Puffins, close and loud, are the point. I like that you ride a RIB speedboat out of Reykjavik’s Old Harbor for fast access to the bird islands, then actually get time to watch the birds when the engine is off. I also love the one-hour timing, which makes it easy to fit into a tight Iceland schedule without feeling rushed all day.

One heads-up: this tour is weather-dependent, and the boat is a speedboat—fun, but not the calmest ride in rougher conditions. Also, you’ll get a waterproof suit, but not waterproof shoes, so plan your layers and footwear.

Key Points I’d Put on Your Radar

• Up-close puffins on Lundey and Akurey, in a Reykjavík bay setting (not a far-off trip)
• RIB speedboat access that can approach rocky shores thanks to a shallow draft
• Engine-off bird watching time once you reach the islands
• Small group (up to 12) for more comfortable spotting and guide attention
• Included gear: full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and life vest

Old Harbor Departure: Getting Ready for a Speedy Sea-Run

This tour starts in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, at a small wooden hut marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. You’ll want to arrive early—at least 30 minutes before departure—so you have time to get kitted out and settle before the boat rolls.

Here’s what “getting ready” means in practice. You’ll be given a full-body waterproof suit, plus goggles and a life vest. The goal is simple: you don’t want the wind and spray to ruin the bird watching. If you’re thinking, Great, I can just wear whatever—don’t. Plan for cold air, wet deck moments, and the fact that you’ll be outside for the ride in and out.

The tour is short: one hour total. That matters in Iceland. It’s not just because you’ll be back quickly; it’s also because short tours are easier to keep when weather changes. One hour gives you a real shot at seeing puffins without surrendering your whole day to a sea schedule.

The Ride Out to Lundey and Akurey: Fast Views, Real Wind

Lundey and Akurey are small islands in Reykjavík’s bay area, about 15 minutes from Old Harbor. That’s close enough that you’re not mentally traveling for hours—you’re already there while you’re still excited and alert, which is when bird spotting tends to work best.

The shores are rocky, and that’s part of why the tour uses a RIB speedboat. The shallow draft helps the boat get in nearer to the island edges, so you’re not stuck watching birds from far away. When you’re paying attention, that difference shows up fast: puffins are small, and distance turns them into dots. Getting closer helps you actually see what makes them puffins.

You’ll also get wide-open sea views of Iceland’s coast plus the city setting. The highlights mention mountains and city lights, so depending on when you depart, you may catch Reykjavík’s skyline glow along the water. Even in daylight, the contrast between the city and the wild-looking bay is a nice reminder that Reykjavík isn’t just a base—it’s a front-row seat.

When the Boat Goes Quiet: Why Engine-Off Time Matters

Once you arrive at the islands, the routine gets smarter. The crew turns off the engine, so passengers can watch in a quieter, more focused setting. That’s not just comfort. It also changes how the bird scene feels: fewer vibrations, fewer distractions, and more time for your eyes to lock onto movement on the rocks.

Your licensed guide takes over at this point, pointing out puffins and other birds you might spot on Lundey and Akurey. The tour is built around education, not just sightseeing, so expect real explanations as you scan. The guide also shares context on puffins and the birdlife that commonly shows up on these routes.

Other birds listed for these trips include northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots. You’ll likely see a mix of species instead of only puffins, which is great because it keeps the watch interesting even if puffins are being extra photo-escaped that day.

Puffins Up Close: What You’ll Actually See (and How to Spot Them)

This tour is clearly designed for the moment puffins stop being an idea and become birds you can watch. The islands are known for their colorful birdlife, and the puffin watching is the main event.

One practical thing to know: puffins can be hard to photograph or record because they’re small and fast. That’s not a reason to skip; it’s a reason to adjust expectations. If you go in hoping for perfect video, you’ll probably fight the moment. If you go in ready to watch with your eyes, you’ll have a better time.

Here’s what I’d focus on during your time on the islands:

• Look for movement near rocky edges where birds perch and hop.
• Scan for quick bursts rather than long, slow poses.
• Listen, too. A guide may even mimic puffin sounds, which can help you connect what you hear with what you’re seeing.

That last point comes from real guide-style moments people talk about—puffins have calls you won’t necessarily figure out on your own. When a guide imitates the sounds, it makes the whole scene feel less random and more like a living neighborhood.

Also, puffin watching in the bay isn’t only about the birds themselves. You’re watching them in a small landscape setting—low hills and slopes on these islands, with rocky shorelines where they do their routines. When the engine is off and you’re close to the shore, the whole thing feels more grounded than you might expect from a short tour.

Your Guide and the Bird-Spotting Lesson Plan

This is not a self-guided walk where you hope for the best. You’re with a guide who talks you through what’s happening out on the water and once you reach the islands.

The guide shares information about puffins and other birds commonly seen on these tours, including the species named above. That’s useful because puffins aren’t obvious if you’re new to bird watching. A guide helps you build a quick mental checklist: what to look for, where to look, and what behavior you’re seeing.

You’ll also have a Special Tours Iceland app available during the tour. It works in five languages (English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese), with both text and audio information. For me, that’s a big value add because it turns the experience into a “keep watching and learn as you go” loop. Even if you only understand part of it in your chosen language, the audio option helps you follow the birds as they move.

What’s Included: Gear That Actually Solves the Problem

The tour includes:

• Full-body waterproof suit
• Goggles
• Guided tour
• Life vest

That’s a strong package for Iceland sea weather. Waterproof suits matter because wind and spray are the two biggest comfort-killers on RIB rides. Goggles help too, especially when the sea is doing its spray-and-wind thing.

What’s not included: waterproof shoes. This is the one item I’d plan for first. Even with a suit, you still need decent footwear. If you show up with regular sneakers, you may end up spending your time thinking about wet feet instead of puffins.

If you want maximum comfort, wear warm layers under the suit. You don’t need fancy clothing—just enough warmth that the cold won’t make you shiver through the best bird-watching window.

Speedboat Reality Check: Who This Ride Is For

Let’s be honest about the ride. A RIB speedboat is fast and active. That’s part of why you get close and back quickly, but it also means you’re more exposed to movement than on a slower ferry-style boat.

This tour isn’t suitable for:

• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm)

If any of those apply to you, skip this one. If you’re generally comfortable on boats, you’ll probably find it fun and lively—especially once the engine turns off and the guide starts pointing out birds.

The group size is limited to 12 participants, which is a real comfort detail. Fewer people means less chaos at the best viewing spots and less crowd noise when you’re trying to focus on small, fast birds.

Price and Value: Is $84 Worth It for One Hour?

At $84 per person for a one-hour outing, this isn’t an impulse bargain. You’re paying for three main things:

1) RIB speedboat access to islands close to Reykjavík

2) gear that directly tackles sea weather (suit, goggles, life vest)

3) guided bird spotting plus an app with multi-language support

For most people, the value is in time. You get a real wildlife moment without losing half a day, and you get to do it from a convenient Reykjavík launch point. If puffin watching is on your must-do list, the tight timing is a feature, not a compromise.

Could you spend less elsewhere? Probably. But you’d be sacrificing something—either comfort, access distance, or the guided angle that helps you actually see puffins instead of just scanning.

Timing, Weather, and Safety: Why Your Captain Has the Final Word

The tour depends on weather conditions, and the captains decide whether to sail based on experience, prioritizing passenger safety and comfort. That’s not a downside; it’s the grown-up part of this kind of wildlife trip.

Here’s how I’d handle it:

• Build a flexible window in your itinerary.
• Accept that sea conditions can change.
• Don’t treat this like a guaranteed show at a fixed clock time.

The guide and crew approach this as a safety-first outing, which is exactly what you want when you’re riding a fast boat near rocky shores.

Practical Tips for Better Puffin Watching

You can’t control whether puffins feel like posing. But you can control how ready you are to notice them when they move.

• Arrive early so you’re fully suited up before boarding.
• Bring waterproof shoes since they’re not included.
• Keep your camera expectations realistic. Puffins are small and move fast, so aim for short bursts and quick eye-to-lens shifts.
• Watch first, record second. If you’re trying to do both, you’ll probably do neither well.
• Listen for the guide’s cues. When a guide mimics puffin calls, it helps your brain lock onto what you’re looking at.

And yes, puffins can be tricky. That’s part of the charm. The best moment is often the one you notice without trying too hard.

Who Should Book This Puffin Express Tour

This tour is a great match if you want:

• Short-duration wildlife time from Reykjavík
• a chance to see puffins on the water-adjacent islands of Lundey and Akurey
• guided bird spotting that helps you learn quickly
• included gear that makes rougher conditions survivable

It’s also a solid choice for families with kids who meet the height requirement, because the experience is fast, active, and guided.

It’s not the right choice if you need a calm, slow ride, or if you’re affected by the boat’s movement. In those cases, the safety and comfort limits are there for a reason.

Should You Book It?

If puffins are a top priority and you want a real shot at close-up viewing without sacrificing your entire day, I think this tour is an easy “yes” to consider. The included suit and goggles solve the comfort problem, the small group keeps the deck manageable, and the engine-off time gives your eyes a fair chance.

Book it if you like the idea of fast access, expert guidance, and a wildlife experience that’s short enough to fit Iceland reality.

Skip or reconsider if you know you’re sensitive to boat motion or if your schedule can’t tolerate a weather-dependent decision. For everyone else, this is one of the more practical ways to turn Reykjavík into a bird-watching base for an hour.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You’ll meet at a little wooden hut in a row of wooden huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

How long is the puffin watching tour?

The tour lasts 1 hour.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, a guided tour, and a life vest.

Are waterproof shoes included?

No. Waterproof shoes are not included.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup and drop-off are not included, but they’re available as an add-on.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 12 participants.

What languages are available for the guide and the app?

The live tour guide is English. The Special Tours Iceland app offers text and audio in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese.

Do they turn off the engine when you reach the islands?

Yes. When the boat arrives at the islands, the engine is turned off so passengers can observe the birds and surroundings.

What other birds can you see besides puffins?

You may also spot northern fulmars, gulls, arctic terns, and black guillemots.

Who shouldn’t take this tour?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, and people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm).