Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Puffins are easier to see than you think. This one-hour Reykjavik puffin watching trip takes you from Old Harbour out to Lundey and Akurey, where thousands of puffins gather along the rocky shoreline. You get the best of Iceland logistics: fast access, a quick schedule, and close-up viewing from a boat that can get near the islands.

I love that the tour is built for real wildlife watching, not just a drive-by. You get a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a small group capped at 12, plus a licensed guide who talks about puffins and other birds you’ll spot along the way. The one drawback to know up front: it’s weather-dependent, and the experience depends on the captain making a call for safety and comfort.

Key Highlights Worth Your Time

• Speedboat access to Lundey and Akurey without burning half a day
• Thousands of puffins up close, with the engine shut off for viewing time
• Small group (12 max), so you’re not lost in a crowd
• A licensed guide who points out puffins and other species like arctic terns and black guillemots
• Full waterproof suit and life vest included, so you can focus on the birds

From Old Harbour to Puffin Island: How the 1-Hour Plan Works

The whole point of this tour is time efficiency. You start at Old Harbour in Reykjavik, and you’re out in the bay quickly. The islands of Lundey and Akurey are only about 15 minutes from the Old Harbour departure point, so you’re not spending your limited Iceland daylight on transit.

Once you reach the islands, the approach is simple and smart: the boat gets you close enough to see what’s happening, then the crew shifts gears from travel mode to viewing mode. When you arrive, they turn off the engine, which is great for passenger comfort and also helps you actually watch behavior instead of listening to motor noise the whole time.

The duration is one hour total. That makes it ideal if you’re juggling other Reykjavik plans like the city walk, a museum stop, or a northern lights night. It’s also a good fit if you’re traveling with kids and you know shorter tours keep attention spans happier.

The RIB Speedboat Ride: Fun Pace, Real Practical Benefits

This is a RIB speedboat outing, so expect a ride that feels fast and bouncy compared with a slow sightseeing boat. That may sound like a drawback, but for puffins it’s a plus: speed matters when you’re trying to reach active bird areas efficiently.

The shallow access is another key detail. The islands’ shores are rocky, and the plan is to get close despite that. The boats work well here because they have a shallow draft, helping the crew position you near the island edge where puffins are most likely to be visible.

Practical tip: you’ll be in waterproof gear (the suit and goggles are included), which makes the ride far more comfortable than you might guess from a marina departure. Just be ready for that Iceland “coat it or freeze it” reality—your comfort is handled well on this tour, but you still want to move like you’re on a moving boat: steady steps, no rushing around.

Lundey and Akurey: Why These Islands Deliver on Puffins

Lundey and Akurey are small islands in Reykjavik’s bay area, and they’re known for colorful seabird life. Puffins here aren’t framed as a rare, once-in-a-lifetime miracle. They’re part of the local scene, which is exactly what you want when you’re visiting on a schedule.

The islands themselves are covered with small hills and slopes, and the shoreline is rocky. That matters because puffins tend to use the edges of their habitat for movement and visibility, while other seabirds also show up around the same coastal zones.

The tour focuses on observation once you arrive. They don’t just stop and point from far away. Instead, you arrive at the right kind of spot—close to the island—and then the engine is shut off so you can watch without constant disruption. It’s a simple design that tends to produce better bird-watching moments than a long ride with lots of noise.

When the Engine Shuts Off: The Best Part of the Tour

This is the moment that turns a ride into wildlife time. After arriving at the islands, the captain turns off the engine so passengers can watch birds and surroundings more comfortably.

You’ll feel the difference right away. With less noise and less vibration, it’s easier to spot small movements—head tilts, quick wing adjustments, and those fast shoreline changes that puffins make. It also makes the whole experience calmer, which helps if you’re traveling with kids who get cranky when they’re stuck on a boat for too long.

For me, the smart thing is that this viewing window is still part of an organized plan. You don’t have to guess where to look or how to interpret what you’re seeing. That’s where the guide comes in, and they’re there to connect your eyes to bird behavior instead of leaving you to figure it out from scratch.

Your Licensed Guide: More Than Just Puffins

A good bird tour teaches you what you’re looking at. This one pairs close access with a licensed guide who shares information about puffins and other birds you might spot in the area.

On this tour, you can also expect discussion of other species such as northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots. That matters because it expands the experience beyond one bird. Even if puffin numbers shift in what you can see in your moment, you’re still likely to spot other birds moving around the coastal zone.

One detail that stuck with me from a previous booking: a guide worked on puffin sounds—actually imitating the calls. That’s not just fun. It helps you understand puffin behavior, because once you connect sound to action, the whole scene becomes more readable. You’ll start noticing rhythm: what birds do when they call, when they shift position, and how they react to people nearby.

Included Gear: Waterproof Suit and Goggles Make It Easier

This tour gives you a full waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. That’s huge value because it cuts down your shopping list. In Reykjavik, you can burn time hunting for the right gear, especially if the weather shifts between day plans.

You’ll also want to plan around what isn’t included: waterproof shoes are not part of the package. If you don’t already have them, you’ll want something that handles wet conditions well. The suit covers your body, but your feet still need traction and warmth.

The tour is also small: up to 12 participants, which usually means less crowding around the best sightlines. On a moving boat, crowding is the enemy of good viewing, so this limit helps keep the experience more comfortable and more focused.

Photography Reality Check: Puffins Are Small and Fast

Want great photos? You’re in the right place to try. But here’s the honest part: puffins are small and quick, and they can be hard to photograph or record. If you go in thinking you’ll get the perfect close-up frame every minute, you’ll probably get frustrated.

Instead, aim for better targets:

• Watch for moments when birds slow down near the shoreline.
• Use the time while the engine is off to reduce distractions.
• Don’t expect every sighting to be camera-perfect; some will be quick passes and sudden dips.

Think of it like wildlife in motion. Sometimes you’ll capture a sharp image. Sometimes you’ll just enjoy the behavior live, which is honestly what this tour is built for.

City Views on the Way Out: Reykjavik From a Different Angle

The ride isn’t only about birds. The mountain views and the sense of Reykjavik’s coastline from the water are part of the experience. On a clear day, the city lights and shoreline details add atmosphere, especially if your timing overlaps with evening light.

This is a good tour for people who like “on-the-water moments” more than they like standing at a fixed viewpoint. You’re moving, you’re changing perspective, and you’re getting short bursts of scenery between bird-watching moments.

If you’re pairing this with other activities, you’ll also find it easier to justify the cost because the tour gives you multiple kinds of value: animals, views, and a fun boat ride.

Price and Value: Is $84 Worth a One-Hour Boat Trip?

At $84 per person for a one-hour tour, the question is whether you’re paying for speed, access, or entertainment. The honest answer is: you’re paying for access to the exact island zone where puffins are, plus guide time, plus included gear.

The value piece is the combination:

• Close approach using a RIB that can handle rocky island shorelines
• One-hour format that fits a busy Iceland schedule
• Guide-led viewing so you understand what you’re seeing
• Waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest included

Could you watch birds without paying? Sure, but you’d likely lose time and clarity. This tour is built to compress the effort: you show up, gear up, get out fast, watch intelligently, and get back without turning puffins into a full-day project.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Should Skip It)

This experience is a strong match if you:

• Want a short Reykjavik wildlife outing
• Like boats, especially faster rides that get you close
• Enjoy guided learning while you watch wildlife in motion
• Travel with a kid who can handle an hour on the water (with no guarantee of every sighting)

It’s not a fit for some folks. The tour is listed as not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and anyone under 140 cm (4 ft 6 in). If any of those apply to you, it’s worth choosing a different style of sightseeing that’s easier on the body.

Also keep your expectations grounded: this tour depends on weather conditions. The captain decides whether sailing is safe and comfortable, based on years of experience. That’s not a trick; it’s part of Iceland boating.

The Special Tours Iceland App: Learning in 5 Languages

You can download the Special Tours Iceland app during your tour, with text and audio in five languages: English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. It’s available for Android and Apple.

You don’t need it to have a great time, but it’s a nice extra layer if you like to connect names to what you’re seeing. In bird watching, even a little extra context helps you notice details you’d otherwise miss—like how different seabirds move around the same shoreline.

Should You Book Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat?

I’d book this tour if your goal is simple: see puffins with real viewing time, get guided help, and spend only an hour on the water. The included waterproof suit and goggles, the 12-person group cap, and the engine-off viewing window all point to an experience designed for watching, not just traveling.

I wouldn’t book it if you hate weather uncertainty, or if you’re someone who needs very stable, slow transportation. The ride is fast, the islands are rocky, and the tour requires you to follow crew guidance for comfort and safety.

If your schedule allows flexibility, this is a strong “Reykjavik wildlife hit” that’s easy to add to the rest of your days without losing a morning or afternoon.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Puffin Express tour?

You meet at a little wooden hut (in a row of wooden huts) marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How early should I arrive?

Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure so the crew can prepare for the tour.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 1 hour.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group limited to 12 participants.

What gear is included in the price?

Included are a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, life vest, and a guided tour.

What should I bring since it is not included?

Waterproof shoes, plus any food and drinks, are not included.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off is available as an add-on purchase.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour is dependent on weather conditions, and the captains make the sailing decision based on safety and comfort.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is English. The Special Tours Iceland app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese.

Who should avoid this tour?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and those under 140 cm (4 ft 6 in).

Is free cancellation available?

Yes—there is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.