Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Puffins in fast motion are the whole point here. This 1-hour RIB cruise zips out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for close-up bird watching on nesting islands and sea-cliff sites. I like how you get up-close access from the rigid inflatable boat, and I also like the human touch, with an English guide and captain who explain what you’re seeing. The one thing to keep in mind is that how close you can get can vary with conditions and where the birds are at that moment.

You’ll meet the crew at the Whale Safari office in the Old Harbour, suit up with provided coveralls, then hang on as the boat bounces out over cold water. Expect lots of time scanning for puffins and other seabirds, plus binoculars to help you pick out details. Because it’s short and action-heavy, it’s best if you’re comfortable being out on open water and taking photos from a moving boat.

Key Things I’d Book This For

• RIB speed and access for close puffin viewing around cliffs and inlets
• Coveralls, safety gear, binoculars included, so you show up ready
• Live English guide commentary on puffins and other seabirds you spot
• Seabird variety including gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns
• Photo help from the guide in many cases, shared after the tour by email

Entering The Old Harbour: Meet, Suit Up, and Get Ready to Hold On

The tour starts in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, at the Whale Safari office, so it’s a simple, walk-in kind of plan. You’ll want to arrive with enough time to check in, because once the boat is ready, you’ll move fast. The session begins with a short safety briefing, then you’ll put on provided coveralls and the rest of the safety equipment before boarding.

This is one of those tours where your comfort starts on land. The coveralls are there for wind and spray on the ride out, and several people specifically called out that they stayed warm. Closed-toe shoes and comfortable layers matter, because you’re going to be on deck and moving with the boat.

Then comes the practical part, you climb aboard, grab a rail, and settle into the ride. RIB boats are built for agility, and that also means you feel the water more than you would on a large ferry. If you’ve never been on one, treat it like a fun speed ride with serious safety, not a calm boat cruise.

The RIB Ride to Faxaflói Bay: Why This Boat Type Makes a Difference

The core advantage here is the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) itself. It covers a larger area than you might expect from a small vessel, and it can get you closer to where seabirds feed and nest. That closeness matters with puffins, because they’re active, fast, and easily spooked. When you’re too far away, you end up watching tiny dots instead of behavior.

As you zip across Faxaflói Bay, you’ll start scanning right away. This bay is where summer seabirds gather around islands and cliffs, and the guide will help you read the scene. Puffins aren’t the only game either. You may spot other birds around the same feeding zones, including gannets and other seabirds that use the air and water as their hunting lanes.

A lot of the joy is the combination of speed and sightlines. From a RIB, you’re higher in the viewing experience than you might be on some smaller craft, and you’re not stuck waiting for one slow approach. You’re moving toward the action, which keeps the hour from feeling long.

Nesting Season Notes: What You’re Looking For Between May and August

Puffins in Iceland are tied to a narrow window in the year when nesting happens. This tour focuses on that seasonal reality, with puffins congregating on islands and cliff sites between May and August. In practice, that timing changes what you’re likely to see. At the right time, you get more frequent visits to burrows, roosting spots, and feeding routes.

What you’re watching for is not just the puffin sitting still. It’s the cycle: the puffins moving, landing, and taking off again. They also carry food for chicks and take turns fishing and foraging. That’s why it helps to have a guide who can translate bird behavior into something you can actually track.

The guide and captain talk as you cruise around rocks and inlets. That commentary turns the ride into a running field guide, so you’re not guessing at what you’re seeing. And since the boat is close enough to matter, you’re more likely to catch the moment puffins hop from water to air or work around rocky nesting areas.

Where the Boat Goes: Lundey Island, Sea Cliffs, and Inlet Views

A repeated highlight is the way the cruise targets puffin hotspots in Faxaflói Bay, including Lundey Island and nearby cliff and inlet areas. The goal is simple: get you near nesting birds without turning the experience into a distant drive-by.

You can think of it as a short rhythm of approach, watching, and repositioning. As the boat moves around islands and sea cliffs, you’ll get different angles on the birds. One angle helps you notice how many puffins are clustered and how they react to the boat presence. Another angle helps you see their movement patterns, like flying lines between feeding spots and nesting areas.

Here’s the honest consideration. Even with a RIB, you may not always get the ultra-close views you hoped for, because birds spread out and conditions can limit how closely the captain approaches shore. One of the most useful things you can do is set expectations that the hour is designed for maximum watching time, not a guarantee of being right at the edge every minute.

Still, the repeated feedback is that this setup gives a better chance at real puffin viewing, including burrow-area context at nesting sites, than you’d get from a larger, slower vessel.

Who Else You’ll See: Gannets, Auks, Fulmars, and Arctic Terns

Yes, the puffins are the stars. But part of why this tour works is that the bay doesn’t run on puffins alone. Your guide watches the birds too, and you’ll likely see a mix of seabirds that share the same ocean space.

The tour specifically mentions the chance to spot:

• Gannets
• Auks
• Arctic terns
• Plus other local visitors such as fulmars

Seeing multiple species adds value because it changes how you look at the water. Gannets and other seabirds often show you where fish are moving. Auks and terns can give you clues about wind direction and where birds are landing and lifting off. Fulmars, for example, are the kind of seabird you notice once someone points out what to look for.

So even if a puffin isn’t in the immediate frame, you’re still getting a living picture of the bay’s food chain. That’s the difference between a single-species frenzy and a real wildlife cruise.

Photo Reality Check: Getting Shots From a Moving RIB

This is where expectation management pays off. You will want photos, but the boat is moving, the water is bouncing, and puffins are small. You’ll have binoculars, and that helps you track where to aim your camera. You’ll also want to be ready to shoot quickly when a puffin pops up close.

One practical tip that came up: keep your phone secure. The coveralls have pockets designed for gear, and using the Velcro pockets can keep your phone from getting tossed if you reach for it during a splashy moment. If you’ve got a camera, keep it where you can grab it fast, but don’t do last-second fumbling.

Also, take comfort in the fact that many guides take photos during the cruise and share them afterward by email. That doesn’t replace your own images, but it’s a helpful backup when your camera misses the perfect fly-by.

If you’re hoping for nest-level detail, your best tool is patience and position. The captain repositions around islands and inlets, so keep scanning rather than taking one photo and assuming that’s the only chance you’ll get.

Timing and Motion: How the 1-Hour Format Feels

A one-hour cruise sounds short because it is short. The upside is that it stays energetic. You’re not stuck on the water waiting out hours of weather. The downside is that you need to pay attention the whole time, because puffins can change where they’re active within minutes.

The typical flow is:

• Meet and gear up
• Boat sets off for Faxaflói Bay
• Cruise around rocks, cliffs, islands, and inlets with guide commentary
• Return to Reykjavik Harbour and wrap up after about an hour

Because the tour is timed tightly, the crew focuses on maximizing viewing opportunities. That matters if you only have one morning in Reykjavik or you want a quick wildlife hit before the rest of your day.

And yes, the ride includes bouncing over waves. That can be fun if you treat it like a rollercoaster with life jackets, and it can be tiring if you’re sensitive to motion. One older traveler advice that I’d repeat is to sit properly so your back isn’t being rattled each time the boat hits the water. Keep feet planted, hold the handles, and stay steady.

Price and Value: Is $101 Worth It for Puffins?

At $101 per person for about 1 hour, this isn’t a bargain. Iceland prices add up fast. The value here comes from what you’re paying for, not just the bird species.

You’re paying for:

• A RIB that can get you closer than most standard sightseeing boats
• A captain and guide team that actively search and steer for viewing
• Provided coveralls and safety gear, which saves you from buying winter gear just for one activity
• Binoculars, which actually matter when you’re trying to track tiny movement
• An English-language narration that helps you understand what you’re looking at

If your goal is pure puffin visibility, you want a format that prioritizes proximity and time on target. This tour is built for that, and many people come away calling it excellent value for the access they get. The main reason it can feel expensive is the same reason wildlife tours everywhere can disappoint, the day and the birds set the limits.

So I’d treat it as a high-impact add-on. If you’re doing a multi-day Iceland plan and puffins are on your list, this is one of the cleaner ways to get them quickly from Reykjavik.

Who Should Go, and Who Should Rethink It

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a fast, fun wildlife outing from central Reykjavik
• Like action with your nature viewing
• Enjoy learning in real time with guide commentary
• Are okay with open water and a bit of bumpy ride

But the tour has clear limits. It is not suitable for children under 10, people under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm), pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and anyone who doesn’t fit the activity’s physical requirements.

If any of those apply to you, don’t try to force it. The RIB ride and open-water conditions aren’t the kind of situation where you want to gamble.

A Few Smart Tips Before You Go

Here’s what will make your hour smoother and your sightings better:

• Wear warm layers under the provided coveralls and bring closed-toe shoes
• Keep your phone secured, and practice grabbing it quickly
• Bring the mindset that the birds are wild, and your goal is great viewing, not control
• If you care about photos, have patience during repositioning, the best moment is often brief

Also, don’t show up with luggage. Large bags are not allowed, so travel light.

Finally, if English narration is important to you, good news, the tour is in English.

Should You Book This Puffin RIB Cruise?

I’d book this tour if puffins are a must-do and you want the best odds from Reykjavik in a single short outing. The RIB format, provided gear, and live guiding add up to an efficient, high-value way to see puffins in their nesting environment, plus other seabirds sharing the bay.

I’d pause before booking if you strongly need a perfectly calm ride or you’re sensitive to motion. I’d also set expectations that distance and bird activity can shift day to day. This isn’t a zoo with guaranteed close-ups.

If you go in ready for wind, water bounce, and rapid photo moments, you’ll likely feel like you used your Iceland time well.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Reykjavik puffin watching tour?

Meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour.

How long is the RIB puffin cruise?

The duration is 1 hour.

What’s included in the price?

You get a professional captain and wildlife guide, use of coveralls, all necessary safety equipment, and binoculars.

Do I need to bring warm clothing and shoes?

Yes. Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes, such as sports shoes.

Are food and drinks included?

No, food and drinks are not included.

Is this tour suitable for children or mobility needs?

It is not suitable for children under 10 years, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or people with back problems. It is also not for anyone under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm).