Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

Puffins are the stars here, and Akurey Island can deliver them by the hundreds: flying low over the water, bobbing in the sea, or gathered on the rocky island. The short cruise from Reykjavik is easy to fit into a port day, with about 15 minutes each way and a slow circle around the bird colony.

I like the loaner binoculars and the small boat, which can get closer to the shoreline than a larger vessel. I also like the guides’ mix of bird facts and local nature notes. Guides such as Rebekah, Joel, Oscar, and Patricia have been praised for clear, lively commentary.

The main catch is distance. Puffins are wild birds, and the boat cannot pull right up to the island. Your view can depend on your seat, the weather, the sound system, and the season. Bring a camera with a useful zoom if close-up photos matter to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Akurey Island is the main attraction: You circle the island and look for puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds.
• The cruise lasts about one hour: That includes the trip from the harbour, time near the island, and the return.
• Binoculars are available: They make a real difference, though some visitors found the loaners less sharp than their own.
• The small boat has advantages and limits: Its shallow draft helps it approach the island, but seating can affect your view.
• Port pickup is specific: Free transfers apply to passengers at Skarfabakki Harbour. Miðbakki is close enough to walk.
• Weather and season matter: Poor weather can cancel the outing, and late-season departures may have fewer puffins.

Leaving Reykjavik Harbour for Akurey Island

The trip begins at Skarfabakki Harbour, Reykjavik’s main cruise dock. If you are arriving on a ship there, look for the Special Tours minibus at the bus area. The complimentary transfer is intended for Skarfabakki passengers. If your ship uses Miðbakki, the alternative dock, you do not get the same shuttle, but the departure point is described as a very short walk away.

That small transport detail matters. One of the few serious complaints about this outing involved confusion over the pickup bus. Check your meeting point before leaving the ship, and allow enough time to find the bus area. The company has also shown flexibility when a passenger was delayed getting from the cruise port, but you should not count on a boat being held for late arrivals.

At the departure point, you board a sightseeing boat limited to a maximum of 33 people. That is a small group by cruise-excursion standards. It gives the guide a better chance to speak directly to the group, though the boat can feel crowded when everyone moves to one side for a bird sighting.

The ride to Akurey takes about 15 minutes. This is not a long voyage across open water, and that is part of its appeal. You get a taste of Reykjavik’s bay, then reach the bird-watching area without giving up most of your port day.

What you see around Akurey Island

Akurey is a rocky island outcrop used by seabirds. The boat circles it slowly, looking for puffins on the island, in the water, and in the air. Arctic terns and other native birds may also appear, so this is more than a single-species hunt.

Puffins are especially fun to watch in flight. You may see them returning toward the island with fish, floating in groups, or making quick trips between the water and their burrows. At times, the birds fly close to the boat or pass overhead. At other times, they remain small figures on the island.

That variation is normal for a wildlife outing. The boat keeps a respectful distance because of environmental restrictions, and the crew cannot order the birds to pose. Some departures have produced strikingly close views, while others have left people wishing for a stronger zoom lens.

The boat’s shallow draft is useful here. It can reach areas that are less practical for a larger vessel, bringing you nearer to the rocky shoreline. Nearer does not mean right beside the puffins, though. You will still want binoculars, especially if your goal is to identify individual birds rather than simply watch the colony.

The best viewing side can also change. One passenger found that the starboard side offered the clearest view for much of the outing, while people on the opposite side had to photograph over other passengers. Since the boat circles the island, both sides should get some opportunity, but the view may not be equally good throughout.

The guide makes the short cruise worthwhile

The guide is a key part of this experience. On a one-hour trip, there is not much spare time, so clear commentary keeps the ride from becoming a simple boat transfer. The guide explains the puffins and points out other birds and features around the island.

Several guides have earned especially warm praise. Rebekah has been described as a strong narrator with excellent English and a great deal of information to share. Joel has been noted for his friendly manner and bird knowledge, while Oscar and Patricia have also led well-received outings.

The tone can vary from departure to departure. Some guides have been funny and energetic, adding facts without making the trip feel like a lecture. A few people found the commentary too brief or indifferent. The sound system has also been uneven, especially toward the rear of the boat.

Your seat can affect more than your photographs. If you sit too far back, you may struggle to hear the guide, particularly if the boat is moving or the speakers are not working well. I would choose a position where you can see the guide and the island without standing in front of other passengers.

The included Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It is a useful extra for some visitors, but the live guide remains the main source of information during the cruise.

Binoculars, cameras, and the real distance to the birds

Binoculars are included, and you should use them. Puffins can look tiny without magnification, especially when they are sitting on the island. The loaners help you see the birds’ shapes, colors, and movement much better than a phone screen will.

The quality of the binoculars may not satisfy serious birders. If you own compact binoculars, bring them. They are likely to be more familiar and may offer a sharper view than the shared equipment.

Photography is trickier. A standard mobile phone camera may capture the setting, the boat, and larger birds in flight, but it is unlikely to produce detailed puffin portraits from a distance. A camera with a telephoto lens gives you a better chance.

Keep your camera ready during the approach. Puffins may be on the water or flying around the boat before the captain reaches the island. Once the boat slows, you will want one hand free for binoculars and one for your camera, so do not bury either in your bag.

