Puffins inches from your boat. This fast RIB speedboat outing is built for maximum time near the islands, with the engines turned off when you’re watching the birds. I love how close you can get for real, not just a far-away peek, and I also like that you’re kept warm with waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles. One thing to consider: Iceland can be choppy, so expect a slightly rough ride near the island areas and dress like you mean it.

The timing is another big plus. It’s a short lunchtime tour that starts at 12:00 pm, so you can still have a full afternoon (or morning) for other Reykjavik stops without feeling rushed all day. And because it’s capped at a maximum of 12 travelers, you typically get room to ask your English guide questions instead of getting shuffled through a crowd.

You’ll also get more than birds. You’ll cruise past Reykjavik sights on the way out and back, including the Harpa Concert Hall area, the Sun Voyager, and the Old Harbour, with Videy Island taking center stage for puffin watching.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• A 12-seat RIB gets you to the puffin zone fast so your time is spent where it counts.
• Engines shut off near the islands for quieter wildlife watching.
• Warm waterproof gear is included (overalls, gloves, goggles, plus a lifejacket).
• Small-group format in English gives you time for questions and safety guidance.
• Short duration at 12:00 pm keeps the rest of your day flexible.
• Reykjavik sights included on the route alongside the main nature focus.

Why a fast RIB makes puffin spotting outside Reykjavik feel different

Reykjavik is close to real bird country, but the key is how you reach it. A RIB speedboat is designed to cover distance quickly, which means you’re not spending most of the hour getting “almost there.” You’re out on the water early enough to actually enjoy a sustained look once you reach the islands.

What I like about this setup is the blend of speed and stillness. The boats are fast enough to get you quickly to the islands just outside the city, then the experience shifts into careful watching once you arrive. Turning off the engines when you’re near the wildlife is a small detail with a big impact. It gives you a better chance to observe natural behavior without the constant vibration and noise that can come from a running engine.

It also helps with your own comfort and focus. If you’ve ever tried to watch seabirds while bouncing around at full speed, you know how hard it is to keep your eyes on the right spot. Here, the rhythm supports the whole point of the trip: spotting puffins as they do puffin things, not just scanning the water for a moving speck.

The included warm waterproof gear actually changes the experience

Iceland’s wind and sea spray are not subtle. Even in the nicer months, you can get cold fast on open water—especially when you’re standing or leaning in to spot birds. That’s why the included gear matters more than it sounds.

You’ll be provided:

• a warm waterproof overall
• gloves
• goggles
• a lifejacket

That combination helps you stay comfortable enough to focus on seeing birds instead of thinking about your hands or your cheeks. It also reduces the guesswork when you travel with limited layers. I’d still bring whatever warm base layer you like, but the tour gives you the outer protection that usually makes the difference on a boat.

The goggles are a quietly smart inclusion. Spray and sea mist can make it harder to look and track movement. With goggles, you can keep your eyes on the water surface and the areas where puffins tend to show up.

And yes, you should expect some motion. One account calls out rougher water near the puffin island area. The good news: having the waterproof outer layer and gloves on board helps you stay functional even if the ride gets bumpy.

Getting to the water: 12:00 pm departure with no hotel pickup

This tour starts at Reykjavík by Boat, at Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík. It returns to the same meeting point, so you’re not dealing with a complicated drop-off.

Hotel pickup is not included, so you’ll want to plan to get yourself there. The meeting point is described as near public transportation, which is useful if you’re staying somewhere central and want a low-effort start.

The 12:00 pm start time is also practical. You can sleep in a bit, grab a late breakfast, and then still have time to do Reykjavik things in the afternoon. If you’re the type who likes to keep your mornings open for museums, cafés, or wandering, this fits nicely.

One more detail that helps: you’ll receive confirmation at booking time, and you’ll have a mobile ticket. That’s straightforward and means less time showing paperwork.

Stop-by-stop: Harpa, Reykjavik sights, and the route to puffin country

Before you ever reach the main wildlife moment, you’ll cruise through the city along the way. That’s not just filler. It helps you get grounded in Reykjavik while you’re already on the water, and it makes the outing feel like both nature and city sightseeing in one go.

A few stops and landmarks are built into the route:

• Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre area
• Reykjavik viewing along the city stretch
• Old Harbour on the return

On the water, you’ll get a different angle on the city than you would from walking. Harpa’s sharp geometry looks especially crisp from offshore, and the city coastline gives you a sense of where you are without needing a guidebook map.

If you like photographing details, this part gives you breathing space. You can get a feel for the surroundings and settle into the boat before you focus hard on spotting puffins.

And because the boat is small—up to 12 people—you’re not trapped behind a wall of shoulders. You’ll usually have a better chance to shift your position to get a view, rather than getting stuck facing the same direction the whole time.

Videy Island puffins: the moment engines go quiet

Videy Island is the main wildlife target. This is where the experience earns its name. The tour description is clear about the approach: the boat is very fast to get you out there, and once you arrive near the islands, the engines are turned off so you can enjoy the wildlife quietly.

That quiet moment is the difference between a tour that’s mostly movement and one that supports real observation. Puffins can be busy, and their activity often depends on the environment around them. With the engines off, you’re more likely to notice subtle behavior—quick dives, hopping motions, or birds adjusting their position near the water surface.

Also, the closeness matters. The whole experience is set up so you can get as close as possible to the islands and puffins in the RIB. That’s what makes the “puffin watching” feel personal rather than distant.

This is also where your guide’s style comes into play. In English, you should expect plenty of bird-focused talk and local context. Guides like Celia and Rebecca show up in guest feedback as strong at explaining puffins and adding helpful city information. You may also hear guides such as Joe (noted for a mix of humor and safety talk) or Patrickgin (praised for making puffins fun and easy to understand). Even if your guide’s personality is different, you can count on the core goal: help you see more and understand what you’re looking at.

Sun Voyager and Old Harbour on the return ride

On the way back, you’ll still have scenic payoff. The route includes Sun Voyager and Old Harbour, so you’re not just racing home after the main bird moment.

Sun Voyager is the kind of Reykjavik landmark that photographs well but also feels better when you see it from a moving viewpoint. From the water, you get a sense of its relationship to the shoreline and open water—something you miss when you only see it from street level.

Old Harbour adds a different mood. It’s more grounded and human-scale than the open stretches you’re flying over on the way in. When you’ve just been watching wildlife, the return into a working harbor feeling can be a nice contrast: from raw nature focus back to a lived-in city scene.

And because this is a short tour, you won’t feel like you spent the whole day on the boat. You’ll likely still have enough energy left for a stroll or a warm drink afterward.

Pace, choppiness, and weather: plan for the Iceland reality

Let’s talk about the part nobody can control: the sea. The tour requires good weather, and if conditions are poor, it may be canceled and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s a sign the operator cares about safety and comfort, not just selling seats.

Even with good weather, a RIB is a fast boat on open water. One account specifically notes the ride can feel rocky near the puffin island area. So think of this as active travel. You’re not sitting on a floating bus. You’re on a speedboat, moving with purpose.

If you get motion sick easily, consider that your own risk tolerance. Bring whatever anti-motion strategy works for you. The tour provides waterproof gear, but it can’t change the physics of waves.

The upside: the same speed and handling that can make it feel choppy also helps you reach the islands quickly and spend more of the time where the birds are.

Price and value: is $76 worth it for a short puffin watch?

$76 per person sounds simple, but the value depends on what you’re actually buying. In this case, you’re paying for three things that are hard to fake elsewhere:

1. Access and proximity: the boat gets you quickly to the islands and you’re brought in close enough for real watching.
2. Time efficiency: it’s about an hour, and for most of that time the focus is nature. You’re not giving up your whole day.
3. Included comfort: the warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and lifejacket reduce the cost and hassle of figuring out what to wear.

Also, the group size is small. Up to 12 travelers means you’re not fighting for view angles and attention. That matters more than people think, especially when your goal is seeing birds that can pop into view and then shift location.

Hotel pickup isn’t included, so if you’re staying far from downtown you’ll need to budget your own transport time. But if you’re in central Reykjavik, the meeting point is in a practical spot.

Overall, for a short wildlife-focused outing that gives you a close-up experience with gear included, this is priced like a focused activity—not like a long sightseeing day. That’s the main reason it tends to feel worth it.

Who this tour suits best (and who should choose another style)

This is a great fit if you:

• want a close-up puffin experience without a full-day commitment
• enjoy active tours with quick travel time and lots of bird-focused conversation
• like small groups where you can ask questions in English

It’s also a good match if you want Reykjavik scenery layered in. Harpa, Sun Voyager, and Old Harbour give you a “city + nature” mix in one outing.

A smaller caution: if you dislike boats or get uncomfortable with motion, think carefully before booking. It’s not described as gentle, and the open-water speed can bring some chop.

Families can join too, but there’s a specific requirement: a child must be 140 cm tall to participate in the RIB tour.

Should you book Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

If your top priority is seeing puffins up close and you want to do it efficiently from Reykjavik, I’d book this. The biggest reasons are the ones you can feel in the design: fast travel to the islands, close watching, engines off near wildlife, and included warm waterproof gear so you stay comfortable long enough to actually enjoy what you came for.

If your ideal day is slow and cozy, or if you know you’re very sensitive to rough water, you may want to consider a calmer option instead. But if you can handle a spirited ride and you’re ready for a short, focused adventure, this is an easy “yes” for most visitors.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet and where does it end?

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

What time does the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express depart?

The start time is 12:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 1 hour.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What’s included to keep you warm on the boat?

You’ll receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

How many people are on the boat?

This experience has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, with guidance included.

What happens if weather is bad?

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