Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Puffins feel close in a RIB. This Reykjavik Faxaflói Bay cruise is a quick, high-energy wildlife outing, built around getting near the islands and sea cliffs where puffins gather. I love that the RIB format gives you more “look around” time and more of the action than you get from larger boats.

I also like the human factor: you’re not just scanning waves. You get bird facts from the professional captain and live English guide, and I’ve seen praise for guides like Anna and Maria who bring the puffin life cycle down to earth.

One consideration: this is an open-water, bouncy ride. If you’re sensitive to rough conditions, plan for a vigorous cruise, dress warm, and keep your phone secured.

Key things to know before you go

• RIB speed + closeness helps you track puffins on the water and around nesting cliffs
• Coveralls and safety gear mean you can focus on spotting birds, not staying warm
• Binoculars included so you can pick out details fast when the action starts
• Bird variety beyond puffins includes gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns
• Photo help can be part of the experience, including staff photos sent after the tour

Entering the Old Harbour: Whale Safari check-in and quick safety mode

Your day starts in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at the Whale Safari office, where you’ll connect with the captain and guide. Because this is a short, 1-hour cruise, timing matters. I’d treat arriving a few minutes early as part of the plan, not as “extra.”

Expect a short safety briefing first. Then you’ll put on the provided coveralls over your clothes, along with the required safety equipment. The goal is simple: keep you warm and protected in cold wind off the water, and keep everyone comfortable during the RIB ride.

Once you’re suited up, you’ll board and take hold of a grab rail as the boat heads out. You’ll be in open air the whole time, so this is where good layering pays off: warm clothing, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and sports shoes. No large bags or luggage helps keep boarding quick and safe.

Coveralls that actually matter in Reykjavik wind

The coveralls aren’t a gimmick. They’re there because Reykjavik can feel sharply colder the moment you’re moving across bay water. The tour is short, which means you don’t have time to “warm up later.” This outfit is your main insulation for the cruise.

I like the practical design details you see people talk about: a secure fit over your layers, plus storage pockets that make it easier to keep small items where you want them. If you’re bringing a phone for photos, keep it secured so it does not become a wind toss experiment.

The tour also provides safety equipment, which makes a big difference on a fast RIB. You’ll still feel the speed and the spray, but you should feel stable and looked after the whole time. That matters even for strong swimmers, because the goal is comfort and focus while scanning for birds.

Zipping across Faxaflói Bay: what the RIB ride feels like

Faxaflói Bay is where the tour earns its keep. This is the stretch that gets you from Reykjavik into the bird-rich waters and rocky settings puffins use for nesting and feeding. With a RIB, you’re not stuck waiting for the boat to “find a view.” You’re moving fast enough to catch activity as it happens.

The cruise timing is built for attention. You get about an hour total, including time on the water and time near the islands and inlets. In that window, the boat ride is part of the experience, not just transportation.

That said, RIBs move differently than calm cruises. You should expect a bouncy feel over waves, and that can affect photos on a phone if you try to hold it out while filming. My advice is straightforward: use the secure pockets for your device, then shoot when the boat slows or lines up with the cliffs.

Where puffins show up: islands, sea cliffs, and inlets

The whole tour revolves around puffins on the local islands and sea cliffs in summer, typically from May through August. Puffins nest on land but spend a lot of time at sea. So your best moments often come from watching the birds as they appear from the water, dive, fly past the boat, and settle near nesting areas.

During the cruise, you’ll go around rocky islands and sea cliffs and into the inlets where puffins congregate. This is where the RIB format pays off again. Being closer to these features improves your odds of seeing not just a single bird but repeated activity: birds flying low, birds floating on the water, and birds moving around nesting zones.

You’ll also see other seabirds in the same corridor. The tour highlights gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns, and that matters because the ecosystem is connected. When you spot one type of bird, you’re often in the right place for others to be feeding or hunting.

The bird talk that makes spotting easier, not harder

This is not a silent nature hike where you guess what you’re looking at. You get live commentary from the expert captain and guide in English. The practical value here is that you learn what behavior to look for.

You’ll hear about puffins’ natural behaviors and what they eat, plus how they use the nesting habitat during the season. That context changes how you watch. Instead of only thinking, cute bird, you start noticing patterns like movement near nesting areas, diving behavior, and the way birds travel between sea and cliff.

