Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour by RIB Speedboat

A fast boat can turn a gray day into a bird show. I like the speedboat ride for moving quickly to the puffin islands, and I like the chance to see puffins up close in their real home waters. The main drawback is that the whole trip depends on weather and sea conditions, so you should expect route changes if conditions are rough.

Here’s the practical part: you depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and head about 15 minutes to the islands of Lundey and Akurey, then switch into quiet watching mode. With only a one-hour duration and a small group of up to 12, this is a great wildlife add-on when you do not want to lose half a day.

Key Highlights You Will Actually Care About

• One-hour timing: Quick outing, not an all-day shuffle through Reykjavik.
• Short hop to Lundey and Akurey: Only about 15 minutes from Old Harbor to the islands.
• Engine off for viewing: When you arrive, the guide switches to observation and explanation.
• Included cold-weather gear: Full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are provided.
• Small group feel: Limited to 12 participants, so you can see what the guide spots.
• More than puffins: You also might see other seabirds like arctic terns and black guillemots.

Old Harbor Start: Find the Hut, Get Fitted, Then Go

The tour begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, at a row of wooden huts. Look for the little hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. That buffer matters because you are getting geared up before the engine starts.

What I like about this setup is that they provide the big friction killers. You get a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. You do not have to gamble on whether you packed the right layers. You still need the right shoes, though, because waterproof shoes are not included. If you show up in normal sneakers, you can end up with cold wet feet, and that ruins the fun fast.

Your guide starts guiding right away once the group is ready. Then it is out to the RIB speedboat and away from the harbor bustle.

The Speedboat Ride to Lundey and Akurey Takes About 15 Minutes

This is not a slow cruise. The Puffin Express is a RIB speedboat, built for getting you close without wasting time. Lundey and Akurey sit in Reykjavik Bay, only about 15 minutes from Old Harbor.

On the ride, you get two payoffs. First, you get the views. Reykjavik’s mountains frame the water, and if your timing is near darker hours, you may also catch city lights along the shoreline. Second, you get the mood shift. You go from city atmosphere to open water energy quickly, which helps when you are trying to spot birds that move fast.

Because it is a speedboat, comfort depends on conditions. If the sea is choppy, you will feel it more than you would on a larger, slower vessel. That is not a reason to skip it, just a reason to dress and brace realistically.

Arrival and the Quiet Moment: When the Engine Goes Off

Here is a key detail that changes everything: once you reach the islands, the crew turns off the engine so passengers can watch and listen. That single choice helps you do two things at once.

1) You can focus visually. Puffins are small and quick, so you do not want distractions, noise, or constant vibration.

2) You can connect sound to sight. Puffins are not just a visual. Your guide may even imitate puffin noises, which can help you line up the moment you see them moving on the rocks or flying in and out.

Then the guide runs the show. A licensed guide shares lots of information about puffins and other birds you often see on puffin watching tours. This is where the trip stops being just scenic and becomes actually educational.

Also, your time on the islands is short by design. With only a one-hour overall duration, you are doing a quick circuit that prioritizes bird viewing rather than a long, slow journey.

Puffin Watching on Rocky Shores: Close But Not Guaranteed

The whole point is close contact with puffins in their natural environment. Lundey and Akurey are known for colorful birdlife, and their shores are rocky. The plan is to get your boat near enough to watch behavior without turning the trip into a distant spotting contest.

Real talk: puffins are hard to photograph or record. They are small, they move fast, and they do not pose on command. If you expect a video full of crisp close-ups, you will likely be disappointed. If you are happy to watch patterns, flight paths, and the way they pop in and out around the rocks, you will have a much better time.

What helps your odds is watching the guide and scanning the same areas they point out. Puffins often show up where the water meets rocky ledges and where they can pop in and out of sight quickly. Keep your eyes ready, not glued to a screen.

Other Birds You Might Spot Beyond Puffins

Puffins are the headline, but the guide also looks for other seabirds. Depending on the day, you might see northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots.

This matters because it turns a good puffin trip into a great bird trip. Even if puffins are fleeting, you still get a “what else is in the air and on the water” experience. It also gives you more chances for a memorable moment. One bird might be hard to catch on camera, while another might be circling right overhead.

So I recommend you treat it as a bird-viewing tour, not a puffin-only guarantee. You are paying for a guided wildlife experience with puffins as the star species.

The Guide and the Special Tours Iceland App (Multilingual Help)

The tour includes a live guide in English. That guide shares puffin facts and also points out other birds of interest. The guide role matters because bird watching in open water is mostly about timing and focus. A good guide helps you notice what you would otherwise miss.

There’s also a helpful tech add-on: the Special Tours Iceland app. It is available in five languages, English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. You can download it during your tour, and it provides both text and audio information. Think of it as a wildlife audio companion that keeps you engaged while you are on the water, not just when the guide is talking.

You do not need this app to enjoy the tour, but it can help you connect what you see with what you are learning on the spot.

What Included Gear Actually Does for Your Comfort

The included gear is not just a nice perk. It is what keeps a cold, wet island visit from feeling miserable.

You get:

• Full-body waterproof suit
• Goggles
• Life vest
• Guided tour

What you do not get:

• Waterproof shoes
• Food and drinks
• Pickup and drop-off (available as an add-on)

Two practical tips. First, wear layers underneath that suit. Second, bring or plan for waterproof shoes if you do not already have them. Getting your feet cold while you watch birds is the easiest way to end up miserable halfway through.

Also, because this is a fast ride, you may want to keep your phone secured. Even with suits and goggles, spray and wind can make handling gear harder. Your best “souvenir” might be the memory of behavior, not a perfect recording.

Price and Value: What $84 Gets You in One Hour

At $84 per person, the value comes from three things.

First, you are buying time efficiency. The trip is only one hour total, and it runs on a fast RIB speedboat from Old Harbor to the nearby islands.

Second, you are buying guided access. The licensed guide helps you spot and understand what you see, including birds beyond puffins.

Third, you are buying cold-weather protection. The waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest are included. Those add-on items can cost money or effort elsewhere.

So if you have limited days in Reykjavik and you want a wildlife experience that does not eat your whole schedule, this pricing can make sense. If you hate choppy water or you are seeking a slow, comfortable cruise, it might feel pricey for a short window, because you will be moving and watching quickly.

The best way to think about it: you are paying for proximity, speed, and guidance, bundled into an hour.

Weather, Waves, and Who Should Skip This

This tour is dependent on weather conditions. Captains decide whether to sail based on many years of experience, with safety and passenger comfort in mind. That means you should plan for the possibility of adjustments.

It also means you should not treat it like a guaranteed check-the-box outing. If seas are rough, comfort can drop.

And there are clear limits on who should go. It is not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm)

If any of those apply, it is smarter to pick a gentler option.

Finally, consider your own tolerance for speedboat movement. Even when conditions are acceptable, you should expect a brisk ride.

So, Should You Book the Puffin Express?

I’d book the Puffin Express if you want a compact Reykjavik wildlife outing with strong odds of real bird watching. The one-hour format is ideal when you are balancing waterfalls, hot springs, and city time. The included waterproof gear makes it easier to dress right without overpacking. And the engine-off viewing time gives you a better chance to actually watch behavior.

Skip it if you know you get uncomfortable on fast boats or if your comfort limits are low for choppy conditions. Also, if you are hoping for easy, high-quality video close-ups, set expectations lower. Puffins are small and fast, and that is part of the challenge.

If you want puffins on your schedule without spending half your day on the water, this is a solid, efficient choice.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Express tour depart from?

The meeting point is at a little wooden hut in a row of wooden huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT at Old Harbor.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts one hour.

How close does the boat get to the puffin islands?

You depart Old Harbor and reach Lundey and Akurey in about 15 minutes, and the boat can get as close as possible thanks to its shallow draft.

Are puffins guaranteed on this tour?

The tour runs in natural conditions, and sightings can vary. The provided information focuses on the opportunity to watch puffins in their habitat, not a guaranteed count.

What gear is included?

You get a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest, plus a guided tour.

Do I need to bring waterproof shoes?

Waterproof shoes are not included, so you should plan to have them.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are available for purchase as an add-on.

What birds might I see besides puffins?

Depending on the day, you might see northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots.

What language is the live guide?

The live tour guide is in English.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm).