Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Puffins are Iceland’s most charming crowd-pleasers. This fast RIB boat tour races from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to the nesting islands of Faxaflói Bay, where you can watch puffins fly, swim, feed, and perch on the cliffs. I like the short one-hour format and the way the small boat reaches rocky islands that larger vessels cannot approach as closely. The main thing to consider is the ride itself: the RIB can bounce hard over the waves, and that may not suit everyone.

I also like the thoughtful equipment, including warm coveralls, safety gear, and binoculars. Guides such as Anna, Maria, Mikel, and Megan have been praised for making the trip both informative and fun, while some guides have taken close-up photographs to email afterward. Still, puffins are wild birds, not trained performers, so the exact distance, number of birds, and quality of your own photographs depend on weather, sea conditions, and the time of year.

Key points to know before you go

• The RIB reaches Lundey Island and nearby nesting areas: The small boat can approach rocky islands and cliffs more closely than a standard sightseeing vessel.
• Expect hundreds of puffins in the best summer conditions: May through August is the main nesting season, with especially strong sightings reported in June, July, and early August.
• The ride is part of the attraction: You cross Faxaflói Bay at speed, but the boat can slam onto wave tops, so hold the grab rails and protect your phone.
• Coveralls make a real difference: You receive warm protective suits and safety equipment, useful against wind, spray, and rain.
• Other birds add variety: Keep watch for gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns, with occasional reports of seals, harbor porpoises, and humpback whales.
• The tour is short but efficient: In about an hour, you travel out to the colonies, watch the birds, and return to the harbor.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour by RIB

You meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The location is easy to reach on foot if you are staying in central Reykjavik, but plan enough time to find the office, get fitted with your coveralls, and listen to the safety briefing.

This is not a leisurely harbor cruise. After you board, the captain opens the throttle and the RIB heads across Faxaflói Bay. The ride gives you a quick burst of speed and broad views over the water, but it also creates the tour’s biggest comfort issue. The boat rises and drops over the waves, and one passenger compared the motion to repeatedly slamming onto the top of the water.

Your seating technique matters. Keep both feet planted, hold the handles, and follow the crew’s instructions. One useful tip is to raise yourself slightly off the seat when the boat hits rough patches. The coverall suits have Velcro pockets, which are a much safer place for your phone than your hand during the fast crossing.

The operator supplies the coveralls, flotation equipment, and other required safety gear. Wear warm layers underneath, plus closed-toe or sports shoes. The suits help block wind and rain, but they do not replace warm clothing, especially on a cold morning in the bay.

Reaching the puffin islands in Faxaflói Bay

The boat heads toward small islands and sea cliffs where puffins gather during the nesting season. Lundey Island is a commonly mentioned viewing area, and the RIB may also visit a second island or nearby rocky outcrops depending on conditions.

The islands are special because you see puffins in their own setting rather than in a zoo or at a distant cliff viewpoint. You may watch them perched near burrows, bobbing on the water, flying in from the sea, or carrying small fish back to their young. A good visit can bring hundreds of birds into view, and some excursions have produced sightings of what felt like thousands spread across the island and surrounding water.

Do not expect the boat to pull right up against the cliffs every time. The captain must balance good views with sea conditions, bird behavior, and respect for the nesting area. On one outing, the boat remained hundreds of feet from shore, which made close photographs harder. That is a fair reminder that the advertised proximity is an opportunity, not a promise.

The RIB’s smaller size is still a major advantage. You can turn quickly, work around inlets, and approach the islands from angles that are difficult for larger boats. The boat keeps moving around the colony so people on different sides get a chance to see the birds. Several passengers found that seating position mattered less than expected because the captain and guide repositioned the boat.

Watching puffins fly, feed, and rest

Puffins are at their most entertaining when they are busy. On the water, they float in small groups and may vanish below the surface after food. In the air, their rapid wingbeats make them look slightly overqualified for flight, and when they return to the cliffs, they often arrive with fish in their colorful bills.

The guide explains puffin behavior, diet, burrows, flight, and nesting habits while the captain maneuvers the boat. The best guides do more than identify the birds. They help you understand why the puffins are gathered here and what you are seeing when a bird lands, leaves, or carries food.

Bring your own camera if you have one, but keep your expectations sensible. A phone can produce good images when the boat is close and the sea is calm, yet puffins are small, quick, and constantly moving. Zooming in while the RIB bounces is difficult. A longer lens improves your chances, though even a powerful camera cannot control the weather or the captain’s distance from the rocks.

Some trips have included photographs taken by the guide with a zoom lens and later shared by email at no added charge. This is a useful bonus, but it is not guaranteed on every departure. On one outing, neither the guide nor captain had a camera, so ask at the office how photos are handled that day and make sure the company has your correct email address.

The binoculars provided onboard can help you inspect birds on the cliffs, especially if the boat remains farther from shore. There may not be enough pairs for everyone to use at once, so you might need to share. Your own binoculars are welcome if you have room, but large luggage and big bags are not allowed.

More than puffins: seabirds and possible wildlife

Puffins are the main reason to book, but the bay supports a wider cast of seabirds. Watch for gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns. Seeing several species gives the ride more depth, especially on a day when the puffins remain farther away.

Other sightings are possible, though they should be treated as luck rather than part of the promised program. Past trips have included a seal resting on a rock, a harbor porpoise, and humpback whales surfacing and blowing. Those sightings can turn a good bird trip into a broader wildlife outing, but you should book this experience for puffins, not whales.

The guide’s commentary helps here. Instead of staring only at the closest cliff, you can scan the water and sky with a better idea of what to look for. Arctic terns, in particular, can make the air around the islands feel busy, while gannets and fulmars give you larger, easier targets when the puffins are moving quickly.

A one-hour schedule that makes sense

The total duration is about one hour, including the journey out, the bird viewing, and the return to Reykjavik. That sounds brief, but it suits the experience well. You do not spend half a day waiting offshore, and you can fit the tour into a morning before museums, shopping, or another Reykjavik activity.

The tradeoff is that the viewing period is not unlimited. If the boat loses time to rough water, waiting, or a slower approach to the colony, you have less time near the birds. An older review also described a trip lasting closer to 50 minutes because of a delay, so allow a little flexibility rather than planning a tight connection immediately afterward.

The early morning departure is practical for a day in Reykjavik. It also gives you a chance to start with wildlife before the city gets busy. Check the available departure times when booking, since the exact schedule is not fixed in the basic tour details.

How safe and comfortable is the RIB?

The crew gives a safety briefing before departure and helps you put on the coveralls and flotation equipment. The captain controls the boat, while the wildlife guide explains the birds and keeps an eye on the group. Past passengers have repeatedly described the boat as clean, well maintained, and safe.

Comfort is more personal. Several people found the seats comfortable and the coveralls effective at keeping them warm. Others found the pounding ride unpleasant, especially older passengers or anyone sensitive to back strain. You should not book this excursion if you have back problems, are pregnant, have a mobility impairment, or are shorter than 145 centimeters, or about 4 feet 8 inches.

Children under 10 are not permitted. The fast ride has delighted older children and families who enjoy a little speed, but it is not a gentle cruise. If you are prone to seasickness, the quick, active ride may help some people, while the bouncing can make matters worse for others. The supplied information does not promise a calm-water route, so consider your own tolerance carefully.

Timing the puffin season

Puffins nest around the islands from May through August. Early May can already produce strong sightings, with some departures seeing many birds, but the colony’s size and behavior change through the season.

June and July are good choices if your schedule allows. Trips during these months have produced large numbers of puffins on the cliffs, in the water, and in the air. Early August has also been praised, with birds still nesting, carrying fish, and gathering around the islands.

By late August or early September, the colony may be thinner. One September trip still saw puffins, but not as many remained in Iceland at that point. If puffins are a major goal, choose the core nesting months rather than the end of the season.

Weather can affect both the number of birds you see and how close the boat can approach. A rainy day does not automatically ruin the outing because the coveralls help keep you dry, but rough seas may make the ride less pleasant and photographs more difficult.

Is $101 a fair price?

At $101 per person, this is not a cheap one-hour activity. Iceland is expensive, and the price reflects a guided wildlife outing with a captain, specialized RIB boat, safety equipment, protective clothing, and binoculars. You also avoid spending several hours on a larger vessel if your main goal is to see puffins.

The value is strongest when you want three things at once: a short schedule, a lively boat ride, and close access to the nesting islands. A larger, slower boat may feel calmer, but the RIB gives you a better chance of approaching cliffs and inlets. If you are mainly interested in a relaxed cruise or have concerns about bouncing on waves, the price may feel harder to justify.

I would consider the tour good value for a dedicated puffin outing, especially during June, July, or early August when sightings can be abundant. The added possibility of guide-taken photos is helpful, though you should confirm that this service is available on your departure rather than count on it.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik wildlife trip?

This tour suits you if you want a compact excursion that fits neatly into a city stay. It is also a good choice for photographers who can work quickly, families with children aged 10 and older, bird lovers, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat over a large passenger vessel.

You will likely enjoy it most if you are comfortable with speed, cold air, and an active ride. The crew’s safety care and warm suits help, but they cannot turn a RIB into a smooth ferry.

I would choose this tour for a first puffin outing from Reykjavik, particularly if you do not have time to travel to other coastal sites. I would be more cautious if your priority is a perfectly steady camera platform, a guaranteed close approach, or a long period beside the colony.

Practical details for a smooth morning

Meet at the Whale Safari office in the Old Harbour and make your own way there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so staying in central Reykjavik makes the meeting point especially convenient.

Wear warm, comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Leave suitcases and large bags behind. Keep smaller essentials in the pockets of the supplied coveralls, where they are less likely to fly loose during the ride.

The tour is conducted in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland schedule is still shifting.

Should you book this puffin tour?

Book it if you want a short, well-organized trip with a real sense of motion and a strong chance of seeing puffins near their nesting islands. The best reasons are the RIB’s maneuverability, the helpful guides, the warm protective suits, and the repeated reports of large colonies during the main season.

Think twice if you dislike rough boat rides, need guaranteed accessibility, or expect your phone to produce perfect close-ups. The puffins are wild, the boat may stay farther from shore, and late-season numbers can drop.

For most fit visitors aged 10 and up, I would book this during June, July, or early August, keep my phone in a secure pocket, and treat any seal, porpoise, or whale as a welcome extra.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour meet?

You meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is one hour, including the RIB ride from Reykjavik, bird viewing near the islands and cliffs, and the return to the harbor.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins nest near the local islands from May through August. Sightings have also occurred in early September, but fewer puffins may remain by the end of the season.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes warm coveralls, all necessary safety equipment, and binoculars. A professional captain and English-speaking wildlife guide are also included.

What should I wear?

Wear warm, comfortable clothing and closed-toe or sports shoes. The operator does not allow luggage or large bags onboard.

Who cannot take this RIB tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or anyone shorter than 145 centimeters, or 4 feet 8 inches.