Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, this short boat trip heads to two nearby islands where puffins gather in their natural habitat. The advertised 100% puffin-sighting guarantee makes the outing tempting, but these are wild birds, and season and conditions can affect what you see.

I like two things in particular: the hour-long format fits neatly into a Reykjavik day, and the guide helps you spot more than just puffins, including fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. Binoculars are provided, and the boat’s engine is switched off near the islands so you can watch without adding engine noise to the scene.

The main drawback is that you stay on the boat, so the birds may look farther away than you hope, especially if you want close-up photos. Wind can also make the guide hard to hear, and choppy water can make the ride bumpy.

Key points

• Two puffin islands: The route heads across Faxaflói Bay to Lundey and Akurey, both known for birdlife.
• A one-hour outing: Short enough to fit into a busy Reykjavik schedule, with time to see the colonies and hear about local birds.
• A small wooden boat: Skúlaskeið, or Old Skuli, holds up to 33 passengers.
• Binoculars are on board: Useful for picking out birds on slopes and rocks when they are not close to the boat.
• Guides add character: Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, and other guides have shared bird facts with humor and warmth.
• Weather matters: The trip depends on sea conditions, and puffin activity can vary with season and time of day.

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to the puffin islands

The meeting point is the Special Tours office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. From there, you board Skúlaskeið, an old wooden boat known affectionately as Old Skuli. Its capacity of 33 passengers keeps the group relatively modest, while leaving room to move around and look for birds.

The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, then toward Lundey and Akurey. These nearby islands have low, sloping ground and are known for their bird colonies. You do not land on the islands. Instead, the boat approaches the birds’ habitat and gives you time to watch from the water.

That distinction matters. This is a wildlife-viewing trip, not a walk among the nesting birds. Staying aboard keeps the visit brief and avoids disturbing the colonies, but it also means your view depends on where the boat can safely position itself and how active the birds are.

Near the islands, the engine is turned off. That quieter pause is the heart of the trip: you can scan the slopes, watch birds come and go, and listen for the guide’s explanations. The captain and guide work together to bring the boat close while respecting the birds’ space. The distance is not always as close as you might wish, but binoculars help.

What you can see beyond puffins

Puffins are the headline act, and the islands are the reason to book. You may see them standing on the ground, flying over the water, or swimming. Their bright bills and compact shape make them easy to recognize once you know where to look, though a pair of binoculars is often the difference between a vague dark shape and a satisfying view.

Keep your eyes open for other local birds, too. The trip can include northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. One guide may point out how different species use the same patch of coast, while another might bring photos to help you identify them. That extra context turns a simple wildlife sighting into a more rewarding hour.

The boat is advertised with a 100% puffin-sighting guarantee. Still, it is worth keeping expectations grounded: this is wildlife, not a staged encounter. A May trip has resulted in few puffins, while other outings have seen many. The season, time of day, and conditions can all affect what is visible. If the company cancels for weather, it provides a full refund.

Guides make a short trip feel fuller

A good guide matters on a one-hour tour. There is little time to wait for the scenery to speak for itself, and a guide who can spot birds, explain what you are seeing, and keep the group engaged adds real value. Names associated with the trip include Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, Vera, and Celina.

Patrick has earned a reputation for mixing facts with jokes, while Joe has been praised for making the bird talk clear and welcoming to children. Rebekka’s enthusiasm for puffins has also made a lasting impression. These details are useful because the trip is not just a boat ride to a bird colony; the guide helps you make sense of the birds and their surroundings.

There is one practical caveat: wind and engine noise can make commentary difficult to hear. At the islands the engine is switched off, which helps, but a clearer sound system would be useful on a breezy day. If you miss a detail, ask the guide when there is a quieter moment. The staff are described as friendly and helpful, and the group is small enough for questions to feel natural.

One hour is enough for a first puffin outing

The hour-long duration is a strength if you want a focused wildlife experience without giving up most of your day. You leave the harbour, reach the nearby islands, spend time watching birds, and return. It is a compact outing, not a long expedition, and that makes it a practical choice for families or anyone fitting several activities into a Reykjavik visit.

The short format also suits children. The route does not require a hike, and the islands can be viewed from the boat. Families have found it manageable for young children, including a five-year-old, while older children and teens can enjoy the birdwatching and the guide’s stories. Still, keep in mind that children need to stay comfortable and safe aboard a moving boat.

If you want a longer outing, the operator also offers three-hour trips, according to one account. This specific experience is the one-hour option, so book it for a concise introduction to Icelandic seabirds rather than an extended day on the water.

Timing, light, and the puffin season

Puffins are seasonal visitors, so timing affects the experience. Trips have taken place from May through August, with puffins still present in early August and reports of birds preparing to leave later in the month. The information available does not give an exact season calendar, so check the dates offered for your visit rather than assuming the birds will be present year-round.

One useful tip from a May outing is to consider an early trip before 11 a.m. or an evening departure around 6:30 p.m. The same account noted that puffins seemed more active on land in cloudy or foggy weather than on a bright sunny day. Treat that as a helpful observation, not a guarantee: wild birds keep their own schedule.

The trip’s timing also affects what you can photograph. Birds may be visible but still too far away for a sharp phone picture. Binoculars are available on board, and some puffins may fly closer, but the crew cannot promise a perfect photo opportunity. If seeing the birds matters more than getting a close-up image, you are likely to find the outing more satisfying.

The ride, the boat, and what to bring

Skúlaskeið is a wooden boat with room for 33 passengers. Its size helps keep the trip personal without making it a tiny, private excursion. The boat can move with the waves, and the ride may feel bumpy, particularly if the sea is rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual precautions before boarding.

Dress for time on the water, where wind can make conditions feel less comfortable than they do on shore. The tour information does not specify a clothing list, so use the weather forecast and your own comfort as a guide. Keep anything you bring secure, especially if you plan to take photos while the boat is moving.

Binoculars are provided, which is a welcome inclusion at this price. You do not need to bring your own to take part, though your own pair may be handy if you prefer a familiar fit. Food and drink are not included, and there are no transfers, so plan to reach the Old Harbour yourself and eat before or after the trip.

Is $64 a fair price for an hour?

At $64 per person, this is not a bargain in the sense of a free harbour stroll. You are paying for a boat trip to two bird islands, a guide, binoculars, and the chance to see puffins in the wild. For someone who has come to Iceland hoping to see puffins, that focused access can make the cost worthwhile.

The strongest value is the combination of convenience and guidance. Lundey and Akurey are close to Reykjavik, the tour lasts just an hour, and the guide helps you find and identify birds you might otherwise miss. The provided binoculars also make the outing more accessible to people who do not travel with birding equipment.

Value depends on your expectations. If you want guaranteed close-up photographs, a long time beside the colonies, or a smooth ride in all conditions, this may disappoint. If you are happy to observe from a respectful distance and want a compact introduction to puffins and other seabirds, the price is easier to justify. Weather-related cancellations receive a full refund, and you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a refund.

Who should book this Reykjavik boat trip?

This tour suits bird lovers, families, and first-time visitors who want a simple way to see puffins without arranging a trip beyond Reykjavik. It is especially appealing if you value a guide who can explain the birds as you watch them, rather than simply taking you out to sea and pointing toward an island.

It is also a good fit if your schedule is tight. The one-hour duration leaves room for other plans, and the Old Harbour meeting point is straightforward for anyone already in central Reykjavik. If you have mobility issues or a medical concern, contact the local operator in advance so they can discuss assistance.

You may want to choose another outing if you dislike boats, are very sensitive to motion, or need the guide’s commentary to be easy to hear at all times. And if you are visiting outside the puffin season, confirm that the tour is operating for your dates before making plans.

Should you book?

Book this trip if seeing puffins in their natural habitat is high on your Iceland list and you are content to watch from a boat. The strongest reasons to go are the nearby islands, the short duration, binoculars on board, and guides who bring both puffins and other seabirds into focus.

Think twice if you expect a close encounter or a guaranteed photo. The advertised sighting guarantee is reassuring, but birds are wild, and weather can disrupt the outing. For a practical, family-friendly puffin introduction from Reykjavik, though, this is a sensible use of an hour.

FAQ

Where does the puffin boat tour meet?

Meet at the Special Tours office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Transfers are not included.

How long is the tour?

The boat tour lasts one hour. Check availability for the departure times offered for your date.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route heads into Faxaflói Bay and toward Lundey and Akurey, two nearby islands known for birdlife.

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

The tour is advertised with a 100% puffin-sighting guarantee. Puffins are wild animals, and sightings can vary with timing and conditions. If the tour is canceled because of weather, you receive a full refund.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available on board, along with a live English-speaking guide.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour depends on sea conditions and may be canceled because of weather. If that happens, you receive a full refund.