You may also catch fun, memorable explanations from guides described as energetic and personable in the experience. Even when you’re just trying to photograph, the narration helps you anticipate the next burst of action so you’re not constantly searching.

And yes, you can take photos while you cruise around the rocks and cliffs. But go in with realistic expectations: the boat is moving, and puffins can change position quickly. If you miss a shot, that is part of wildlife viewing, not a failure.

Binoculars and photo strategy for close-ups you can actually use

Binoculars are included, and they’re a smart addition to this kind of cruise. With seabirds, quick scanning matters. Binoculars help you find birds fast, then confirm details once you spot movement around a cliff edge or on open water.

For photos, your best results depend on your timing. Cell phone photos can be tricky because you usually need zoom, and zoom compresses motion blur when the boat bounces. I’d plan to shoot in short bursts when the boat steadies near rocks or inlets, rather than trying to film continuously.

One nice perk in the experience: staff may take photos during the tour and share them afterward by email. This can rescue your trip if you spend the whole time wrestling a phone while holding a seat’s worth of balance. If you want that option, you’ll want to share your email with the staff when asked.

What else you should expect on a short, 1-hour schedule

A one-hour wildlife cruise sounds simple, but it is packed. The advantage is focus. You’re not committing to a long day, and you’re getting concentrated time in a specific area where puffins and other seabirds gather.

The trade-off is that you do not control the environment. Weather, wind, and sea conditions can affect visibility and how close the boat can work to certain points. That’s part of operating on open water, and Reykjavik conditions can shift fast.

Also, because the tour ends back at Reykjavik harbor after the cruise, you’ll likely want your morning plan to be flexible enough to match the return time. No hotel pickup or drop-off is included, so walking back to your car or hotel is on you.

Price and value: why $101 can make sense here

At $101 per person for a 1-hour RIB tour, this is not a “cheap” Reykjavik activity. But you are paying for three things that are hard to replace with other tours.

First, you’re paying for the boat type. RIBs can cover more ground and get closer to the cliffs and islands where puffins nest. That closeness is the entire point. Second, your ticket includes coveralls, safety equipment, and binoculars, so you are not scrambling for gear at the last minute. Third, you have live guidance from a professional captain and an English-speaking guide who helps you interpret behavior.

If you’re short on time in Reykjavik, this is also a practical value play. A quick tour like this fits nicely into a packed itinerary, and it gives you a strong chance to see puffins right away without driving out of town.

I’d still treat it as a “pay for access” experience. You’re not paying for a meal or a long scenic drive. You’re paying for a focused shot at puffins in their nesting waters.

Who should book this puffin viewing cruise

This tour is a strong match for adults and older kids who can handle a fast, open-air boat ride. The main suitability notes are clear: children under 10 years, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and people under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm) are not suitable.

It also helps if you like active wildlife viewing. If you want birds that you can watch dive and fly, this format works. If your travel style is more “sit back and watch from a comfortable deck,” you might find the RIB ride too physical.

You’ll also get the most from this if you’re okay dressing for cold wind and staying alert for quick bird moments. Bring warm clothing and closed-toe shoes, and set your expectations for fast action rather than slow sightseeing.

Should you book this Reykjavik puffin RIB tour?

Yes, if your priority is close puffin watching in a short time window. The RIB approach, with coveralls, binoculars, and guided bird talk, is built for seeing behavior, not just spotting a blurry silhouette.

I’d especially book it if you want a morning activity from Reykjavik Old Harbour that does not require a long drive. And if you’re the type who cares about practical photo results, ask about the staff photo sharing after the tour and plan to exchange your email.

If you are very sensitive to choppy water or you fall into the not-suitable categories, skip it and look for gentler wildlife options. Also, pack for wind, because you are out on the water the whole time.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Puffin Watching Tour?

It lasts 1 hour, including the cruise time and returning to Reykjavik harbor at the end.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $101 per person.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

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

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes, plus sports shoes.

Is this tour in English?

Yes, the live tour guide language is English.

What gear is included with my ticket?

You get use of coveralls, all necessary safety equipment, professional captain and wildlife guide, and binoculars.

Are luggage or large bags allowed?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and people under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm).