Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Tour

Puffins fly right past you. I love the close-up views from a RIB that runs along Faxaflói Bay’s cliffs and inlets, and I love how the guide steers your attention with real bird facts as puffins roost, swim, and lift off from their burrows. The trade-off: the ride is quick and can be choppy, so if you’re sensitive to motion, this may not feel relaxing.

You’ll meet the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, suit up in provided coveralls, and then whiz out for about an hour on the water around the puffin islands and sea cliffs in summer. Along the way, you’ll scan for other seabirds too, including gannets, auks, and Arctic terns—plus the occasional surprise like seals or even whales reported on some departures.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• RIB approach for closer viewing: a smaller, faster craft helps you see nesting areas and birds on the water.
• Guides who point out what matters: you get practical explanations of puffin behavior as you cruise.
• Warm coveralls and safety gear: you’re protected from wind and spray without hunting down gear first.
• Binoculars included: helpful for reading behavior from a distance when you can’t get right on top of birds.
• Photo support from the crew: in many cases, the guide takes photos and sends them afterward.
• More than puffins: gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns often show up in the same waters.

Meet at Old Harbour: how the tour starts (and why it matters)

This is one of those Reykjavik tours where the morning logistics are simple: you make your own way to the Whale Safari office in the Old Harbour. Once you arrive, you’ll meet the captain and guide, then get a short safety briefing before you head down to the boat.

What I like here is how quickly the staff get you ready. You put on the provided coveralls, receive the safety equipment, and learn the basics of what to do during the ride—how to hold on, where to keep your hands and phone, and how to stay balanced when the RIB hits the waves. The faster you get oriented, the more you can focus on spotting birds instead of worrying about your footing.

The 1-hour RIB ride across Faxaflói Bay

Then comes the best part: the moment the engine kicks in and you’re suddenly moving fast over cold, open water. As you zip across Faxaflói Bay, you’re not just traveling—you’re scanning. That’s when puffins and other seabirds can appear unexpectedly, flying low or riding the water.

Because the boat is an RIB, you cover more area than you would on a larger vessel, and you can get closer to cliff edges and rocky inlets where birds gather. That closeness is the whole point. You’re looking for puffins perched on cliffs, calling and shifting near nesting burrows, and also for the constant movement of birds on the water surface.

A small reality check: the sea and wind can change your exact viewing angle. Even when you do everything right, birds can shift or fly farther out when conditions are rough. Still, the cruise style increases your odds of seeing puffins doing a full range of behaviors—resting, taking off, and working the waterline.

On the water near the cliffs: what you’re looking for

The tour’s target is the puffin colony area where puffins nest from May through August. Puffins don’t sit still like zoo exhibits. They pop up from burrow activity, adjust their posture, and then suddenly take flight. When you’re watching a colony site, you’re really watching a busy feeding and nesting rhythm.

Here’s the best way to enjoy it: don’t only look for one puffin at a time. Look for patterns. You’ll often see puffins:

• moving along the water surface,
• flying in short bursts around the cliffs,
• and heading toward nesting spots near rocky areas.

Other birds in the same waters add context. Gannets can appear when fish are around. Auks and fulmars often look like they belong to a different species group entirely—smaller, quick, and efficient in their own way. Arctic terns can feel like tiny fast arrows, cutting across the bay.

One more important note for expectations: puffins can spook. When they feel pressure, they’ll fly. I’ve seen that summed up well—if you think you’ll get a perfect phone-camera shot every time from ultra-close range, you’ll get disappointed. The RIB helps, but you still need to respect wildlife distance and let the birds choose how close they’ll stay.

The guide talk: how you get more than a pretty sight

This isn’t just a sightseeing boat. The guide’s job is to turn a bunch of birds into an actual understanding of what you’re seeing. During the cruise, you’ll learn about puffin behaviors and diet—how they use the cliffs and nesting burrows during the season, and what’s going on when birds fly in bursts or move off the water.

What stands out in the feedback is the personality and clarity of the guides. Names come up like Anna, Maria, Megan (in a captain role), Miquel, and Rob. The common thread is that they keep the narration practical, not academic. You’ll hear enough to make the birds feel real—like you can predict what you might see next and why it’s happening.

If you’re a photography person, this helps too. When you understand the rhythm, you can react at the right moment instead of constantly hunting for the next bird.

Binoculars, photos, and how to get usable results

Binoculars are included, which I really appreciate because puffins can be both close and still hard to track fast. With binoculars, you can lock onto a moving target without losing it when the boat turns.

