Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

The main draw is simple: you get out on Faxaflói Bay and watch Atlantic puffins in the wild, close to the small islands where they nest. The 100% sighting guarantee takes much of the guesswork out of choosing a short wildlife trip in Reykjavik.

I like the old wooden boat, Old Skuli, which carries up to 33 people without feeling like a huge excursion ship. I also like the practical one-hour length and the free binoculars, especially for families who want a real wildlife experience without giving up half a day.

The main drawback is distance. Puffins are wild birds, not performers, and you may see them from offshore rather than at arm’s length. Wind, waves, and the boat’s engine can also make the guide hard to hear.

Key points to know before booking

• Two puffin islands: The boat visits Lundey and Akurey, low, hilly islands known for nesting seabirds.
• Old Skuli boat: This traditional wooden boat holds up to 33 passengers and offers a more personal setting than a large vessel.
• One hour on the water: It is a compact outing that fits neatly into a day of sightseeing in Reykjavik.
• Other birds included: Look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and possibly eider ducks.
• Guide-led trip: Guides including Patrick, Joe, Rebekka, Vera, and Celina have been praised for humor, facts, and attention to families.
• Weather matters: Rough water can make the ride bumpy, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation with a full refund.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour on Old Skuli

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. That location is handy if you are already exploring the waterfront, but this experience does not include hotel transfers, food, or drinks, so plan those parts yourself.

The boat is the wooden Skúlaskeið, better known as Old Skuli. It carries 33 passengers, enough for a lively group but small enough to keep the trip from feeling anonymous. That size also helps the guide move around and speak with people directly.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. This is not simply a fast ride to a marked wildlife spot. You get a short harbor and bay cruise on a traditional vessel, with Reykjavik behind you and the open water ahead.

Bring warm, wind-resistant clothing even if the weather looks pleasant on land. Several people have found the ride wavy, and the temperature on the bay can feel cooler than it does along the harbor.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay toward Lundey and Akurey

The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay toward Lundey and Akurey. These islands are small, with hills and sloping ground, and their importance comes from the birds that use them for nesting.

The engine is turned off near the islands. That change matters. Instead of rushing past the colonies, you get a quieter period to watch birds sitting on the rocks, moving around the slopes, and flying between the island and the water.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The boat can get close to the islands, but it does not land there, and the puffins remain wild. Some passengers have felt the boat could have moved closer, while others have found the viewing distance excellent. Both reactions make sense because the result depends on the birds, the sea, and the captain’s need to avoid disturbing the colony.

This is where the binoculars help. They are available on board, so you do not need to bring specialist birding equipment. A phone camera can capture the general scene and birds in flight, but sharp close-up photos are less certain. If photographs matter most to you, treat the images as a bonus and focus on seeing the puffins with your own eyes.

Watching puffins without disturbing the colony

The Atlantic puffin is the star here, but the islands support more than one species. You can look for northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots. Eider ducks have also been seen on these outings.

The guide helps turn a quick wildlife sighting into something more useful. Patrick, often introduced as the Puffin Man, has been praised for mixing facts with jokes. Joe has explained both puffins and the other birds that share the islands, sometimes using photographs to help identify species. Rebekka has been singled out for her clear, enthusiastic explanations, while Vera and Celina have also led informative trips.

The strongest guides do not simply point and say puffin. They explain what you are looking at and keep the group involved while the boat waits. One guide even sang an Icelandic lullaby at the end of a trip, and another guide has used music and humor to keep the hour lively.

You may see puffins standing on the rocks, flying across the water, swimming, or returning to the island. Their movement can make them harder to photograph, but it also gives you a better sense of how they use the colony. The sight is more authentic than a guaranteed close encounter at an animal park.

What one hour feels like on the water

The short format is one of this trip’s best features. You get enough time to leave the harbor, reach the islands, watch the birds, and return without committing a full morning or afternoon.

That makes the tour useful for families, cruise passengers, and anyone building a busy Reykjavik schedule. Children can manage an hour on a boat more easily than a long marine excursion, and the puffins provide an immediate focus. One family found the outing easy for a five-year-old, with a good view of birds on the island and overhead.

You can also fit it around other activities in the city. The meeting point is close to Reykjavik’s waterfront sights, so you can combine the boat trip with a walk around the Old Harbour. Leave enough time to get to the Special Tours office and board without rushing.

There is no meal or drink service included. For a one-hour trip, that is not a major issue, but you should eat beforehand or plan a snack for after the boat returns.

Picking the best time for puffin activity

The time of day can affect what you see. A useful tip from an experienced passenger is to consider an early morning departure before 11 a.m. or an evening trip around 6:30 p.m., when puffins may be more active around the islands.

That is not a promise. Bird behavior changes with weather, sea conditions, and the stage of the season. A cloudy or foggy day may bring more puffins onto land, while bright conditions can find more birds out at sea.

The season also matters. Trips in May produced mixed results, including one outing with few puffins, though the guide still made the trip worthwhile and the company offered a lifetime voucher for a complimentary return. By June, July, and early August, the reports describe many puffins, with one early-August outing still finding birds on the island.

If seeing puffins is your top priority, book within the period when tours are operating and ask about the conditions for your date. The sighting guarantee provides important reassurance, but it does not promise a particular number of birds, weather, or a perfect photo.

The guide makes a real difference

A short tour needs a guide who can use time well. The best examples here combine clear bird information with a relaxed sense of humor.

Patrick has been praised for his enthusiasm and jokes. Joe has been described as friendly, entertaining, and good with children. Rebekka’s interest in puffins comes through in her talks, and guests have also enjoyed guides named Vera and Celina.

The captain matters, too. Several people have appreciated captains who kept the boat steady when possible, explained what was happening, and helped passengers board or leave. One captain gave careful assistance to a passenger with mobility problems.

There is one repeated practical weakness: the sound system. Wind and engine noise can make the guide hard to hear, especially from parts of the boat or during a rough crossing. Stay near the guide when you can, and do not hesitate to ask for a point to be repeated.

Boat comfort, motion, and accessibility

Old Skuli is spacious for a small vessel, but this is still a boat trip on open water. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual preventive medicine before departure. The crossing can be bumpy when the waves rise.

Calm weather makes the viewing easier and the ride more comfortable. Rain or drizzle does not necessarily ruin the trip, but wind can affect both comfort and how well you hear the commentary.

Some passengers have enjoyed sitting on the roof for a better view. That can be a good place for photographs and bird watching, but conditions and access may affect who can use it. If you have mobility concerns or a medical condition, tell the local operator in advance so the crew can assist you.

The boat is not described as fully accessible in the activity details. The careful help offered by a captain on one trip is encouraging, but you should discuss your needs before booking rather than assume every part of boarding will be easy.

Is $64 a fair price for one hour?

At $64 per person, this is not the cheapest hour you will spend in Iceland. You are paying for a boat, captain, guide, binoculars, and a guaranteed opportunity to see puffins from Reykjavik without arranging transport to a distant colony.

The value improves if you want a compact activity. A longer wildlife trip may offer more time on the water, but it also takes more of your day and may cost more. This outing gives you a focused wildlife experience, harbor scenery, and a chance to see several bird species in one hour.

The price feels less convincing if you expect to stand beside the puffins or return with close-up photographs. You remain on the boat, and the viewing distance can vary. I would book it for the experience of seeing wild puffins in their setting, not as a guaranteed photography session.

The 100% sighting guarantee is a strong part of the value. If weather forces a cancellation, you receive a full refund. The normal cancellation policy also allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Who should book this Reykjavik puffin tour?

I would recommend it to families, first-time visitors to Iceland, bird lovers, and people with only a short window in Reykjavik. The hour is manageable, the meeting point is central, and the guide-led format gives you more than a simple boat ride.

It is also a good choice if you want a wildlife outing without leaving the capital. You can see puffins, other seabirds, nearby islands, and the bay without spending a full day on transport.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need guaranteed close-up views. A rough crossing can be uncomfortable, the microphone may be hard to hear, and puffins may sit farther away than you hoped.

Should you book the Puffin Express?

Book it if you want a short, well-organized chance to see puffins in the wild and you are happy to let the weather and birds set the terms. The combination of Old Skuli, the two nearby islands, free binoculars, and lively guides makes good use of an hour.

For the best odds of active birds, consider an early or evening departure, dress for wind, and arrive ready for a wavy ride. Keep your camera ready, but use the binoculars and enjoy the sight even if the puffins stay too far away for a perfect photograph.

FAQ

Where does the puffin boat tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Special Tours office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long is the puffin boat tour?

The tour lasts one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $64 per person.

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

Yes. The activity includes a 100% guaranteed puffin sighting.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The boat travels to Lundey and Akurey in Faxaflói Bay.

What boat is used for the tour?

The tour uses the wooden boat Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli.

How many people can Old Skuli carry?

The boat can hold up to 33 passengers.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available on board.

What other birds might I see?

You might see northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and eider ducks.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Sea conditions can cause a cancellation. If the operator cancels because of weather, you receive a full refund.