Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

Puffins are best seen from the water. This fast, small-group trip takes you from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour toward the nearby islands, where the engines are switched off so you can watch the birds in peace. I like the 12-seat RIB boat, which keeps the outing personal, and I like that warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket are included.

The midday departure also works well with a busy Reykjavík schedule. You can spend the morning at a museum or on a city walk, then head to the harbour for a short wildlife trip. The main drawback is the sea itself: the water near the puffin islands can be rocky, and this is not the right outing if you want a calm, gentle cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat carries only 12 people, giving you a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions.
• The RIB reaches the islands quickly, leaving more of the one-hour outing for puffin watching.
• The engines are turned off near the birds, allowing for a quieter wildlife encounter.
• Warm gear is supplied, including waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.
• The 12:00 p.m. departure protects your sightseeing time, with your morning and later afternoon free.
• Children must be at least 140 centimeters tall to take part in the RIB tour.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour at noon

The experience begins at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, in the Old Harbour. You return to this same meeting point at the end, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The departure time is 12:00 p.m., so plan to arrive at the harbour with enough time to find the boat and get ready.

The location is near public transportation, which makes it practical if you are staying in central Reykjavík. You will not need to fit a long bus transfer into your day. That matters here because the boat ride itself is short, and extra transfer time could otherwise take up much of your sightseeing schedule.

Before departure, you receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, so this gear is more than a nice extra. It helps you focus on the sea and birds instead of worrying about spray and cold air.

The RIB has 12 seats. That is a useful middle ground: small enough for direct contact with the guide, but large enough to feel like a proper shared excursion. Guides including Celia, Rebecca, Joe, and Patrickgin have been praised for being funny, helpful, and well informed about puffins, wildlife, and Reykjavík.

A fast RIB ride with a practical purpose

A RIB speedboat is not simply a faster way to get around. Its speed means you reach the islands quickly, leaving most of the outing for the main event. On a standard sightseeing boat, a large part of a short trip can disappear during the journey out and back. Here, the quick ride helps preserve time for watching the birds.

You should expect a lively ride rather than a quiet harbor cruise. The boat moves fast, and the water near the islands can be rocky. One direct account described the ride near the puffin island as rough but still very enjoyable. That is a fair way to think about it: the motion is part of the fun, but it may not suit anyone who prefers perfectly calm water.

The provided goggles are useful because the boat can throw spray. Waterproof clothing also makes the trip more comfortable, especially if the weather is cool or damp. You still need to dress sensibly underneath the supplied gear, but the tour removes much of the guesswork about what to wear.

Safety is treated seriously. The lifejacket is included, and the small group allows the guide to keep track of everyone without losing the friendly feel of the outing. The trip requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator offers another date or a full refund.

Harpa, Reykjavík, and the changing city view

The route includes views of Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre, one of the city’s most recognizable waterfront buildings. From the water, Harpa is part of a wider Reykjavík scene rather than just a building you pass on foot. It helps you understand how close the city center is to the open sea.

The outing also includes Reykjavík itself as part of the route. This gives you a different angle on the city, with the shoreline and harbor forming the foreground. The guide provides information about the city as well as the puffins and local wildlife, so the ride is not only about spotting birds.

Do not expect a long city tour from the boat. The central purpose is the puffin islands, and the city sights work best as extra context. If you want detailed architectural or historical commentary on Harpa, the Sun Voyager, or Reykjavík’s streets, you will need a separate walking tour.

The Sun Voyager from the water

The Sun Voyager, Reykjavík’s well-known steel sculpture, is another listed point along the route. Seen from the water, it becomes part of the city’s edge and gives you a useful sense of how the waterfront connects the main harbor area with the open bay.

This stop is not a land visit. You are not getting off the boat to examine the sculpture. Think of it as a passing viewpoint, with the guide adding information about Reykjavík while the boat continues toward the wildlife area.

That arrangement keeps the trip moving. A one-hour excursion cannot offer lengthy stops at every landmark and still leave time for puffin watching. The trade-off is sensible if birds are your priority.

Old Harbour and the run toward Videy Island

The Old Harbour is both your starting and ending point. It is also the gateway to the islands just outside Reykjavík. Once the RIB leaves the harbor, the city begins to feel more distant, even though the trip stays close to town.

Videy Island is the key island named along the route. The surrounding waters provide the setting for the wildlife encounter, and the boat is designed to get close to the islands without turning the trip into a long voyage. You spend the majority of the time around the puffin area rather than sitting through a slow crossing.

Your guide will talk about puffins, other wildlife, and the city. The small group makes this especially useful. If you have a question about the birds or the route, you have a realistic chance of getting an answer rather than trying to catch a guide’s attention from the back of a large vessel.

The exact number of puffins you see will depend on conditions and the birds themselves. The trip takes you to their natural habitat, not an enclosure, so sightings are never a mechanical guarantee. The strong reports of seeing many puffins are encouraging, but you should still approach wildlife watching with reasonable expectations.

Quiet engines and a closer look at puffins

The best detail of this experience is what happens when the boat reaches the islands. The engines are turned off so you can watch the puffins quietly. That pause changes the mood of the trip. The ride out is quick and lively, but the wildlife portion gives you time to look and listen.

Puffins are small birds, and speed can make them easy to miss. Stopping the boat gives you a better chance to notice them in their natural setting. You may see them around the islands and water, with the guide pointing out what you are looking at and explaining more about their behavior.

This is also where the small boat matters most. A 12-seat RIB can get close to the islands while keeping the group together. The guide can speak to everyone without needing a loudspeaker or a long walk through the boat.

The experience is strongest for people who want a direct wildlife outing, not just a scenic boat ride. You get the thrill of the RIB on the way out, then a quieter period focused on the birds. That combination gives the trip more variety than a simple harbor circuit.

How the guides shape the experience

The guides are a major part of the outing. Celia has been praised for her information about birds, wildlife, and the city. Rebecca is described as friendly, helpful, and very well informed about puffins. Joe is remembered for combining useful information with humor, while Patrickgin is noted for making the trip fun and explaining the birds clearly.

Those details matter because the journey lasts only about an hour. There is no room for a long lecture, so the guide has to make each part count. You can expect commentary during the ride, information near the islands, and answers to questions within the limits of the short schedule.

The tone appears to be relaxed rather than formal. That suits a fast boat and a wildlife outing. You are likely to get a mix of city facts, bird information, safety instructions, and light humor instead of a rigid script.

Is $76 good value?

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavík. The value comes from the combination of speed, equipment, a small group, and access to the puffin islands without giving up half a day.

You are paying for a focused experience rather than a long cruise. The boat carries only 12 people, the guide is dedicated to the group, and the warm gear is supplied. If you would otherwise need to buy or borrow waterproof clothing for a boat outing, that included equipment adds practical value.

The price makes the most sense if puffins are high on your Iceland wish list and your schedule is tight. The noon start leaves other parts of the day open, which can be worth more than a lower-priced trip that consumes several hours.

It is less compelling if you want a broad whale-watching trip, a long coastal cruise, or a full-day nature excursion. This is a short, specific experience. You pay for a close approach to the islands and a good chance to see puffins, not a wide survey of Iceland’s marine life.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would suggest it to you if you enjoy wildlife, do not mind a fast boat, and want to keep your Reykjavík plans flexible. It also suits visitors who prefer small groups and direct contact with a guide.

Families need to check the height rule carefully. A child must be at least 140 centimeters tall to participate in the RIB tour. The supplied safety gear is helpful, but the ride can still be rough near the islands.

You should also consider the weather. The outing requires good conditions, and the operator may cancel it when the weather is poor. Flexible plans are useful, especially if you are arranging this near the start or end of a short Iceland visit.

The tour is offered in English, with a mobile ticket. Most people can participate, but the height requirement and the lively ride are important practical limits.

Booking advice for the best day

This experience is booked an average of 22 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if puffins are important to your plans. Build some flexibility into your schedule because the sea can affect departures.

The cancellation terms are reasonable: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Try to place the trip on a day when you can enjoy the harbor before or after the ride. Since the boat returns to Ægisgarður 5F, you can keep your plans centered on Reykjavík rather than arranging a separate transfer across the city.

My booking advice

You should book Puffin Watching Speedboat Express if you want a short, energetic wildlife trip with a real chance to get close to puffins near Reykjavík. The small boat, quiet viewing period, warm gear, and strong guide feedback make the $76 price reasonable for the right audience.

Skip it if you dislike bouncing on the water or want a guaranteed calm cruise. For everyone else, this is a smart way to add Icelandic wildlife to a city day without surrendering your entire schedule.

FAQ

Where does the puffin speedboat tour start?

It starts at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip is approximately one hour. The full start-to-finish experience may take about an hour and a half, according to one direct account.

Where does the tour end?

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

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB boat has a maximum capacity of 12 travelers.

Is warm clothing provided?

Yes. The tour includes a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

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. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point.