captain turns off the engine. That quiet pause is important. It gives you time to watch the birds, listen to the guide, and look back toward Reykjavik without the constant noise of a motor.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The phrase thousands of puffins sounds dramatic, and the islands are known for large colonies, but wildlife never follows a script. You may see many birds, but their position, activity, and distance can change. The tour gives you a good chance to see puffins in their natural setting, not a guarantee that one will pose beside your camera.

From the wooden hut to the open bay

Your starting point is a small wooden hut in a row of similar huts at the Old Harbor. Look for the one marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You need to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, not at the listed sailing time.

That early arrival matters because the crew needs to prepare you for the boat. You receive a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. Waterproof shoes are not included, so plan your footwear carefully. Ordinary shoes may be less comfortable if spray reaches your feet, and the harbor outing is not the place to discover that your footwear is poor at keeping out water.

Pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard price. Since the meeting point is in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, you need to make your own way there unless you pay for a pickup add-on. Check your timing carefully if you are connecting this tour with another booked activity.

Once everyone is dressed and ready, the group boards the RIB. With a maximum of 12 participants, the boat feels more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. A small group also helps when the guide is pointing out a bird or explaining why a puffin behaves in a certain way.

The 15-minute ride to Lundey and Akurey

The boat ride to the islands takes roughly 15 minutes. That is enough time to enjoy the open-water feeling without turning the trip into a long commute.

You will see Reykjavik from the bay, with views toward the city and surrounding mountains. The setting changes as you leave the harbor, and the return ride can look especially appealing if city lights are visible. The exact views depend on weather and light, but the boat offers a different angle on the capital than you get from its streets.

The RIB can travel close to the islands because it has a shallow draft. Lundey and Akurey are small, hilly islands with sloping ground and rocky shores. You do not land on them. Instead, the boat approaches the shore as closely as conditions allow, giving you a chance to watch the birds from the water.

The ride itself may be the highlight for some people. It feels lively and direct, with the boat covering the bay quickly. If you prefer slow, quiet sightseeing, the pace may feel less comfortable. The crew provides protective equipment, but the speedboat format still means movement, wind, and spray are part of the experience.

Watching puffins with the engine off

The best part begins when the boat reaches the islands and the captain shuts down the engine. Without the motor running, you can pay attention to the birds and the sounds around you.

The guide explains puffin behavior and shares facts about the colony. The information is delivered in English on the live tour. A Special Tours app is also available for Android and Apple devices, with text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. That gives you another way to follow along, though the live guiding remains in English.

Puffins are appealing because they look almost cartoonish, with colorful bills and compact bodies. In practice, they can be surprisingly hard to photograph. They are small, fast, and often active around the rocky slopes, so a phone camera may produce more blurred wings than perfect portraits.

I would treat photography as a bonus rather than the main goal. Keep your camera ready, but spend some time watching with your own eyes. The guide may point out behavior or a bird you would otherwise miss while concentrating on your screen.

A previous passenger especially praised the guide’s bird facts and her playful imitation of puffin sounds. That detail captures what makes a good wildlife guide useful: the trip is not just about spotting an animal, but about helping you notice what it is doing.

Other birds you may see around the islands

Puffins are the main attraction, but they are not the only birds in the area. The guide may point out northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

This adds welcome variety to the hour. If the puffins are flying quickly or sitting farther away, you still have other birds to watch. The guide’s explanations can also help you tell one species from another, which is useful if you are not already familiar with Icelandic seabirds.

Arctic terns and gulls may be easier to spot in motion, while the dark coloring of black guillemots can make them less obvious at first. Northern fulmars add another shape and flight pattern to the scene. The exact mix changes from trip to trip, so you should see the bird list as a guide to possibilities, not a promise of a fixed checklist.

The setting is part of the experience too. The islands are not dressed up for sightseeing. Their rocky shores and low hills are home to the birds, and the boat lets you observe from the water without walking through the colony.

