Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Puffins are the stars here, but the memorable moment may be the quiet one: the boat’s engine switches off near Lundey or Akurey, giving you a chance to watch the birds above their rocky shores without the motor noise. The islands are only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, so this is a quick route from city streets to seabird habitat.

I like two things about this outing: the small RIB can approach the islands closely, and a guide gives the birds context instead of leaving you to guess what you’re seeing. One drawback is that puffins are small and quick, which makes photographs tricky. The trip also depends on weather, and the captain decides whether conditions are safe and comfortable enough to sail.

At a glance

• Lundey and Akurey are close to Reykjavik: The islands sit in the bay, about 15 minutes by boat from the Old Harbor.
• The engine goes quiet near the birds: Once the boat reaches the islands, the crew turns it off so you can observe the puffins and surrounding birdlife.
• This is a fast, small-group outing: The tour lasts one hour and is limited to 12 participants.
• The gear is partly covered: A full-body waterproof suit, goggles and life vest are included. Waterproof shoes are not.
• The guide adds more than bird names: You may hear about puffin behavior and other local species, and one guide has even imitated puffin calls.
• Weather has the final say: The captain makes the sailing decision with safety and passenger comfort in mind.

From the Old Harbor to the puffin islands

The meeting point is a small wooden hut in a row of huts at the Old Harbor, marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is for preparing for the ride, not wasted harbor sightseeing, so build it into your schedule.

The RIB heads out across Reykjavik Bay toward Lundey and Akurey. The islands are about 15 minutes from the harbor, leaving a useful share of this one-hour outing for viewing the birds rather than a long commute. The short run also makes the trip easy to fit into a day of city sightseeing.

Lundey and Akurey are low, small islands with hills and slopes, and rocky shores. Their birdlife is the reason to come. The RIB’s shallow draft lets the captain approach the islands closely, where a larger boat might have less room to maneuver. Close does not mean walking ashore: the experience is from the boat, with the islands and their birds in view.

The stated aim is to see puffins in their natural habitat, with thousands living on the islands. Wildlife is never a guaranteed performance, though, and the experience depends on conditions at sea and what the birds are doing when you arrive. Treat the outing as a chance to watch a colony in its setting, not as a promise of a perfectly posed bird on cue.

When the engine stops

Near the islands, the crew turns off the engine so you can watch the puffins and take in the surroundings. That change in pace matters. The ride out is the energetic part; the viewing stop is quieter and gives you a moment to pick out birds on the slopes and along the rocky edge.

Puffins are compact birds, and they move quickly. If you want a photograph, keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the viewing area, but do not expect every shot to be sharp. A past participant found puffins hard to photograph or record. That is sensible advice: look first, take pictures second, and enjoy the movement that makes the birds difficult to capture.

You may see more than puffins. Northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns and black guillemots are among the other birds often seen on these trips. A guide can help you distinguish them and notice details you might otherwise miss. One guide was especially memorable for imitating puffin sounds, a lively touch that can help you imagine the calls even if the birds are too far away to hear clearly.

The islands themselves are part of the show. Their slopes and rocky shorelines make a natural backdrop for the birds, while the view back toward Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains gives the short trip a strong sense of place. The tour highlights city lights as well, but that view depends on the departure time and conditions. Do not book solely for a night view unless your chosen departure offers one.

A fast ride, with real bird-watching time

The RIB is designed for an exciting, fast outing, and it makes the short trip to the islands feel like an adventure rather than a simple transfer. Its size and shallow draft are also practical: they help the captain get close to the islands while keeping the group on the water.

That speed has a trade-off. A RIB is an open, sporty boat, not a sheltered cabin cruise. Special Tours provides a full-body waterproof suit, goggles and a life vest, but you should still dress for the weather and bring waterproof shoes. Shoes are not included, and wet or cold feet can distract from an otherwise good hour on the bay.

