Reykjavik: Puffin & Bird Watching RIB Boat Tour, Small Groups

See puffins nesting on Icelandic islands without leaving the boat

You arrive 30 minutes early at the Old Harbour, suit up in warm gear and binoculars, then ride a small RIB boat out to nesting islands where your guide points out puffins and other seabirds. The boat stays close but you remain aboard throughout. Tours run multiple times daily May through August, each lasting around two hours, with all safety equipment and local taxes included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Puffin and bird watching tour

• Arrive at Old Harbour ticket office
• Prepare for the tour 30 minutes prior
• Guide walks group to docked boat
• Sail near 2-3 puffin nesting islands
• Observe puffins from RIB speedboat
• Return to Old Harbour

The experience

What do you actually see when you get close to a puffin colony? The tour leaves from Reykjavik's Old Harbour and runs up to nine times daily between May and August, so you pick a time that fits your schedule. You arrive 30 minutes early at the ticket office to get suited up (warm overalls, gloves, goggles, the works), then walk down to the RIB speedboat with your guide and up to 11 other passengers.

The boat heads out to 2–3 islands where puffins nest. These are nature reserves, so you stay aboard the whole time, but the RIB gets you close enough to see them properly. Your guide knows the birds (what species are around, where they're nesting, what they're doing), and hands out binoculars so you're not squinting at shapes on a cliff. The ride itself is fast and a bit bouncy. The boat's built for speed and maneuverability, not smoothness. Weather doesn't stop the tour, so dress in layers and expect salt spray.

The whole thing takes a couple of hours. You're back at the Old Harbour by mid-morning or mid-afternoon depending on which slot you book. No long bus ride, no hiking to a viewpoint, no guessing whether you'll actually see anything. The puffin tour from Reykjavik handles the transport and the expertise, and you just show up.

What’s included

• Warm overalls, gloves, goggles and all necessary safety equipment are provided.
• Each passenger gets binoculars.
• Local taxes are included in the price.
• You arrive 30 minutes before departure to prepare at the ticket office in Reykjavik's Old Harbour, then the guide escorts you to the RIB boat.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 Apr 2027

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 23 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Whale Safari

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see puffins without arranging their own boat or guide: the small-group format and fixed schedule mean you show up, get geared up, and spend your time watching birds instead of figuring out logistics.

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Top questions

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.

When do puffin tours run from Reykjavik?

May 1st to August 20th, with up to nine departures daily from the Old Harbour.

How many people go on the boat?

Maximum 12 passengers plus the guide, so groups stay small.

Do you get off the boat to see the puffins?

No. The islands are nature reserves, so you stay aboard the RIB while the guide navigates close to the nesting sites.

What's included in the tour price?

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, safety equipment, binoculars for each passenger, and local taxes.

How long is the tour?

Around two hours from start to finish, including the 30-minute prep time at the ticket office.

What if the weather is bad?

Tours operate in all weather conditions. Dress warmly and in layers. Spray and wind are normal.

Is there parking or public transport to the Old Harbour?

Public transportation options are available nearby. Check local transit for routes to Reykjavik's Old Harbour.

Can children go on this tour?

Minimum age is 10 years and minimum height is 145 cm (4ft 9in).