Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Hundreds of puffins can gather around the small islands outside Reykjavik, and a RIB boat puts you close to the action without taking half a day. You may see puffins sitting on the water, carrying capelin, flying around the rocks, or vanishing into burrows. Gannets, auks, fulmars, Arctic terns, seals, porpoises, and even whales are possible extras.

I like two things right away: the tour is short enough to fit neatly into a busy Reykjavik day, and the small boat can reach the islands more closely than a larger sightseeing vessel. I also like the practical setup, with warm coveralls, life equipment, and binoculars supplied. The tradeoff is the ride itself. A RIB can slap hard against the waves, so this is not a good choice if you have back trouble, motion concerns, or simply dislike speed.

Key points to know before booking

• Puffin season runs from May through August: Early and mid-season trips can produce large colonies, while late-season numbers may be lower.
• The RIB ride is part of the attraction: You cross Faxaflói Bay quickly, but the boat can bounce sharply on choppy water.
• You get close to nesting islands: The captain steers near rocks, cliffs, and small inlets while keeping the boat on the water.
• The guide adds real value: Guides such as Anna, Maria, Mikel, Megan, and Rachel have explained puffin habits, food, flight, and nesting behavior.
• The trip lasts about one hour: That includes the outward ride, bird viewing, and return to Reykjavik Old Harbour.
• Bring a camera, but protect it: Use the coverall pockets when the boat is moving, then take it out when the ride settles near the birds.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour for Faxaflói Bay

You make your own way to the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour. This is a handy meeting point if you are staying in central Reykjavik, but hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to find the office and get fitted out.

Before boarding, the crew gives you a short safety briefing. You put on the supplied coveralls and safety equipment, then climb into the RIB and settle into a seat with a grab rail nearby. The coveralls do more than keep you warm. They also have useful pockets, a small detail that matters when you need to secure your phone, glasses, or camera.

The boat heads out across the bay at speed. This is the part that some people love most, and the part that others find uncomfortable. The RIB can feel lively as it hits the tops of the waves. One useful technique is to keep both feet planted, hold the handles, and slightly lift your weight from the seat when the boat hits hard. Keep your phone in a zipped or Velcro pocket until the captain slows down.

The boat ride is not just transport to the birds. It gives you broad views over Faxaflói Bay and a brisk taste of Icelandic sea weather. Still, you should dress in warm layers under the coveralls. The supplied gear helps with wind and spray, but it does not turn a rough sea into a smooth one.

Finding puffins around the islands

The main bird viewing takes place around rocky islands and sea cliffs in Faxaflói Bay. Puffins gather here during the nesting season, generally from May through August. The exact number varies with the date, weather, and conditions, so no wildlife trip can promise a particular count.

On strong days, you may see hundreds of birds around the islands, with some trips producing views of much larger groups. The birds can sit in the water in small clusters, fly low over the waves, perch on rock ledges, or carry small fish back toward their nests. You may also see them disappearing into burrows, although your view depends on where the boat can safely position itself.

The RIB has an advantage over a larger boat because it can work around the edges of the islands and approach narrow inlets. That does not mean you should expect a puffin within arm’s reach. One honest description puts the boat roughly 25 feet or more from some birds, and puffins can fly away when a boat approaches.

This is also why your expectations matter. Promotional photographs can suggest a boat right beside a cliff, but conditions and wildlife behavior may require the captain to stay farther out. On one trip, the boat remained hundreds of feet from shore, which made close bird photographs difficult. The captain’s judgment and respect for the colony should matter more than getting the closest possible angle.

What the guide adds to the hour

A good guide turns a quick bird trip into a proper wildlife outing. You learn about puffin behavior, diet, nesting, burrows, and flight while watching the birds in front of you. The commentary also helps you spot activity that is easy to miss, such as a bird carrying food or a group suddenly taking off from the water.

The guiding has received especially strong praise, with individual guides including Anna, Maria, Mikel, Megan, Rachel, and Maggie named for their friendly explanations and calm handling of the group. Names and crew members can change, but the role stays the same: one person explains the birds while the captain works the boat into a useful viewing position.

The best guides do not treat the puffins as props. They explain what you are seeing while giving the birds room. That matters in a nesting colony, where a slightly more distant view is preferable to disturbing the animals.

Binoculars are included, though the supply may be limited. If you have compact binoculars, bringing your own could help, but they are not required. The boat’s small size means most people get a reasonable view, regardless of where they sit.

Other birds and possible wildlife

Puffins are the main reason to book, but they are not the only birds in the bay. Watch for gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns around the islands and open water. The guide can help you tell these species apart and explain how they use the bay.

The extra wildlife is unpredictable, but sightings have included seals, harbor porpoises, and humpback whales. These should be treated as a bonus, not part of the promise. The trip is designed around puffins and seabirds, and the guide cannot control what appears during a one-hour outing.

The bird activity can be especially lively in summer. You might see puffins floating in groups, flying in from the sea, or trying to keep their food from larger birds. These ordinary behaviors are what make the trip worthwhile. You are not looking at a staged display. You are watching a working seabird colony from the water.

Is one hour enough time?

For most people, yes. The short format keeps the outing easy to fit before or after museums, food stops, or another Reykjavik activity. It also limits the amount of time you spend on a fast, exposed boat.

