Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

The best part of this Reykjavik excursion is the quick run out to Lundey and Akurey, two small islands packed with puffins during the nesting season. The RIB speedboat gets close to the rocky shores, then cuts its engine so you can watch the birds without the roar of a motor in your ears.

I like the one-hour format, which fits neatly into a busy Iceland schedule, and I like the small group limit of 12 people. The ride is lively, the guide explains puffin behavior and other seabirds, and the views back toward Reykjavik and the mountains add plenty to the short outing.

The main thing to consider is the weather. This is an open-water speedboat ride, and the captain decides whether to sail based on safety and comfort. Puffins are also small and fast, so you may see many more than you can photograph.

Key points to know before you book

• Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from the Old Harbor, leaving most of the hour for the islands and the return ride.
• The RIB boat can approach the rocky shores closely because it has a shallow draft.
• The engine is turned off near the islands, giving you a quieter chance to watch puffins and other seabirds.
• A full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are included, but waterproof shoes are not.
• The group is limited to 12 people, making it easier to hear the guide and get a clear view.
• The English-language tour costs $84 per person, with pickup and drop-off available for an added charge.

A fast start from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor

Your outing begins at the Old Harbor, in a little wooden hut among a row of similar huts. Look for the one marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT, and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so you have time to get ready.

That early arrival matters. The operator supplies a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest, and you need time to put them on properly. The tour does not include waterproof shoes, so bring footwear that can handle spray and wet surfaces.

The boat carries no more than 12 participants. That is a useful limit on a wildlife trip because you are not packed into a large sightseeing boat with people blocking the view from every side.

The ride is in a RIB speedboat, a rigid inflatable boat designed for quick movement and close approach to shore. You get a more active trip than you would on a slower vessel, but you also feel more of the motion. If you prefer a calm, steady boat ride, this is worth considering before you book.

The 15-minute ride across Reykjavik Bay

Once the RIB leaves the harbor, the boat heads toward the small islands in Reykjavik Bay. Lundey and Akurey are only about 15 minutes away, so you do not lose much of your one-hour tour simply getting to the wildlife area.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. You get changing views of Reykjavik, the surrounding mountains, and the open water, with city lights adding a different mood on tours that run later in the day. The speed makes the trip feel like an outing rather than a simple transfer to a bird-watching point.

You should expect spray and wind even if conditions look reasonable at the dock. Your waterproof suit gives you a useful barrier, but it does not replace warm layers underneath. The supplied goggles help protect your eyes during the faster sections.

The captain has the final say on sailing conditions. Weather can change quickly around Reykjavik, and the decision to go is made with passenger safety and comfort in mind. That means a departure may not proceed if conditions are poor, but it also means you should not treat the excursion as completely weather-independent.

Lundey and Akurey, Iceland’s nearby puffin islands

Lundey and Akurey are small, hilly islands with rocky shorelines. Their slopes and low hills provide nesting areas for large numbers of seabirds, including puffins.

The RIB’s shallow draft allows it to get close to the islands without approaching the shore in a way that a deeper boat might. You are not landing on either island. The point is to view the birds from the water while keeping the boat in a suitable position.

When the boat arrives, the captain turns off the engine. This pause is one of the most important parts of the outing because the sudden quiet lets you focus on bird calls, movement, and the shape of the islands rather than on the boat’s motor.

Puffins can be difficult to photograph. They are small, quick, and often moving between the water and the rocky slopes, so a phone may capture less than your eyes do. Keep watching instead of spending the whole stop trying to frame the perfect picture.

You may see what feels like a great number of puffins around the islands, but the exact viewing conditions depend on weather, light, and bird activity. Wildlife cannot be scheduled like a museum display. The tour gives you a strong chance to see puffins in their natural setting, not a guarantee that every bird will pose at close range.

A guide who turns bird watching into a lesson

The live tour is conducted in English. Your guide explains puffins along with the other birds that use the islands and nearby waters.

Puffin facts are more useful when they help you understand what you are seeing. Watch for the contrast between the birds sitting on the slopes and those moving quickly over the water. A guide can help you separate puffins from other dark-and-white seabirds and point out activity you might otherwise miss.

One particularly memorable detail from the guide commentary can be the sound of a puffin. A guide may imitate its call, giving you a better sense of the bird than a silent photograph ever could.