The tour lasts one hour, with a group capped at 12. That is a useful balance for a short wildlife trip. You are not joining a large crowd, and the guide can share information with a small group, but the boat is still a shared experience rather than a private charter. If you want a long, leisurely bird-watching session, this format may feel brief. If you have limited time in Reykjavik, the compact schedule is a real advantage.

What the guide brings to the hour

The live tour guide speaks English. The guide’s role is more than narrating the route: you can learn about puffins and the other birds likely to be seen, and get help making sense of what is happening around the islands. This is especially useful if you have never watched seabirds closely before.

Special Tours also offers an app with text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish and simplified Chinese. It is available for Android and Apple devices during the tour. The app is a helpful extra for visitors who prefer information in another language, but the live guide’s language is English, so do not assume the app replaces a guide in one of the other languages.

One guide’s puffin-call imitation is the kind of detail that can make a short wildlife outing feel more engaging. It is not a formal performance, and you should not count on the same guide or exact presentation every time. Still, it shows how a good explanation can add character to the viewing, especially when the birds themselves are moving too quickly for a close-up photograph.

Is $84 a fair price for one hour?

At $84 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value comes from combining transport to the islands, a small RIB, a guide and the included safety and weather gear into a one-hour outing close to the city. You are paying for a fast, direct way to reach the bird habitat, not for a long cruise or a full-day wildlife expedition.

For someone with a tight Reykjavik schedule, the short duration helps the price make sense. You can spend about an hour on the water rather than setting aside half a day. The small group limit of 12 also keeps the experience more personal than a large boat tour, though it does not make the trip private.

The price is easier to justify if you are genuinely interested in puffins and seabirds, or if the speedboat ride itself is part of the appeal. If you mainly want a slow, sheltered cruise or a guaranteed close-up photograph, you may find the cost harder to defend. You are paying for a chance to see wildlife in its setting, and nature does not promise a perfect view.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be purchased as an add-on. Food and drinks are also not included. For a one-hour trip, those omissions are manageable, but remember to arrange your own transport to the harbor and arrive early enough to prepare.

Weather, clothing and who should go

The captain decides whether to sail based on weather, drawing on years of experience and considering passenger safety and comfort. That is an important part of the trip, not a minor scheduling footnote. Conditions on the bay can determine whether the boat goes out, so keep some flexibility in your plans if this is a must-do activity.

Wear suitable layers and use the provided full-body suit, goggles and life vest. Bring waterproof shoes, since they are not supplied. The operator does not list food or drinks as included, so do not expect refreshments on board.

This outing is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches (140 cm). The RIB’s fast, open-boat format is a key part of its appeal, but it also means this is not the right choice for everyone. If any of those restrictions apply, choose another way to see Reykjavik Bay.

The tour works best for bird lovers, families with older children who meet the height limit, and anyone who wants a short, lively activity near the city center. A ten-year-old can be old enough to enjoy the outing, as long as the height and other restrictions are met. Photography enthusiasts should come for the experience rather than expect easy wildlife shots.

Should you book the Reykjavik puffin RIB tour?

Book it if you want a quick trip to Lundey and Akurey, like the idea of a fast boat ride, and value a guide who can help you spot and understand the birds. The one-hour format, small group and short run from the harbor make this a practical choice when your Reykjavik itinerary is full.

Skip it if you need a sheltered boat, have one of the listed health or height restrictions, or want guaranteed close-up photos. Puffins are small and quick, and the captain may cancel sailing if the weather is unsuitable. For the right person, though, this is a concise way to trade city pavement for a quiet pause among Reykjavik Bay’s seabirds.

FAQ

How long is the puffin tour?

The tour lasts one hour.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT, in a row of wooden huts at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure so you have time to prepare for the tour.

What equipment is included?

A full-body waterproof suit, goggles and a life vest are included. Waterproof shoes are not.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks English. The Special Tours Iceland app provides text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish and simplified Chinese.

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The tour depends on weather conditions, and the captain decides whether to sail with passenger safety and comfort in mind. You can also cancel your booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.