Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

The fun here is the mix of speed and wildlife. This puffin watching tour takes you out on a RIB so you can get close to nesting cliffs and watch puffins coming and going. One thing to consider first, though, is that the ride is open and bouncy, so cold wind and choppy water can feel like part of the show even with provided suits.

I like that it is short. You meet in Reykjavik Old Harbour, gear up with coveralls, and you are back about an hour later, which is great if you only have a small window before dinner or another tour.

You will be scanning for puffins plus other sea birds like gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. If you are lucky, you might also catch other wildlife in the bay, like whales, but the main focus is those cliff and island breeders.

Key highlights to look for on this RIB puffin cruise

• RIB closeness to Faxaflói Bay’s bird islands and sea cliffs, for a view you usually can’t get from bigger boats
• Coveralls + safety gear so you can focus on spotting birds instead of freezing
• Binoculars provided to help you pick out puffins against rock and sea
• Guides who talk birds, not just drive boats, with English commentary that adds real behavior details
• Photo help in the wild from the crew on many departures, including extra shots shared after the tour

RIB speed and puffin action in Faxaflói Bay

This is one of those Reykjavik experiences where the setting does half the work. Faxaflói Bay has the right combo of rocky edges, islands, and summer nesting activity, so puffins and seabirds feel everywhere once you are out on the water.

The RIB format matters. In a smaller, faster boat, you can line up your viewing angles and get nearer to the cliffs and inlets, which is why so many people describe this as getting close enough to feel the puffins are part of your ride.

The tradeoff is weather reality. An RIB is open to the elements, and the water can slap the hull in a way that is thrilling for some and nerve-wracking for others. If you get motion sensitive, you should treat the ride like an adventure and dress for wind and spray, not like a calm sightseeing cruise.

Getting to the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour

Your start point is the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour. This is an easy part of the day because you are not coordinating a long hotel pickup. You can usually walk in, find the office, check in, and get geared up quickly.

The tour is about 1 hour total on the water. That short timing is a big part of why it works well as a “first Reykjavik morning” activity, or as a quick add-on before another day trip.

A practical note: since you are meeting at the harbor, you’ll want to arrive with enough time to handle cold weather gear and to settle in before the boat departs. One reason people love this tour is that the whole flow feels smooth once you’re there.

Coveralls, safety briefing, and what the ride feels like

Before you go, you’ll get a short safety briefing. Then you put on the coveralls provided by the operator. These are not just for show. People repeatedly mention that the suits block wind well, help keep you dry, and make the bumpy, open-air ride much more comfortable.

You’ll also have the correct safety equipment for an RIB outing. On past departures, staff have helped riders get the gear and suits on, including floatation support and life preserver use.

Once aboard, you hold a grab rail as the captain sets off. Expect a quick push out into Faxaflói Bay, with waves and spray as the boat zips across the water. Some guests say the ride is a blast, with speed that adds excitement, while one guest noted feeling uneasy during the splashy moments, especially if you worry about holding a phone in your hand.

If you want a simple “do this, not that” approach:

• Keep your phone secured in the coverall pockets if your suit has them with Velcro style closures.
• Sit in a way that you can keep your back from being jolted each time the boat hits a wave.
• Wear closed-toe shoes, since you’ll be dealing with wet gear and moving around at the start.

What you’ll actually see: puffins, gannets, auks, and Arctic terns

The main show is puffins. In Iceland, puffins are present at nesting sites between May and August, and this cruise is built around that window. As you cruise around rocky islands and sea cliffs, you’ll look for puffins on shore, puffins in the water, and puffins flying overhead between feeding and nesting areas.

What makes the experience feel “real” is the variety of puffin behavior you can spot in a short time. People describe watching puffins:

• fly in and out of the nesting zone
• swim and feed in the water nearby
• move around on cliffs or near burrows

The operator also calls out other birds you might spot during the cruise. Expect scans for seabirds such as gannets and auks, plus fulmars and Arctic terns. Even when you focus on puffins, these other species help fill the bay with movement, so you’re not just waiting for one bird to appear.

Also, don’t be shocked if you see hundreds of puffins in the right conditions. Multiple guests describe Lundey Island puffin colony as packed with birds, with puffins flying around the boat and roosting on cliffs. When the colony is active, it can feel like the whole sea edge is animated.

How close you get, and why conditions can change

The whole point of choosing a RIB is proximity. Many guests say they were able to get quite close to the islands and cliffs, with good views even for photos. People also note that it does not matter where you sit much, because the smaller boat layout keeps sightlines more open.

That said, wildlife has its own rules. Puffins are wild, and they may move if the boat comes in too fast, too close, or in a way that creates more disturbance than the crew wants. One guest even felt the boat stayed hundreds of feet away and saw fewer close-up nest details than expected.

So treat the promise of close views as “as close as conditions allow,” not as a guarantee of nest-by-nest access. If you are traveling late in the season, puffin numbers can also thin out, which can reduce how many you spot during that hour.

The good news: even when birds are not right next to the boat, you can still get plenty of action. Puffins flying above you and swimming near the boat still give excellent photo opportunities and a satisfying sense of you are watching them in the right habitat.

Guide storytelling, photo moments, and using binoculars well

You get an expert guide and captain with English commentary. A standout theme in the feedback is how much the guide adds beyond spotting birds. People describe guides sharing fun, real facts about puffins, their feeding, and their nesting habits.

Names that came up in recent departures include Anna and Maria as guides, and Megan as a captain on one journey, along with Miquel in another. The important part for your planning is the pattern: the crew tends to be friendly, helps you feel safe on the RIB, and keeps the bird talk focused on what you are seeing right now.

Binoculars are included. You’ll use them to pick out puffins on rock faces and to track birds that are too small to spot with the naked eye. One guest did mention having only a limited number of binoculars on a particular day, so bring your camera-ready mindset and be ready to share or take turns.

Photos are a big part of why you do this. Several guests said the guide took extra photos and later emailed them, including shots that captured puffins well with longer reach lenses. Even if you take great phone photos, it is worth knowing that your best results will often come when you:

• keep your hands steady and burst-shoot when birds fly past
• zoom with your camera carefully if your phone supports it
• watch for puffins against dark rock or lighter sea foam so the subject pops

Laying out the hour: a quick sequence you can count on

This cruise is about an hour, and the pacing is fast in a good way. You check in, gear up, and then you head out across Faxaflói Bay relatively soon after departure.

During the ride, you scan for birds and stop or slow down as you move through the bird-rich zones near islands and sea cliffs. The guide points out what to look for, so you are not just guessing whether you found the right rock formation.

As you get closer to the nesting areas, you can expect more flight and more activity around shorelines and inlets. That tends to be when puffin numbers feel most dramatic, with birds popping up in the water and flying back to the cliff edges.

After about an hour on the sea, you return to Reykjavik harbour and the tour ends. That clean wrap-up is another reason this works well as an easy morning plan in Reykjavik.

Price and value: is $101 for 1 hour fair?

At $101 per person, this is not cheap by Iceland standards, and that is the first honest part. You are paying for:

• the RIB boat access to nearby cliff zones
• the guide and captain time
• coveralls and safety equipment
• binoculars
• a short, efficient wildlife-focused outing

So is it worth it? If your goal is puffins and you want the closest realistic boat experience from Reykjavik, it often feels like good value because you spend your time where the birds are. Many people also describe this tour as their best puffin attempt during a trip, especially when other places in Iceland did not deliver much.

The value judgment also depends on your expectations. If you assume guaranteed nest-by-nest photos or guaranteed close shore access, you might be disappointed on a day when the boat cannot get as near as you hoped or the colony has fewer birds.

For most people, though, the combination of speed, closeness, and strong guide commentary is what makes the hour feel packed. It is a short commitment, and you are not stuck waiting for daylight to change or for a long route to finish.

Who should book this puffin RIB tour, and who should skip it

This tour is a strong fit if you want a lively wildlife experience. It is also a solid choice for adults who can handle outdoor cold and a bit of ocean motion.

Based on the tour’s stated limits and what the ride feels like, it is not suitable for:

• children under 10 years
• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• people under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm)

If you are unsure about motion sensitivity, treat this as an open-air, speed-focused boat ride, not a gentle ferry. Dress warm, secure your phone, and plan to hold on when the boat bounces.

On the flip side, if you love being active, scanning quickly, and seeing wildlife up close, you will likely have a great time here. Several guests specifically mention the ride being fun, safe, and exciting, with comfort boosted by the coveralls and careful captain driving.

Should you book this Reykjavik Puffin Watching Tour?

Book it if you:

• want the best chance of close-up puffins in a short Reykjavik time block
• like guided wildlife spotting with English commentary
• are comfortable with cold wind and a fast, open-air boat ride
• want binoculars and gear handled for you

Maybe skip or rethink if you:

• need a calm, sheltered, slow sightseeing experience
• have mobility or back concerns that make an RIB outing unsafe or uncomfortable
• expect guaranteed nest-level closeness every time, because conditions and wildlife behavior can affect how near you get

If you are flexible and you dress for Iceland weather, this is one of the more efficient and exciting ways to see puffins from Reykjavik. The hour moves quickly, the guide keeps you engaged, and when the bay is active, you can end up with puffin sightings that feel almost unreal.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Reykjavik puffin RIB tour?

You meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 1 hour.

How much does the puffin watching tour cost?

The price is listed as $101 per person.

Is there a guide on the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide along with the professional captain.

What should I bring for the boat ride?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes (sports shoes are suggested).

Are coveralls provided?

Yes. You are provided coveralls to wear during the tour.

Are binoculars included?

Yes. Binoculars are included.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can I bring luggage or large bags?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 years old.

What access limits should I know about?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, and people under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm).