Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat from Reykjavík

Puffins are Reykjavík’s best short escape. This one-hour RIB ride gets you from the Old Harbour to the rocky islands where puffins nest, with warm overalls and safety gear supplied before you leave. I like the small group size, capped at 12, and the chance to hear clear explanations about puffins and other seabirds as you watch them in the wild. The main drawback is that the boat may not feel as fast as the name suggests.

I especially like the practical setup: suspension seats, goggles, gloves, and a guide who keeps the trip both lively and informative. Guide Celina earned particular praise for explaining how puffins interact with the area and for making the hour feel personal. Just remember that wildlife and weather set the terms, and puffins are seasonal, usually present from May through August.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin season runs from May through August, when the birds nest on Lundey or Akurey.
• The tour starts at 12 noon from Ægisgarður 5F in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.
• Your RIB carries no more than 12 people, which gives you a better chance of hearing the guide and finding a good viewing angle.
• Warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats are included, so you do not need to pack specialist boat gear.
• The advertised price is $85.01 per person, with hotel transfers available for an extra 2,200 ISK.
• A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, or if poor weather forces the operator to cancel.

Setting out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour at noon

Your outing begins at Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, right in the Old Harbour area. That central location is handy if you are staying downtown or using public transportation. You meet the guide there, receive your equipment, and prepare for the boat ride before boarding one of the operator’s two RIB speedboats.

The start time is 12 noon, so this fits neatly into a day of sightseeing. You can visit the harbour, walk along the waterfront, or have an early meal before reporting for the tour. Since the total activity lasts about an hour, it is easy to pair with museums, shopping, or another Reykjavík stop.

Do not treat this as a long cruise. The appeal is its short, direct route from town to the bird islands and back. You spend less time getting to the wildlife and more time with the boat positioned near the shore.

The boat holds a maximum of 12 people. That matters on a wildlife outing. A small group makes it easier to hear the guide, ask a question, and shift your view as birds appear along the rocks. It also feels less like being processed through a large excursion and more like a compact local outing.

Getting ready with overalls, goggles, and gloves

Before boarding, you receive warm overalls, a life jacket, gloves, and goggles. This is not decorative equipment. Reykjavík’s weather can change quickly, and open-water rides expose you to wind even on a pleasant day.

The overalls should make the trip easier for visitors who did not pack heavy outdoor clothing. The goggles help protect your eyes during the ride, while gloves are useful on the water. You still want to dress sensibly underneath, but the supplied gear removes much of the worry about having the right boat clothing.

The suspension seats are another useful touch. RIB boats are built for speed and quick movement, and a regular hard seat can make a short ride feel rough. The suspension design should provide extra comfort, though it does not turn the boat into a smooth sightseeing vessel.

One piece of advice: keep your expectations clear. This is an open-water speedboat trip, not a gentle harbour launch. The equipment helps, but you should still be comfortable with a fast boat and changing sea conditions. Most people can take part, and the operator states that most participants are eligible, but the ride is not meant to be a quiet, motionless viewing platform.

Racing toward Lundey or Akurey

After the safety briefing and boarding, the RIB heads toward Lundey or Akurey, islands just off Reykjavík’s coast. These small islands are known for their bird life and rocky shores. The route is short enough to leave plenty of time for wildlife watching during the one-hour outing.

The ride itself is part of the fun. You get a different view of Reykjavík from the water, with the city receding as the boat heads toward the nesting islands. The RIB can approach the shoreline more closely than a larger boat, which is important here because the birds gather around rocky edges and sloping ground.

The boat’s speed deserves a realistic note. The product is presented as a fast RIB adventure, but the actual pace may be slower than you expect. One piece of feedback called the ride surprisingly slow despite the safety warnings and powerful equipment. That person felt a simpler boat could have handled the route.

I would treat this as a benefit if you care most about bird watching. A slower approach can give the guide more control and may make it easier to look at the birds without being jolted around. If your main reason for booking is a thrilling high-speed run, the experience could feel restrained.

Watching puffins along the rocky shore

The central stop is the island shoreline, where puffins nest between May and August. The islands have small hills and slopes, with rocky edges that make a close boat approach useful. You stay on the water rather than landing, and the RIB positions you near the nesting area for viewing.

Puffins are the stars, but they are not the only birds in the picture. Your guide can point out northern fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns, along with other seabirds in the area. That wider focus improves the trip because you are not left waiting for one species to appear.

The guide’s role matters here. Celina was praised for explaining the puffins, the local setting, and the way the birds interact with it. Good guiding turns a quick wildlife sighting into something you can understand. You learn what you are looking at rather than simply seeing small birds against a rock.

The phrase up close needs some common sense. The boat can reach the shore closely, but you are still viewing wild birds from the water. You should not expect to handle a puffin, walk among nesting birds, or get a guaranteed close-up photograph of every bird.

Your viewing quality can change with the conditions and with the birds themselves. The operator’s own information describes the islands as puffin sites, and one outing produced many puffin sightings on two nearby islands. Still, wildlife does not perform on a schedule, so the strongest reason to book is the chance to see a living seabird colony, not a guaranteed photo opportunity.

What makes the small group worth the price

At $85.01 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavík. Still, the price includes the boat, an English-speaking expert guide, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and the suspension seat.

That package makes more sense if you are not already equipped for a boat trip. You do not need to rent clothing separately or spend half a day traveling to a distant bird colony. The central meeting point and one-hour duration save time, which can be valuable during a short Iceland visit.

The group limit of 12 adds value too. You are paying for access to a small RIB rather than a large sightseeing vessel. The guide can speak to the whole group without needing a microphone, and you have a better chance of seeing what is happening near the shore.

There are limits. Food and drinks are not included, though the trip is short enough that this is hardly a serious issue. Hotel pickup is not included either. If you need a transfer, it is available for about 2,200 ISK, which raises the overall cost.

I would call the price fair for a compact, organized wildlife outing, especially in puffin season. It is less compelling if you want a long cruise, a guaranteed high-speed ride, or a full-day nature trip. This is a focused add-on to your Reykjavík plans.

Choosing the right season and weather

Puffins nest on these islands from May through August. That is the key window for booking if puffins are your main goal. Outside that period, you should not assume the same sightings, even if the boat tour itself is available.

Weather is another important factor. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is a sensible policy for an open-water activity, but you should avoid placing the trip at the very end of a tightly packed Iceland itinerary if seeing puffins matters to you.

The noon departure gives you a little flexibility on the day. You can check the weather during the morning before heading to the harbour. You cannot control the sea, but you can avoid making the tour a rushed race from another part of Reykjavík.

The supplied clothing helps with cold and wind, but it cannot guarantee comfort in rough weather. If you are sensitive to motion or dislike exposed boat rides, consider that before paying. If you enjoy short outdoor trips and want to see Iceland’s bird life from the water, the conditions are part of the experience rather than a flaw.

Who will enjoy this RIB tour most

I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a quick wildlife experience without leaving Reykjavík for the whole day. It suits first-time visitors who want to see puffins, families looking for a short activity, and photographers who prefer a small boat close to the shoreline.

It also works well for people with a busy schedule. The one-hour duration leaves room for other plans, and the central meeting point means you do not lose much time in transfers. The small group and English guidance are useful if you want more than a silent boat ride.

This may not suit you if you expect a full nature expedition. You do not land on the islands, eat on board, or spend several hours at sea. You also should not book it mainly for speed. The boat can be lively, but the actual ride may be deliberately controlled and slower than the marketing suggests.

The tour is also a better fit for people who accept that wildlife watching involves uncertainty. You may see many puffins, as one outing did, but the operator cannot make wild birds pose beside the boat. The reward is seeing them in their own setting, with a guide who can add meaning to the view.

Booking, cancellation, and simple planning tips

The operator confirms your booking at the time of reservation. You should arrive at the stated meeting point in the Old Harbour and allow enough time to receive your equipment before the 12 noon departure.

Bring layers beneath the supplied overalls. Food and drinks are not provided, so have anything you need before or after the ride. Since the activity ends back at the same meeting point, you can continue your Reykjavík day without arranging a separate return journey.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The same 24-hour rule uses local Iceland time, so check the clock carefully if you are changing plans.

The weather policy is more generous. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. That protection is worth remembering when you plan your Iceland schedule, since boat conditions are outside your control.

Should you book the Puffin Express?

Book it if you want a short, well-equipped puffin outing from central Reykjavík, especially between May and August. The best reasons are the small group, the close approach to Lundey or Akurey, the included warm gear, and the guide-led focus on puffins and other seabirds.

Skip it if you want a long cruise, a guaranteed adrenaline rush, or a landing on the islands. The ride may feel slower than the name suggests, but that can work in your favor when the real goal is watching birds rather than racing across the bay.

For most visitors with a free midday hour and a real interest in Iceland’s seabirds, the $85.01 price is reasonable. Just book with weather and wildlife in mind, and you will understand what this experience can, and cannot, deliver.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Express depart from?

It departs from Reykjavík by Boat at Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, in the Old Harbour area.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 12 noon.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The RIB travels to Lundey or Akurey, islands just off Reykjavík known for their puffin populations.

When can I see puffins on the islands?

Puffins nest on the islands between May and August.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats for extra comfort.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but they may be available for an additional fee of about 2,200 ISK.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.