The other birds you might spot include northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. That variety makes the trip worthwhile even when puffins are hard to photograph. You are watching a small bird community, not simply ticking off one species.

Special Tours also provides an app for Android and Apple devices. It offers text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. The live tour itself is in English, but the app gives you another way to follow information in one of those five languages.

What the one-hour itinerary really gives you

A one-hour tour is short, but the location works in its favor. The islands are close to the harbor, and the fast boat reduces the amount of time spent traveling between the city and the wildlife area.

The usual rhythm is straightforward:

• Arrive at the Old Harbor and check in at the marked wooden hut.
• Put on the supplied suit, goggles, and life vest.
• Ride for about 15 minutes toward Lundey and Akurey.
• Slow near the islands and watch puffins and other birds.
• Listen to the guide while the engine is off.
• Return to Reykjavik by RIB speedboat.

This compact schedule is especially useful if you are fitting the tour between a city walk, a museum visit, or another booked activity. It also works well on a short Iceland stopover, when a longer wildlife cruise would take too much of your day.

The tradeoff is that the tour cannot spend hours waiting for the perfect bird behavior. If you want a slow, patient birding session with long periods of observation, this is not that kind of trip. It is a quick, active introduction with a good chance to see puffins close to Reykjavik.

Is $84 a fair price?

At $84 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. The price makes more sense when you consider what is included: the RIB ride, a guide, the safety equipment, the waterproof suit, and access to islands that are not part of an ordinary city stroll.

The trip also saves time. You do not need to travel far from central Reykjavik, and the islands are reached in roughly 15 minutes. For many visitors, that efficient location is part of the value.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, although they can be purchased as an add-on. Since the meeting point is at the Old Harbor, check your route before booking and allow enough time to arrive 30 minutes early.

The experience is best value for someone who wants both wildlife and motion. If your main goal is a long, quiet look at seabirds, you may find the price harder to justify. If you want a fast boat ride with a real chance of seeing puffins and a guide to explain them, the cost is reasonable for a short Iceland activity.

Who should choose this RIB tour?

I would recommend it to anyone with limited time who wants a close-to-Reykjavik wildlife outing. The one-hour length makes it easy to add to a day in the capital, and the small group keeps the experience personal without requiring a full-day commitment.

Families can also consider it, but the height rule matters. Participants must be at least 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters, tall. Children under that height cannot take part.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The speedboat can move actively across the water, so anyone sensitive to jolts or rough conditions should think carefully before booking.

I also like it for visitors who enjoy learning while watching. The guide covers puffins and several other birds, and the multilingual app gives you extra text and audio support if needed.

Practical clothing and comfort advice

Wear warm layers under the supplied suit. Iceland’s weather can feel cold on the water even when the harbor seems comfortable, and the boat’s speed increases the wind.

Bring waterproof shoes because they are not supplied. Shoes with good grip are the sensible choice for getting in and out of the boat and moving around the harbor area.

Keep your camera or phone protected from spray. The tour supplies goggles, but it does not promise dry conditions. A waterproof pouch is a practical addition, especially if you want to photograph the islands.

Do not plan the day too tightly around the tour. Weather can affect sailing, and the captain may decide that conditions are not suitable. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still adjusting an Iceland itinerary.

Final call: book it for speed, scenery, and a real puffin sighting

Book this tour if you want a short, lively wildlife trip close to Reykjavik. The combination of a fast RIB, quiet viewing near Lundey and Akurey, a small group, and a guide who covers several bird species gives the hour plenty of variety.

Skip it if you need a gentle boat ride, have back problems, are pregnant, or are below the 140-centimeter height requirement. You should also book with realistic expectations: puffins may be plentiful, but they are small and quick, and photographs are not guaranteed to match what you see with your own eyes.

For a compact Iceland experience that combines seabirds, open water, city views, and a bit of speed, this is a sensible choice. Just dress for spray, bring waterproof shoes, and give yourself time to enjoy the birds instead of chasing the perfect photo.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour depart from?

It departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Check in at the little wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT, among a row of wooden huts.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts one hour. The islands of Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

What birds might I see?

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

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English. The Special Tours app also provides 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, a life vest, and a guided boat trip. Waterproof shoes are not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they are available as an add-on.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters, tall. The captain also decides whether conditions are suitable for sailing.