What the $84 price buys you

At $84 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Reykjavik, but the price is easier to justify if you value a short, focused outing. You are paying for the RIB, captain, live guide, protective gear, and access to a nearby wildlife area without arranging transportation beyond the harbor.

The one-hour duration is the strongest value point. Many Iceland excursions take several hours once transfers are included. This tour gives you a wildlife experience before lunch, between other plans, or during a short stay in the city.

The small group also matters. With no more than 12 participants, you have a better chance of hearing the guide and seeing over the shoulders of fewer people. That does not guarantee an unobstructed view, but it is a more manageable setup than a large boat carrying dozens of people.

The price does not include food, drinks, waterproof shoes, or hotel pickup and drop-off. None of those omissions are surprising for a one-hour harbor activity, but they affect the total cost and comfort. Bring your own water if needed, wear suitable footwear, and leave enough time to reach the meeting hut.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

The captain decides whether the boat sails based on weather conditions, passenger safety, and comfort. That is sensible for an open RIB, but it means your plans need some flexibility. A weather cancellation can be frustrating when you have a tight schedule, so avoid placing this at the exact point where one delay would affect your flight or another major booking.

The provided full-body suit helps protect you from water and wind. Goggles are useful during the faster parts of the ride, while the life vest is standard safety equipment. You should still expect an outdoor experience, not a warm indoor cruise.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters tall. The minimum height restriction is especially important for families. A child may love the birds and speed, but anyone below the stated height cannot join.

For everyone else, comfort will depend on your tolerance for boat motion. The RIB format brings you close to the islands and keeps the tour short, but the tradeoff is a more active ride than you would get on a larger vessel.

How to fit the tour into your day

Because the entire activity lasts one hour, it is easy to build around other plans. Still, the early arrival requirement means you should budget more than 60 minutes from leaving your hotel to returning to your own schedule.

Allow time to reach the Old Harbor, find the correct wooden hut, change into the provided equipment, take the boat ride, watch the birds, and get dressed again afterward. The tour itself is short, but the practical edges add time.

The Old Harbor location is convenient for anyone already exploring central Reykjavik. If you are staying farther away, remember that pickup is an optional add-on rather than part of the base booking.

I would place this activity on a day when you want a change from museums, shops, and city streets. The ride gives you open water, birdlife, and a fresh view toward the capital without requiring a long drive into the countryside.

Who will get the most from this experience

This tour suits you best if you want three things: a close look at puffins, a little speed, and a short schedule. It is a good choice for first-time visitors who want to add Icelandic wildlife without committing to a full-day excursion.

It also works for families with children who meet the height requirement and are comfortable with a moving boat. The small group can make the experience easier to follow, and the guide’s bird explanations give the outing more substance than a simple ride past the islands.

Bird lovers will appreciate the chance to see puffins alongside several other species. You do not need expert birding skills, though. The guide helps explain what you are looking at, and the multilingual app provides extra text and audio support in five languages.

You may want another type of activity if you dislike wind, spray, or fast boats. You should also reconsider if getting a close photograph is your top priority. Puffins are quick, and the boat cannot control exactly where they fly or sit.

Should you book the Reykjavik puffin RIB tour?

I would book this tour if you have a free hour in Reykjavik and want an efficient wildlife outing with some energy. The nearby islands, engine-off viewing, small group, and included protective gear make it a practical choice for a short city stay.

Book with flexible plans if possible, since the captain may cancel for poor weather. Bring waterproof footwear, arrive at the marked wooden hut 30 minutes early, and think of your camera as a side benefit rather than the whole point.

At $84, the tour offers fair value for a guided trip that reaches puffin habitat quickly and keeps the group small. Choose it for the combination of birds and boat ride. Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, calm water, or a long, relaxed viewing session.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour leave from?

It leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Find the small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so you have time to prepare for the tour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts one hour.

How far are the puffin islands from Reykjavik?

Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor by boat.

What birds might I see?

You may see puffins, northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English. The Special Tours app offers text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese.

What equipment is included?

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

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters tall. Sailing also depends on weather conditions.