Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Puffins are the stars here, but the real thrill is reaching their islands by fast RIB speedboat. Lundey and Akurey sit only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, so you get a proper sea adventure without sacrificing half a day.

I like the one-hour format, which fits neatly beside museums, food stops, or a longer Iceland excursion. I also like the small group size, limited to 12 people, and the full-body waterproof suit supplied for the ride.

The main catch is that puffins are small, quick birds. You may get close, but sharp photos are not guaranteed. Weather also decides if the boat sails, and this ride is not suitable for people under 140 centimeters, pregnant women, or anyone with back problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Two puffin islands near Reykjavik: Lundey and Akurey are roughly 15 minutes from the Old Harbor by boat.
• A fast one-hour outing: You spend less time getting there and more time watching birds.
• Quiet viewing near the islands: The captain turns off the engine so you can watch the birds and hear the guide.
• Small group of up to 12 people: The RIB gives you a closer, more personal boat experience than a large vessel.
• Protective gear included: You receive a life vest, goggles, and full-body waterproof suit, but you must bring waterproof shoes.
• Extra language help through an app: Text and audio information is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese.

A quick boat ride from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor

The tour begins at a little wooden hut in a row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You need to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because you must get fitted with your protective gear before boarding.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, is built for speed and shallow water. That makes it useful around the rocky shores of Lundey and Akurey, where a larger boat may not get as close.

You will wear a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. Waterproof shoes are not supplied, so bring footwear that can handle spray and wet decking. Food and drinks are also not included, and there is no standard pickup or drop-off from your accommodation.

The price is $84 per person. That is not the cheapest way to see birds around Reykjavik, but the cost includes the boat, guide, safety equipment, and a compact route to the islands. If your schedule is tight, the short running time gives this outing a useful edge. You are paying for speed, access, and a small group rather than a long day on the water.

Racing toward Lundey and Akurey

The two islands are in Reykjavik Bay, close enough to reach in about 15 minutes. Their low hills, slopes, and rocky edges provide nesting ground for colorful birdlife. The islands are not presented as places to walk ashore. You stay on the boat and watch from the water.

That arrangement is important for two reasons. First, it keeps the visit brief and simple. Second, it lets the boat approach shallow coastal water, where the RIB can get close to the bird colonies.

The speed is fun, but it can also be the least relaxing part of the outing. You are on an open boat rather than a large enclosed vessel, so expect movement and spray. The supplied suit helps with wet weather, but it does not replace warm layers underneath. The tour rules also exclude people with back problems, and that is worth taking seriously before booking a high-speed ride.

Once the boat nears the islands, the captain turns off the engine. This is when the trip changes from a fast ride into a quiet bird-watching stop. You can look toward the slopes and rocky shore while the guide explains what you are seeing.

Watching puffins without expecting a perfect photograph

The promise here is close viewing of thousands of puffins in their natural setting. Seeing a colony from the water is very different from looking at a single bird in a zoo or on a screen. You see the birds among the slopes and rocks, with the bay, islands, mountains, and Reykjavik around them.

Still, you should set your camera expectations sensibly. Puffins are small and fast, which makes them difficult to photograph or record. A phone may capture the general scene more easily than a crisp close-up. Put the camera down now and then, too. The guide’s explanations and the wider view are part of the experience.

Puffins are not the only birds to watch for. Northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots may also appear. The mix gives the hour more variety, especially if the puffins are moving too quickly for your lens.

The bird lesson is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The English-speaking guide explains puffins and other birds of interest, and the guide may add impressions of the sounds puffins make. That kind of live detail is useful because bird calls and behavior can be hard to understand from a short written sign.

Special Tours also offers an app for Android and Apple devices. It provides text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. The live tour language is English, but the app gives you another way to follow the wildlife information if English is not your first language.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The full experience lasts one hour, including the ride out and return. Since the islands are only about 15 minutes from the harbor, you are not spending most of the trip on a long transfer across the bay.

That makes this a good choice for a short Reykjavik visit or a day packed with other plans. You can fit it around a city walk, a meal, or another booked activity more easily than a longer whale-watching trip.

