Reykjavik: Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour & Close Encounters

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (93 reviews) 81% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/8

Duration1h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Fast RIB boat ride from Reykjavik’s harbor to puffin islands with live guide and close bird encounters

You’ll zip across Reykjavik’s harbor on a speedy RIB boat with a local guide, get so close to puffins you’ll hear their wings flapping, and learn quirky facts about their lives—all while bundled up in warm safety gear. Expect laughter, sea spray, and moments of real quiet as you float among Iceland’s most famous seabirds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Puffin tour from Reykjavik harbour

Depart from Old Harbour Reykjavik
Ride custom made RIB boat
Approach puffin islands quietly
Observe puffins in natural habitat
Listen to guide's puffin stories
Return to harbour

The Experience

We stepped onto the dock at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, still rubbing sleep from our eyes and zipping up those thick flotation suits they hand out—honestly, I looked like a blue marshmallow but didn’t care. The guide, Jónas, grinned and checked our zippers (“Icelandic weather likes surprises,” he said). We climbed into the RIB boat, which looked way sleeker than I expected. The engine rumbled to life and suddenly we were gliding past fishing boats, the city shrinking behind us, salt in the air and that weird mix of diesel and seaweed smell.

The ride out was quick—faster than I thought possible on water. I kept blinking away sea spray while Jónas pointed out little islands ahead. “That one’s home to thousands of puffins,” he shouted over the wind. When we got close, he cut the engine completely. Everything went quiet except for birds calling above us—so many of them, darting in and out of burrows or just floating like tiny footballs on the waves. I tried to snap a photo but mostly just watched. There was this moment when a puffin flapped right by my head—I ducked (probably unnecessary) and everyone laughed.

Jónas shared stories about how locals used to call puffins “lundi” (he made us all try saying it—my attempt got a laugh). He explained why these birds come back every summer, how they survive winters at sea. The whole thing felt relaxed, not like a lecture—just someone who really loves these birds sharing bits of his world. At one point I noticed my hands were cold but didn’t want to dig for gloves because I didn’t want to miss anything. The light was kind of silvery that morning, bouncing off the water in this way that makes everything look sharper.

On the way back to Reykjavik, we sped up again—wind in our faces, hair everywhere—and I kept thinking about how close we’d been to those little birds just doing their thing out there. It’s funny what sticks with you after a trip; sometimes it’s not even the photos but that hush when the boat engine stopped and all you could hear was wings and water.

What’s included

Your day includes a fast-paced 1-hour RIB boat ride departing from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour with live guidance from an experienced local captain; all necessary safety equipment plus a warm flotation suit are provided so you can focus on watching puffins up close without worrying about comfort or logistics before heading back ashore.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Elding Whale Watching