Puffin Watching Speedboat Express

If you like wildlife with real edges, this puffin watching speedboat is a fun way to get out to the islands quickly. You trade a long boat ride for speed, then slow down where it counts so you can watch puffins up close.

Two things I really like. First, the small 12-seat RIB keeps things personal, and you can ask your guide questions without feeling rushed. Second, you get warm waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles, so you can focus on spotting birds instead of worrying about getting cold.

One thing to consider: the ride can feel a bit bumpy, especially when you are near the puffin areas. If you are sensitive to choppy water, bring your best motion-sickness game plan and dress for it.

Key reasons this puffin speedboat feels worth it

• Engine-off wildlife time once you reach the islands, so the birds get a calmer moment
• Close viewing from a fast RIB, so you spend more time looking and less time cruising
• Warm waterproof gear included, plus lifejacket and safety-focused guiding
• Small-group feel with room to ask questions during the trip
• English commentary that connects birds, the city, and what you are seeing in front of you
• Works as a short outing that leaves your day open after the noon departure

Why a RIB speedboat is such a good match for Reykjavik puffins

This tour is built around one simple idea: puffins are best seen when you are close, and you only get that closeness if you get out to the islands without losing half the day on travel time. The fast RIB gets you there quickly, then you slow things down when it matters so you can watch behavior rather than noise.

What makes this format feel practical is the timing. The tour starts at 12:00 pm and runs about 1 hour on the water (plan for a little extra time for meeting and getting geared up). That makes it easy to fit into a Reykjavík trip without sacrificing your afternoon plans.

I also like that the experience is not just a bird-spotting mission. The guide keeps the conversation moving, tying the wildlife to what you see in the city as you pass it from the water. In past trips like this, names like Celia or Rebecca have been singled out for making the bird chat fun and clear, and that matters because puffins are small, fast, and sometimes just plain stubborn to spot.

The gear that makes or breaks a cold-water boat ride

Most of the comfort work here is done for you. You get a warm waterproof overall, plus gloves and goggles, and you also wear a lifejacket. That is a big value point, because it means you do not need to hunt down winter boating gear the day of your trip.

The goggles are especially useful. On a choppy day, wind and spray can make it hard to focus your eyes on the water, and puffins are easier to track when you can see clearly. The gloves matter too, since you will likely want your hands free for pointing and watching without feeling numb.

Dress beneath the provided overalls like you would for Reykjavík winter. You are still on a boat, still in sea wind, and still likely to get spray. The overalls help, but I still think layering is smart because everyone reacts to cold a little differently.

The route view: Harpa, Reykjavík shoreline, and the Sun Voyager from the water

Even before you get to the puffin moment, the boat ride gives you city views that feel different from being on foot. You start near the harbor area and then glide past several major Reykjavík sights, including the Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre and the Sun Voyager.

Harpa is one of those places that looks like it belongs to Reykjavík and also like it was designed somewhere else on purpose. Seeing it from the water gives you a sense of how the city meets the shoreline. It is also a good warm-up for the rest of the trip because you can settle in, get your eyes on the sea, and start reading the water surface for birds.

Then you pass through more open sightlines around central Reykjavík, so you can get your bearings fast. The guide uses this time to connect the dots between the city and the wildlife habitat you are heading toward. That is also where having English commentary helps, since it turns what could be just scenery into context.

You finish this city-to-sea shift back toward the Old Harbour area, where the tone returns from open ocean energy to the feeling of pulling back into port.

Videy Island time: what the engine-off approach changes

The biggest wildlife draw is the island stop near Videy Island. This is where the tour shifts from transit to close viewing. The key detail that makes a difference is that when you arrive at the islands, the crew turns off the engines so you can enjoy the wildlife quietly.

That engine-off part matters for your experience. Puffins are active, but they do react to disturbance. Less noise and vibration can mean you get longer, calmer moments to watch how they sit on the water, hop, and move through the surface area where food is available.

In real life, puffins are not always easy to spot the instant you reach the island. Some days you might see activity quickly, other days you have to scan patiently. If you feel like you are missing them, this is a good moment to use the small-group setup. Ask your guide where to look, and focus your eyes on the spots they point out rather than letting your gaze wander.

I also want to prep you for conditions. One of the things I found most honest in similar experiences is that water near the islands can get rocky. That is not a dealbreaker, but it changes how you hold your posture and how long you can comfortably look without getting distracted. Keep your goggles on, keep your stance steady, and give your eyes a few minutes to adjust.

Safety, speed, and the feeling of a well-run 12-seat trip

A 12-seat RIB is small enough that you are not lost in a crowd, but it is still built for speed. The thrilling part is real: you reach the islands quickly, and you feel the boat move like a sports vehicle on water. One guide, Joe, has been praised for making the ride fun while keeping safety front and center.

That is the balance you want. If a crew focuses only on speed, it can feel chaotic. If they focus only on safety without energy, you might feel like you are stuck waiting. Here you get both: fast travel, then calmer engine-off viewing, with the crew guiding you through what to do and where to look.

Your spot on the boat matters a bit. In a small group, you will often end up with better sightlines than you would on bigger boats. Still, the motion of the water can shift your viewing angle. I suggest you keep your gear tight, avoid leaving loose items in your lap, and be ready for spray.

One more practical note: this is offered in English, so you do not need to rely on self-guided guesswork. The guide explains what you are seeing and how puffins behave, plus they share information about the city and surrounding wildlife.

What you actually get to do during the tour hour

This trip is designed around a simple rhythm: quick get-away, wildlife close-up, then return. You start at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, and the tour ends right back at the meeting point.

Along the way, the city sights act like time anchors. You see Harpa, then views around Reykjavík and the shoreline, and you also get the Sun Voyager on the outward leg. The island stop near Videy Island is the moment you came for. After that, you return and you catch the harbor area again, including Old Harbour.

That structure keeps your expectations realistic. You are not signing up for a half-day cruise. You are signing up for a short, focused nature window that is paced to keep your attention on birds and not on long waiting.

If you are the type who worries that one hour will feel too short, this is worth noting. Puffin watching is not about collecting a checklist of everything in the sky. It is about watching real moments, and the close distance plus quiet approach gives you a better shot at those moments than you would get from farther viewing.

Price and value: does $76 make sense for what you get?

At $76 per person, this sits in the category of paid nature tours that are not cheap, but also not absurd for a premium small-boat experience. The value comes from three places.

First, you get the RIB speedboat ride itself, which is how you reach close puffin waters efficiently. Second, the gear is included: waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket. Those items alone can add cost if you have to rent or buy them. Third, you get English guiding plus time to ask questions, which is easier with a maximum 12 travelers setup.

You also pay for the overall pacing. A short lunchtime tour is a real kind of value in Reykjavík, where daylight hours can shape your plans. If you want to keep mornings and afternoons open for other activities, this format can save you from doing too much in one day.

Who this tour is best for, and who should rethink it

This fits especially well if you want one focused nature outing that does not eat your whole day. It is also a good choice if you like hands-on wildlife viewing, because the boat gets close and stays quiet when it counts.

It is also a strong pick for people who want the guide to do some of the work. Puffins are tiny and fast. With commentary and a smaller group, you have a better chance of learning what you are seeing right now instead of guessing later.

You might want to reconsider if you are very sensitive to choppy rides. Some people handle boat motion easily, others do not, and the water near the island can get rough. If you know you get seasick, plan accordingly before you arrive.

Kids can go, but only if a child is at least 140 cm tall to participate on the RIB portion.

A quick decision guide: should you book Puffin Watching Speedboat Express?

If you want close-up puffins near Reykjavík with a fast RIB, included cold-weather gear, and an experience that lasts about one hour on the water, this is a solid yes. The small group size and English guidance are especially worth it if you want to understand puffin behavior, not just spot birds.

If you prefer a calmer ride, you might consider a slower option. And if you dread cold water and wind, still know that the provided overalls, gloves, and goggles are there to help, but you will still feel the boat.

My practical advice: book it if your schedule can handle a noon start and you are okay with a speedboat feel. If the weather is rough, the experience may shift, but weather dependence is part of sea-based wildlife trips in Iceland.

FAQ

Where does the Puffin Watching Speedboat Express tour start?

The tour starts at Reykjavík by Boat, Ægisgarður 5F, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour depart?

The start time is 12:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as about 1 hour.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What gear is included for the boat ride?

You receive warm waterproof overalls, gloves, and goggles, plus a lifejacket.

Is the guide available in English?

Yes, the tour is offered with English guidance.

How many people are on the boat?

The experience has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is there a height requirement for children?

Yes. A child must be at least 140 cm tall to be able to participate in the RIB tour.

What is the cancellation policy if weather is bad?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.