The short schedule also has limits. You will not get an extended stay among the islands, and the route does not include time ashore. If you want a slow, patient birding session with long periods for photography, this may feel rushed. The tour is built around a quick visit, a fast return, and the chance to see a large colony in a compact time slot.

I would treat it as a lively introduction to Icelandic seabirds rather than a specialist birding expedition. The RIB ride adds excitement, while the guide supplies enough information to give the birds context.

Weather can change the plan

The captain decides whether the boat sails based on weather, passenger safety, and comfort. That decision is made from years of experience, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

A calm day should make the viewing stop more comfortable, while rough conditions can affect the ride and the captain’s decision to depart. The waterproof suit protects you from spray, but weather still matters for visibility and enjoyment.

If the tour cannot operate because of conditions, the booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland schedule is still taking shape.

Do not assume that a waterproof suit means you can arrive in light clothing. Wear warm layers and bring suitable shoes. The supplied gear covers the body, eyes, and flotation needs, but waterproof shoes are specifically excluded.

How the small group changes the experience

The boat takes no more than 12 participants. That is a useful size for a short wildlife tour because you are less likely to feel lost behind rows of people. It should also make it easier to hear the guide while the engine is off near the islands.

A small group does not guarantee that every person gets an unobstructed view at every moment. Puffins move, the boat may adjust position, and everyone will want to look at the same colony. Still, the limited capacity suits the close approach and the compact viewing area better than a large sightseeing boat would.

You should also remember that this is a RIB speedboat, not a quiet cabin cruiser. The small group gives you a more direct ride, but you will be exposed to the elements. That is a plus for excitement and a minus if you prefer a sheltered, steady platform.

Who will enjoy the Puffin Express most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want three things: a short outing, a lively ride, and a chance to see puffins close to Reykjavik. It is especially practical if you have only a few hours free and do not want to commit to a longer sea excursion.

Families may like the simple format, but check the height rule carefully. Anyone under 140 centimeters cannot join. The experience is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

It is a good match for bird lovers who enjoy learning as much as watching. The guide covers several species, not just puffins, and the app adds audio and text support in five languages. If photography is your main goal, however, you should regard any sharp puffin photo as a bonus rather than the purpose of the trip.

This tour may not suit you if you dislike speed, open boats, or uncertain weather. A full-body suit makes the ride more comfortable, but it does not change the basic nature of the experience. You are heading out on a fast boat in Reykjavik Bay, not sitting in a heated viewing room.

The value of $84 per person

At $84, the tour sits in the midrange for a short Reykjavik activity. The value depends on what you want from your time.

If you only want to see puffins and do not care about the boat ride, the price may feel high for one hour. But the fee covers the RIB, licensed guide, life vest, goggles, and full-body waterproof suit. You also get a small group and a route that reaches the islands quickly.

The time saving is the biggest practical benefit. A longer wildlife trip may offer more time on the water, but it also takes a larger portion of your day. Here, you can see the islands, hear about the birds, and return to the harbor within an hour.

The included equipment removes some preparation costs, though you still need waterproof shoes and warm layers. Pickup and drop-off are extra, so budget separately if you do not plan to make your own way to the Old Harbor.

Should you book this puffin tour?

Book it if you want an efficient wildlife outing with some speed and excitement. The close approach to Lundey and Akurey, quiet engine-off viewing, small group, and strong bird commentary make the hour feel purposeful rather than padded.

Skip it if you need a calm, sheltered boat, have back problems, are pregnant, or are under 140 centimeters tall. You should also think twice if perfect photographs matter more to you than seeing puffins in their natural surroundings.

For most suitable visitors, I would call this a good Reykjavik add-on. It does not try to be a full-day nature expedition. It gives you a fast trip into the bay, a look at famous seabird islands, and enough time to return for your next Iceland plan.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour depart from?

It departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Look for a little wooden hut in a row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure so there is time to prepare for the ride.

How long is the tour?

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

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, a life vest, and a guided tour.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring waterproof shoes because they are not included. Food and drinks are also not provided.

What birds might I see?

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

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The captain decides whether to sail based on weather conditions, passenger safety, and comfort. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.