Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

Thousands of puffins gather on the small islands of Lundey and Akurey, just a short boat ride from Reykjavik. This one-hour RIB tour gives you a fast, close look at the birds without eating half a day of your Iceland schedule.

I like the quick trip to the islands and the chance to watch the birds with the engine off. I also like the small group, limited to 12 people, and the full-body waterproof suit supplied before departure. The main catch is that puffins are small and quick, so getting a sharp photo takes patience. The ride can also be rough in poor weather.

Key points to know before booking

• The islands are only about 15 minutes from Old Harbor: You spend little time getting to the wildlife.
• The RIB boat can approach rocky shores closely: Its shallow draft helps the captain get near Lundey and Akurey.
• The engine is turned off for birdwatching: This gives you a quieter view of puffins and other seabirds.
• The outing lasts just one hour: It fits neatly before or after other Reykjavik plans.
• You get a full-body waterproof suit and goggles: Waterproof shoes are not included, so bring suitable footwear.
• The group is capped at 12 people: You have a better chance of hearing the English-speaking guide.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbor on a RIB boat

The meeting point is a small wooden hut in a row of huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because you need time to check in, put on your life vest and waterproof suit, and get ready for the boat.

Special Tours has offered puffin trips for more than 20 years, and this outing is built around speed and efficiency. You are not boarding a large sightseeing vessel for a long cruise. You are stepping onto a RIB speedboat designed to move quickly across the bay and approach the islands in shallow water.

The boat carries no more than 12 participants. That is a useful size for a short wildlife trip. You can usually hear the guide without the feel of a large crowd, and the boat does not take long to load.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. A RIB boat gives you a lively run across the water, with views back toward Reykjavik and out toward the mountains. The exact feel depends on the weather. In calm conditions, the speed adds fun. In rougher water, the ride may feel bumpy, which is one reason the company lists back problems and pregnancy among the reasons not to book.

Lundey and Akurey, the puffin islands

Lundey and Akurey are small islands in Reykjavik Bay, around 15 minutes from the Old Harbor. Both have low hills, slopes, and rocky shores. Their importance comes from the birds that gather there, not from buildings or historic sights.

The RIB’s shallow draft lets the captain approach the rocky edges more closely than a deeper boat could. That does not mean you step onto the islands. You remain on the boat, looking toward the slopes and shore where the puffins gather.

When the boat reaches the islands, the engine is switched off. This is the key wildlife moment. The sudden quiet gives you time to watch the birds and take in the open water around you. You may see puffins moving between the water and the island, along with northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

The phrase thousands of puffins sounds impressive, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife does not pose on command, and puffins can be hard to photograph because they are small and fast. One useful tip from the experience is to spend less time staring at your phone. Watch first, then try a few photos when the birds settle.

What the guide adds to the hour

The English-speaking guide explains puffins and the other birds around the islands. That turns the ride into more than a quick look at seabirds. You learn what you are seeing while it is directly in front of you, rather than trying to identify birds later from a blurry photo.

A particularly enjoyable detail is the guide’s use of puffin calls. One guide even imitated the sounds, giving the group a sense of what to listen for. The exact guide depends on the departure, and no individual guide names are provided, but the outing includes a live English-speaking guide.

The company also offers an app for Android and Apple devices. It provides text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. The live tour language is English, but the app gives you another way to follow the information if you prefer reading or listening in one of those other languages.

I would treat the app as a useful extra, not as the main reason to book. The best part of the trip is being beside the islands with the engine off. The app is handy if you want more facts or need language support, while the guide handles the real-time explanation.

How the one-hour itinerary works

This is a compact outing, so each stage moves quickly.

First, you arrive at the Old Harbor hut at least 30 minutes early. You receive a life vest, goggles, and a full-body waterproof suit. The suit helps protect you from spray and cold air, but your feet are not fully covered by the supplied equipment. Waterproof shoes are not included.

Next comes the RIB ride across Reykjavik Bay. The islands are roughly 15 minutes away, giving you a short run with views of Reykjavik, the mountains, and the water. The boat is fast, so hold onto your belongings and dress for exposure even though the company supplies the main protective suit.

