Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

The best part of this trip is the close approach to puffin islands just outside Reykjavik. You ride in a 12-seat RIB speedboat, then the crew shuts off the engines near the birds so you can watch them without the rattle of a motor. It is a quick, focused way to see Icelandic wildlife without giving up a full day.

I like the small group, which gives you room to ask questions, and I like the practical warm gear, especially since a sunny harbor can turn cold fast. The main thing to consider is the rough water near the island. One visitor found it rocky but still enjoyable, so this is not the best choice if a fast, bouncing boat makes you uneasy.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-seat RIB keeps the group small, with more room for questions and better views than a large sightseeing boat.
• The boat reaches the islands quickly, leaving most of the hour for puffin watching rather than transit.
• Engines are switched off near the birds, making the wildlife encounter quieter.
• Warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket are included, so you do not need to bring special boat gear.
• The noon departure fits neatly into a Reykjavik day, with morning and afternoon free.
• Children must be at least 140 centimeters tall, and the trip depends on suitable weather.

A short, lively puffin trip from Reykjavik

Puffins are one of Iceland’s great crowd-pleasers, and this outing gives you a chance to see them in their natural setting rather than from a display or a distant shoreline. The islands around Reykjavik are close enough for a fast boat to reach them quickly, which matters on a one-hour excursion.

The experience begins at Ægisgarður 5F in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You check in near the water, receive your safety equipment and warm outer layer, and board the RIB. The boat holds no more than 12 people, a useful limit when everyone wants a clear view and a chance to hear the guide.

This is not a long expedition. It is a compact wildlife trip built around one main aim: getting near the puffins. The guide also talks about the birds, Reykjavik, and other wildlife in the area, so the ride has a little city sightseeing folded into it.

The tour is offered in English. Guides named in past departures include Celia, Rebecca, Joe, and Patrickgin. Their style seems to be part of the appeal: Celia is noted for clear information about birds, wildlife, and the city, while Joe is described as funny and well informed. Rebecca is praised for being friendly and helpful, and Patrickgin for bringing plenty of humor to the trip.

What the RIB ride feels like

The RIB is the star of the transport. These boats are built for speed, and the quick ride means you spend more of the available time around the islands. That is a better use of a short tour than spending half the outing slowly crossing the harbor.

Speed also brings motion. Near the puffin island, the water may feel rocky, and the boat can bounce. The supplied waterproof overall and gloves help with cold spray, while goggles protect your eyes and make the ride more comfortable. You also wear a lifejacket throughout the required portions of the trip.

I would dress in warm layers under the provided gear. The equipment covers the basics, but Icelandic weather can change quickly, and your hands and neck still benefit from extra warmth. Keep loose belongings secure, since a speedboat is not the place for an open bag or an unsecured phone.

The boat’s small size creates a more personal outing, but it does not make the sea perfectly calm. You get closer to the islands than a large vessel can, yet you also feel more of the water. That tradeoff is central to deciding if this tour fits you.

Reaching the puffins near Videy Island

The main wildlife area is around Videy Island and the nearby islands outside the city. Videy is close to Reykjavik but feels removed from the streets and harbor buildings. From the water, you get a fresh view back toward the city as the boat heads out.

The crew’s choice to turn off the engines near the puffins is important. It reduces noise and gives you a quieter moment to watch the birds in their own setting. You are not promised a particular number of puffins, since wildlife never follows a schedule, but the trip is designed to bring you close to the places where they gather.

Puffins are small birds, so distance and timing matter. A fast boat helps you reach the islands, and the small group makes it easier to look in the direction the guide points. Bring a camera if you like, but do not let it take over the experience. In a rocking boat, watching steadily is often more useful than trying to capture every second.

The quiet pause near the island is also the most authentic part of the outing. You are not getting off to walk around Videy. Instead, you view the birds from the boat, listen to the guide, and take in the sea around the island.

The harbor and city views along the way

The route includes several recognizable Reykjavik sights. Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre is one of the first major city landmarks connected with the trip. Its distinctive glass exterior looks different from the water than it does from the street, and seeing it from a moving boat gives you a quick sense of where the harbor sits within the city.

You also pass views of Reykjavik itself. This is not a dedicated city tour, so the commentary will be limited compared with a land-based sightseeing walk. Still, the guide provides information about the city as part of the ride, adding context to the wildlife outing.

