Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat from Reykjavík

Puffins feel close enough to reach out. That is the whole point of this RIB ride out from downtown Reykjavík, with the crew helping you get set for cold, wet, and wild bird watching. You’ll get warm overalls and goggles, then cruise fast to rocky shores where puffins nest (May through August), along with other seabirds you can spot from the boat.

What I like most is the mix of speed plus education. The guide experience is hands-on, and one guide named Celina stood out for keeping things lively while explaining puffins, how they fit into this part of Iceland, and what to watch for during the ride.

One thing to consider: the trip can feel less thrill-heavy than you might expect. Even though it’s a powerful RIB, at least one person felt the pace was slow, making the tour feel closer to a short ride than a full-on adrenaline sprint.

Key things to know before you go

• Warm gear is included, so you do not need to guess what to wear for cold, sea-spray conditions
• Small group size (max 12) keeps the bird spotting experience feeling more personal
• RIB designed for close shoreline viewing helps you see puffins up close on rocky coasts
• You’ll visit Lundey or Akurey, both known for puffin populations just off Reykjavík
• English-speaking expert guide gives context on puffins and other nearby seabirds
• Suspension seats add comfort, which matters when you are riding a speedboat on open water

Meeting at Ægisgarður 5F, then gearing up for puffins

This tour starts in central Reykjavík at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F (101 Reykjavík). Your tour departs at 12:00 pm and runs about 1 hour, returning to the same meeting point. If you like a straightforward plan with no transfers required, this layout is simple.

Right before you board, you get fitted out with the essentials: warm overalls, a life jacket, gloves, and goggles. They also provide suspension seats for extra comfort. Translation for your day: you can show up without doing a full shopping trip for cold-weather gear, and your hands, face, and body are covered enough to actually focus on the birds.

The meeting point is described as being near public transportation, which helps if you are basing yourself downtown. If you are staying farther out, you can arrange a hotel transfer for an additional fee, typically listed as 2200 ISK.

The Lundey and Akurey idea, why these islands work

The heart of the experience is getting close to puffins in their natural habitat. The tour runs to Lundey or Akurey, islands just off Reykjavík’s coast known for seabirds. Puffins nest between May and August, which is the prime window for seeing them at the islands during this kind of trip.

These islands are described as rocky and covered with small hills and slopes. That matters because puffins are not gathered in a neat, flat viewing platform. The boat is specifically designed to get you as close to the shoreline as possible, so your viewing is less “from far away” and more “watching from the waterline.”

If you are the kind of traveler who hates doing wildlife tours that feel like photo ops from a distance, this approach is the real value. You are not just driving past birds, you are positioned to spot them where they nest.

What actually happens in the 1 hour on the water

Your ride is on a RIB speedboat, and the whole tour stays focused around one tight window. That short duration is a big deal in Reykjavík. In one hour you get the cruise, the close viewing, and the guide-led education, without turning the day into a half-day logistics exercise.

During the trip, you’ll learn about puffins and other seabirds in the area from an English-speaking guide. The idea is that you are not just watching, you are also getting quick context so you know what you are seeing and why it matters.

Now, about the ride feel. One review flagged that the tour pace felt slower than expected, despite safety warnings and the nature of the boat. That is useful for setting expectations: if you want maximum speed and big wave thrills the whole time, this might not match a full thrill-seeker fantasy.

Still, even with a calmer pace, the practical goal is close shoreline access and steady viewing. The goggles and gloves matter here. When you are focused on spotting birds on rocky coasts, you want your vision clear and your hands comfortable.

Bird spotting time: what to look for besides puffins

Puffins are the headline, but the tour is built around a wider seabird scene. Your guide may point out other birds you can spot during the cruise. The tour info specifically mentions northern fulmars, gulls, and arctic terns.

I like tours where puffins are not treated like the only possible outcome. The seabird mix means you are still getting value even if puffins are active in one spot and less obvious in another. It also makes the watching more interesting, because you are comparing how different birds move and behave around the water.

Your boat goes to rocky shores where these birds show up naturally, not in a staged area. That tends to make the experience feel more real, because you are observing in the setting where the birds actually live and nest.