At Lundey and Akurey, the captain shuts off the engine. The guide points out puffins and other seabirds, explains their behavior, and gives you time to watch. This pause is the heart of the trip, and it is also when you will want your camera ready.

Finally, the boat returns to the Old Harbor. The total tour time is one hour, so you can fit it into a morning, afternoon, or evening of sightseeing, depending on the departure time available when you book.

The short format is a real advantage if you have only a limited stay in Reykjavik. It is also a limitation. You do not get a long wildlife cruise or hours to wait for the perfect bird photograph. This is a focused visit to nearby puffin islands.

Is $84 a fair price?

At $84 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. Still, the price includes the RIB boat, live guide, life vest, goggles, and full-body waterproof suit. It also saves you time by taking you to the islands quickly.

I see the value in the combination of speed and access. You are paying for a small-group ride that gets close to rocky bird islands, not simply for transport across the harbor. The boat’s shallow draft is useful here because it allows a closer approach than a larger vessel may manage.

The value is strongest for you if your schedule is tight, you like active boat rides, and puffins are high on your Iceland list. If you want a slow, quiet wildlife outing or have a strong interest in photography, a longer cruise may suit you better, though no alternative trip is specified here.

Pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the Old Harbor unless you purchase transportation as an add-on. Food and drinks are also not included, but the tour is only one hour, so this is easy to plan around.

What to wear and bring

The company supplies a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. That covers the main exposure on the boat, but it does not remove the need for sensible clothing underneath.

I would wear warm layers and waterproof shoes. The supplied suit is not a substitute for footwear, and spray or wet surfaces can still make ordinary shoes uncomfortable. Keep personal items secure and bring a camera only if you can protect it from water.

The goggles are useful during the fast ride, especially if the boat throws spray. Once the engine is off near the islands, you may find them less important, but they are part of the provided equipment.

Because weather determines whether the boat sails, leave some flexibility in your day if possible. The captain makes the final call based on safety and passenger comfort. That is good practice for a small open boat, though poor weather can affect your plans.

Who should book this puffin trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see puffins but do not want to commit to a long excursion. The one-hour duration works well for a short Reykjavik stay, a busy sightseeing day, or a family schedule that cannot handle a half-day tour.

It is also a good match if you enjoy a bit of speed. The RIB ride gives the outing more energy than a standard slow cruise. The small group and live guide add a personal feel without making the trip formal.

Children can take part only if they meet the height requirement. The tour is not suitable for anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

Photography-focused visitors should think carefully. Puffins are fast and small, and the boat may move or rock. You will likely get the most from the outing if you treat photographs as a bonus and spend your attention on watching the birds.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The captain decides whether to sail after considering weather conditions, safety, and comfort. This means the itinerary is not guaranteed in poor conditions, but that flexibility is sensible for a RIB boat in Icelandic waters.

You can cancel 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 an Iceland itinerary.

Plan to be at the marked wooden hut at least 30 minutes early. Do not arrive at the last minute expecting to put on the suit and board immediately. The tour is short, and a late start would cut into the birdwatching time.

My verdict: a fast, focused puffin outing

Book this tour if you want a short, active wildlife trip from central Reykjavik. The close approach to Lundey and Akurey, the quiet engine-off viewing, and the live bird information make good use of a single hour.

Skip it if you have back problems, are pregnant, fall below the 140-centimeter height limit, or dislike fast boats. I would also choose something longer if your main goal is perfect wildlife photography.

For most visitors with limited time, $84 is reasonable for the boat ride, gear, guide, and direct access to nearby puffin islands. Just bring waterproof shoes, arrive early, and remember that the birds control the photo session.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour leave from?

It leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Look for the 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 you have time to prepare for the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts one hour.

How far are the puffin islands from Reykjavik?

Lundey and Akurey are about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor by boat.

Which birds might I see?

You may see puffins, northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots.

Is the tour guided?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide who explains the puffins and other birds.

What equipment is included?

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

Are waterproof shoes included?

No. Waterproof shoes are not included, so you should bring suitable footwear.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters.