Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Puffins meet speedboat thrills. This one-hour trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor combines a fast ride with close views of Lundey and Akurey, two small islands known for birdlife. I like the small group of 12 and the way the full-body suit, goggles, and life vest simplify a chilly outing. I also like the licensed guide’s focus on puffin behavior and other birds, rather than treating the ride as a quick photo stop.

The main drawback is that puffins are small, quick, and difficult to photograph. The boat is also weather-dependent, and its speed may not suit anyone with back problems or those who prefer a gentle cruise. At $84 per person, I see good value if you want wildlife and excitement in a compact format, but less value if your only goal is a perfect puffin close-up.

Key points at a glance

• Only one hour from Old Harbor: You can fit this tour into a busy Reykjavik day without giving up half a morning or afternoon.
• Lundey and Akurey are just 15 minutes away: The short run to the islands leaves plenty of time for bird watching rather than a long transit.
• The RIB boat gets close to rocky shores: Its shallow draft helps the crew approach the islands carefully.
• Small groups keep the outing personal: The boat holds no more than 12 participants.
• Puffins share the stage with other birds: Look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.
• Warm gear is included, but shoes are not: You receive a waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest, so bring waterproof footwear.

Why this one-hour puffin trip works

I like short wildlife tours when they use the time well. This one does not spend an hour simply leaving Reykjavik and returning. Lundey and Akurey sit about 15 minutes from the Old Harbor, so the route gives you a quick ride out and a useful amount of time near the birds.

That timing matters in Reykjavik. You might be fitting the trip between a museum visit, a food stop, or an evening outing. The one-hour schedule also makes this a practical choice if you are in the city for a short stay or want a wildlife experience without committing to a full-day excursion.

The price is $84 per person. That is not a cheap harbor activity, but it includes the guide, safety equipment, and a purpose-built RIB boat. You are paying for access to small offshore islands, a limited-size group, and a fast vessel that can approach the rocky edges more closely than a larger boat may manage.

I would book it for the combination of wildlife and motion. If you want a slow, quiet bird-watching cruise, this is probably the wrong fit. If you like the idea of a brisk ride followed by an engine-off viewing session, the price makes more sense.

Meeting the boat at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor

You meet at a small wooden hut in a row of wooden huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. This is in the Old Harbor, the departure point for the trip.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is important because you need time to get suited up and ready, not simply check in at the last moment. Since the tour lasts only an hour, a delayed start would take a noticeable bite out of your wildlife time.

Pickup and drop-off are not included. You can purchase them as an add-on, but the standard experience begins at the harbor. If you are already staying in central Reykjavik, reaching the meeting point yourself may be the simpler and less expensive choice. The supplied information does not give a walking time from hotels, so check your own location before deciding.

The activity is offered in English with a live guide. Special Tours also provides an app for Android and Apple devices, with text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. The live tour itself is in English, while the app gives you extra language support during the outing.

Getting ready in a full-body suit

The operator provides a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. That package is useful because an open RIB boat exposes you to spray and wind, especially during the faster parts of the trip.

Waterproof shoes are not included. This is the packing detail most likely to catch you out. Bring shoes that can handle wet conditions, and make sure they fit comfortably beneath or with the supplied suit. Food and drinks are also not included, so eat and drink before you arrive if you need something in your system.

The equipment makes the tour easier to manage, but it does not turn the boat into a warm indoor cabin. Dress sensibly beneath the suit. The information supplied does not specify a temperature range or a particular clothing list, so I would avoid relying on the waterproof outer layer alone.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters. These limits make sense for a fast, open boat ride and should be taken seriously when you book.

The fast run across Reykjavik Bay

The RIB speedboat leaves the Old Harbor and heads toward the islands. The trip to Lundey and Akurey takes about 15 minutes, giving you views back toward Reykjavik and out toward the surrounding mountains.

This is part of the attraction, not just transportation. A RIB has a lively ride, and the speed creates a clear contrast with the calm wildlife viewing that follows. If you enjoy a little bounce and spray, the crossing adds real fun. If motion makes you uncomfortable, the same feature may be the trip’s weak point.

The boat is designed with a shallow draft. That allows it to approach the rocky island shores more closely than a deeper vessel could. Close does not mean touching the birds or landing on the islands. The value is a better viewing position from the water, with the slopes and small hills filling your view.

The group is limited to 12 people. That is a useful size for an open boat because everyone has a better chance of seeing the islands and hearing the guide. The small group also avoids the feeling of being one person in a large crowd, although exact viewing angles can still depend on where you sit or stand in the boat.

Lundey and Akurey, the bird islands

Lundey and Akurey are small islands in Reykjavik Bay, covered with low hills and slopes. Their rocky shores and colorful birdlife make them the main focus of the excursion.

When the boat reaches the islands, the crew turns off the engine. This is an important moment. The noisy, fast part of the trip pauses, leaving you with the birds, the water, and the surrounding views. The quiet lets the guide point out details without the constant sound of the motor.

