Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Puffins make a fast boat ride worthwhile. This one-hour trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor reaches Lundey and Akurey in about 15 minutes, giving you a quick look at Iceland’s famous seabirds without sacrificing half a day. I like the small group of 12, and I like that the boat can approach the rocky islands closely before the engine goes quiet. The main catch is simple: puffins are small, quick, and wild, so good photographs are never guaranteed.

I also like the full-body waterproof suit and goggles, which make the cold ride easier to handle. A guide explains puffin behavior and points out fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. Still, this is a weather-dependent outing, and the speedboat can feel rough for anyone with back trouble or limited comfort on fast-moving water.

Key points at a glance

• Lundey and Akurey are only about 15 minutes from the harbor, so you spend more of the hour near the bird islands rather than crossing open water.
• The RIB boat can approach the rocky shores closely, thanks to its shallow draft, giving you a useful viewing position without landing on the islands.
• The engine is turned off near the birds, creating a quieter moment for watching puffins and listening to the guide.
• The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest, but waterproof shoes are not provided.
• The group is limited to 12 people, a helpful size for seeing the guide’s demonstrations and getting a place near the boat’s edge.
• The trip costs $84 per person for one hour, which makes the speed, equipment, and short schedule central to its value.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbor on a RIB boat

Your outing begins at the Old Harbor, where you need to find the small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That buffer matters because you need time to check in, put on the protective gear, and get ready before the boat leaves.

Special Tours has offered puffin trips for more than 20 years and has run these outings for over a decade. That experience matters most in a setting where weather can change quickly and the captain has to balance a good view with safe handling.

The RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, is built for a lively ride rather than a quiet cruise. You get a fast trip out of the harbor, with views back toward Reykjavik and, in clear conditions, the surrounding mountains. The speed is part of the fun, but it also means you should dress for movement and spray even though a protective suit is supplied.

The boat holds no more than 12 participants. That is a useful limit on a small craft. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide can speak to everyone without relying on a loudspeaker or a distant viewing platform.

The 15-minute run to Lundey and Akurey

The two islands, Lundey and Akurey, sit in Reykjavik Bay and are only about 15 minutes from the harbor. Both are small, hilly islands with rocky shorelines and slopes covered in birdlife during the puffin season.

That short crossing is one of this tour’s strongest features. If you have only a day or two in Reykjavik, a longer wildlife cruise may be hard to fit around museums, food stops, or a trip outside the city. This excursion takes one hour from start to finish, so you can place it neatly into a busy day.

The ride itself is not just transportation. The RIB gives you a more active way to see the bay than a large sightseeing boat. You will feel the boat move across the water, and the city gradually changes behind you. The outing offers a nice contrast: Reykjavik’s harbor at one end, open water and low bird islands at the other.

The tradeoff is comfort. Anyone prone to motion sickness, back pain, or discomfort on a fast boat should think carefully before booking. Pregnant women and people under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters, should not take this tour.

Watching puffins with the engine off

Near the islands, the captain brings the boat close to the rocky shore. The shallow draft of the RIB helps it approach the islands more closely than a deeper boat could. You do not land, but the position gives you a better chance to watch the birds in their natural setting.

Then the engine is turned off. This is an important part of the experience. The quiet makes it easier to focus on the birds, the slopes of the islands, and the sounds around the boat. It also gives the guide a calmer moment to explain what you are seeing.

Puffins can look wonderfully close from a boat, but close does not mean large. They are small and quick, and they may move before you can frame a photograph. One useful tip from the tour feedback is to enjoy the sight first and treat photography as a bonus. Puffins are difficult to photograph or record because they move fast and do not pose on command.

You should also keep your eyes on the water and the nearby airspace. The trip can include northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. The puffin colonies are the main reason to book, but the other birds give the guide more to point out and help keep the hour interesting if the puffins are active at a distance.

What the guide adds to the hour

The live tour is conducted in English. A licensed guide explains puffins and other birds, helping you understand more than just their appearance. That turns the boat trip from a quick photo stop into a short wildlife lesson.

The strongest praise in the available feedback goes to the guide’s bird facts and lively delivery. One guide even imitated puffin calls, a small but memorable touch that helps you notice the sounds around the boat. You may hear facts about other species too, rather than receiving a narrow talk focused only on puffins.

Special Tours also offers an app for Android and Apple devices. It includes text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. The app can work as an extra wildlife guide during the outing, although the live tour itself is listed as English.

I see the app as a useful bonus, not a reason to ignore the guide. You will already have limited time near the islands, and watching the water is more valuable than staring at your phone. Still, the extra languages may help if someone in your group is more comfortable reading or listening in one of those languages.

Waterproof gear, cold spray, and footwear

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. Those items are practical, not decorative. A fast boat can send spray over the sides, and Iceland’s conditions can feel cold even on a bright day.

You need to bring or wear waterproof shoes. The supplied equipment does not include them. This is an easy detail to miss, and wet feet can make a short excursion feel much longer. Choose sturdy footwear that works with the protective suit and has a secure sole.

The gear also means you do not need a specialized marine wardrobe. You should still plan for Icelandic weather, but the suit gives you a stronger layer of protection than ordinary rainwear. The goggles are especially useful on a fast ride, when wind and spray can make it hard to keep your eyes open.

The captain decides if the boat sails based on weather conditions, passenger safety, and comfort. That can mean a change to the plan when conditions are poor. It is frustrating if your schedule is tight, but this is the right call for a small, fast boat in open water.

Is $84 good value for one hour?

At $84 per person, this is not a cheap short activity. You are paying for a specialized RIB, a small group, protective gear, a licensed guide, and access to nearby bird islands. The boat’s speed lets the company fit the experience into one hour, which is valuable if your Reykjavik schedule is packed.

The price makes more sense if you specifically want a close puffin encounter and prefer an active ride to a slower sightseeing cruise. You get a direct trip to Lundey and Akurey, time near the islands with the engine off, and explanations about several bird species.

The value is weaker if you expect a long wildlife expedition or guaranteed close-up photographs. The whole outing lasts just one hour, and wild birds control the quality of the sighting. The islands are close, but the puffins may still be too quick or distant for a perfect picture.

Pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be purchased as an add-on. Since the meeting point is at the Old Harbor, you need to make your own way there unless you add transportation. Food and drinks are also not included, but the short duration makes that less important than on a longer cruise.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Iceland plans.

Who will enjoy the Puffin Express?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a compact wildlife experience close to central Reykjavik. It works well for visitors who have a packed itinerary but still want to see puffins in their natural setting.

It also suits people who enjoy a little speed and spray. The RIB ride adds energy, while the quiet stop near the islands gives you time to watch birds without the entire outing feeling like a thrill ride.

Families should check the height restriction carefully. Children under 140 centimeters cannot join, even if they are comfortable on boats. A ten-year-old was part of a particularly positive wildlife outing in the available feedback, but the details of that outing referred to whale watching rather than this puffin trip, so I would not use it as proof of what every puffin tour will deliver.

You should choose another activity if you are pregnant, have back problems, or dislike fast boats. The boat may be safe and well-run, but comfort is personal. A full-body suit protects you from water, not from the motion of the boat.

Practical advice before you book

Arrive 30 minutes early at the wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Do not leave check-in and gear fitting until the last minute.

Bring waterproof shoes, since they are the one important piece of wet-weather equipment not supplied. Wear clothing that fits comfortably beneath the full-body suit, and plan to keep your phone or camera protected from spray.

For photographs, use a camera that starts quickly and keep it ready before the boat reaches the islands. Once the engine stops, watch first and shoot second. Puffins are small, fast, and unpredictable, so you may come away with a less-than-perfect picture even after a successful sighting.

Ask the guide about the other bird species as well as puffins. Northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots add variety, and noticing them makes the trip more rewarding when the puffins are busy or far from the boat.

Keep your schedule flexible around the weather. The captain makes the final decision about sailing, based on years of experience and the safety and comfort of the passengers. That policy protects the experience, even when it creates a change to your plans.

Should you book this Reykjavik puffin tour?

Book it if you want a fast, focused bird outing that fits neatly into a Reykjavik day. The close approach to Lundey and Akurey, the quiet viewing stop, the small group, and the supplied waterproof suit give the hour real substance.

Skip it if you need guaranteed photographs, dislike rough boat rides, or want a long wildlife cruise. The best reason to book is not a promise of a perfect puffin picture. It is the chance to reach two bird islands quickly, hear useful explanations from a guide, and watch Icelandic seabirds from a small boat in their own setting.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour depart from?

The tour departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Look for a small wooden hut in a row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure so there is time to prepare for the boat ride.

How long does the tour last?

The Puffin Express lasts one hour. Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, a life vest, and a guided tour. Waterproof shoes are not included.

Is pickup from my accommodation included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but transportation can be purchased as an add-on.

Can children and pregnant women join?

People under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters, and pregnant women should not take the tour. People with back problems should also avoid it.