Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

The best part of this one-hour RIB ride is reaching the puffin colonies quickly, then watching birds fly, float, feed, and perch around the rocky islands. From the small boat, you get a more direct view than from a large sightseeing vessel, though puffins are wild birds and may keep their distance.

I like the short format, which fits neatly into a Reykjavik morning, and I like the crew’s care with warm coveralls, life equipment, and clear instructions. The tradeoff is the rough ride across Faxaflói Bay. If you have back problems or dislike being bounced over waves, this is not the right boat trip for you.

Key points to know before you book

• The RIB reaches the islands quickly: You spend less time motoring around and more time watching puffins near Lundey and nearby rocks.
• The ride is part of the fun: The boat moves at speed over open water, but the seats can feel rough when the RIB lands on the waves.
• Puffin season runs from May through August: Numbers can be highest in summer, while late-season trips may find the colonies thinning out.
• Warm coveralls are provided: Wear your normal warm layers underneath, closed-toe shoes, and keep phones in the suit pockets.
• You may see more than puffins: Gannets, auks, fulmars, Arctic terns, seals, harbor porpoises, and occasionally whales have all been spotted.
• The tour is tightly organized: Meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, and allow time to suit up before boarding.

A fast run from Reykjavik Old Harbor

You make your own way to the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. This is handy if you are staying in the central area, since hotel pickup is not included. Arrive ready for the sea, not dressed as if you are only taking a harbor stroll.

Before boarding, staff provide a short safety briefing and help you put on the supplied coveralls and safety equipment. The suits are more than a formality. They cut the wind on the ride out and include useful pockets, a good place to secure your phone before the boat starts bouncing.

You board the RIB, take hold of the grab rail, and settle into the seats. The boat is open to the elements, so the coveralls matter even in summer. Add warm clothing and sturdy, closed-toe sports shoes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and you will not want extra items sliding around underfoot anyway.

The captain then points the RIB across Faxaflói Bay. This first stretch gives you broad views over the water and a lively ride that feels closer to a proper sea adventure than a slow harbor cruise. It is also the part most likely to trouble anyone sensitive to motion.

What the RIB ride feels like

A rigid inflatable boat has a low profile and can approach the rocky islands more closely than a larger conventional vessel. That gives you a useful angle on birds near the waterline, cliffs, and small inlets. It also means you feel the sea more directly.

The boat can bump hard as it lands on the tops of waves. One practical tip is to keep both feet planted, hold the handles, and follow the crew’s instructions about sitting. If the motion bothers your back, lifting slightly from the seat while keeping a firm grip may help, but do this only in a controlled way and as directed by the crew.

The ride is short, which helps. You are not committing to several hours offshore. Still, do not confuse a one-hour tour with a gentle cruise. The speed and spray are part of the experience, and they are a poor match for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or anyone under 145 centimeters tall.

The tour is also not suitable for children under 10 or pregnant women. Those restrictions are sensible given the open boat and the repeated impact of the waves.

Meeting the puffins near their island colonies

The captain steers toward the islands and sea cliffs where puffins gather between May and August. The boat may work around more than one island or rocky area, depending on conditions and where the birds are active. Your guide points out puffins on ledges, near burrows, on the water, and in the air.

This is not a visit to a fenced enclosure. Puffins choose the distance, and that changes the photography. At times they may be close enough for a phone or modest camera. At other times, the boat stays farther offshore or the birds fly away as it approaches. A long lens gives you a better chance of sharp images, but the moving boat still makes photography tricky.

Some outings have reached very close to the island rocks, with clear views of puffins near their burrows. Other departures have stayed hundreds of feet away. Conditions, captain’s judgment, bird behavior, and conservation concerns all matter. You should expect a strong chance of seeing puffins, not a guaranteed close-up portrait.

The reward is seeing ordinary wild behavior. Puffins may sit low on the water, carry small fish, gather near cliff edges, or fly in quick groups around the colony. They are charming birds, but the real value is watching them in the place where they breed rather than seeing a staged display.

Puffin facts, seabirds, and surprise sightings

The English-speaking guide explains puffin behavior, diet, flight, and nesting habits while the captain positions the RIB. Guides have included Anna, Maria, Mikel, Rachel, Megan, and others, and the best guides add a friendly sense of humor to the short trip. Their explanations help you understand what you are seeing instead of simply pointing at a mass of small birds.

Puffins are the main attraction, but keep your attention moving. Gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns also visit the bay and its islands in summer. Their shapes and flight patterns differ, so the guide can turn a single bird stop into a broader introduction to Icelandic seabird life.

You might also see a seal or harbor porpoise. One outing included a harbor porpoise and a seal resting on a rock, while another included humpback whales surfacing and blowing. These sightings are extras, not promises, but they show why it pays to watch the water between puffin sightings.

Binoculars are included, though availability may be limited on some departures. If you have compact binoculars, bring them, provided they are secure. You can also ask the guide to help identify birds that look like dark specks from a distance.

When to go for the strongest puffin show

The birds nest from May through August, so that is the useful window for this activity. Early May can work well, with puffins already present even at the start of the season. By late July and early August, the colonies can be full of activity, including birds carrying fish and flying between the sea and the cliffs.

Timing is not everything. A late-August trip may find fewer puffins as the season winds down, and one September outing had very few birds left. If seeing puffins is a top reason for booking, choose the heart of the season rather than the final days.

Weather still controls the experience. The boat operates on the sea, and the water can be cold and rough. The supplied coveralls protect well from wind and rain, but dress in layers underneath. A phone strap or secure pocket is sensible, since holding a phone loose in your hand while the RIB hits waves is asking for trouble.

Morning departures can be a smart use of your schedule. The tour lasts about an hour and returns to the Old Harbor, leaving the rest of the day open for Reykjavik sights, museums, or another excursion. Check the exact departure time when booking because starting times vary.

Photography from a moving inflatable boat

You can take photographs during the cruise, but set realistic expectations. Puffins are small, fast, and often surrounded by dark rock and gray water. The RIB moves, the birds move, and the wind can make a perfect shot difficult.

Keep your phone in a zipped or Velcro pocket while the boat is traveling quickly. Take it out when the captain slows near the islands and when the guide indicates a good viewing moment. A phone can produce pleasing images when birds are close, but you will often need to zoom, which reduces clarity.

Some guides take photographs with a zoom lens and send them to participants afterward at no extra cost. This has been offered by guides including Mikel and Maria, but it should not be treated as guaranteed for every departure. Make sure the office or crew has your correct email address if they offer to share images.

The best approach is to watch first and photograph second. A puffin flying past the boat lasts only a moment. You will get more from the outing if you put the phone down occasionally and let the guide direct your attention.

Is $101 good value for one hour?

At $101 per person, this is an expensive hour by most standards. Iceland’s activity prices run high, and the cost reflects the captain, guide, RIB, safety equipment, coveralls, binoculars, and the logistics of reaching offshore colonies from the city.

The value improves if you have limited time in Iceland. You do not need a full day, a rental car, or a long drive to the south coast in hopes of finding puffins. You can walk to the harbor from central Reykjavik, spend one focused hour at sea, and return with time for other plans.

The RIB also offers something a larger boat may not: a closer approach and a more energetic ride. If you want a quiet, steady vessel, this price will not solve the problem. If you want a compact wildlife trip with a real sense of speed, the cost is easier to justify.

I would book it for the access and the efficiency, not because every trip guarantees hundreds of birds. Strong departures can produce huge numbers around the islands, while less favorable conditions may mean distant views. The experience is still worthwhile when the guide fills in the details and the captain handles the boat well, but your expectations should match nature rather than promotional photographs.

Who should take this tour?

This is a good fit for you if you want to see puffins without spending a full day away from Reykjavik. It also suits families with children aged 10 and older who enjoy boats, speed, and wildlife.

Bird lovers will get the most from the commentary and the chance to compare puffins with gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Photographers can enjoy the chance of close views, but should bring weather protection and accept that the moving boat makes the work harder.

I would think twice if you have a bad back, limited mobility, are pregnant, or are shorter than 145 centimeters. The crew takes safety seriously, but no amount of good equipment turns a bouncy RIB into a smooth ride.

This can also work well near the end of an Iceland itinerary. If you had poor luck seeing puffins elsewhere, the quick departure from Reykjavik gives you another chance without rearranging your entire trip. Just aim for May through early August if the birds are your priority.

Practical details that make the trip easier

Book ahead during the busiest summer period. The boat is smaller than a standard sightseeing vessel, and popular departures can fill.

Cancellation is flexible 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 shifting.

English is the tour language. Food and drinks are not included, but the outing is short enough that you can eat before or after rather than carry supplies aboard.

At the office, allow time to receive your coveralls and safety equipment. Wear comfortable clothes underneath, closed-toe shoes, and warm layers. Leave suitcases and large bags behind.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 277 bookings, with 88 percent of participants giving the transport a perfect score. Those figures fit the main strengths I would look for here: efficient organization, a capable captain, warm gear, and a guide who can make a short wildlife outing feel worthwhile.

Should you book the Reykjavik puffin RIB tour?

Book this tour if you want a short, active, city-based puffin outing and you are comfortable with a bumpy ride. The combination of fast access, small-boat views, good safety gear, and lively bird commentary gives you a lot in one hour.

Choose a date in the main May through August season, preferably before the final days when colonies may be thinner. Keep your phone secure, listen to the crew about seating, and treat close photographs as a bonus rather than a promise.

I would skip it if you need a gentle boat ride or guaranteed proximity to the birds. For everyone else, especially people with only a few days in Reykjavik, this is a practical way to meet one of Iceland’s most memorable seabirds without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour leave from?

Meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is one hour, including the RIB cruise from Reykjavik to the puffin areas and back.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English.

What is included in the price?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You make your own way to the Whale Safari office at the Old Harbor.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins nest around the local islands and cliffs between May and August. Numbers may be lower toward the end of the season.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes. Wear closed-toe shoes or sports shoes.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat.

Who should not take this activity?

The tour 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 for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.