Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

Puffins are the main event here, and they are wonderfully close to Reykjavik. The one-hour cruise heads from the Old Harbour across Faxaflói Bay to Lundey and Akurey, where puffins gather on the rocks, fly overhead, swim, and return from the sea.

I like the old wooden boat, Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli, because it gives this short outing a friendly, personal feel. I also like the supplied binoculars and the lively guides, including Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, and Vera. The main catch is simple: wind and boat noise can make the commentary hard to hear, and puffins may look smaller than you expect in photos.

Key points at a glance

• Two nearby puffin islands: Cruise to Lundey and Akurey, both known for bird colonies and colorful seabird life.
• A true one-hour outing: This is easy to fit between Reykjavik plans, with no long transfer or full-day commitment.
• Old Skuli’s small-boat feel: The wooden boat carries up to 33 passengers, keeping the trip more intimate than a large whale-watching vessel.
• Binoculars included: You can borrow binoculars on board, a real help when puffins sit on the island rather than near the boat.
• More than puffins: Look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and possibly eider ducks.
• Weather matters: The tour can be canceled in poor sea conditions, and calm water makes both the ride and bird watching easier.

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to the puffin islands

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is a handy starting point if you are already exploring the waterfront, and the location makes the tour easy to add to a morning or afternoon in town.

The boat used for this trip is Skúlaskeið, an old wooden vessel affectionately called Old Skuli. It holds up to 33 passengers, enough space for a proper boat outing without the feel of a large sightseeing ship. That size matters when you are trying to shift from one side of the deck to the other for a better view.

The tour heads into Faxaflói Bay, with Reykjavik falling behind as the boat makes for Lundey and Akurey. The ride itself is part of the pleasure, but this is still the sea, not a smooth city bus. Waves can make the boat bounce, so I would take motion-sickness medicine beforehand if you are prone to queasiness.

The captain turns off the engine near the islands. That pause is important. It cuts down on noise and lets you watch the birds without chasing them through the water. It also gives the boat a quieter, more respectful position near the colonies.

Lundey and Akurey, where the puffins gather

Lundey and Akurey are small islands with hills and slopes covered in birdlife. You do not go ashore. Instead, Old Skuli approaches the colonies and holds position offshore while you watch puffins on the rocks and in the air.

The puffins may be standing in groups, flying low over the water, swimming, or returning from fishing. Some may sit farther up the island than you hope, especially if the boat cannot get close because of conditions or the need to avoid disturbing the birds. That is where the binoculars earn their keep.

You can also see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. Eider ducks have been seen on the route as well. If you enjoy birds, this wider cast makes the hour more rewarding. If you only want close-up puffin photographs, keep your expectations sensible: you are observing a wild colony from a boat, not visiting a staged animal encounter.

The islands are the heart of the trip, and the captain may hold the boat with the engine off while the guide points out activity. A calm sea makes this much more comfortable. In rain or wind, the experience can still be worthwhile, but your eyes may spend as much time adjusting to the boat’s movement as searching the rocks.

What the guides add to the hour

The guide does more than point toward the nearest puffin. You learn about puffin behavior and the other birds sharing the islands, with explanations suited to a short trip.

Patrick, often called the Puffin Man, is repeatedly praised for his humor and energy. Joe is another strong guide, mixing facts with jokes and answering questions about the different species. Rebekka has been singled out for her warm delivery and clear enthusiasm for the birds, while Vera has helped make the trip comfortable and informative.

The guide may use photos to help you identify different seabirds. That is useful because a moving boat, distant rocks, and quick birds can make identification tricky. You may also get a bit of Icelandic character along the way. One guide sang an Icelandic lullaby, and another captain has been known to sing a sea chanty.

There is one practical weakness. Several people have found the microphone or sound system unclear, especially with the wind and boat engine. If the commentary matters to you, stand near the guide when possible, and listen closely when the boat stops. The guide’s personality is a major part of the experience, but the sea can swallow a few words.

Puffin sightings, photos, and realistic expectations

The tour advertises a 100 percent puffin sighting guarantee. In the main summer season, that is a reassuring promise, and the usual experience is to see plenty of birds. You may watch them fly over the water, sit on the island, swim, or disappear into burrows and return a moment later.

Still, a guarantee of seeing puffins is not a guarantee of a perfect photograph. Puffins are wild birds, and they may be farther away than your phone camera can handle. Binoculars let you see much more detail than a standard phone image, while a camera with a stronger zoom will help if photographs are important to you.

Timing can affect what you see. A useful pattern from the trip is that puffins may be more active on land in cloudy or foggy weather, while bright sunshine can send them out to sea. Early-morning departures before 11 a.m. and evening departures around 6:30 p.m. may offer good chances to see birds on the islands, though the exact starting times depend on availability.

The season matters too. Puffins are present in summer, but an early May trip can produce fewer sightings than a June, July, or early August outing. One May departure produced limited puffin viewing, and the company offered a complimentary lifetime return voucher. That is a thoughtful backup, but it also tells you that conditions and timing can matter even when the tour carries a sighting guarantee.

By late July and August, puffins may be preparing to leave for the next stage of their yearly cycle. A late-summer trip can still be excellent, but do not assume every August date offers the same activity. If puffins are a top priority, book within the main summer period and choose a time that fits the bird activity advice above.

Is one hour long enough?

For most people, yes. The trip is short enough for children, older visitors, and anyone who wants a taste of Icelandic wildlife without giving up half a day. Families have found that young children can see the puffins from the boat, especially with binoculars and a good position on deck.

The hour has a clear rhythm: board at the Old Harbour, cruise across the bay, watch the islands, then return. You do not spend a long stretch waiting for a distant animal to appear. The islands are close enough to Reykjavik to make this an efficient choice.

The trade-off is that the tour cannot linger for long. If the sea is rough, the ride can feel even shorter because some of your attention goes to keeping your balance. If you want more time with the birds, the operator also offers a three-hour option, though the details supplied here cover the one-hour Puffin Express tour.

I see the shorter trip as a strength for a first visit to Reykjavik. It works well before a museum, after breakfast, or during a free pocket in a packed Iceland itinerary. Dedicated bird watchers may want more time, but most people will appreciate the focused format.

What Old Skuli feels like on the water

Old Skuli is spacious enough for 33 passengers but small enough to avoid the anonymous feel of a large boat. You can watch from the main area, and some departures allow people to sit on the roof for a higher view. The roof can be a particularly good place to scan the islands, though you should expect more exposure to wind there.

The wooden boat adds charm, but it does not make the water calmer. You should dress for open-water conditions, even if Reykjavik feels mild at the harbour. The tour information does not list a clothing rental or onboard food, so plan to arrive ready for wind and bring anything you need for the hour.

There is no food or drink included. That is not a major issue for a one-hour tour, but it is worth knowing if you are arranging a tight morning. Eat beforehand or plan a harbour stop afterward.

Accessibility support is available if you tell the local partner about mobility or medical concerns. One passenger with access needs received careful help from the captain getting on and off the boat. Since this is a marine activity involving boarding a wooden vessel, I would contact the operator in advance rather than wait until arrival.

The $64 price and the real value

At $64 per person, this is not the cheapest way to fill an hour in Reykjavik. One person found it a little expensive for the duration, and that is a fair point. You are paying for a boat, crew, guide, wildlife access, and a trip to islands that you cannot visit by road.

The value improves if you care about seeing puffins in the wild and want a compact outing. The boat reaches two colonies, provides binoculars, and includes a guide who can explain what you are seeing. You do not need to arrange transport beyond reaching the Old Harbour, and you avoid committing to a longer whale-watching cruise.

I would compare it with the cost of a larger wildlife excursion before booking. If your only goal is a long boat ride, one hour may feel brief. If you want a reliable puffin-focused activity that fits neatly into a city day, the price is easier to justify.

The cancellation terms also reduce some risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather-related cancellations receive a full refund. Those policies matter in Iceland, where sea conditions can change plans.

Who should book this Reykjavik boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want a short wildlife activity that children can manage.
• First-time visitors who want to see puffins without giving up a full day.
• Bird lovers interested in fulmars, terns, guillemots, gulls, and eider ducks as well as puffins.
• Visitors staying in Reykjavik who can easily reach the Old Harbour.
• Anyone who enjoys a guide-led outing with jokes, stories, and local bird facts.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed calm water, silent commentary, or close-up professional photographs. The boat can be bumpy, the sound system may not carry well, and the birds can remain at a distance. None of those issues means the tour fails, but they shape the experience.

Practical tips for making the most of it

Arrive ready for open water, not just a walk around Reykjavik. A warm outer layer will help, and you should protect your camera or phone from spray and sudden weather.

Choose an early or evening departure if your schedule allows. Puffins may be more active on land at those times, especially compared with the middle of a bright, sunny day.

Use the binoculars before reaching the islands so you know how they work. When the engine stops, scan the rocks slowly rather than looking only for birds in flight. Puffins can be surprisingly easy to miss when they are standing still.

If you want photographs, bring a camera with zoom and accept that the best view may be through binoculars rather than your phone. Watch the birds first, then take pictures. The boat’s movement and the puffins’ quick flights make perfect shots a matter of luck.

Finally, ask the guide questions. Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, Vera, and other guides are part of the reason this short cruise feels like more than a simple ride to an island. If the wind makes hearing difficult, move closer when the boat is stationary.

Should you book the Puffin Watching Boat Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, affordable-by-Iceland-standards puffin outing from central Reykjavik, especially in June, July, or early August. The 100 percent sighting guarantee, binoculars, two nearby islands, and short duration make it a practical choice for families and first-time visitors.

I would not book it expecting every puffin to fill your camera frame or every word from the guide to be crystal clear. Weather, waves, bird behavior, and the boat’s sound system all matter. But if you accept those limits, this is a cheerful hour on Faxaflói Bay with a strong chance of seeing Iceland’s most lovable seabird in its natural setting.

FAQ

Where does the puffin boat tour meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the puffin tour last?

The boat tour lasts one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $64 per person.

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

Yes. The experience includes a 100 percent guaranteed puffin sighting.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Lundey and Akurey in Faxaflói Bay.

What other birds might I see?

You might see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and eider ducks.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available on board.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide language is English.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Sea conditions can cause cancellation. If the operator cancels because of weather, you receive a full refund.