1 Hour Iceland Wildlife RIB Safari: Puffins & Seals

Puffins and seals from a speedboat off the Icelandic coast

A one-hour guided wildlife tour on a RIB boat in East Iceland where you spot puffins, seals, dolphins and whales from the water. The boat departs from a meet-on-location point. No hotel pickup is provided. Children are welcome from age 10, and the tour runs in English with a live guide.

The experience

You board a RIB boat built for speed and maneuverability along Iceland's raw coastline. The guide navigates close to towering cliffs and rocky outcrops where seabirds nest, and the boat's design lets you get near wildlife without the bulk of a larger vessel. Puffins are the headline (you'll watch them in their natural habitat during breeding season), but the water also holds seals hauled out on rocks, and if conditions align, dolphins and whales moving through the channel.

The hour moves fast. You're exposed to wind and spray, which is part of the draw. The RIB cuts through the waves and the coast unfolds at close range. The guide points out what's moving in the water and on the cliffs, and because the group stays small, there's room to ask questions and shift position on the boat if something surfaces. The dramatic geology (the cliffs, the sea stacks, the raw Atlantic edge) is the constant backdrop, whether or not the larger animals show.

This is a meet-on-location tour only, so you'll need to arrange your own way to the launch point. The tour is not suitable for cruise passengers arriving in Seyðisfjörður unless you've arranged independent transport. Travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or serious cardiovascular concerns should sit this one out. The boat moves and the sea is unpredictable.

What’s included

• One-hour guided RIB boat tour with live English-speaking guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (10 to 12 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Puffin Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a small group and close access to wildlife from the water: the RIB's speed and size let you move along the cliffs and get near seals and puffins without the crowd of a larger tour boat.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 12 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on this tour?

Atlantic puffins are the main draw, along with seabirds, seals, and occasionally dolphins and whales. What appears depends on the season and sea conditions. The guide will point out whatever is present on the day you go.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the boat?

Yes. This is a meet-on-location tour with no pickup service. You'll need to get yourself to the launch point independently.

What should I wear for a one-hour RIB boat tour?

Waterproof layers and a windproof jacket are essential. You'll be exposed to spray and sea conditions. Wear shoes with grip, and bring a hat that won't blow away.

Can cruise ship passengers do this tour?

Not unless you arrange independent transport to the launch point. The tour is not timed to cruise ship schedules and is not recommended for passengers arriving in Seyðisfjörður without your own transport.