Puffins are fast, and so is this boat. This 1-hour Reykjavik puffin watching tour takes you out on a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) across Faxaflói Bay for close views of puffins on islands and sea-cliff nest sites. You’ll feel the speed, you’ll get real sea views, and you’ll learn what you’re seeing while the boat keeps moving for the best sightlines.

I especially love the close-to-the-action style of a RIB: you cover more water and usually get nearer than you would on a bigger vessel. I also like the guided approach, with a captain and wildlife guide team that points out where to look for puffins and other seabirds like gannets and Arctic terns.

One thing to consider: the ride can be bumpy and brisk, so if you’re sensitive to rough water or cold, plan to lean into the warmth you’re given and hold on tight.

Key Things You’ll Like Most

• RIB speed and access: the boat’s design helps you get closer views around island edges and cliffs
• Guide + captain teamwork: clear explanations plus smart driving for better bird angles
• Coveralls and safety gear: warm, practical clothing over your own layers
• Binoculars included: you’ll spot burrows, flying birds, and feeding activity without guessing
• Photo support: the guide may take photos and share them after the trip
• More than puffins: gannets, auks, fulmars, Arctic terns, and other sea birds in the same area

Entering Reykjavik Old Harbour for a RIB Puffin Start

This tour starts in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at the Whale Safari office. If you’re already walking around town, you’ll appreciate that this isn’t a long bus adventure. It’s early-morning energy in a compact space, then quickly you’re suited up and headed for the water.

What makes this setup work is the timing. Puffins are active in the nesting season (May through August), and the tour focuses on getting you into the areas where they gather on islands and cliff faces. You’re not just driving around looking at scenery. You’re going out with a plan: find the bird action, then watch how it plays out.

You’ll likely feel a little adrenaline as you board and the boat gets underway. That’s part of the charm here. The RIB is small, open, and fast enough that you don’t feel stuck waiting for birds to appear. You feel the bay.

Suit Up: Coveralls, Safety Gear, and What the Boat Ride Feels Like

After a short safety briefing, you put on provided coveralls over your clothes, plus the necessary safety equipment. This is not fancy gear. It’s functional gear built for icy wind and wet spray. Most people warm up fast once they’re layered correctly and understand how to sit and hold on.

The boat ride itself is a key part of the experience. It’s exciting, but also real North Atlantic water: waves, motion, and a cold breeze that you’ll notice if you show up in thin layers. I’d treat the coveralls as the main comfort tool, not a backup. Wear warm clothing underneath, and plan for windproof layers.

A few helpful practical tips show up in real-world feedback from the field: keep your phone secured (there are Velcro-style pockets in the coveralls), and don’t plan to balance your camera while the boat bounces. You’ll get plenty of chances to photograph, but do it the safe way.

If you have back problems or mobility limitations, this is also one of those tours that may not feel comfortable even with the equipment provided. The tour isn’t listed as suitable for people with back issues or mobility impairments, and the motion matters.

Racing Across Faxaflói Bay for Puffins on Islands and Cliffs

Once you leave Reykjavik Harbour, the route takes you across Faxaflói Bay toward islands and sea-cliff areas where puffins nest. The idea is simple: puffins aren’t “anywhere.” They’re in specific spots, and those spots matter.

As the boat bumps over waves and sails into nearby inlets, you’re meant to get close enough to observe real behavior, not just distant silhouettes. Watch for puffins flying in short bursts, landing near burrow areas, and moving along rocky edges. In good conditions, you can also see puffins swimming and surfacing as they feed.

The RIB matters here. On a rigid inflatable, the crew can position the boat around the coastline for angles that you’d struggle to get on a larger craft. That’s why you’ll hear consistent praise about how close the boat can get and how many puffins you can spot within a short time.

Still, there’s a reality check: if conditions are rough, or if puffins stay deeper in a colony area, views may be less perfect than the best-case photos you’ve seen online. Think of this tour as high-probability wildlife watching, not a guarantee of a perfect nest view every time.

Puffins in Season: What You’re Actually Watching

Puffins are at their best during nesting season, and this tour targets that May to August window. That means you’re watching birds that are actively using nesting areas, not just passersby.

Here’s what to look for as you circle the cliffs and islands:

• Nesting behavior: puffins use burrows and sheltered cliff areas, so you’ll often see birds arriving, departing, and moving between rocks and burrow sites
• Feeding cycles: they dive for food and then return to the colony area to keep the action going
• Flight rhythm: watch how they hop from water to air, then come down again near the colony

Your guide and captain should help you read the scene. People consistently mention that the commentary makes the birds easier to understand, with explanations about what puffins eat and how they behave around the nesting habitat.

You might hear different guide styles depending on the day. Names that have come up in real trips include Anna, Maria, Rob, and Rachel, and they’re described as mixing facts with a fun, on-the-spot approach. Even if your group is small, the energy tends to feel personal because there’s time to ask questions and adjust where you’re looking.

Spotting the Neighborhood: Gannets, Auks, Fulmars, and Arctic Terns

Puffins are the headline, but the bay has other star performers. As you cruise, keep your eyes out for:

• Gannets flying overhead and hunting
• Auks moving near the water and rocky areas
• Arctic terns doing quick, sharp runs across the bay
• Fulmars showing up around cliffs and inlets

That mix matters because it turns the trip from a single-bird mission into a mini seabird safari. When puffins shift position, other birds often fill the gaps so you’re not stuck waiting. It also gives you a better sense of the marine ecosystem that supports puffins.

In some departures, you may even spot other wildlife beyond birds. One review notes humpback whales were seen by someone on their cruise (not something I’d treat as guaranteed, but it shows what kind of wildlife density can happen on the bay).

Your best strategy: scan broadly when the boat approaches a cliff line, then zoom in with binoculars when the guide points out a likely nesting edge.

Photo Tips That Actually Help on a Moving RIB

If you’ve tried photographing birds on a boat before, you know the usual problem: motion and distance. This tour helps because it aims for close viewing, and binoculars help you locate the action before you frame a shot.

A few practical photo moves to steal:

• Keep your phone or camera secured in the coverall pockets. The boat bounces. Your hands don’t need extra stress.
• Use the grab rail hand position while you shoot, so you’re not fighting balance at the same time.
• Don’t wait until a bird takes off. Watch for landing patterns and pre-frame where they tend to return.

One strong perk: some guides take photos with zoom lenses and share them afterward by email, especially if you miss a shot because the bird moves quickly or your camera settings weren’t ready. Even if your own photos aren’t perfect, having an option to review guide shots can feel like a bonus.

Also note one detail: binoculars are included, but the number you get can vary by day. Bring your own binoculars only if you already travel with them, since the tour provides some on board.

The 1-Hour Window: Why Short Works for Wildlife Watching

One hour sounds brief. In Iceland, that can be a blessing.

This is a wildlife cruise, not a scenic cruise. Puffins are busy, but wildlife also moves. A short tour keeps you focused on the core viewing time rather than stretching the schedule across hours of travel that doesn’t increase your chances much.

The structure is also designed around the most productive window: meeting, suit up, cruise out, watch around the nesting areas, then return to Reykjavik Harbour when your time is up. You’ll be back in time to keep exploring the city, grab lunch, or head toward other sights without feeling like your whole day is taken by one activity.

That said, because it’s short, you should arrive ready to go. Warm clothes, closed-toe shoes, and comfortable layers help a lot. If you’re fumbling with gear on the dock, you lose time that the crew uses for bird-spotting.

Price and Value: Is $101 Worth a RIB Puffin Cruise?

$101 per person for a 1-hour Reykjavik RIB cruise is not cheap. But in Iceland, price often tracks what makes the tour work: a small boat, close-access wildlife viewing, and professional guidance.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• You’re paying for access. A RIB can reach viewpoints around islands and cliff edges that larger boats can’t match. That’s the whole point of the experience.
• You’re paying for safety and comfort. Coveralls, safety equipment, and a warm layer system reduce the “I’m miserable” tax.
• You’re paying for interpretation. A good guide turns random bird movement into “oh, that’s the nesting spot,” which improves the whole experience even if puffins shift around.
• You’re paying for focused time. One hour is long enough for multiple viewing moments without dragging.

So yes, it’s a premium price. But if your main goal is puffins in a realistic, active habitat setting from Reykjavik, it’s one of the more efficient ways to do it.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip)

This puffin tour fits best if you:

• Want a high-energy wildlife outing without committing to a full day
• Enjoy boat rides and can handle cold wind and spray
• Like getting explanations while you watch, especially if you’re new to seabird behavior

It’s also a good match if you’re traveling with adults or older kids. The tour is not suitable for children under 10.

Skip it if:

• You’re pregnant (not suitable for pregnant women)
• You have back problems or mobility impairments
• You’re under 145 cm (4 ft 8 in)
• You carry luggage or large bags (not allowed)

If you’re unsure about seasickness or rough water, think about your own tolerance level. A RIB ride is fun for many people, but the motion is part of the deal.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Puffin Watching RIB?

I think this is a strong choice if you want puffins near Reykjavik with close access and real guidance. The combination of a fast RIB, provided coveralls, binoculars, and a captain-guide team is built to maximize your chances of seeing puffins in active nesting behavior.

Book it if:

• You’re here during May to August nesting season
• You can dress warmly and handle a bumpy boat ride
• You’re okay paying a premium for close wildlife access in Iceland

Skip or rethink it if:

• You’re expecting guaranteed nest views at arm’s length no matter what. Wildlife doesn’t follow a schedule.
• You’re uncomfortable with open-air speed and motion.
• Your health or mobility situation makes the listed restrictions a problem.

If you’re the type of traveler who enjoys practical nature time, this is exactly that: short, intense, and focused on the birds that matter.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik puffin watching tour by RIB boat?

It lasts 1 hour.

Where do I meet for the tour in Reykjavik?

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

What is included in the price?

Included are a professional captain and wildlife guide, coveralls, all necessary safety equipment, and binoculars.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and sports shoes.

Are coveralls and safety gear provided?

Yes. You’ll be provided coveralls, plus the necessary safety equipment.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No children under 10 years old are listed as suitable.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility or back problems?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

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