Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Puffins feel like tiny miracles. This one-hour Reykjavik puffin watching trip takes you from Old Harbour toward Lundey and Akurey, where you can spot thousands of puffins in their home waters. I love that the RIB speedboat helps you get close enough to actually feel like you are part of the wildlife scene.

My other favorite part is the hands-on, learn-as-you-watch approach, with a licensed guide calling out puffins and other seabirds once you arrive. One consideration: the tour is weather dependent, so the captain will make the call to protect passenger safety and comfort.

Key things I’d circle on your plan

• Fast, one-hour format that respects your time in Reykjavik
• Lundey and Akurey, 15 minutes offshore, meaning less travel and more watching
• Engine-off bird viewing, so you hear and see more without noise
• All-in gear for cold spray, including a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest
• Small group size (12 max), which makes it easier to hear the guide and spot birds

One hour, Old Harbour to Lundey and Akurey: the “fast” puffin plan that makes sense

If you only have a short window in Reykjavik, this is the kind of tour that fits. You leave from Old Harbour and head out toward two small islands, Lundey and Akurey, both known for colorful seabird life. The whole experience is designed to be quick, with a total duration of one hour, so you do not lose your day to long transfers.

I also like that the islands are close. The tour notes Lundey and Akurey are only about 15 minutes from Old Harbour, which is the difference between feeling rushed and actually enjoying the viewing time. This setup is ideal when you are juggling other city plans, like museums, hot pools, or northern lights hunting.

Meet at the wooden huts: what to do before you even see birds

Your trip starts at a little wooden hut area in a row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure, so you have time to get ready and avoid last-minute stress in cold wind.

Once you get set, you are not just waiting on a dock. The tour includes the key cold-weather basics: a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. That matters because seabird watching from a boat can mean misty spray and chilly air, and you do not want to spend your time worrying about whether your clothes will hold up.

Practical tip: waterproof shoes are not included, so if you show up in regular sneakers, you will feel it fast. Iceland’s weather can turn your footwear into a problem. If you already own proper waterproof boots, bring them. If not, plan to buy or rent them locally before your tour.

Gear and comfort: waterproof suit, goggles, and staying warm while you scan the water

This tour is unusually clear about what it supplies. You get a full-body waterproof suit, plus goggles and a life vest, and you stay with a guided program. That is a big value add, because it removes one of the biggest hassles of cold-weather boat days: figuring out the right gear.

The suit and goggles also change how you watch. With your eyes protected and your body sealed, you can stay focused on the birds instead of blinking away droplets and trying to stay comfortable. For puffins specifically, this helps, since puffins are small and quick, and spotting takes concentration.

The RIB speedboat ride: why shallow draft matters for close-up bird watching

The tour uses an RIB speedboat, marketed as the Puffin Express. The important detail for wildlife fans is that the islands’ shores are rocky, and the boats are built with a shallow draft. In plain terms, that means the captain can get you closer to the islands than you might expect from a larger boat.

And because it is a speedboat, you get a ride that feels lively without turning into an all-day endurance test. The tour is designed for energy and access, not a slow cruise.

What you will likely notice on the way out is the contrast between the city and the bay. Reykjavik’s coastline and mountain views keep switching in and out as you angle toward the islands. It is a good reminder that you are doing this right on the edge of town, not far away in some distant landscape.

Lundey and Akurey: rocky shores, small hills, and colorful seabird “real estate”

Lundey and Akurey sit in Reykjavik’s bay area, described as small islands with hills and slopes, and well known for colorful birdlife. The key is that you are watching seabirds in a setting that matches their needs: rocky edges, open water, and the kind of shoreline where puffins and other seabirds show up naturally.

You also get the benefit of being close enough to observe behavior. Puffins are not static targets. They move, they dive, and they hop around the shoreline area. With a boat that can approach and a short overall schedule, you are more likely to see repeated activity rather than one brief pass.

If you like birding, this is where your brain switches from sightseeing to scanning. Look for movement on the water surface and near the rocky edges. When the boat slows and the group starts to focus, you will understand why this type of tour is so popular.

Engine-off viewing: the moment that makes the guide’s explanations click

When the boat arrives at the islands, the tour specifically says the crew turns off the engine so passengers can observe the birds and the surroundings. That detail matters more than it sounds. With the engine quiet, you get a better sense of what is happening around you, and you can hear the licensed guide share information clearly.

This is also when the guide brings the experience to life. The tour describes a licensed guide who talks about puffins and other birds often spotted on puffin watching tours. Based on the provided info, you might see northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots.