The hour includes the trip out, time near the islands, and the return to the harbor. That means the actual bird viewing is not a full hour beside the colony. If waiting, boarding, and travel between islands take longer than expected, the time near the birds can feel brief.

That said, many people find the compact schedule just right. You can get close views, hear a clear explanation, and return to town without committing to a long sea excursion. If your main goal is an extended wildlife photography session, look carefully at the timing and consider a longer boat trip. If you want a focused puffin outing, this length works well.

Photography tips for the RIB

Puffins are small, quick, and often farther away than they appear in photographs. A phone can produce good memories in bright conditions, but zooming in while the boat is moving makes sharp images difficult. Keep your camera secure during the fast sections and wait until the captain slows near the islands.

Use the binoculars first. Find the bird, watch its behavior, then take the camera out. This is more satisfying than spending the whole tour staring at a screen.

Some trips have included photographs taken by the guide with a zoom lens and sent afterward at no extra charge. Do not assume this will happen on every departure, since equipment and crew can vary. It is worth giving the office your correct email address and asking about the arrangement before leaving the harbor.

Even with good equipment, you may not see the close-up detail shown in professional images. The boat moves, the birds move, and weather changes quickly. I would treat any sharp puffin portrait as a bonus and focus on enjoying the colony as a whole.

Comfort, safety, and who should skip it

The boat has comfortable seats, but comfort depends heavily on the sea. The RIB’s inflatable sides help with stability, and the crew provides the required safety gear. Several trips have been described as well organized, with staff helping passengers into their suits and explaining how the boat works.

This is an active ride, not a gentle harbor cruise. You need to hold the grab rail and follow the captain’s instructions. Warm clothing and closed-toe sports shoes are required recommendations, and large bags or luggage are not allowed.

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or anyone under 4 feet 8 inches, or 145 centimeters. If you are an older passenger or have a sensitive back, take the wave conditions seriously. A passenger found that lifting slightly off the seat while holding the handles reduced the jolt, but that is a personal technique, not a substitute for choosing the right activity.

The tour suits active adults, families with older children, bird fans, and anyone who wants a fast outdoor activity close to central Reykjavik. It is less suitable if you need a quiet, smooth, fully sheltered boat.

The $101 price and what you receive

At $101 per person, this is not a cheap one-hour outing. Icelandic tours often carry a high price, but you should still ask what the money buys.

Here, the fare covers the captain, wildlife guide, coveralls, safety equipment, and binoculars. You also get a small boat that can cover the bay quickly and work close to the islands. That combination makes the price easier to justify than a basic harbor ride, especially if puffins are high on your Iceland list.

The value depends on your priorities. If you would be happy seeing puffins from a distant large boat, a different excursion may suit you better. If you want a short, energetic ride with a good chance of seeing many birds near their nesting grounds, the cost is reasonable for Reykjavik, though still a splurge.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 277 reviews, with transport receiving an 88 percent perfect score. Those figures point to reliable organization and a well-liked ride, but they cannot remove the normal risks of sea weather or wildlife variation.

Timing your puffin trip

May through August is the stated nesting period. Early-season trips can still produce plenty of birds, as shown by strong sightings in April and May, but the colony may be less active than at the height of summer.

Late August and early September bring a different risk. By the final days of the season, some puffins may already have left, and one September trip produced fewer birds. If puffins are central to your Iceland plans, I would choose a date in the main May through August window and book ahead during the busiest summer period.

Morning departures can be convenient, and the activity is short enough to place at the start of a sightseeing day. Check the available departure times when booking, then leave room before your next fixed activity in case boarding or sea conditions cause a delay.

Booking details worth knowing

You meet at the Whale Safari office in the Old Harbour, and you arrange your own transport there. Food and drinks are not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not available.

The tour is conducted in English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while building an Iceland itinerary.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes, then add warm layers under the supplied coveralls. Keep valuables secured during the crossing, especially your phone and camera.

Should you book this puffin tour?

I would book it if you want a short, high-energy wildlife trip from Reykjavik and understand that a RIB ride can be bumpy. The strongest reasons are the close access to the islands, the helpful bird commentary, and the chance to see puffins in several settings, on cliffs, on the water, and in flight.

I would skip it if you have back problems, need a smooth boat, or mainly want professional-quality photographs. You should also reconsider if your only available date falls very late in the season, when the colony may be thinner.

For everyone else, this is a well-focused way to see Iceland’s puffins without leaving Reykjavik for a distant coastal site. Keep your expectations realistic, secure your camera, and let the guide point out the action. At its best, the hour gives you both a thrilling boat ride and a close look at a real seabird colony.

FAQ

Where does the puffin tour meet?

Meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about one hour, including the boat ride out to the islands, puffin viewing, and the return to Reykjavik.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional captain, an English-speaking wildlife guide, coveralls, safety equipment, and binoculars.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Whale Safari office at the Old Harbour.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins nest around the local islands between May and August. Bird numbers can vary, especially near the end of the season.

What other birds could I see?

Possible seabirds include gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 years old cannot take part. Participants must also be at least 145 centimeters tall.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe sports shoes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments, pregnant women, or anyone under 145 centimeters tall.