Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík

Puffins are the stars here, but the best part is seeing them where they belong: on rocky islands, skimming the water and lifting into the wind. A small RIB can approach the nesting grounds more closely than a large boat, while still keeping you offshore from the protected islands.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at 12, makes it easier to follow the guide and find a good view, and the warm overalls, gloves and goggles spare you from packing special boat gear. One caution: this is a fast RIB ride, and rough water can make it bumpy. If you have knee or back trouble, take that seriously.

Key points

• Puffin season runs May 15 to August 20, with up to four departure times a day.
• The boat visits two or three nesting islands in Faxaflói Bay, including Akurey, a nature reserve.
• The captain can cut the engine to approach birds quietly.
• You get binoculars and protective gear, though bringing your own binoculars may help if you want a closer look.
• The group is limited to 12, but your view can still depend on where you sit.
• Plan for a bumpy ride and arrive at the Old Harbour 30 minutes before departure.

From Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to the nesting islands

Meet at Ægisgarður 5, at the Old Harbour, where the tour begins and ends. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to get ready; from the ticket office, the guide walks the group down to the boat. There is no hotel pickup, but the harbour is close to Reykjavík’s city sights, restaurants and public transport.

The trip takes about an hour in total. The first 10 minutes are for meeting and getting on board, followed by roughly 50 minutes visiting the islands. That is a compact outing, not a full-day excursion, and it fits neatly around time in the city. There are up to four departures each day during the puffin season, so you have some choice of timing.

The boat is a custom RIB, short for rigid-hulled inflatable boat. It is built for fast trips around Faxaflói Bay, and its maneuverability helps the captain bring you near the islands. The captain can also switch off the engine for a quieter approach. You stay aboard throughout, since the islands are protected nature reserves.

Akurey and the puffin colonies

The main purpose of the ride is to visit two or three islands where puffins nest. Akurey is one of the stops, and the islands are close to Reykjavík’s coast. The tour information notes that about 30,000 puffins nest off the city during the season. On a good outing, you may see birds on the rocks, in the water and flying above the boat.

This is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed close-up encounter. The boat gets near the islands, but it does not land or disturb the birds. Puffins are small, and even from the RIB they may look distant, especially if you are hoping for portrait-style photographs. You might see many birds yet still want a stronger zoom lens for detailed shots.

The group size helps here. With no more than 12 people aboard, there are fewer bodies competing for space than on a large boat. Still, the view can be affected by where you sit and by the height of the person in front of you. If you have a choice, think about sight lines when boarding, and be considerate about moving around once the boat is underway.

The guide and captain point out wildlife and share facts about puffins and Faxaflói Bay. You may also spot other seabirds, including gannets, described as the largest seabirds in the North Atlantic. Guides named Maja, Maya, Alex, Sam, Ricardo, Rachael and Alma have led trips, though who you meet depends on the departure.

What the RIB ride feels like

A RIB makes this a more active outing than a slow harbour cruise. The boat is quick, and the ride across open water can be bumpy, particularly when the sea is rough. Some people find the speed part of the fun; others may find the jolts uncomfortable or frightening. The captain controls the boat, but no one can promise smooth water.

That matters if you have knee problems, back issues or limited mobility. The tour advises moderate physical fitness and does not recommend it for people with knee problems. The minimum age is 10, and the minimum height is 145 centimetres. These restrictions are worth checking carefully before booking, especially if you are travelling with a child or someone who may struggle with a fast, uneven ride.

The company supplies warm overalls, gloves, goggles and necessary safety equipment. That is useful even in summer: wind on the water can feel cold, and the protective layers mean you do not need to bring a full set of specialist outerwear. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for the forecast and expect conditions on the bay to feel different from those on land.

Binoculars are provided for every passenger. They are a welcome addition, though the supplied pair may not give every person the close view they want. If bird detail matters to you, bring your own binoculars if you have them. A camera with a zoom lens can also help; phone cameras may struggle to show the birds clearly at a distance.

Small-group guiding and photographs

The strongest feature is the combination of a compact group and a guide who can give context while the captain handles the approach. That personal scale makes it easier to ask questions and hear explanations without the feel of a large sightseeing boat. You are there for the birds, but learning how they use the islands and bay makes the short trip more meaningful.

Some guides have also taken photographs with their own cameras and shared them afterward. That can be a helpful bonus if you are busy watching rather than trying to photograph every bird. It is not something to rely on, though: image sharing may vary, and you should bring your own camera if you want pictures to keep.

The tour focuses on wildlife, not a narrated city tour. If you want a detailed introduction to Reykjavík on the way out or back, this is not the right outing to count on for that. Its value lies in reaching the puffin islands efficiently and hearing about the animals and bay from the crew.

Is $105.22 good value for an hour?

At $105.22 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend an hour. The price makes more sense if seeing puffins in their natural habitat is high on your Iceland list. You are paying for a small, fast boat, a limited group, a guide and captain, safety equipment, warm layers and binoculars, rather than simply for time on the water.

The short duration is also practical. You can fit the trip into a Reykjavík day without giving up a large block of time, and the meeting point is near central attractions and places to eat. Up to four departures a day offer flexibility, though the season itself is narrow. If puffins are a priority, it is sensible to book well ahead: the tour averages 51 days between booking and departure.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a long boat ride, guaranteed close-up photographs or a smooth cruise. Puffins are wild, the boat stays outside the reserves, and sea conditions can make the ride rough. The experience offers a chance to see many birds, not control over how close they come or how clearly they appear from your seat.

Timing, weather and a few useful details

The operating season is May 15 through August 20, when puffins are nesting near Reykjavík. The number of birds and the closeness of sightings can vary with timing and conditions. A departure near the end of the season may still find birds, but it is wise not to assume every outing will have the same activity.

Weather affects the ride and can also affect whether the tour goes ahead. The operator runs in all weather conditions, but if poor weather causes a cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure; changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Bring layers suited to the day, and wear clothing that can handle wind and spray. The supplied overalls and other gear help, but they do not turn the boat into a sheltered cabin. If you are arriving by cruise ship, one useful option is a taxi from the ship to the Old Harbour; the ride has been described as about six minutes. Check your own timing and transport before setting off.

Who should book this puffin tour?

Book it if you want a short, focused wildlife outing from Reykjavík and are comfortable with speed, wind and a potentially bumpy ride. It suits bird lovers, photographers who have a zoom lens, and anyone who values a small group and a guide’s commentary over a long, leisurely cruise.

Think twice if you have knee or back problems, dislike fast boats, or need a guaranteed smooth ride. It may also disappoint if your main goal is a close portrait of a puffin: the birds can be numerous, but they remain wild and the boat cannot land on their protected islands.

For the right person, this is a good use of a Reykjavík morning or afternoon. You get a quick run across Faxaflói Bay, a chance to watch puffins at their nesting grounds, and enough time afterward to return to the city. If seeing the birds matters more to you than comfort or photographic certainty, the small RIB is a sensible way to try.

FAQ

When does the puffin tour operate?

The tour runs from May 15 through August 20, during the best months for spotting birds near Reykjavík.

How long is the tour?

The outing lasts about one hour. The island visit takes roughly 50 minutes, with about 10 minutes for the start and end at the harbour.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It begins and ends at Ægisgarður 5, at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure to get ready before the guide takes the group to the boat.

What equipment is included?

Each passenger gets binoculars, warm overalls, gloves, goggles and necessary safety equipment.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is there a minimum age or height?

Yes. The minimum age is 10, and the minimum height is 145 centimetres.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.