The Sun Voyager is another route highlight. This steel sculpture, shaped like a stylized Viking ship, sits beside the waterfront. From the water, you see it in relation to the shoreline rather than as an isolated object, which makes the brief view worthwhile.

The trip starts and ends at the Old Harbour. That makes planning easy if you are already exploring central Reykjavik. It also puts you close to other city sights before or after the boat ride, though hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Why the noon departure works well

The stated departure is 12:00 p.m., and that timing is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You can use the morning for breakfast, a museum, or a walk around central Reykjavik, then head to the harbor for the boat.

You still have much of the afternoon left afterward. The advertised duration is about one hour, though one account put the full start-to-finish time at roughly an hour and a half. I would keep a little extra room in your schedule rather than booking a tight connection immediately after the boat.

A lunchtime departure can also help if your Iceland plans include a morning excursion or an evening meal reservation. The tour does not consume a full half-day, and that makes the $76 price easier to assess. You are paying for a short, specialized wildlife experience rather than a long cruise with several stops.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. The value comes from the combination of a fast boat, a maximum of 12 people, provided cold-weather gear, and a guide who discusses both puffins and the city.

A larger boat might offer more room and a smoother ride, but this RIB is built to get close to the islands and keep the group compact. You also avoid buying or packing waterproof outerwear for the outing. Those details matter in Iceland, where comfort can decide how much attention you give the wildlife.

The price is easier to justify if puffins are high on your Iceland wish list. If you mainly want a harbor cruise or city views, a broader sightseeing trip may give you more for your money. This outing has a narrow focus, and that is exactly why it works well for bird lovers and for anyone with limited time.

The rating is 4.9 from seven reviews, and the praise is consistent around the guides, the fun boat ride, the supplied equipment, and the number of puffins seen. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than a guarantee of perfect wildlife conditions.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a quick wildlife outing, enjoy being on the water, and like the idea of a small group. It also suits photographers, families with children tall enough to meet the 140-centimeter rule, and anyone who wants a tour that fits around other Reykjavik plans.

The trip is especially useful for first-time visitors who want more than a city walk. You get a city view from the water, a guide’s explanation of local wildlife, and a chance to see puffins close to their island habitat.

You should think twice if you dislike fast boats or become uncomfortable in choppy water. The boat may be rocky near the puffin islands, and the provided gear does not change the motion of the sea. Also remember that this is wildlife watching, not a guaranteed animal performance. The birds are free to move, hide, or remain farther away than hoped.

Most people can take part, and the activity is near public transport. The child height rule is firm because this is a RIB trip, not a standard harbor boat. Ask about suitability before booking if someone in your party has a mobility or balance concern, since no further accessibility details are provided.

Booking, meeting point, and weather rules

You meet at Reykjavik by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the far side of the harbor.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation arrives when you book. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the price, so plan your own route to the harbor. Since the departure is at noon, arriving with enough time to find the meeting point and prepare your gear is sensible.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

What to bring and how to prepare

The operator supplies a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. You do not need to pack a special waterproof suit, which keeps the preparation simple.

Still, wear warm clothing beneath the overall. The boat is open to the weather, and a cold breeze can make a short ride feel much longer. Secure your phone and camera, and expect some spray and movement even when the weather looks calm from the harbor.

Keep your expectations focused. The trip is not built around a long stop, a walk on Videy Island, or a full city tour. It is a brisk ride to the birds, a quiet engine-off viewing period, some useful commentary, and a return to the harbor.

Should you book the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

Book it if you want the most direct version of a Reykjavik puffin outing: fast transport, a small group, warm gear, and close viewing near the islands. The noon schedule and roughly one-hour length make it easy to fit into a busy Iceland itinerary.

Skip it if you want a calm, slow cruise or if rough water is a serious concern. For everyone else, the $76 cost is reasonable for a focused wildlife trip, especially when puffins are a priority and you value the personal guidance of a 12-seat boat.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express depart?

It departs from Reykjavik by Boat at Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 12:00 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately one hour. You may want to allow up to about an hour and a half from start to finish.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Ægisgarður 5F.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB boat has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Full guidance is provided in English.

What clothing and safety equipment are included?

A warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket are included.

Can children join the RIB tour?

Yes, but a child must be at least 140 centimeters tall to participate in the RIB tour.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the meeting point, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.