Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat from Reykjavík

The main draw is simple: you get close to Iceland’s puffins without spending half a day at sea. From Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, a small RIB boat heads to Lundey or Akurey, where puffins nest from May through August along rocky shores. You may also spot northern fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which makes it easier to hear the guide and get a clear view along the island shore. I also like the practical warm gear, especially the overalls, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats. The main consideration is the boat ride itself: although this is sold as a speedboat outing, one experience was slower than expected, so do not book it solely for a high-speed thrill.

Key points to know before booking

• Puffin season runs from May through August, when the birds nest on Lundey or Akurey.
• The RIB boat can approach the rocky shoreline closely, giving you a better look than a distant coastal cruise.
• Groups are limited to 12 people, a useful advantage on a short wildlife trip.
• Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life jackets are supplied, so you do not need to bring specialist boat gear.
• The one-hour tour leaves at noon from Ægisgarður 5F, in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.
• The ride may not always be fast, despite the RIB boat design and safety equipment.

A one-hour puffin trip from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

This outing packs a lot into a short window. You meet at Reykjavík by Boat, at Ægisgarður 5F, then receive the safety equipment and warm clothing before boarding one of two RIB speedboats.

That setup matters because the sea air can feel cold even in summer. The supplied overalls, gloves, goggles, and life jacket keep the experience practical rather than fussy. The goggles are especially useful on a moving boat, while the suspension seats should make the ride easier on your back than a basic hard bench.

The tour starts at 12:00 p.m. and lasts about one hour. You return to the same meeting point, so it fits neatly into a Reykjavík day. You could place it between other Old Harbour activities, though you should allow enough time before and after the departure to meet the guide and change into the gear.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That is a good number for this kind of trip. You are not spread across a large deck, and the guide can speak to the group without shouting across a crowded vessel.

Lundey or Akurey, two nearby puffin islands

The trip heads toward Lundey or Akurey, two islands just off Reykjavík. The exact island used for the outing may vary, but both are known for puffins and other seabirds.

From the water, the islands appear as low, rocky pieces of land with small hills and sloping ground. Their shores are not built for walking up to a colony. Instead, the RIB boat is designed to come close to the waterline, allowing you to watch the birds from the boat.

That close approach is the best reason to choose this tour. Puffins are small birds, and a distant view can turn into a game of spotting dots through binoculars. Here, the boat can move near the rocky shore so you have a better chance of seeing the birds in their natural setting.

The tour does not land on the islands. You remain on the boat throughout, which keeps the visit brief and avoids disturbing the nesting birds. The short distance from Reykjavík also means less time is spent simply getting there.

Puffins from May through August

Puffins nest on the islands from May to August. That seasonal window is important. If you are visiting outside those months, this is not the right excursion for seeing puffins, even though the boat ride and seabird setting may still sound appealing.

During the nesting season, the islands are known for colorful bird life. Puffins are the star, but your guide also points out other birds in the area, including northern fulmars, gulls, and Arctic terns.

The guide explains more than just bird names. You learn about puffins, the islands, and how the birds interact with their surroundings. On one departure, guide Celina received especially warm praise for keeping the group entertained while explaining the puffins and this part of Iceland.

That personal guiding is important on a one-hour trip. You are not getting a long lecture or a full wildlife course, but a good guide helps you notice details that would otherwise pass by. The trip becomes more than a quick photograph. You get context for what you are seeing.

What the RIB ride is really like

The boat is the most distinctive part of the experience, but it is also where expectations need adjusting. A RIB boat suggests speed, spray, and a lively ride. The tour supplies goggles, gloves, and strong safety equipment, so the operator clearly prepares you for open-water conditions.

Still, the ride may not always be fast. One account found the boat surprisingly slow and felt that a regular small boat could have covered the route. That is a fair point to keep in mind. The pace can depend on sea conditions, the route, and how close the boat needs to travel to the birds.

I would book this for the wildlife viewing, not for guaranteed thrills. The RIB design helps the boat reach the rocky shore and gives the trip a more compact feel than a large sightseeing vessel. But if your main goal is a dramatic high-speed blast across the bay, this may leave you wanting more.

The safety clothing can also make the outing feel more serious than a casual harbor cruise. You receive warm overalls, a life jacket, gloves, and goggles before boarding. For some people, that is reassuring. For others, it may feel like a lot of equipment for a one-hour trip.

Why the small group makes a difference

A maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest features here. Wildlife viewing works better when you can hear the guide and move your attention around the boat without a wall of people blocking the view.

The limited group also suits the setting. Lundey and Akurey are small islands, and the goal is to observe birds rather than create a large disturbance. A compact boat can get closer to the shore and keep the outing focused.

You should still expect everyone to want a good view. Puffins may appear on different parts of the rocky shoreline, and no seat can guarantee the best angle for every sighting. But a 12-person boat gives you a much better chance of seeing and hearing what is happening than a large vessel would.

For photographers, the small group is useful, though the boat’s movement and distance from the birds can make sharp close-ups difficult. The outing is better suited to seeing puffins in context than to guaranteeing a perfect portrait.

Is $85.01 a fair price?

At $85.01 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavík, but the price includes more than a harbor ride. You are paying for the boat, the crew, the guide, safety gear, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and a focused trip to the puffin islands.

The value depends on what you want. If you have only a short time in Reykjavík and want a compact wildlife outing, the price is reasonable. You can leave from downtown, spend about an hour on the water, and return to the same place without arranging a full-day excursion.

It is less convincing if you are mainly paying for speed. One experience found the ride too slow for the boat’s presentation, so I would measure the value by the chance to see puffins close to shore and hear useful explanations, not by the number of minutes spent racing.

Hotel transfers are not included. They may be available for an additional fee, typically 2,200 ISK. Since the meeting point is near public transportation in central Reykjavík, many people can reach it without paying for a transfer.

Food and drinks are also not included. That is hardly a problem for a one-hour activity, but you should eat beforehand if this is part of a longer day.

Who should book this outing?

This tour suits you if you want a short, accessible introduction to Icelandic seabirds without leaving Reykjavík for a full day. It is also a good choice for anyone who likes wildlife but does not want a long boat journey.

Families may appreciate the short duration and the supplied clothing, provided everyone in the group can take part in a small boat outing. The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information, so you should ask the operator about any specific mobility or medical concerns before booking.

Bird-watchers will enjoy the chance to see several species in one outing. Puffin fans will get the clearest reason to go, especially during the May to August nesting season. You may also find the tour rewarding if you simply want a different view of Reykjavík from the water.

This is less suited to you if you want a long wildlife session, a guaranteed close-up photograph, or a consistently fast ride. The one-hour format is efficient, but it leaves little time if the birds are distant or conditions limit the boat’s movement.

Weather and cancellation details

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off is based on local time.

I would avoid placing this outing on the most tightly packed part of your schedule. Weather can affect boat tours in Iceland, and a little flexibility gives you a better chance of taking the trip in suitable conditions.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Arrive at the Old Harbour meeting point with enough time to check in and receive your gear. The departure point is Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík.

Wear comfortable clothes beneath the supplied overalls. The operator provides the main protective equipment, but you will still want to dress sensibly for an hour on the water.

Keep your expectations focused on wildlife. The boat is specially designed to approach the rocky shoreline, but birds move freely and viewing conditions can change. You may see many puffins on the islands, as one outing did, but no wildlife trip can promise that every bird will pose at close range.

Listen to the guide while watching the shore. The best part of a short tour is often the link between what you see and what you learn. Celina’s approach, combining clear information with a lively presentation, shows how much a guide can add to a brief trip.

Should you book the Puffin Express?

Book it if you want a compact puffin trip from central Reykjavík, especially between May and August. The small group, close shoreline approach, warm equipment, and strong guide-led focus make good use of one hour.

Skip it if the boat’s speed is your main reason for booking. The RIB may provide an exciting ride, but the actual pace can be slower than the name suggests. Think of this as a short seabird outing with a lively boat format, not a guaranteed speed run.

At $85.01, I see the best value for visitors with limited time who want puffins without committing to a longer excursion. Check the weather, accept that wildlife viewing is never fully predictable, and book when the chance to see Iceland’s seabirds matters more to you than pure speed.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Express depart from?

The tour starts at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, in the city’s Old Harbour.

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The boat outing lasts approximately one hour and ends back at the meeting point.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The RIB boat travels to Lundey or Akurey, islands just off the coast of Reykjavík that are known for puffins and other seabirds.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins nest on the island from May through August, so that is the relevant season for puffin viewing.

What equipment is included?

The operator provides warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats. An English-speaking guide is also included.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.