Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

Akurey Island is close to Reykjavik, but it feels wonderfully removed once your boat cuts its engine and the bay goes quiet. You watch puffins bob on the water, fly in with fish, and perch along the rocky shore while Arctic terns and other seabirds share the scene. I especially like the small boat’s shallow draft, which lets the captain work close to parts of the island, and the loaner binoculars, a real help when the birds sit farther off. The main catch is simple: puffins can look tiny from the boat, and the best views depend on weather, season, seating, and your camera lens.

I also like the short one-hour format, which fits neatly into a port day, and the calm pause with the engine off, when you can take photos without the motor drowning out the guide. Still, check the pickup details carefully at Skarfabakki Harbour. A few scheduling and shuttle mix-ups have caused people to miss the boat, so do not wander away from the marked bus area.

Key points to know before you book

• Akurey Island is reached in about 15 minutes: Most of the outing is spent close to Reykjavik, making this a practical shore excursion rather than a full-day wildlife trip.
• The boat circles the island instead of landing: You see puffins on the rocks, in the water, and in flight, but environmental limits prevent the boat from pulling right up to the nesting birds.
• Binoculars are supplied: Bring your own pair if you have one, since the quality of the loaners has not always been consistent.
• Starboard seating can help: The right side of the boat may give you the clearest view during the approach and island circuit, although the boat’s movement affects everyone’s sightline.
• Guides add real value: Rebekah, Oscar, Joel, Patricia, and other guides have been praised for clear, funny, and engaging commentary about puffins and local birds.
• The season matters: Late-season departures may produce fewer birds, while an earlier departure can offer quieter conditions and puffins heading out to feed.

A quick boat ride with a proper wildlife payoff

The appeal here is not a long voyage. It is the chance to see a classic Icelandic seabird without spending half your day getting there.

After meeting at the port, you board a small sightseeing boat and travel for roughly 15 minutes toward Akurey Island. During this crossing, the guide introduces the bay, the island, and the local flora and fauna. The ride is short enough for children and easy to fit before another Reykjavik plan.

As the boat reaches Akurey, the captain circles the rocky outcrop. Look in three places: along the island’s ledges, on the surface of the water, and in the air above the boat. Puffins may be standing near their burrows, floating in groups, or flying back toward the island with fish for their young. You may also spot Arctic terns and other native seabirds.

The boat is designed to reach awkward spots close to the shoreline. That does not mean you are pulled right alongside the birds. Environmental restrictions keep the boat at a respectful distance, and the puffins often remain small without binoculars. This is a wildlife outing, not a guaranteed close-up photo session.

Once the circuit is complete, the crew shuts off the engine for a few quiet minutes. This is one of the nicest parts of the trip. You can listen for seabirds, watch the water, and photograph the island without engine noise. Then the boat returns to Reykjavik Harbour.

The entire activity lasts about an hour, though one important detail is worth understanding: the stated time begins when you leave the office or departure point. That includes the transfer to the boat, the ride out, the island circuit, and the return. The actual viewing time around Akurey may feel closer to 20 minutes, depending on the conditions and how quickly the boat moves.

What makes Akurey Island worth seeing

Puffins are the headline, but the setting gives the trip more depth. Akurey is a small island outcrop in the bay, with rocky edges that serve as a breeding area for seabirds. You are not walking among nesting colonies or disturbing the birds. You are watching from the water, where the captain can position the boat without landing.

That distance is both a strength and a limitation. It protects the birds, which matters, but it also means a phone camera may produce little more than dark specks on gray rock. If you want satisfying views, use the supplied binoculars or bring your own. A camera with a strong zoom will be much more useful than a standard mobile phone.

The puffins are often most entertaining in flight. Their quick wingbeats and low runs over the water can make them easier to spot than birds sitting still on the island. You might also see them bobbing beside the boat, which gives you a better sense of their shape than a distant bird on a cliff.

The guide’s commentary helps turn a short wildlife sighting into a proper introduction to the area. Guides such as Rebekah have been praised for polished English and detailed narration. Oscar has been singled out for an engaging presentation, while Joel and Patricia have received warm praise for their humor and clear explanations. The quality can vary by departure, but a good guide keeps you watching after the first puffin sighting.

The small boat: better access, tighter seating

The boat’s size cuts both ways. With a maximum of 33 people, it is smaller than many large sightseeing vessels, and the shallow draft helps the captain get into places a bigger boat may not reach. A less crowded boat can also make the wildlife feel more immediate.

The tradeoff is visibility. On a small boat, people stand or lean toward the side where the birds are visible. If you sit on the wrong side, you may find yourself looking over heads or trying to photograph through gaps. One particularly useful tip is to favor the starboard side, the right-hand side, for the outward run and early island viewing. The boat turns during the circuit, so no seat guarantees a perfect view.

The captain generally circles the island so both sides get some chance to see the birds. Still, the port side may face the island for only a short period during the turn toward the harbor. If viewing matters more than staying dry or having the easiest seat, pay attention when boarding and keep your binoculars ready.

The sound system has also been uneven. Some people have enjoyed every word of the commentary, while others sitting at the rear heard little because the speakers were not working well. Move closer to the guide if you want the narration to be a major part of the outing. This matters because the boat’s route is short, and missed commentary cannot easily be recovered later.

Binoculars are part of the experience, but I would treat the loaner pair as a backup rather than a guarantee of perfect optics. Several accounts praise having them, while others report that they were not offered or that the quality was poor. If you own compact binoculars, pack them.

Picking the best departure time

Several departure times are available, which is useful on a cruise stop. You can choose a sailing that leaves room for other plans in Reykjavik, but do not assume every time offers the same feel.