One practical warning: in at least one case, there were only a couple of binoculars available onboard. So if you’re the type who relies on them constantly, you may want to share and plan your use.

Photos are another big perk. Many people report that the guide takes photos during the cruise (including close puffin shots) and then shares them afterward by email. Even if your phone photos are shaky—boats move, waves bounce—having a backup set of images makes the experience feel more complete.

My tip: keep your phone secure in the coverall’s pockets and keep your hand ready for quick shots. Also, when you see a burst of flight, switch from filming to snapping quickly. Puffins don’t linger.

Comfort and safety: coveralls help more than you think

This is an open-air style outing, so warm clothing matters—but you’re not left alone to guess. You’ll get coveralls for your ride, and they’re designed to cut wind and spray. Multiple people mention that the suits kept them warm even when conditions weren’t ideal.

The safety equipment is also part of the deal, and the captain’s job is to drive in a way that keeps everyone steady. The RIB ride can still feel intense because it bounces and surges over waves, but the setup is made for this environment, not for a calm lake.

If you have back issues, mobility limitations, or you’re pregnant, the tour isn’t suitable. Children under 10 aren’t suitable either, and there’s also a height cutoff (under 4 ft 8 in / 145 cm). So if you’re deciding for your group, make sure you check your own physical comfort first, not just your bird interest.

Price and value: is $101 worth it?

At about $101 per person for a 1-hour outing, this isn’t a bargain. Iceland pricing in general runs high, and wildlife boat tours are no exception. Still, I think this pricing can be fair depending on what you want from your day.

Here’s what you’re buying for the money:

• A RIB that can reach the viewing zones where puffins nest and feed
• A professional captain plus an on-board wildlife guide
• Coveralls and necessary safety equipment
• Binoculars included
• Photo support from staff in many cases (shared afterward)

Also, the time is focused. You’re not spending all day commuting or waiting. It’s short, concentrated, and built around a single wildlife goal. That makes it a smart add-on when you’re staying in Reykjavik and want one high-impact nature moment without booking a full-day expedition.

If you’re expecting a guaranteed close-up shot from every seat, that’s where disappointment can creep in. But if your goal is to see puffins in active nesting territory, and you can handle a brisk boat ride, the value tends to hold up.

Season, sightings, and what can affect puffin numbers

Puffin nesting is seasonal (May through August), and that fact matters for what you’ll see on your specific date. Even with an expert guide and a well-run boat, wildlife doesn’t schedule itself. Birds may be harder to spot when the colony is quieter or when weather pushes activity farther out.

That’s also why the other seabirds matter. Even if puffins are fewer than you hoped, gannets, auks, fulmars, and Arctic terns can still make the cruise feel like a real seabird outing, not a letdown.

The “best-case” days can be spectacular—some departures include extra wildlife sightings like seals surfacing or whales appearing. You shouldn’t plan your hopes around that, but it’s a good reminder that you’re out on real ocean, not a staged show.

Who this puffin RIB tour fits best (and who should skip)

I’d point you toward this tour if you:

• want a high-energy wildlife outing with real speed,
• value being close to cliffs and nesting areas,
• like guided interpretation while you watch,
• and can dress for wind and cold.

You should skip it if you:

• have mobility impairments, significant back problems, or pregnancy,
• are traveling with children under 10,
• or can’t handle the RIB’s bouncing motion.

And if you’re mainly chasing perfect, stable phone photos: it might still be fun, but you’ll want to accept motion and distance as part of the deal. The included coveralls and the crew’s photo support help, but they can’t freeze the sea.

Should you book this puffin RIB cruise?

Book it if you’re in Reykjavik during May–August and you want one short, wildlife-focused activity that actually puts you near nesting habitat. The mix of RIB access, guided bird spotting, coveralls, binoculars, and often photo sharing makes it feel more “complete” than a basic sightseeing boat.

Skip it only if the boat motion is a dealbreaker for you, or if your group falls into the tour’s non-suitable categories (kids under 10, mobility and back issues, pregnancy, or height under 4 ft 8 in). If you meet the physical fit and you’re willing to handle wind and bounce, this is a strong use of your time in Iceland.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik puffin watching tour by RIB?

The tour duration is 1 hour. You should plan for a short period before departure while everyone checks in and boards.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at the Whale Safari office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes a professional captain and wildlife guide, use of coveralls, all necessary safety equipment, and binoculars.

Is food and drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes (sports shoes are also recommended). You’ll be given coveralls for the ride.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 10 years old.

Is it suitable for pregnancy, back problems, or mobility needs?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.