After the boat completes its circle, the engine is silenced for a few quiet moments. This is one of the nicest parts of the trip. Instead of listening to the motor, you can watch the water, take photographs, and listen for seabirds. It is a brief pause, but it gives the outing a calm finish before the return ride.

Timing, season, and weather can change the experience

You choose a departure time, and several options are offered during the day. An earlier trip may be a smart choice if you want a smaller group and a better chance of seeing puffins on the water. One early departure was especially appreciated for the birds’ morning activity.

Season matters just as much. Late in the season, some birds have already left the area, and the number of puffins can drop. A final departure of the season still produced birds on the island and in the water, but it was not as full as a peak-season outing.

If puffins are a top reason for booking, look at the available dates rather than choosing only by convenience. A spring departure was specifically suggested as a better time to see larger numbers. The supplied information does not set out a precise breeding calendar, so treat the operator’s current schedule as the final guide.

Weather is another real factor. A wet, windy day can make the ride less comfortable and make photos harder. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. One outing was rescheduled because of weather and turned into a successful trip on the new date.

Calm conditions can help you watch birds on the water, while wind may affect how easily puffins take off. You cannot control the weather, but you can dress for a cool boat ride and keep your expectations flexible.

Comfort and practical details on the boat

The cruise is short and generally easy for most people to join. The boat is covered, which helps in changeable Icelandic weather, but conditions can still feel cool or wet. Wear layers and bring protection for your camera.

Coffee is served aboard. Food and other drinks are not included, so have a meal or snack before or after the cruise if needed. There is a toilet at the booking office, which is useful before boarding.

The group limit of 33 keeps this from becoming a large sightseeing vessel. The tradeoff is limited personal space when everyone wants to view the same side of the island. If you care about a clear sightline, arrive ready to board and choose your seat with both the island and the guide in mind.

One person raised a concern about lifejackets not being required during the trip. The supplied information does not describe the boat’s safety procedures, so ask the staff if this is important to you before departure.

Most people can participate, and the tour operates near public transportation. The short duration also makes it manageable for families. A child-friendly departure was specifically praised for its funny guides and simple format.

Is the $63.51 price fair?

At $63.51 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. You are paying for a guided wildlife trip, the boat ride, use of binoculars, coffee, and the convenience of a port transfer from Skarfabakki.

The value depends on your goal. If puffins are on your Iceland wish list, the price is reasonable for a focused outing that fits neatly into a cruise stop. You do not need to arrange transport to a distant bird site, and the operator provides a guide who can identify birds and explain what you are seeing.

The value is weaker if you expect guaranteed close-up photographs. The birds may be numerous but still appear small, and the trip does not give you a long time beside the island. About 20 minutes may feel like the true bird-watching window once boarding, the ride out, the circle, and the return are counted.

For birders, nature lovers, families, and visitors with limited time, the short format works well. For serious photographers, a longer wildlife cruise or a land-based birding option may be worth comparing, though no alternative is described here.

Getting the most from your hour

A few simple choices can make this outing better:

• Book an earlier departure if the schedule works for you and you prefer a less crowded boat.
• Bring your own binoculars if you have them. The loaners are useful, but quality can vary.
• Carry a camera with optical zoom if close bird photos matter.
• Choose your seat carefully. Try to keep a clear view of both the guide and the island.
• Check the port instructions twice. Skarfabakki pickup uses the bus area and a Special Tours minibus.
• Allow for weather changes. The trip can be canceled or moved if conditions are poor.
• Keep your expectations realistic. You are watching wild birds from a boat, not visiting a walk-in puffin colony.

The best attitude is to value the whole scene, not just a perfect photograph. Seeing puffins fly, float, and gather around Akurey is satisfying even when the birds are too far away for a sharp phone image.

Should you book the Puffin Sightseeing Cruise?

Book it if you want a short, simple chance to see Icelandic seabirds during a Reykjavik port stop. The strongest reasons are the easy harbour access, small boat, included binoculars, live guide, and frequent reports of large numbers of puffins. Guides such as Rebekah, Joel, Oscar, and Patricia have added real character to the outing.

Think twice if your main goal is close-up wildlife photography, if you dislike boats, or if your schedule only allows a late-season departure. The views can be distant, sound quality can be uneven, and the bird count changes with season and weather.

For most nature lovers, I would book it with binoculars, warm layers, and modest expectations. It is a compact Iceland experience that can give you a memorable look at puffins without sacrificing the rest of your day in Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long does the Puffin Sightseeing Cruise last?

The cruise lasts about one hour. The journey to Akurey Island takes about 15 minutes, followed by the island viewing and the return to Reykjavik Harbour.

Where does the tour depart?

The tour departs from Skarfabakki Harbour in Reykjavik. Passengers should go to the bus area and look for a Special Tours minibus.

Is pickup included from the cruise port?

Complimentary round-trip transfers are available for passengers arriving at Skarfabakki Harbour. Passengers arriving at Miðbakki do not receive the same transfer, but that dock is a very short walk from the departure point.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available to use on board. You may bring your own if you prefer better optical quality.

What birds might I see?

The main sight is the Atlantic puffin. You may also see Arctic terns and other native seabirds around Akurey Island.

Can the boat get close to the puffins?

The boat is designed to reach relatively shallow areas near the island, but environmental restrictions prevent it from getting right beside the birds. Binoculars are useful because puffins may still look small.

Is coffee included?

Coffee is served on board. Food and other drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.