Reykjavík: RIB Speed-Boat Puffin Watching Tour

Puffins, speedboat, and wind in one loop. This 1-hour Reykjavik tour takes you on a RIB speedboat with suspension seats toward puffin-populated islands, and you get that classic Harpa Concert Hall view from the water. I especially like how the smaller boat helps you get close to the colonies for up-close puffin watching instead of far-away spotting.

My main caution is practical: the meeting point can trip you up if you show up early without checking the exact hut label, and the boat seats can feel hard if you have a sensitive back. If you are tall, note the height limit, and if you hate cold spray, plan to wear warm layers under the included suit.

Key things you will notice on this puffin speedboat

• Full-body waterproof suit and goggles are included, so you can focus on watching and photographing
• RIB speedboat with suspension seats means a faster, closer approach than big-boat viewing
• Harpa Concert Hall from sea gives you a different angle on Reykjavik’s waterfront architecture
• About 40,000 puffins in the island area you visit, with Iceland holding about 60% of the world’s puffins
• Short 1-hour timing keeps the trip punchy, so dress for speed, wind, and quick-changing weather

Why this Reykjavik puffin tour feels like the best use of your time

Iceland’s puffins are famous, but not all tours feel equal. This one is built around time on the water, quick movement toward the islands, and a boat size that can get nearer than larger vessels.

You also get two different rewards in one ride: wildlife time and a Reykjavik city-time view. Seeing Harpa from the sea is not the point of the whole trip, but it is a nice bonus when the wind is doing its thing.

The gear check: suits, goggles, and what you should bring anyway

The tour includes a full-body waterproof suit, goggles, and a life vest. That is a big deal because it changes the whole comfort level. In this kind of weather, warm and dry beats being tough.

You still need to think about what goes under the suit. Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes, because you will be in your gear while you suit up and then while you sit on the boat. Waterproof shoes are not included, so if you do not already own them, plan to wear something you are happy to get damp, or wear shoes you can handle if conditions turn messy.

Also note the luggage rule. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack light. This matters because it keeps boarding smooth and it reduces the hassle of storing extra stuff in a small operation.

Meeting at Reykjavik by Boat: getting on the water without stress

You meet in a row of wooden huts at the location marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT, in a small wooden hut. Do not treat it like a vague meeting point. Instead, use the sign and arrive early enough to prepare.

Plan to show up no later than 30 minutes before departure. That buffer matters because the team needs time to help you get into the suit and get everyone settled before you push out into the Bay of Reykjavik.

One more practical note: pickup and drop-off are not included by default. You can purchase it as an add-on, but if you are on a tight schedule, assume you will get yourself there.

Riding out fast: RIB speedboat, suspension seats, and Harpa from sea

From Reykjavik’s coastline, you head toward the Bay of Reykjavik and then out toward the puffin-populated areas. The boat is a custom-built speedboat with suspension seats, and that detail helps on Iceland water where the ride can get choppy.

You will also sail along the Reykjavík coastline and see Harpa Concert Hall from sea. If you have only seen Harpa from land, this adds a new angle and a sense of scale. The building looks different when you are looking up from the water, and it is a good moment to get oriented in Reykjavik.

As for the ride itself, you should expect motion. This is a speedboat, and the thrill comes from that closeness and speed. If you are sensitive to rougher rides, give yourself an honest self-check before you book.

Puffin island time: why a smaller boat changes the viewing

This tour takes you out toward islands known for puffins, in an area with about 40,000 puffins. It is also tied into one of Iceland’s big wildlife facts: Iceland is home to around 60% of the world’s puffins. That is part of why the species is so strongly linked to Reykjavik and the nearby waters.

The biggest advantage is how the boat can approach. You get closer to the colonies than you would on bigger boats, and that proximity is what turns puffin watching from a distant scan into real time observation.

On at least some departures, the route covers multiple island areas during the hour. One account described visiting three different locations by boat. Even if your exact path differs, the core idea stays the same: you are not just cruising and hoping. The trip is designed to put you near where the puffins are concentrated.

How to spot puffins and get better photos with goggles on

The tour provides goggles, and you will want to use them right away. Wind and spray can make it hard to focus without eye protection, and the goggles make it easier to keep looking continuously instead of taking them off every few minutes.

On a boat, you also have to work with the motion. I like to keep my strategy simple: watch for movement against the darker tones of the rocks, then be ready when the boat turns and the viewpoint changes. When you get a clear line, pause, aim, and do a short burst of shots rather than constantly chasing.

Because you are in a suit, you can stay looking longer. You are warmer and drier than you would be in a regular jacket, which means fewer breaks and more time on the birds. Puffin watching is partly luck and partly patience, and the gear helps you do the patience part.

One more practical point for photos: fill your frame more than you think you need. When birds are close, the photos can become too wide and lose the subject. If the puffins are farther than expected, still frame tighter and adjust quickly when the boat comes around.

The ride length: what 1 hour gives you, and what it cannot

The tour is one hour. That is both a strength and a limit.

The strength is focus. You are not spending half a day getting somewhere, and you are not stuck waiting on a long itinerary while conditions change. You go out, you watch, you return. If the weather is fickle, this tight time window can be reassuring.

The limit is that it will not turn into a slow wildlife day with multiple long stops. The whole experience is compressed, so you need to be ready the moment you get suited and boarded. If you prefer long, calm observation time, you might find yourself wanting more once you are already back on land.

Who should book this puffin speedboat, and who should reconsider

This experience is a good match if you want close-up wildlife viewing and you like the energy of a fast ride. The speedboat format is part of the magic, and the included waterproof suit supports comfort even when Iceland weather pushes you around a bit.

It is not suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for pregnant women, people with back problems, and people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm). The back-problem note is especially relevant since one review mentioned that the boat seats felt hard on the back.

If you are bringing kids, the height limit is the key factor. For smaller children, you may need to choose a different kind of tour with different boat or viewing rules.

If you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a group that wants a single, high-impact wildlife outing from Reykjavik, this format makes sense. It is also a solid choice for visitors who are short on time but want something more than a quick stop for photos.

What you really get for about $81

The price is $81 per person for a 1-hour guided tour. On the surface, that might sound steep until you unpack what is included and what the format lets you do.

You are paying for:

• A RIB speedboat ride that can get closer to the puffin islands than bigger boats
• Included waterproof suit and goggles, which reduces what you need to bring and wear
• A live English guide with commentary during the trip
• Time on the water in a tight schedule that gets you puffins without a full day commitment

In other words, you are buying proximity and comfort, not just transportation. If you have ever watched seabirds from too far away, you already know why closer viewing matters. The puffins are small, and distance turns them into a guessing game.

Is it value for money? If your priority is genuine puffin viewing and you are comfortable on a speedboat, yes. If you mainly want a casual, sit-and-watch experience with minimal motion, you might feel the price does not match your expectations.

My booking advice: when this is a smart move

Book this tour if you want the best shot at close-up puffins from the Reykjavik area within a short time window. I also think it works well as a first Reykjavik day activity, because it gives you both wildlife energy and an immediate feel for the sea and the city coastline.

Skip it or reconsider if you know you have trouble with bumpy rides, you have back issues, or you are bringing a traveler under the height limit. And be ready for cold wind, even with the suit. Warm layers under the suit and comfortable shoes make it much easier to enjoy the ride instead of just surviving it.

If you do book, show up early and use the exact hut label REYKJAVIK BY BOAT. That small step can prevent the kind of rushed confusion that can drain the fun before the boat even leaves.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB puffin watching tour?

It is a 1-hour tour on the water.

What is included in the price?

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

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at a small wooden hut in a row of wooden huts marked REYKJAVIK BY BOAT.

Is pickup or drop-off included?

Pickup and drop-off are not included, though pickup and drop-off may be available as an add-on.

What should I bring, and are waterproof shoes included?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Waterproof shoes are not included.

Who should not book this tour?

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