Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

Puffins make even a short boat ride memorable. This one-hour trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour takes you across Faxaflói Bay to the nearby islands of Lundey and Akurey, where Atlantic puffins gather in their natural habitat. I like the guaranteed puffin sightings and the chance to use binoculars without bringing your own. I also like the compact format, which fits neatly into a busy Reykjavik day.

The old wooden boat, Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli, carries up to 33 passengers. That keeps the outing smaller and more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. The main drawback is that the boat can be wavy, and several people found the guide difficult to hear over the engine and wind. At $64 per person, it is not the cheapest hour on the water, but it delivers a focused wildlife outing with very little time commitment.

Key Things to Know Before You Sail

• Puffin sightings are guaranteed: You are promised a chance to see Atlantic puffins, though the birds may sit at some distance from the boat.
• Two nearby bird islands are included: Lundey and Akurey are known for puffins and other seabirds.
• The trip lasts one hour: It is short enough for children and easy to add to a day of sightseeing in Reykjavik.
• Old Skuli carries up to 33 people: The wooden boat offers a more intimate feel than a big harbor cruiser.
• Binoculars are available onboard: These help when the boat cannot approach the birds closely.
• Weather affects the experience: Wind, rain, and waves can make the ride rough and make the guide harder to hear.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is a convenient starting point if you are already exploring the waterfront, visiting nearby attractions, or staying within central Reykjavik.

The harbor departure gives the trip a pleasant sense of place. You are not being bused to a distant coast for a wildlife outing. Instead, you walk down to the water in the city and soon trade streets and buildings for open bay views.

The vessel is Skúlaskeið, an older wooden boat fondly called Old Skuli. It is large enough to feel stable and comfortable, but small enough to keep the group from feeling anonymous. Capacity is limited to 33 passengers, which matters when everyone wants a clear view of the islands and birds.

There is no hotel transfer, food, or drink included. Plan to arrive ready to board, and bring your own water if needed. Since the activity is only an hour, you can easily eat before or after the outing rather than treating it as a full-day excursion.

The Ride Across Faxaflói Bay

Once Old Skuli leaves the harbor, the boat heads into Faxaflói Bay toward Lundey and Akurey. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You get a different view of Reykjavik from the water, with the city gradually giving way to the low, open islands.

The sea can be calm, but it can also be choppy. Several people found the ride bumpy enough to suggest taking motion-sickness medicine in advance if you are prone to seasickness. This is useful advice even though the boat trip is short. One hour on rolling water can feel much longer if your stomach is unhappy.

The captain works to keep the boat steady near the colonies, but conditions are outside anyone’s control. Rain or drizzle does not automatically ruin the experience, and the tour can still be enjoyable in poor weather. Calm conditions, however, make it easier to watch birds, take photographs, and move around the boat.

Bring warm layers and a waterproof outer layer. Iceland’s summer weather can change quickly, and the boat is exposed to wind. Comfortable shoes are also sensible, particularly if you want to move between viewing areas.

Lundey and Akurey, Reykjavik’s Puffin Islands

Lundey and Akurey are small islands marked by hills and sloping ground. Their importance comes from the birds that use them, not from human buildings or attractions. The boat approaches the islands and then turns off its engine, giving you a quieter period for watching.

That pause is valuable. With the motor stopped, you can focus on the sound and movement of the colony rather than simply passing by. Puffins may be perched on the rocks, moving around the slopes, or flying between the island and the sea.

The boat does not land on the islands. That is a good thing for the birds and their nesting areas, but it also sets a realistic limit on what you will see. You are observing a wild colony from the water, not walking among puffins at arm’s length.

The boat can get close to the islands, though the exact distance depends on sea conditions and the need to protect the birds. Some people felt they wanted to get closer, while others were amazed by how many puffins they could see. Binoculars help bridge that gap.

Puffins in Their Natural Setting

The Atlantic puffin is the star of the trip, and the appeal is easy to understand. These compact seabirds have colorful bills, bright faces, and an almost comic way of standing on the rocks. Seeing them in the wild is more rewarding than seeing one in a display or zoo because the birds are behaving on their own terms.

The tour promises 100 percent puffin sightings. That means you should expect to see puffins, but it does not mean every person will get a perfect close-up photograph. The birds remain wild, and they may be perched on the island, flying past the boat, or floating on the water.

People have seen puffins walking on the slopes, flying overhead, swimming, and carrying out their daily routines at sea. You might get a clear view through the binoculars even when your phone camera produces only a small dark bird in the distance.

Photography takes patience. Puffins are quick, and a boat moving on waves adds another challenge. I would treat photographs as a bonus and give your attention first to watching the colony directly. If you want frame-filling portraits, this may not be the right type of wildlife outing.

Timing can affect what you see. One spring outing produced fewer puffins, possibly because it was early in the season and conditions were not ideal. Another tip from the field is that early morning or evening trips may offer good chances to see puffins on land. In bright sunshine, they may spend more time out at sea. In August, puffins were still present during the first week, though seasonal conditions can vary.

Other Birds Around the Islands

Puffins share the islands with several other species. The guide points out northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and eider ducks.

This turns the trip into more than a single-bird photo stop. You begin to see how the islands function as a busy nesting and feeding area. A well-timed explanation can help you notice the difference between birds that soar, birds that skim the water, and birds that remain close to the rocks.

The guides add much of the character. Patrick, sometimes introduced as the Puffin Man, has been praised for mixing facts with jokes and keeping children involved. Joe has used photographs to show the different bird species and has answered questions from families. Rebekka and Vera have also been singled out for warm, lively presentations.

The style may vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: this is not a silent cruise where you simply point your camera at the island. The guide explains puffin behavior and talks about the other birds sharing the bay. Some guides have even added music or an Icelandic lullaby to the trip.

What the Boat Is Like Onboard

Old Skuli’s modest size gives the trip its charm. You are close to the water and close to the guide, with a better sense of being on a working boat than on a giant sightseeing ship.

There is enough room for 33 passengers, but the boat is not built for endless wandering. Seating and viewing positions may fill quickly, especially when the islands come into view. One particularly enjoyable option mentioned by people on the boat is sitting on the roof for a broader view. If that area is open during your departure, it can be a fine place to watch birds, though you should still follow the crew’s safety instructions.

Binoculars are supplied onboard, and there are enough for people to use them during the trip. That is a real value point. Good binoculars make a major difference when puffins are perched across the island or flying beyond the boat.

The weak spot is the sound system. Wind and engine noise can make it hard to understand the guide, especially from certain parts of the boat. Try to stay near the guide when possible, and do not hesitate to ask for information to be repeated during a quiet stretch. The crew and captains have also received praise for helping people board and leave the boat, including people with mobility concerns.

Is One Hour Enough?

For most people, yes. The trip is long enough to reach the islands, spend time watching the birds with the engine off, and return to the harbor. It is also short enough that young children are unlikely to become restless.

Families have found the outing manageable for children as young as five. The guaranteed sightings help, and the boat ride adds excitement without taking up half a day. Older children and teenagers can also enjoy the chance to take photographs and spot different species.

Bird enthusiasts may wish for more time. The company also offers longer three-hour trips, but this one-hour version makes sense if your main goal is a quick puffin encounter. It works well between museums, meals, and other Reykjavik activities.

The short length is also helpful when weather is uncertain. You are committing to one hour rather than a major expedition. Still, do not mistake short for effortless. A rough sea can make the hour physically demanding, and poor visibility may reduce the quality of your views.

The $64 Price and What You Get

At $64 per person, the tour costs more than a simple harbor cruise, but it includes a specific wildlife target, a guide, a captain, a wooden boat, access to nearby islands, and binoculars. The puffin sighting guarantee gives the price extra security, particularly if seeing these birds is high on your Iceland list.

The value is strongest when you want a convenient Reykjavik activity without arranging transport to a remote bird colony. You leave from the Old Harbour, spend an hour on the bay, and return with time left in the day.

The value is weaker if you expect close photographic portraits or a long, quiet nature excursion. The birds can be farther away than you hope, and the boat’s sound system may make some commentary difficult to follow. You are paying for access to a wild colony and expert interpretation, not a controlled animal encounter.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve the place while paying later. Weather can cause a cancellation, in which case a full refund is provided. These terms are useful in Iceland, where sea conditions can change plans.

Who Will Enjoy This Reykjavik Boat Trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families seeking an easy wildlife activity
• First-time visitors who want to see puffins without leaving Reykjavik
• Bird lovers who also want to see fulmars, terns, gulls, guillemots, and eider ducks
• People with a spare hour between city activities
• Visitors who prefer a small wooden boat to a large sightseeing vessel

You may want to think twice if you are very sensitive to motion, need a perfectly quiet presentation, or care mainly about professional wildlife photography. The boat can roll, the wind can be loud, and puffins do not pose on command.

The tour is also a good fit for visitors who care about seeing animals in a natural setting. The boat stays offshore and does not bring people onto the islands. That means the experience is less intrusive, though your view depends on binoculars and the birds’ behavior.

Practical Tips for a Better Trip

Book an early morning or evening departure if your schedule allows. These times may give you better chances of seeing puffins on land, while bright midday conditions can find more birds out at sea.

Arrive dressed for exposed water. A warm layer and rain protection are more useful than stylish city clothing once the boat leaves the harbor.

Take motion-sickness medicine before boarding if you already know you need it. The trip is only an hour, but the ride can be bumpy.

Keep your expectations realistic about distance. You should see puffins, but the best view may come through binoculars rather than your phone screen. Watch the birds first, then try for photographs.

If you have mobility concerns or a medical condition, tell the local operator in advance. Assistance is available, and one captain was especially praised for helping someone board and leave carefully.

Should You Book the Puffin Watching Boat Tour?

Yes, if you want a friendly, efficient puffin experience from central Reykjavik. The strongest reasons are the guaranteed sightings, the small wooden boat, the supplied binoculars, and guides who bring humor and clear enthusiasm to the subject.

I would book it as a compact addition to a Reykjavik day, not as a major expedition. Expect wild birds at a respectful distance, changing sea conditions, and commentary that may be hard to hear at times. If those limits suit you, $64 buys a memorable hour with puffins, seabirds, and the open water of Faxaflói Bay.

FAQ

Where does the puffin boat tour meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The boat trip lasts one hour.

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

Yes. The tour includes a 100 percent guarantee of puffin sightings.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Lundey and Akurey, two nearby islands known for their birdlife.

What other birds might I see?

You might see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and eider ducks.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available onboard for use during the trip.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Tours depend on sea conditions. If the operator cancels because of weather, you receive a full refund.