Reykjavík: RIB Speed-Boat Puffin Watching Tour

The best part of this Reykjavík outing is the boat itself. A nimble RIB speedboat carries you close to the puffin islands, where roughly 40,000 birds gather, then races back along the coast with Harpa Concert Hall in view. The wild setting feels far more personal than a large sightseeing boat.

I like the short one-hour format, which fits neatly into a busy Reykjavík day, and I like the conservation talk about puffin hunting and how to help stop it. The tradeoff is comfort: the suspension seats can still feel hard on your back, and the meeting point in the harbor may take some hunting to find.

Key points at a glance

• About 40,000 puffins gather near Reykjavík on the islands visited by the boat.
• The RIB gets closer to the colonies than larger boats can usually manage.
• A full-body waterproof suit and goggles are provided, but you need your own waterproof shoes.
• Harpa Concert Hall looks different from the sea, giving the short trip a pleasant city-view bonus.
• The boat ride is lively and exposed, so warm clothing and sensible footwear matter.
• Arrive 30 minutes early at the wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT, and bring no large bags.

Why this one-hour boat ride works well

Puffin watching does not need to consume half a day. This trip keeps the focus tight: get suited up, head into Reykjavík Bay, visit the seabird islands, and return to the harbor within an hour.

That timing makes the tour easy to pair with a museum visit, a meal, or another Reykjavík activity. At $81 per person, it is not the cheapest way to spend an hour, but you are paying for a specialized RIB boat, safety equipment, a guide, and access to a coastline view that you cannot get from the harbor wall.

I see the value most clearly if you want both wildlife and speed. A slow boat gives you more room to settle in, but this smaller craft can maneuver nearer to the islands. The trip becomes more than a puffin count. It is also a brisk ride across the bay.

The outing has a 4.5 rating from 22 bookings, with especially strong praise for the close bird viewing, the lively boat ride, and the guide commentary. One less favorable account points to the hard seats and a confusing meeting point, both useful warnings rather than small details to ignore.

Finding the harbor hut before departure

You need to reach a small wooden hut in a row of similar huts. Look for the one marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is not wasted. You need to check in, put on the protective clothing, and get ready for the boat. The meeting location has caused confusion, including a report of a nearby building being locked and the actual departure point being beside it, so do not arrive at the last minute.

The operator is Katla Whale Watching. The guide speaks English, and the tour is guided throughout. Pickup and drop-off are not included, although an add-on is available for purchase. You should make your own way to the harbor unless you have arranged that extra service.

Leave large luggage and big bags behind. The boat is compact, and the activity specifically does not allow them. A small personal item may still be subject to the operator’s space and safety limits, so travel light.

Getting ready in the full-body suit

Before boarding, you receive a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. The suit is important even when the weather looks calm. A RIB moves quickly, and spray can reach you as the boat crosses the bay.

Bring warm clothing beneath the suit. The supplied gear helps with water and wind, but it does not replace sensible layers. Comfortable shoes are required, and waterproof shoes are not included, so wear footwear that can cope with wet conditions.

The goggles are a practical touch. They protect your eyes from wind and spray and make it easier to look toward the islands while the boat is moving. You should still expect an exposed outdoor activity, not a sheltered cruise.

The boat uses suspension seats, designed to soften the bumps of a fast ride. They are useful, but they are not plush. One person found the seats hard on the back, so I would take the back-problem restriction seriously. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women or anyone shorter than 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters.

Racing across Reykjavík Bay

Once aboard, the RIB heads out from the harbor toward the puffin islands. The small boat gives the trip its energy. You sit close to the water, feel the movement more directly, and reach the islands with less effort than a large vessel would need.

That mobility is the main reason to choose this trip instead of a standard harbor cruise. The boat can approach the islands more closely, allowing better views of birds on the water, in the air, and around the rocky edges. The exact bird activity will depend on nature, weather, and the season, so nobody can promise a perfect pose for every photograph.

The ride also gives you a fresh view of Reykjavík’s waterfront. Harpa Concert Hall, one of the city’s most recognizable buildings, takes on a different character when seen from the bay. This is not a full city tour, but the urban view adds welcome variety to the bird watching.

The RIB may visit three different places during the outing. That helps keep the hour active and gives the guide more than one area to search, though the route can depend on conditions and where birds are gathered.

Meeting Iceland’s puffins near the islands

Iceland is home to about 60 percent of the world’s puffin population. The islands near Reykjavík are said to hold approximately 40,000 puffins, making this a strong setting for a first puffin encounter.

The appeal is proximity without captivity. You are looking at free-flying seabirds in their own coastal habitat, not birds brought in for display. The smaller boat helps you get close while keeping the experience based on observation rather than handling.

