Reykjavík: RIB Speed-Boat Puffin Watching Tour

Reykjavík’s puffin islands are close enough for a one-hour RIB ride to reach them, yet far enough to feel like a real trip out to sea. The small boat can approach the colonies more closely than larger sightseeing boats, giving you a better look at the birds and a lively run along the capital’s waterfront.

I like the close views of wild puffins, and I like the way the tour combines wildlife with a fast ride past Harpa Concert Hall. The guide’s commentary also adds useful context, including why puffin hunting can harm bird numbers and how people can help protect them.

The main caution is comfort. The boat has suspension seats, but one verified booking described the seats as hard on the back. You also need to arrive 30 minutes early, find the correct wooden hut, and bring your own waterproof shoes.

Key points to know before booking

• About 40,000 puffins gather near the tour islands, part of Iceland’s huge share of the world’s puffin population.
• The RIB gets closer to the islands than larger boats, making photography easier when sea and bird conditions cooperate.
• Harpa Concert Hall looks different from the water, adding a quick Reykjavík sightseeing element to the wildlife trip.
• A full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are supplied, but waterproof shoes are not.
• The one-hour trip costs $81 per person, a fair price if you want both speed and puffin watching in a short time.
• The tour is not suitable for people under 140 centimeters, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

Why this short puffin trip works in Reykjavík

You do not need to give up half a day to see Icelandic seabirds here. This tour takes one hour, including the boat ride out and return, so it fits neatly into a busy Reykjavík schedule.

That short length is its biggest practical strength. You can book it between other city activities, use it as a morning outing, or add it to a day when you want something beyond museums and cafés.

The real appeal is the boat itself. A large vessel can offer a smoother ride, but a custom-built RIB can move closer to the islands and turn more easily near the bird colonies. You get a more active outing, with speed, spray, and a lower viewpoint over the water.

I would not treat this as a quiet birdwatching cruise. It is a fast harbor and wildlife ride. The RIB experience is part of the reason to book, and it may be the wrong choice if you want a slow, sheltered boat with plenty of room to move around.

Starting at Reykjavík’s harbor

The meeting point is a small wooden hut in a row of similar huts, marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You need to arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure, since the crew must help you prepare before boarding.

Give yourself extra time to find it. The instructions can be confusing, and one booking described arriving at the right area only to find the building locked and having to ask at a neighboring hut. That is a simple problem to avoid by reaching the harbor early rather than walking up just before departure.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. You will be getting into protective clothing and onto a compact speedboat, so keep your belongings to the essentials.

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing underneath. Waterproof shoes are not included, so bring them if you have them. If you only have ordinary footwear, the suit should help protect much of your clothing, but your feet remain the weak spot.

Getting suited up for the RIB

The protective suit matters in Iceland, even on a short trip. Wind on the water can feel much colder than it does on shore, and a speedboat creates extra spray and airflow.

The full-body suit is designed to keep you warm and dry, while goggles protect your eyes during the faster sections. You still need warm layers underneath, since the suit is protection from the elements rather than a replacement for proper clothing.

The supplied life vest is worn for the boat trip. Once everyone is ready, you board the custom-built RIB, which uses suspension seats to reduce the effect of the ride.

That does not mean the journey will feel soft. A verified booking described the seats as hard on the back, so anyone with existing back trouble should skip this activity. The operator also lists the tour as unsuitable for pregnant women and for anyone shorter than 140 centimeters.

The speedboat ride across Reykjavík Bay

The RIB carries you away from the harbor and into the Bay of Reykjavík. The boat’s smaller size gives you a low, open view of the coastline, and the ride itself adds a shot of excitement before the puffins come into view.

The suspension seating is a useful feature because the boat may move quickly across open water. Still, you should expect a firm, active ride rather than the cushioned comfort of a large whale-watching vessel.

The boat also gives you a different look at Reykjavík. Harpa Concert Hall, one of the city’s best-known modern buildings, is seen from the sea instead of from the waterfront promenade. This is a brief sightseeing bonus, not a separate architectural tour, but it helps make the outing feel like more than a simple trip to the bird islands.

The route runs along the coastline before heading toward the puffin-populated islands. The exact order and time spent at each point can vary with conditions, so think of the itinerary as a flexible hour on the water rather than a series of fixed stops.

Meeting Iceland’s puffin colonies

The islands near Reykjavík are home to approximately 40,000 puffins. Iceland is also home to about 60 percent of the world’s puffin population, which gives this short boat ride real wildlife importance rather than making it just a quick photo stop.

Your guide explains what you are seeing as the boat approaches the colonies. The commentary is in English, and it covers the birds as well as the effects of puffin hunting. That conservation angle adds value because you learn not only where the puffins gather, but also why their protection matters.

The RIB can approach the islands more closely than larger boats. This helps with viewing and photography, though you should keep expectations sensible. These are wild birds, not trained animals, and no tour can guarantee a particular number of close sightings or a perfect photo.

The boats visit some of the most populated puffin islands in the area. A separate booking described visiting three different places by boat, suggesting that the ride can include several viewing areas rather than stopping at only one colony. The precise number of locations may depend on the day and sea conditions.

What the puffin viewing is really like

A small boat gives you a better chance to get near the colonies, but proximity does not mean you can step ashore or walk among the birds. You remain on the water, watching the puffins from the RIB.

That is a good thing for the birds. The tour presents them as wild animals in their own setting, and the guide’s discussion of hunting helps put the encounter into a wider conservation context.

Bring a camera that you can handle securely. The combination of wind, goggles, a life vest, and a moving boat can make photography less simple than it looks. A phone may be fine for quick shots, but keep a firm grip and avoid carrying extra equipment that you do not need.

I would focus on enjoying the sighting first and photographing second. The islands, open water, and birds can pass quickly, and the best moment may not wait while you adjust settings.

How much value do you get for $81?

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavík. The price makes more sense when you separate the parts of the outing: you get a guided wildlife trip, a fast RIB ride, protective gear, views of the coastline, and a chance to approach puffin colonies from a smaller boat.

For someone who wants only a basic puffin sighting, a larger boat may offer a calmer format. For someone who specifically wants speed and closer access, the RIB can justify the extra cost.

The one-hour duration also improves the value for a tight schedule. You are not committing a full morning or afternoon, and you return to the same starting area rather than needing a separate transfer back into the city.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, although they can be purchased as an add-on. If you are already in central Reykjavík, making your own way to the harbor is likely the simpler option. Food and drinks are also not included, but the short duration means you can eat before or after.

The booking terms add flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure schedule before building the rest of your day around it.

Who should choose this tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a compact wildlife trip with some speed and saltwater spray. It suits couples, solo visitors, and families with children who meet the 140-centimeter height requirement and are comfortable on a moving boat.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen Reykjavík from land. The harbor, coastline, and Harpa Concert Hall look different from the water, and the puffin colonies give the trip a clear purpose.

Choose it if you value access over comfort. The RIB gets closer to the islands than bigger boats, but the ride can feel firm and exposed.

You should think twice if you have back problems, dislike fast boat trips, or need a fully sheltered cabin. Pregnant women should not book, and anyone under 140 centimeters is not allowed on the tour.

Simple preparation for a better hour

Arrive 30 minutes early. The wooden huts can be confusing to identify, and you need time to find the one marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Add waterproof shoes if you own them, since they are not supplied.

Leave large bags and luggage behind. Bring only what you can manage safely on a compact boat, especially if you plan to use a camera.

Keep your expectations centered on a wild encounter. The guides can take you close to the colonies, but the puffins decide where they fly and how long they remain in view.

Should you book the Reykjavík RIB puffin tour?

Book it if you want the most active version of a puffin outing and have only an hour to spare. The combination of a small, maneuverable boat, close island access, useful conservation commentary, and views of Reykjavík from the sea gives the $81 price a reasonable case.

Skip it if comfort comes first. The seats may feel hard, the meeting point needs careful attention, and waterproof shoes are your responsibility.

For the right person, this is a sharp, efficient way to meet Iceland’s most famous seabird. You get a real wildlife setting, not a staged attraction, plus a fast ride that makes the short duration feel worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavík puffin watching tour?

The tour lasts one hour, including the boat trip out to the puffin islands and the return to the starting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $81 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the small 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 to prepare for the boat trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but they are available as a paid add-on.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

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

Do I need to bring waterproof shoes?

Yes. Waterproof shoes are not included. You should also bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

The live guide conducts the tour in English.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters tall.