An early outing may be quieter and less crowded. One account found that an earlier departure brought fewer people and puffins heading out for breakfast. That does not promise more birds, but it is a sensible choice if you want a calmer boat and the best chance of seeing active feeding behavior.

Season matters even more. Puffin numbers change as the nesting season progresses, and late-season trips may see fewer birds. One late departure still produced enough puffins to make the trip worthwhile, while another found the bird count modest. The final puffin watch of the season can be rewarding, but it carries more risk than a trip earlier in the year.

Weather can also alter the schedule. The cruise requires good conditions, and a departure may be canceled or rescheduled in poor weather. That is frustrating on a short port call, but it is preferable to sending a small boat into unsafe conditions. If the company cancels because of weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Port pickup and the detail that matters most

The meeting point is Skarfabakki Harbour, listed at 544P+F35, 104 Reykjavik. If you are arriving by cruise ship, be ready at the bus area and watch for a Special Tours minibus. The included transfer guarantee applies to passengers arriving at Skarfabakki.

This is the part where you should be organized. Have your confirmation ready, allow time to find the bus area, and do not assume the minibus will find you among the port traffic. Some departures have gone smoothly, and the office has responded promptly to pickup questions. But communication failures have also led to missed pickups, including cases where a booking appeared on the office list but not on the bus list.

If your ship docks at Miðbakki instead, the included transfer does not apply. The alternative dock is described as a very short walk from the departure point, so check your docking location before booking and follow the supplied directions.

The operator provides a worry-free shore excursion guarantee. If the ship is delayed and you cannot take the tour, your money is refunded. In the rare event that the ship leaves after a delay caused by the excursion, transportation to the next port of call is arranged. That protection is valuable, but it does not remove the need to arrive at the correct pickup point on time.

Is $63.51 a fair price?

At $63.51 per person, this is not the cheapest hour you can spend in Reykjavik. You are paying for the boat, the captain, the guide, the port transfer from Skarfabakki, and the convenience of a short wildlife trip built around a cruise schedule.

The value is strongest if seeing puffins is high on your list and you have limited time ashore. A one-hour outing leaves room for a walk around the harbor, a museum, or another booked activity. The port protection also adds value for cruise passengers who do not want to arrange separate transportation.

The price feels less attractive if your main goal is close photography. The boat cannot approach the nesting area without limit, and even a large colony may look distant. You are buying the chance to see the birds in their natural setting, not a guaranteed portrait of a puffin filling your camera screen.

I would also avoid judging the price only by the number of puffins. The best outing combines birds, a strong guide, clear sound, calm weather, and a well-managed pickup. If one of those pieces fails, the hour can feel thin. If they all work, the short trip can become a memorable part of your Iceland visit.

What to bring and where to sit

Wear clothing that handles wind and wet weather. The trip is short, but the boat is exposed, and poor weather can make the ride uncomfortable even when it remains safe. The tour may provide coffee onboard, but food and drinks are not generally listed as included, so do not plan on a full snack service.

Bring binoculars if you own them. The supplied pairs can help, but personal optics are likely to give you a clearer view. A phone is fine for recording the atmosphere, but it may not capture distant puffins well.

Keep your camera ready before reaching Akurey. Puffins can appear in the water or fly past the boat with little warning. Once the engine stops, take advantage of the quiet pause for wider photos of the island and bay.

For seating, look for a position with a clear view toward the water and listen for the guide’s voice. The right side may be especially useful during the approach, but the boat turns, and no place will stay best throughout the whole circuit. If you are traveling with children, the short length and simple wildlife focus make this easier than a long open-water cruise.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This is a good fit for birders, families, first-time puffin spotters, and anyone who wants a low-effort nature outing from Reykjavik. The expert guide gives the trip purpose, especially if you enjoy learning about bird behavior rather than simply ticking off a species.

It also suits cruise passengers who need a reliable, compact excursion. The included Skarfabakki transfer and shore excursion guarantee reduce some of the usual port-day worry. Multiple departure times make it easier to pair the cruise with other plans.

You may want to choose another activity if you need close wildlife photography, dislike small boats, or have only one chance to see puffins during a late-season visit. You should also think twice if a weak sound system would frustrate you, since commentary is a key part of the value.

The experience is not physically demanding, and most people can participate. It is also available in English, with the Special Tours app offered in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Should you book the Akurey puffin cruise?

I would book this if puffins are a personal highlight and you understand the viewing conditions. The strongest outings combine a lively guide, calm weather, active birds, and a captain who can work close to the island. The chance to see puffins flying, feeding, floating, and gathering near their burrows is worth a short trip from the harbor.

Book an earlier sailing when possible, bring your own binoculars, arrive early at the correct port bus area, and keep expectations realistic about distance. If you want a guaranteed close-up photo, $63.51 may feel high. If you want an easy, informative glimpse of Icelandic seabirds during a cruise stop, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik puffin cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour. The trip to Akurey Island takes about 15 minutes, followed by an island circuit, a short quiet period with the engine off, and the return to Reykjavik Harbour.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Skarfabakki Harbour in Reykjavik. Passengers should wait at the port bus area and look for a Special Tours minibus.

Is pickup included from every Reykjavik cruise dock?

Complimentary transfers apply to passengers arriving at Skarfabakki Harbour. Miðbakki is a short walk from the departure point, but the included transfer does not apply there.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are supplied for use onboard. Because some pairs have been described as low quality, bringing your own binoculars is useful if you have them.

Can the boat get close to the puffins?

The boat can approach parts of Akurey Island’s rocky shoreline, but environmental restrictions prevent it from getting right up to the birds. Binoculars are important, since puffins may appear small from the water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.