Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Hundreds of puffins can gather around the islands of Faxaflói Bay, and a small RIB lets you get close without spending half a day at sea. I like the one-hour length, which fits neatly into a Reykjavik day, and I like the lively boat ride, with puffins on the cliffs, floating on the water, and flying around the boat. The main drawback is the ride itself: the RIB can slam over waves, so this is not a gentle cruise for anyone with back problems or motion concerns.

I also like the warm flotation coveralls, provided binoculars, and guides who explain puffin behavior instead of simply pointing at birds. Guides have included Anna, Maria, Mikel, Megan, and others, but your guide will vary. The best time is May through August, and sightings can thin out near the end of the season.

Key points at a glance

• Puffin colonies near Lundey Island: The boat heads to rocky islands and cliffs where puffins nest in summer.
• Fast RIB transport: The small rigid inflatable boat covers ground quickly and can approach the islands more closely than a larger vessel.
• One hour on the water: You get a compact wildlife outing that is easy to add before lunch or between Reykjavik plans.
• More than puffins: Watch for gannets, auks, fulmars, Arctic terns, and the occasional seal, porpoise, or whale.
• Warm gear supplied: Coveralls, life-saving equipment, and binoculars are included, but you still need warm clothes and closed-toe shoes.
• A lively rather than gentle ride: The boat is exciting and generally well handled, but rough water can make the trip bumpy.

A short boat ride with a very clear purpose

This is a focused wildlife trip, not a general sightseeing cruise. You leave Reykjavik Old Harbour, cross Faxaflói Bay, spend time near the puffin islands, and return to the harbor about an hour after departure.

That simple plan is part of the appeal. If you have only a few days in Iceland, you do not need to give up an entire morning to see seabirds. The boat gets to the islands quickly, and the guide keeps the outing centered on the birds.

The RIB also changes the feel of the trip. You sit close to the water in an open-air boat, with the wind and spray adding a little adventure. The boat can reach areas near rocks and inlets that are less practical for a bigger vessel. You should not expect to pull right up to every bird or see inside every burrow, though. Puffins are wild animals, and the captain must keep a respectful distance.

The trip has earned a 4.8 rating from 277 bookings, with 88 percent of ratings receiving the top score. That lines up with the strongest features of the outing: careful organization, friendly staff, capable boat handling, and a good chance of seeing many puffins in a short time.

Meeting the boat at Reykjavik Old Harbour

You make your own way to the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour. This is convenient if you are staying in central Reykjavik and can walk to the waterfront. There is no hotel pickup, so leave enough time to find the office and check in before departure.

Staff help you put on the supplied coveralls and safety equipment. The coveralls are more useful than they might sound. They block wind on the way out, help keep you dry if the weather turns wet, and include pockets where you can store small items.

Bring warm layers beneath them. Icelandic summer can feel cold on open water even when the harbor seems mild. Wear sports shoes or other closed-toe footwear with a firm sole. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only the essentials.

After a short safety briefing, you climb into the RIB. Hold the grab rail as the boat leaves the harbor, and keep your phone or camera secured until the captain has settled into the crossing. One useful habit is to place your phone in a zipped or Velcro pocket while the boat is moving. You will have time to take it out near the islands.

The RIB crossing over Faxaflói Bay

The ride across Faxaflói Bay is not just a transfer. It is the energetic part of the outing, with the RIB moving quickly over the cold water. The boat’s low profile gives you open views, but it also means you feel the motion more than you would on a large covered vessel.

Several people have found the ride exciting and comfortable enough, while others have found the repeated impacts on the waves hard on the back. The best way to handle the bumps is to follow the crew’s seating instructions, keep your feet planted, hold the handles, and avoid clutching a phone in your hand.

The open design gives everyone a useful view. There is no need to fight for a window seat, and the boat turns so people can look toward the islands. Still, photography is harder than it looks. A small boat rises and drops while birds move quickly, so a phone may produce blurry or distant images.

You can use the supplied binoculars, though availability may be limited on some departures. A camera with a stronger zoom lens helps, but you should not let photography distract from the experience. Watching a puffin return with a beak full of small fish is more memorable than chasing one perfect frame.

Reaching the puffin colonies

The main birding area is around rocky islands and sea cliffs, including Lundey Island. From the water, you can see puffins gathered on the rocks, perched near their burrows, floating in groups, and flying low over the bay.

The number of birds can be impressive. At the best point in the season, you might see hundreds or even what feels like thousands spread across the island and water. In late August, the colony may look thinner as the season winds down. May can still produce good sightings, though activity and numbers can vary.

The captain’s skill matters here. A small RIB can approach the islands more closely than a conventional vessel, but the boat cannot simply run into the cliffs. On one outing, the boat may get close enough to see birds and burrow entrances clearly. On another, wind, waves, or the birds’ behavior may keep you farther away.

That variation is worth understanding before you book. Promotional photographs can make any wildlife trip look closer and calmer than real conditions. You should expect good views, not a guaranteed close-up of every puffin.

The captain may circle more than one island or pause near different inlets so both sides of the boat get a look. The guide explains how puffins nest, feed, fly, and use the water. You may see them carrying capelin, swimming around the boat, or scattering when larger birds approach.

Puffins, auks, and the rest of the bird list

Puffins are the headline act, but the bay supports a wider mix of seabirds. Keep an eye out for gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. The guide helps you distinguish the species and explains what they are doing around the islands.

The bird activity changes from minute to minute. One moment the cliffs appear quiet; then a group of puffins lifts off, another cluster lands, and birds begin moving across the water. Their bright bills are easiest to see when they are close, but binoculars help when the boat stays farther from shore.

The guides add value by giving the birds some context. You learn about puffin diet, nesting habits, burrows, and flight. That turns the trip into more than a quick photo stop. You begin to understand why the same island can look crowded with birds in one season and much quieter later in the summer.

Extra wildlife is possible but not promised. Sightings have included a seal, a harbor porpoise, and humpback whales. Treat those as lucky additions, not part of the basic deal. The tour’s clear purpose is puffin watching.

The guide and captain make a real difference

This experience depends on two people. The captain handles the RIB, chooses the approach to the islands, and keeps the ride controlled. The guide watches the birds, explains what you are seeing, and helps the group use the safety gear.

The strongest departures have had friendly, well-informed guides who mix facts with humor. Names have included Anna, Maria, Mikel, Megan, Mel, Rachel, Rob, and Maggie on different dates, but you should not expect a particular person. English is the tour language.

The crew also has a practical job. They help with the flotation coveralls, explain how the boat behaves, and keep an eye on everyone during the crossing. That care matters more here than polished narration. On a bumpy sea, a calm captain and clear instructions make the trip much easier.

Some guides have taken photographs with a zoom lens and shared them afterward at no extra charge. This has not happened on every departure, so do not book solely for that bonus. Give the office your correct email address if the crew offers to send pictures.

Is the $101 price fair?

At $101 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend an hour. Iceland is expensive, but the price still deserves a closer look.

You are paying for a small, fast boat, safety equipment, warm coveralls, a captain, a wildlife guide, and access to a colony that is easy to reach from central Reykjavik. The short duration also has value. You can fit it around a museum visit, food stop, or another city activity without losing a full day.

Compared with a longer whale-watching outing, this trip gives you a much narrower goal and a stronger chance of seeing puffins during the nesting months. If puffins are high on your Iceland list, the focused format makes sense. If you simply want a scenic boat ride, there are less expensive ways to view the harbor, though this trip offers the added bird life and speed.

I would call it good value for a dedicated bird encounter, but expensive for a casual impulse activity. The best case is a calm summer day with large numbers of puffins close to the boat. The weaker case is a rough crossing, fewer birds late in the season, and photography that does not work well on a phone.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, active activity in Reykjavik and you are visiting between May and August. It works especially well for families with children aged 10 and older who enjoy fast boats and wildlife.

It is also a smart choice if you tried to see puffins elsewhere in Iceland and came away disappointed. Reykjavik’s harbor location makes this an easy second chance, without a long drive to the south coast.

You should think twice if you have back problems, limited mobility, are pregnant, or are shorter than 145 centimeters. Children under 10 are not accepted. The company also lists the tour as unsuitable for people who may struggle with the boat’s motion.

If you are sensitive to rough water, this is not the place to assume that a one-hour trip will feel easy. The boat is small and open, and the ride can be bouncy. On the other hand, some people who have trouble with larger boat trips have found the steady forward motion manageable. Sea conditions make the difference.

Timing, weather, and photography tips

Puffins nest in the area from May through August. Early and mid-season trips generally offer the best chance of seeing a busy colony, while the final days of the season may show fewer birds.

Weather affects both comfort and viewing distance. The supplied coveralls help with wind and rain, but wear warm clothing underneath. Choose practical footwear, and protect glasses, phones, and cameras from spray.

For photographs, bring a camera with a zoom lens if you have one. A phone can work when the boat gets close, but the moving boat and quick birds make sharp images difficult. Keep your phone stored while the RIB is moving, then take it out when the captain slows near the islands.

Do not expect every puffin to pose. You may see birds perched on the cliff, swimming in a group, flying past, or carrying fish. The variety of behavior is the real reward.

Booking and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting. Check available departure times when booking, since the tour runs for about one hour but exact start times vary.

The meeting point is the Whale Safari office at the Old Harbour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and food and drinks are not provided. The crew supplies binoculars and all necessary safety equipment.

Allow a little extra time for check-in and putting on the coveralls. Do not arrive with luggage or a large bag. Bring warm layers, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and a camera only if you can secure it properly.

Should you book the Reykjavik puffin tour?

Book it if you want a compact, lively wildlife trip with a strong chance of seeing puffins near Reykjavik during the May to August season. The combination of an expert guide, capable captain, warm gear, and a small RIB gives you more than a quick harbor cruise.

I would be especially keen to book in June or July, when the colony is likely to be active, though sightings always depend on conditions. If you dislike bumpy rides, have back trouble, or expect to walk away with perfect phone photographs, choose carefully.

For most able-bodied visitors who value wildlife over comfort, this is a good use of one hour and a worthwhile Iceland splurge. You get close to puffins in their natural setting, learn what makes them tick, and still have most of the day left for Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the puffin watching tour?

The tour lasts about one hour, including the RIB ride from Reykjavik Old Harbour to the puffin islands and the return to the harbor.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What birds might I see?

The tour focuses on puffins, and you might also see gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Some departures have also seen seals, harbor porpoises, or humpback whales.

When can I see the puffins?

Puffins nest around the islands from May through August. Numbers may be lower near the end of August as the season finishes.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks English.

Are coveralls and safety equipment included?

Yes. Coveralls and all necessary safety equipment are provided. You should still bring warm clothing and closed-toe shoes.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes, binoculars are included, though the number available may vary by departure.

Can I bring luggage?

No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the RIB.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or anyone under 145 centimeters tall.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.