Here is what I like about the focus on “other birds you might see.” It keeps you engaged even if puffins are not in every frame of your attention. It also helps you connect the seabird mix to the conditions of the bay, not just to the puffin highlights.

What you might spot besides puffins, and how to help yourself notice it

Puffins get the spotlight, but the tour is realistic about what else may show up. Northern fulmars and black guillemots are the kind of seabirds that can be easy to miss if you only watch for the most famous species. The guide’s job is to help you widen your view.

In practical terms, you can make your viewing go smoother by using a simple routine. First, find the area where most birds cluster. Then, check the waterline for movement and watch the horizon for passing birds. When you hear the guide mention a species, lock onto that cue and confirm visually.

The tour also mentions arctic terns, which often appear like fast, purposeful motion across the water. If you know that going in, you will spend less time hoping to get a perfect photo moment and more time enjoying what you are actually seeing.

Reykjavik bay views, city lights energy, and the photo reality check

Even with the focus on wildlife, the tour promises mountains and city lights as part of the experience. That is not just a nice bonus. It helps you keep perspective during the ride, and it makes the tour feel like part of Reykjavik, not a separate activity happening out in the ocean.

Now for the reality check on recording. One review highlights that puffins are hard to photograph or record because they are small and fast. That matches the general challenge of puffin watching: you are watching motion at a distance, with lots of movement in a sea environment.

My advice: treat your camera as a tool, not a performance test. If you capture something, great. If not, do not let that ruin the experience. Watching tends to be the win here, not getting a perfect video clip.

The Special Tours Iceland app: extra bird context in multiple languages

This tour includes a Special Tours Iceland app available in five languages: English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. You can download it during your tour, with both text and audio information.

This is useful because it lets you match what your guide says with additional context in your preferred language. If you plan to bring a smartphone, keep it protected from spray and wind. If you prefer audio explanations, be ready to use the app right away since the bird viewing portion is short.

Think of the app as a field guide that you can pull up on demand, which fits perfectly with a one-hour experience. You get the basic story from the guide and the extra details when the moment is right.

Price and value at $84: what you are really paying for

At $84 per person for a one-hour RIB puffin watching tour, you are paying for access and gear, not just the viewing itself. The price includes the full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest, plus a guided experience and time on the water using speedboat transport to nearby islands.

The value angle is simple. You skip the hassle of renting or sourcing cold-weather protection. You also get expert guidance plus a boat designed to get close to rocky shorelines, which is the difference between seeing birds at a distance and actually spending your time focused on them.

Small group size matters here too. With a limit of 12 participants, you are less likely to feel swallowed by a crowd when you are trying to see small, fast birds.

Timing: why the one-hour limit is a feature, not a flaw

Some people worry a one-hour tour feels too short. But with puffin watching, short can be smart. Lundey and Akurey are close to Reykjavik, and the total duration is one hour. That means you can fit it alongside other Reykjavik plans without sacrificing the best part of the day.

Also, puffins are active animals. You do not need a long ride to start seeing movement. You need the right conditions, a boat that can approach safely, and enough time for the engine-off viewing moment to do its job.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour is a good fit for people who want an efficient wildlife outing with real guidance and proper cold-weather gear. The group is small, the guide is live and in English, and you are watching in the open air with a format built for short attention spans.

That said, it is not for everyone. The tour is listed as not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm). If any of those apply, you should look for another style of wildlife outing that fits your needs better.

If you tend to get uncomfortable on boats, remember that this is a speedboat experience, and the tour is dependent on weather. That is your cue to pack caution and plan for wind.

Quick booking call: should you book the Puffin Express?

If your goal is close-to-nature puffin watching without burning half your day, I think this is a strong choice. You get a fast one-hour format, a boat designed for getting close, and a guide who explains what you are seeing. The inclusion of waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest is also a real quality-of-day upgrade.

I would not book it if you hate uncertainty. Weather affects whether the tour can sail, and captains make the safety decision based on years of experience. I would also go in with realistic expectations for photos, since puffins can be tough to record due to their speed and small size.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat?

The tour duration is 1 hour.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the little wooden hut (in a row of wooden huts) marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT in Old Harbor, Reykjavik. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure.

What gear is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest, plus a guided tour.

Is the tour dependent on weather conditions?

Yes. The tour depends on weather conditions, and the captains decide whether to sail based on safety and passenger comfort.

What birds might you see besides puffins?

The tour mentions that other birds you may spot include northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots.

Is pickup included, and what is the cancellation option?

Pickup and drop-off are not included, but they are available for purchase as an add-on. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.