Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

The best part of this trip is the close approach to Reykjavík’s puffin islands. The 12-seat RIB moves quickly across the bay, then shuts off its engines near the birds so you can watch them without the constant growl of a motor. That gives the outing more purpose than a simple speedboat ride.

I like the small group and the warm gear. You have room to ask questions, and the overalls, gloves, goggles, and lifejacket mean you need not pack a full set of sea-going clothing. I also like the noon departure, which leaves your morning and late afternoon open.

The main catch is the sea. The boat can rock near the islands, and this is a weather-dependent trip. If you dislike fast rides or rough water, a calmer sightseeing option may suit you better.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat holds only 12 people, so the guide can speak with you directly and point out wildlife without shouting across a large vessel.
• The engines are turned off near the puffins, creating a quieter viewing moment in their natural setting.
• Warm waterproof clothing is provided, including an overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.
• The noon start protects your schedule, making this easy to pair with a morning in Reykjavík or an afternoon activity.
• The ride is short but lively, lasting about an hour, though some departures have taken closer to an hour and a half from start to finish.
• Children must be at least 140 cm tall to join the RIB portion of the tour.

Racing out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

You meet at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, in the Old Harbour area. The boat returns to this same point, and hotel pickup is not included, so plan to make your own way there. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the central streets.

At noon, you board a 12-seat luxury RIB. That size matters. You are not one face in a crowd, and the guide can give a more personal explanation of the birds, the bay, and Reykjavík’s nearby landmarks. Past guides named on this experience include Celia, Patrickgin, Rebecca, and Joe. Their style has been described as lively, funny, and full of useful bird facts.

The boat is built for speed, and the first part of the ride is about getting out to the islands quickly. That means less time spent slowly crossing the harbor and more time near the puffins. You should still expect a brisk, active ride rather than a gentle cruise.

Before setting off, you receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. The gear is one of the strongest practical features here. Reykjavík can feel cold on the water even when the city itself seems comfortable, and wind hits harder on a fast boat.

The goggles are useful for the speed and spray. You will want to keep your phone or camera secure, since the boat is moving quickly and the water can be choppy.

The route past Harpa and the Sun Voyager

The ride gives you several familiar Reykjavík sights from the water. Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre is one of the early visual markers. Its glass façade looks different from the harbor than it does from the city streets, and the boat offers a quick change of viewpoint.

You also pass the Reykjavík waterfront and the Sun Voyager sculpture. The sculpture is easy to recognize from land, but the angle from the bay places it against the city and shoreline rather than a street full of pedestrians. These sights are not the main reason to book the trip, but they help turn the transfer to the islands into a short city tour.

The Old Harbour is both your starting and ending point. That makes the trip easy to fit into a day of walking around central Reykjavík. You do not need to arrange a separate ride back from a remote marina.

The route is not a long sightseeing cruise, so keep your expectations in check. You will see waterfront landmarks during the ride, but the focus is puffins, not a full tour of Reykjavík’s architecture or history.

Reaching Viðey Island and the nearby bird areas

Viðey Island is one of the named points along the route. The islands just outside Reykjavík provide the setting for the wildlife encounter, and the boat’s speed lets you reach them without spending most of the hour in transit.

The important change comes when the boat arrives near the birds. The engines are switched off so the group can watch in relative quiet. That small choice improves the experience. You hear the water and the guide rather than a running motor, and the puffins remain the center of attention.

You will be looking at puffins in their natural habitat, not in an enclosure or a staged display. That also means nature sets the terms. Birds may be close and active, or they may move away. The trip aims to get you as near as possible, but no wildlife outing can promise a perfect pose or a certain number of birds.

Several people have seen a lot of puffins on this trip, and the close distance is a repeated strength. Still, bring patience. The guide may point out behavior, other wildlife, or details about the islands while you watch.

The water can be rocky near the puffin island. This is the clearest physical drawback. The speedboat makes the ride exciting, but the same design can make it feel rough when the sea moves under the boat. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider that before paying.

What the guide adds to the hour

The guide is not simply there to drive the boat. Full English-language guidance covers puffins, wildlife, and the city. That gives the short trip more substance than a fast ride with a few distant bird sightings.

Celia has been praised for her clear knowledge of birds, wildlife, and Reykjavík. Patrickgin has been noted for humor and a steady flow of puffin information. Rebecca has been described as friendly, helpful, and very well informed, while Joe has been praised for combining bird facts with a good sense of fun.

Those names do not guarantee who will lead your departure, but they show the sort of guide-led experience you can expect. The small group gives you a real chance to ask a question. On a larger boat, a question about feeding, flight, nesting, or local wildlife can disappear into the crowd. Here, the guide can respond directly.

Safety is also part of the guide’s job. The crew provides the required gear and controls the pace around the wildlife. The trip keeps its sense of fun without treating the birds or the sea carelessly.

Why the small RIB makes a difference

A 12-seat RIB gives you a more direct connection with the water. You are close to the movement of the boat, the spray, and the changing views. That is exciting, but it is not as sheltered or sedate as a large sightseeing vessel.

The design also helps the guide bring everyone near the islands. With fewer people aboard, you can usually see the same direction the guide is pointing toward rather than waiting for a gap between heads. That is particularly helpful when a puffin appears only briefly.

The tradeoff is comfort. A small fast boat offers less room to shift around, and the ride may feel rougher. Provided waterproof clothing protects you from cold and spray, but it does not make the sea smooth.

I would choose this trip for the character of the ride as much as for the birds. You get a compact, energetic outing with a clear goal. If you want a slow boat, a quiet cabin, or a long naturalist cruise, this is not that experience.

A one-hour trip that fits a Reykjavík day

The scheduled start is 12:00 pm, and the advertised duration is about one hour. One departure has taken around an hour and a half from beginning to end, so avoid booking another activity with no time between them.

The noon timing works well. You can walk around Reykjavík in the morning, eat before or after the boat, then continue with museums, shopping, or another city sight later in the day. It is also useful at the start or end of a longer Iceland trip because it does not consume a full day.

The short duration does mean the bird encounter is concentrated. You are not spending several hours waiting for wildlife. The RIB gets to the islands fast, pauses near the puffins, and returns to the harbor.

That format suits you if you want one memorable nature activity without giving up a large part of your Reykjavík schedule. It may feel too brief if you want a full marine wildlife expedition.

Price, gear, and overall value

At $76 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavík. The value comes from the combination of the small boat, warm gear, English-speaking guide, and direct access to the islands outside the city.

You are paying for more than transport. The RIB lets you reach the bird areas quickly, the group size keeps the guide within easy reach, and the supplied clothing saves you from renting or buying extra protection for one short outing.

The price makes the most sense if seeing puffins is high on your list and you like an active ride. If you are mainly interested in Reykjavík’s waterfront views, you can see much of the city more cheaply on foot. If the puffins are the priority, the speed and small group help justify the cost.

The average booking lead time is 22 days, which suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your schedule is fixed. That is especially important during the season when puffin sightings are possible, though the exact bird season is not specified here.

Clothing, height rules, and weather concerns

The operator supplies a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. You should still dress sensibly for Icelandic weather, since the supplied gear is protection for the boat, not a replacement for ordinary layers.

The minimum height is 140 cm for the RIB tour. This is a firm practical limit, so families should check every child’s height before booking. The activity is suitable for most people who meet that requirement, but the rough water and fast ride may not suit everyone.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the local Icelandic time controls the cutoff.

Who should book this puffin trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A short wildlife outing close to Reykjavík
• A fast, exciting boat ride
• A small group instead of a large vessel
• Puffins seen in their natural setting
• An English-speaking guide with time for questions
• A tour that leaves most of your day free

It is especially good for couples, solo visitors, families with children at least 140 cm tall, and anyone who likes a little action with their nature viewing.

I would think twice if you need a calm ride, dislike spray and rocking water, or want guaranteed close-up wildlife photography. You should also leave space in your schedule in case the actual outing runs longer than the stated hour.

Should you book the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

Book it if puffins are a priority and you want the quickest, most personal version of a Reykjavík bird trip. The small RIB, quiet engine-off viewing, supplied gear, and strong guide presence give the hour real value.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip is slow and sheltered. The sea can be rocky near the islands, and the speed is part of the appeal as well as part of the cost.

For most active visitors who have a free noon slot, this is a smart add-on to a Reykjavík stay. It gives you wildlife, harbor views, and a little Icelandic spray without taking over your day.

FAQ

Where does the puffin boat tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately one hour. Some trips have taken about an hour and a half from start to finish.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB has a maximum capacity of 12 travelers.

What clothing and safety equipment are included?

The operator provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can children join the RIB tour?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

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