Puffins are excellent subjects for photographs, but you should keep your expectations sensible. They are wild animals, not performers. You might see birds sitting on the water, flying near the boat, or gathering around the islands. Your guide will help explain what you are seeing, but the birds choose the action.

The speedboat format can also make photography harder than expected. Movement, spray, changing light, and a bouncing seat all work against a perfectly sharp image. Keep your camera secure, use a wrist strap if available, and enjoy the sight even if the best photograph is the one you remember rather than the one on your phone.

The trip is especially worthwhile if you care about the wider issue of puffin protection. The guide explains the damage caused by puffin hunting and, importantly, ways people can help stop it. That short conservation message gives the sighting more meaning without turning the tour into a lecture.

What the guide adds to the hour

The guide provides live commentary in English throughout the trip. The strongest part of the guiding is the mix of practical information and conservation context. You learn about the puffin colonies, the islands, and the pressure caused by hunting.

The commentary also helps you use the short route well. On a one-hour trip, you do not have time for long stops or a slow orientation talk. Good guiding keeps your attention on the birds while explaining why these islands matter.

No guide names are provided for this experience, so you should book it for the boat and setting rather than expecting a particular individual. The quality of the hour will depend partly on the guide working your departure, as well as on sea conditions and bird activity.

Balancing speed with comfort

The RIB is a clear advantage for access and excitement, but the same design can make the ride demanding. You sit in a compact boat, close to the water, with limited room to shift around. Suspension seats reduce some movement, yet the ride may still feel firm.

I would choose this tour if you enjoy active sightseeing and do not mind wind, spray, or a brisk pace. I would think twice if you have back trouble, dislike fast boats, or want a relaxed cruise with space to stretch.

The supplied waterproof suit helps, but you still need warm clothes and suitable shoes. The boat does not provide waterproof footwear, food, or drinks. Because the trip lasts only an hour, there is no meal stop or extended break built into the route.

This is a focused excursion, not a full-day wildlife outing. That is good news for many schedules, but it also means you should not expect a long time among the islands or a broad range of marine wildlife.

How the $81 price compares in practical terms

At $81, the tour sits in the moderate-to-high range for a one-hour activity. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: the RIB boat, a live English-speaking guide, full-body waterproof clothing, goggles, and a life vest.

You are also paying for a boat that can get closer to the puffin islands than larger vessels. If close access and a fast ride are your priorities, that is the core value.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want a quick glimpse of Reykjavík from the water. In that case, a harbor stroll costs much less, though it will not take you to the colonies. This tour earns its price through the wildlife access and the boat handling, not through a long itinerary.

Food, drinks, waterproof shoes, and transport to the harbor cost extra or require your own arrangements. Add those needs to your budget before booking.

Simple planning advice for a smoother trip

Check the departure time carefully and build in the required 30-minute arrival window. The wooden huts can look similar, so locate the REYKJAVIK BY BOAT hut before you need to put on the suit.

Dress for cold, wet weather even if Reykjavík feels comfortable on shore. Warm layers under the suit, comfortable footwear, and a secure phone or camera setup will serve you well.

Keep your belongings to a minimum. Large bags are not allowed, and the boat is not the place to manage loose items. Bring only what you can keep secure and use quickly.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland schedule is still changing. Check the available starting times because the trip runs for one hour, but departure options vary.

Who should book this puffin trip

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, energetic wildlife experience close to central Reykjavík. It suits first-time puffin watchers, photographers who value proximity, and anyone who wants a boat ride with more movement than a large sightseeing vessel.

It also works well for a packed Iceland itinerary. You get seabirds, open water, harbor views, and a conservation message in one compact outing.

You should choose another activity if you are pregnant, have back problems, or are under 140 centimeters tall. I would also avoid it if you need a soft seat, dislike speed, or want an indoor experience protected from cold and spray.

Should you book the Reykjavík RIB puffin tour?

Book this tour if your ideal hour combines wild puffins and a fast coastal ride. The close approach to the islands, the chance to see roughly 40,000 birds, and the view of Harpa from the sea make it more memorable than a simple harbor cruise.

Skip it if comfort matters more than access, or if you are likely to spend the hour worrying about the seat, the weather, or your camera. For the right person, $81 buys a lively, well-focused introduction to Reykjavík’s puffin colonies. Arrive early, dress warmly, wear suitable shoes, and expect nature to set the final schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavík puffin boat tour last?

The tour lasts one hour, including the boat trip to the puffin islands and the return to the starting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $81 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the small wooden hut in the row of harbor huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive no later than 30 minutes before departure so you have time to prepare and put on the supplied equipment.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but transport can be purchased as an add-on.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Waterproof shoes are not provided.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters.

What language is the tour in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.