Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Puffins are the stars here, but the fast RIB ride is half the fun. In about an hour, you cross Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, circle rocky islands and sea cliffs, and watch puffins perched on the rocks, floating on the water, or carrying fish back to their burrows.

I like two things in particular: the boat can cover more water and approach the islands more closely than a larger sightseeing vessel, and the trip fits neatly into a busy Reykjavik day. The crew provides warm coveralls, safety gear, and binoculars, so you do not need to arrive as a fully equipped Arctic explorer.

The main catch is the ride itself. A RIB can hit the waves hard, and some passengers find the repeated bouncing uncomfortable, especially those with back trouble or motion sensitivity. This is a wildlife trip with a speedboat attached, not a slow, silent bird-watching cruise.

Key points before you book

• Puffin colonies near Reykjavik: The boat heads toward islands such as Lundey, where puffins gather during the nesting season.
• A genuine close view: The RIB can approach rocky shores and inlets more closely than a conventional boat, though the captain must keep a respectful distance.
• Short but well-used duration: The complete outing lasts about one hour, including the ride out, bird viewing, and return.
• Warm gear is supplied: Coveralls and safety equipment help protect you from wind, spray, and cold bay water.
• Best season is May through August: Puffin numbers can be very high in summer, while late-season colonies may be thinner.
• The ride can be rough: Keep phones in the coverall pockets and follow the crew’s advice on how to sit over the waves.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour by RIB

You meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. There is no hotel pickup, so plan to reach the harbor on your own and allow enough time to check in, receive your gear, and listen to the safety briefing.

The crew helps you into the supplied coveralls and safety equipment before you climb aboard. The suits are more useful than they may sound. They block the wind on the trip across Faxaflói Bay and include pockets where you can keep small items secure. Closed-toe or sports shoes are required, and warm clothing underneath remains a good idea.

The boat is an open-air rigid inflatable boat with grab rails and raised seating. You should keep both hands available during the faster sections. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, which makes sense when space is limited and the boat is moving over open water.

The first minutes are a lively departure from the harbor. The RIB accelerates across the bay, and you get broad views back toward Reykjavik as the buildings become smaller behind you. It is not a long transfer, but it gives the outing a real sense of getting out into the bay rather than simply circling the harbor.

Faxaflói Bay and the ride across open water

A RIB offers a useful tradeoff. It is smaller and more nimble than a conventional whale-watching vessel, so the captain can move around the islands and approach narrow inlets. It also provides a more exciting ride, with the bow lifting over the waves and landing with a solid thump.

That motion is part of the appeal for many people, especially families and anyone who likes a bit of speed. It also explains why the tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or anyone shorter than 145 centimeters.

If you are prone to discomfort, pay attention to how you sit. Keep your feet planted, hold the grab rail, and use the seat position shown by the crew. One practical tip is to lift your weight slightly over bigger impacts rather than sitting rigidly through every landing. Keep your phone in a zipped or Velcro pocket until the boat slows near the birds.

The coveralls help in rain and spray, but they do not turn the boat into a heated cabin. Wear layers and bring clothing that you do not mind getting damp. You are on the water, and Icelandic weather can change quickly.

Finding puffins on the rocky islands

The boat heads for the small islands and sea cliffs where puffins nest from roughly May through August. Lundey is one of the named puffin colonies associated with the trip. The captain circles the rocks and positions the boat so you can look toward the ledges, grassy tops, burrow entrances, and water below.

Puffins are not trained performers, and that is an important part of the experience. Some birds sit quietly on the cliffs. Others float in groups offshore, flap low over the water, or fly in with food. A few may lift off when the boat approaches. The captain must balance a close view with the need to avoid disturbing the colony, so the exact distance can vary.

At its best, the scene is busy with birds in every direction. Several people have seen hundreds or even what felt like thousands of puffins during the strongest part of the season. The useful word is colony, not photo prop. You are seeing the birds where they feed, nest, and raise young.

The small boat helps with visibility. Since it is not a tall sightseeing vessel with several enclosed decks, you can generally look directly toward the rocks. The crew moves or angles the RIB as needed, and the raised seating means your view is not tied to one fixed window.

Still, do not expect every trip to produce a perfect phone photograph. A small bird on a cliff is still small, and the boat may be moving beneath you. One June trip was described as getting within a useful viewing distance, while another passenger found the boat stayed farther from shore than expected. Conditions, bird behavior, and the captain’s judgment all matter.

Puffin behavior, seabirds, and the guide’s commentary

The guide adds more than a list of bird names. You learn about puffin habits, diet, burrows, flight, and the work involved in bringing food back to the colony. Seeing a puffin with a small fish in its bill gives the explanation a practical focus.

The bay also supports more than puffins. Watch for gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Depending on conditions, you might also see a seal, harbor porpoise, or even whales. Humpback whales have appeared as an unexpected bonus on some outings, but puffins remain the purpose of the trip, so you should not book it as a whale excursion.

The guiding is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Guides named Anna, Maria, Mikel, Rob, Rachel, and Megan have received particular praise at different times, though the person leading your trip will depend on the day. The most useful guides combine facts with clear instructions, answer questions, and keep the group focused when birds appear.

A good captain matters just as much. The RIB needs to approach close enough for a clear view while staying safe around rocks and swell. Several trips have been praised for careful positioning, and passengers often say they felt secure throughout the ride.

Photography: bring your phone, but manage expectations

You can take photographs from the boat, but this is not the easiest setting for sharp close-ups. The RIB moves, the birds move, and the distance from the rocks may be greater than the promotional photographs suggest.

A phone can work well when puffins fly close or gather on the water. For birds on the cliffs, a camera with a longer lens gives you a better chance. Keep your device protected until the boat reaches the colony, then use the secure pockets between photographs.

Some guides have also taken their own puffin photographs with a zoom lens and sent them to passengers afterward at no extra charge. This has been a welcome feature on several trips, but it should not be treated as guaranteed. One outing specifically noted that the guide and captain did not have a camera available.

Ask the staff to confirm your email address before leaving if they offer to send photographs. That small step can save you from losing the best record of the trip.

Is one hour enough for this tour?

For this particular outing, one hour is a sensible length. You do not spend half a day waiting for wildlife, and the tour can fit before lunch, after a city walk, or alongside another Reykjavik activity.

The time includes the ride to the islands, the viewing period, and the return to the Old Harbour. On one older trip, the actual time on the water was closer to 50 minutes because of a delay, so it is wise to keep a little flexibility around the stated duration.

The short format is especially useful if you are unsure how you handle open-water rides. You get a real taste of the bay without committing to a long excursion. On the other hand, if the birds are far from the boat or the weather limits the approach, you have less time to wait for a better position than you would on a longer trip.

Price and value at $101 per person

At $101 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Iceland activities cost more than many visitors expect, and this trip charges a premium for the specialized boat, crew, safety equipment, and access to the nearby colonies.

I think the price makes the most sense if seeing puffins is a high priority. The boat leaves directly from central Reykjavik, the outing takes only an hour, and the RIB can reach the islands more effectively than a larger vessel. You are paying for convenience and access as much as for the birds themselves.

The value is weaker if you are only mildly interested in puffins or already plan several wildlife trips elsewhere in Iceland. Sightings are very likely during the main season, but no wildlife operator can control the sea, weather, bird numbers, or exact distance from shore.

The experience has earned a 4.8 rating from 277 reviews, and 88 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. That matches the pattern of praise for organization, friendly staff, warm suits, and the combination of bird viewing with a lively boat ride.

Who should book this RIB trip?

This tour suits you if you want a compact Reykjavik activity with a clear focus. It works well for families with children aged 10 and over, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants to add wildlife to a city stay without renting a car.

It is also a good choice if you have tried to see puffins elsewhere in Iceland without much success. The nearby colonies can produce strong sightings, and the departure from Reykjavik makes the plan easy to fit into the end or beginning of an Iceland itinerary.

You should think twice if you have back problems, limited mobility, are pregnant, or are under the stated height requirement. The operator also says it is not suitable for children under 10. The ride can be rough even when the boat feels safe, and comfort matters if you want to enjoy the bird viewing.

Bring warm layers, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes. Leave suitcases and large bags behind. Food and drinks are not included, but the tour is short enough that this is rarely a major issue.

Should you book the Reykjavik puffin tour?

Book it if you want a short, well-organized puffin outing with a real sense of speed and open water. The best reasons are the close approach to the islands, the helpful guiding, the included coveralls and binoculars, and the chance to see puffins flying, feeding, and resting in their natural setting.

I would choose a date between May and August, with the strongest bird numbers generally expected in the heart of summer. If your schedule is flexible, earlier or midseason trips may offer fuller colonies than the final days of the season.

Skip it if a rough ride would spoil the day, or if you need guaranteed close-up photography. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Iceland’s most famous seabird without leaving Reykjavik, and the one-hour format keeps the commitment pleasantly small.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour depart from?

You meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is one hour, including the RIB ride to the islands, puffin viewing, and the return to Reykjavik harbor.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a professional captain, a wildlife guide, coveralls, necessary safety equipment, and binoculars.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins nest around the local islands and sea cliffs between May and August. Sightings have also been reported in April, but bird numbers can vary by date.

What birds might I see besides puffins?

You might see gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Seals, harbor porpoises, and whales have also appeared on some trips, but they are not guaranteed.

What should I wear?

Wear warm layers, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe or sports shoes. Coveralls and safety equipment are provided.

Is the RIB ride suitable for everyone?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people under 145 centimeters tall.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.