The guide part you should pay attention to

This is one of those experiences where the guide can change the entire tone. One person specifically praised guide Celina for being wonderful, staying entertaining, and teaching a lot about puffins and how they interact with this part of Iceland. That is exactly what you want if you are going beyond casual sightseeing.

Good guiding here means you understand what you are seeing quickly. Puffin watching can be deceptively tricky because you may spot movement at the edge of the boat’s viewing zone. Having someone explain what to look for, and when to scan, helps you get more from the short 1 hour.

Since the tour includes an expert guide in English, it also works well if you do not want to rely on a phone app for every bird moment. You can just watch and listen, then connect the dots while you are still out on the water.

Price and value: is $85 for a 1 hour RIB tour worth it?

At $85.01 per person, this is not a cheap outing. The question is whether what you get in 1 hour feels like a fair trade.

Here is what you are paying for, in concrete terms:

• A RIB speedboat experience designed for close shoreline viewing
• Warm gear and safety items included, including overalls, life jacket, gloves, and goggles
• Suspension seats for comfort on the ride
• An English-speaking expert guide during the outing
• A small group setup, listed with a maximum of 12 travelers

The best value angle is that this tour compresses a lot of “quality time” into one short window. You do not need to spend the entire day planning where to go for wildlife. You show up downtown, get kitted up, and head out.

That said, the disappointment risk is real if you expect the ride to feel more extreme the whole time. Based on feedback you can take as a caution, some people may want a more consistently fast pace. If you are mainly there for puffins up close, you’ll still likely feel satisfied because that is the core design of the trip.

Timing in Reykjavík: start at noon, then keep your day flexible

The departure time is 12:00 pm, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. With an hour on the water, you can fit it into a Reykjavík day without feeling rushed into a complicated schedule.

The tour is also described as requiring good weather. If the weather is poor, it is offered as a different date or a full refund. That flexibility is helpful because in Iceland you can plan and still get weathered.

Practical tip: treat this as your “weather-dependent anchor.” If the day looks unstable, you might want to build buffer time around it so you are not trying to cram everything into tight slots after the tour.

If you are staying close to downtown, you also reduce friction. Since the meeting point is near public transportation, you can use transit to keep your plans easy.

Who this RIB puffin tour is best for

This tour makes the most sense for people who want a short, structured nature outing without hours of travel. It is also a good match if you want your wildlife watching with help, not just a quiet boat ride.

I’d especially recommend it if:

• You are visiting Reykjavík for a limited time and want puffins without a full day commitment
• You like guided spotting, with explanations you can use immediately
• You want warm gear included, so you can focus on the moment rather than gear shopping and layering mistakes
• You prefer a small group, since the cap is 12 travelers

It is also listed as “most travelers can participate,” which is reassuring if you’re deciding between different tours and want one that is not overly specialized.

Should you book Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat?

I think you should book this if your priority is simple: see puffins up close on the coast of Reykjavík, without spending the whole day on logistics. The combination of close-to-shore design, included warm gear, and an English-speaking guide makes it a strong value for a 1 hour trip.

Before you decide, be honest with yourself about what you want from the boat ride. If you picture constant high-speed excitement, you may feel let down by the pace. If you mainly care about bird spotting, that concern matters less.

One more practical point: puffins are most tied to the May to August nesting window mentioned in the tour info. If you are traveling outside those months, you can still enjoy the seabirds, but your best odds for classic puffin watching are in season.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you prefer thrill or calm viewing, and I’ll help you decide if this is the right Reykjavík activity for your day.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Express tour start in Reykjavík?

The meeting point is Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What time does the tour depart?

The start time listed is 12:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 1 hour.

What is included in the price?

Warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, and goggles are included, along with an expert English-speaking guide and suspension seats for extra comfort.

What is not included?

Food and drinks are not included.

Which islands does the boat visit for puffin watching?

The tour goes to Lundey or Akurey, both islands off the coast of Reykjavík with puffin populations.

Is there a hotel transfer option?

Yes. Hotel transfers are available for an additional fee, typically listed as 2200 ISK.

What weather happens if conditions are poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.