The islands are home to thousands of puffins. You have the chance to see them in their natural setting rather than in a zoo or enclosed display. That setting also means the birds behave on their own terms. They may be close enough for a good look, but they are not posed for your camera.

Puffins are small and fast. Bring a camera if you want, but keep your expectations realistic. A phone may capture a distant bird more easily than a sharp portrait, and the best part of the sighting may be watching the birds move, fly, or gather along the shore rather than collecting a perfect image.

Puffins and the other birds you might see

The guide explains puffin behavior and shares facts about the birds. The experience is stronger because puffins are not the only subject. Northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots may also appear around the islands.

That mix gives the hour more depth. If puffins are hard to spot at one moment, you still have other birdlife to watch. It also helps you understand the islands as a working habitat rather than a single-species attraction.

One particularly enjoyable touch comes from the guide’s ability to imitate puffin sounds. Hearing those calls, rather than only seeing a bird at a distance, adds character to the stop. The guide is also prepared to explain the other birds of interest, so I would pay attention during the quiet engine-off portion instead of treating it as photo time only.

Special Tours has offered puffin watching for more than a decade and has more than 20 years of experience with tours in Iceland. Experience does not guarantee sightings or perfect weather, but it matters when captains must judge conditions and guides need to make a short visit worthwhile.

A closer look at the RIB experience

The RIB is the heart of this outing. It gives you speed, a low position on the water, and access close to the islands’ rocky edges. For many people, that makes the trip feel more active than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I like the rhythm: fast boat first, quiet bird watching second, then the return to the harbor. A longer wildlife trip can offer more time, but it can also feel like a large block in your schedule. Here, you get a concentrated experience with little wasted travel time.

The tradeoff is comfort. The information does not promise a smooth sea or a calm ride. The captain decides whether to sail based on weather, passenger safety, and comfort, using years of experience. That is reassuring, but it also means a departure can be affected by conditions.

You should choose this trip because you want the RIB ride, not despite it. The boat is not merely a way to reach the puffins. Its speed and shallow draft are central to the design.

Is $84 a fair price?

At $84, the tour sits in the midrange for a short organized activity. The one-hour duration may initially make the price seem high, but the clock does not tell the whole story.

Your fee covers the guided trip, the boat, a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. You also get a small group capped at 12 participants and a route to two offshore islands only 15 minutes from the harbor. Those details give the outing more substance than a simple harbor ride.

I consider it good value for three types of people: anyone with limited time, anyone who wants a fast boat experience, and anyone who prefers a small group. The value is weaker if you are mainly shopping for the lowest-cost way to see birds, or if you need a long wildlife session to feel satisfied.

There is no food or drink included, and pickup is extra. Waterproof shoes are your responsibility. Add those practical costs to your budget, but none of them changes the basic calculation: you are paying for a compact, guided wildlife outing with an active boat ride.

Who should book it, and who should skip it?

I would recommend this tour to adults, families with eligible children, photographers who understand that wildlife is unpredictable, and anyone trying to fit puffin watching into a packed Reykjavik schedule.

It also suits you if you enjoy a guide who adds facts and personality. The information is not limited to identifying puffins. You hear about other birds, and the guide may even demonstrate puffin calls.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, are pregnant, or are below the 140-centimeter height requirement. I would also skip it if you dislike fast boats, open water, or the possibility of a weather-related change.

Families should check the height rule carefully. The supplied information gives a minimum height, not a minimum age, so height is the clear requirement provided for children. A child who meets the height rule may still find the speedboat exciting or uncomfortable depending on personal preference.

Practical booking advice for a smoother hour

Book with the weather in mind. The captain makes the final decision to sail, and the tour depends on sea conditions. The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Reykjavik plans may shift.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the wooden hut. Wear suitable clothing under the provided suit, and bring waterproof shoes. Do not plan on buying food or drinks as part of the tour.

Download the Special Tours Iceland app if you want text and audio information in a language other than English. It supports English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese on Apple and Android devices. The live guide speaks English, so the app is the practical language aid.

Finally, bring patience. Puffins can be close, but they are not trained models. The best reward may be the full scene: birds on rocky slopes, calls from the islands, Reykjavik behind you, and a fast return across the bay.

Should you book the Reykjavik Puffin Express?

Book this tour if you want a lively one-hour outing that combines puffins, other seabirds, and a genuine RIB ride. The short distance to Lundey and Akurey, small group, included protective gear, and engine-off viewing make the plan efficient and well focused.

Skip it if you need a slow boat, guaranteed close-up photographs, or a long wildlife trip. At $84, the strongest value comes from enjoying both parts of the experience: the speed on the way out and the quiet bird watching at the islands.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour depart from?

It departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Find the small wooden hut in a row of wooden huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $84 per person.

How early should I arrive?

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

What equipment is included?

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

Are waterproof shoes provided?

No. Waterproof shoes are not included, so you should bring your own.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price, but they are available as a paid add-on.

Which birds might I see?

The tour focuses on puffins, and you might also see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

The live tour 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 canceled 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 cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.