Puffins feel close on a RIB. This small-group speedboat tour takes you out from Reykjavík waters to the islands where you can watch puffins in their natural habitat, then return without stealing your whole day. What makes it special is the mix of speed to get there quickly and quiet time for wildlife viewing when the boat slows down.

I really like the included warm waterproof gear. You get waterproof overalls plus gloves and goggles, and that makes a huge difference when the wind comes off the water. I also love the small group size (max 12), because it turns the boat ride into a real conversation, not just background narration.

The main thing to consider is that the water can get a bit rough near the islands. If you’re sensitive to choppy rides, this speedboat format might feel like more motion than you expect, so plan accordingly.

Key Highlights Worth Booking For

• A 12-seat RIB speedboat keeps the group intimate and the wildlife time focused
• Engines turned off near the islands so you can enjoy the puffins quietly
• Warm waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles help you stay comfortable during windy conditions
• English guidance with lots of Q&A time, with guides named Celia, Patrick, Rebecca, and Joe on past departures
• A lunch-time start (12:00 pm) that leaves your morning and afternoon open

How the 12-Seat RIB Changes Puffin Watching

This is not one of those big, far-off boat experiences. It runs from Reykjavík out toward the island area, using a 12-seat RIB speedboat. That matters because puffin watching works best when you can actually keep your eyes on the birds instead of craning over people and distance.

The small size also changes the vibe. You’re not just sitting in a crowd while the guide talks. With a max of 12 travelers, you get more chances to ask questions, point out what you’re seeing, and get help with timing and bird behavior while you’re on the water.

There’s also a safety feel to this setup. The guidance is part of the experience from the start, and reviews consistently point to safety being handled without draining the fun out of the trip. On a RIB, that reassurance helps, especially if the ride feels faster than you expected.

Waterproof Overalls, Gloves, and Goggles: Comfort Is the Whole Game

Cold wind at sea can kill enthusiasm fast. The good news here is that the tour provides the stuff you usually end up buying or borrowing. You’ll get warm waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles, plus a lifejacket.

I like this approach because it levels the playing field. You don’t need the perfect winter wardrobe. You just need to show up. And once you’re wearing the provided gear, you can stay focused on the birds instead of hunching up and shivering through the best moment.

If you’re someone who hates dealing with layered clothing on a quick tour, this is a big plus. Your comfort is handled for you, which means you’re more likely to actually enjoy the ride and not just tolerate it.

Fast to the Islands, Then Quiet When You Arrive

A RIB is fast for a reason: you don’t waste the best light and conditions while slowly cruising. The tour is set up to get you quickly to the island area outside Reykjavík, so you spend more of the time you paid for on close encounter viewing rather than in transit.

Then comes the part that makes wildlife watching feel respectful. When the boat reaches the islands, the engines are turned off. That helps in two ways. First, it lets you listen and watch without a loud motor drowning everything out. Second, it reduces the disturbance when you’re trying to observe animals doing their thing.

You should expect a good chunk of the trip to be out there with the puffins. The speed helps you get there, and the quiet helps you actually see what you came for.

The Reykjavík Pass-By: Harpa, Sun Voyager, and Old Harbour

Not every moment here is about puffins, and that’s okay. The tour includes a scenic loop around the Reykjavík waterfront landmarks, which gives the day structure without dragging on.

You pass by the Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre area, then you continue through parts of Reykjavík by boat. Later you see the Sun Voyager and the Old Harbour.

Why this matters: it’s a chance to switch your perspective. Reykjavík’s harbor is the start point, so seeing the city from the water gives context for what you’re doing and where you are. It also helps the tour feel like a full outing, not just a single hard sprint to the island.

The tradeoff is simple: because you’re going after puffins, city sightseeing is limited to what you can see from the boat in transit. If your main goal is a deep city tour, you’ll likely want to pair this with other time on land.

Videy Island Time: Your Best Chance to See Puffins

Your puffin-watching time centers on the island area just outside Reykjavík, and the schedule includes time around Videy Island as part of the route. Once the boat turns off its engines, your guide can shift from travel mode into wildlife mode.

This is when your eyes need to stay sharp. Puffins aren’t just a single spot-and-stay sighting. You’re watching for movement, changes in position, and the way they surface. The close approach means you’re more likely to actually notice details like how they move around the water and how they hold their place near the viewing area.

This is also where the guide’s timing and explanations can pay off. Past guides named Celia and Rebecca were praised for sharing lots of puffin and wildlife information, and another guide, Joe, was mentioned as both funny and helpful while keeping things organized. Even if you don’t catch every detail, the guidance helps you know what to look for.

One practical note: water conditions can add drama. A guide will do their best to keep the experience comfortable, but you may still feel rocky movement near the island area. That’s not a reason not to go, but it is a reason to plan for possible choppy water.

Guide Energy: From Q&A to Bird Facts

The best wildlife tours don’t just point things out. They help you notice. This tour’s format sets you up for that because you’re in a small group and the guide can keep an eye on the whole boat, not just whoever is closest to the edge.

In reviews, guides including Celia, Patrick, Rebecca, and Joe come up with a consistent pattern: they mix practical safety and clear instruction with genuine enthusiasm for what you’re seeing. Patrick gets singled out for being funny and packed with puffin information, while Rebecca is described as extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

I’d treat this as an indicator of how the tour will feel in real time. You should expect more than a running commentary. You’ll get a chance to ask questions, especially because the group is capped at 12.

Timing That Works: 12:00 Start and a Short Day Commitment

This tour starts at 12:00 pm. That’s a smart slot if you want to keep your morning free for other Reykjavík plans, like cafés, museums, or just wandering the harbor area before you head out.

The duration is listed as about one hour, but you may want to allow a bit more time for the full start-to-finish flow. Reviews mention about an hour and a half from start to finish, which makes sense for time spent getting out, reaching the islands, viewing, and returning.

If you’re planning your day, treat it like a lunchtime-to-early-afternoon window. You won’t feel like you lost the whole day to the water.

Price and Value: What $76 Buys You

At $76 per person, you’re paying for three main things: a RIB speedboat experience, a guided wildlife outing, and included cold-weather gear. If you’ve priced similar boat tours around Reykjavík, the biggest value isn’t just the boat ride. It’s what’s bundled so you don’t have to solve the cold-weather problem yourself.

You also get a small-group limit, which pushes value toward your actual viewing time. A lot of tours look similar on paper until you’re on board and realize the group is huge or the puffin time is brief. Here, the setup focuses on spending more of the tour close to the birds.

One more value angle: the tour includes the lifejacket and the waterproof gear. Those items reduce extra costs and stress. For short trips, that matters more than it might for longer ones.

And if you want to maximize your odds of a smooth departure, planning ahead helps. The average booking window is about 22 days in advance, which tells me this is a popular option when schedules are tight.

The Main Considerations Before You Go

Let’s keep it real. This isn’t a sit-and-stare cruise. It’s a fast RIB ride, and some parts can feel rough, particularly near the puffin-viewing area. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you should think about that before booking.

Also, this is not a hotel-pickup tour. You’ll need to make your way to the meeting point yourself. The start location is Reykjavík by BoatÆgisgarður 5F, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Weather matters too. This experience requires good weather, and if conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s exactly what you want for a wildlife boat trip.

Finally, there’s a height rule for children: a child must be 140 cm to participate in the RIB tour. That’s important for families to plan around early.

Who This Puffin Speedboat Fits Best

This tour fits best if you want a compact, focused wildlife experience with real viewing time. If you like the idea of getting close to seabirds without spending your entire day traveling, you’ll probably enjoy this format.

It’s also a strong choice if you don’t want to mess with cold-weather layers before you leave for Iceland. With the provided warm waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles, you can show up and stay comfortable.

I’d consider skipping or carefully weighing the decision if you know you dislike choppy water. The ride style is part of the experience, and you may feel that movement.

Families should also pay attention to the 140 cm child height requirement. For many kids, that’s workable, but it’s worth checking before you assume everyone can join.

Should You Book Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

If your top priority is close puffin viewing with a guide and you like fast, small-group experiences, this one makes sense. The combination of a 12-seat RIB, included waterproof gear, and engines off near the islands is a practical recipe for better wildlife time.

I’d book it if:

• you want more bird time and less slow cruising
• you’re comfortable with a speedboat ride and possible chop
• you like tours where you can ask questions and get guidance in English

I’d think twice if:

• you’re very sensitive to rough water
• you need a pickup from your hotel and don’t want to navigate to the meeting point yourself

If you’re aiming for an efficient, gear-provided, Reykjavík-based puffin outing, this is one of the clearer choices.

FAQ

Where does the tour start, and where does it end?

The tour starts at Reykjavík by BoatÆgisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

The start time is 12:00 pm.

How long is the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

The duration is approximately 1 hour, though the full experience may feel closer to 1.5 hours from start to finish.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

This activity has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What should I bring if the tour provides gear?

The tour provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. You should just be ready to dress for cool, windy conditions and be at the meeting point on time.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Can children participate?

A child must be 140 cm in height to participate in the RIB tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the start time.