Puffins in Iceland come with a boat ride. This short Reykjavik shore excursion takes you from Skarfabakki Harbour to nearby Akurey Island for guided birdwatching, with loaner binoculars and an onboard expert explaining the local flora and fauna as you cruise close to the rocks. My favorite part is that it feels built for actually spotting birds, not just sitting around hoping for luck—though the one real catch is that puffins are often still seen at a distance, so your photo angle and your seat matter.

You’ll be out there long enough to get the rhythm: cruise across, listen, scan, and then circle back with a quiet stretch for photos. Still, on a small boat you’ll want to pay attention early and choose where you sit if you care about camera height and clear lines of sight.

Key things that make this puffin cruise worth your time

• Akurey Island loop in about 1 hour: enough time to search, learn, and shoot photos without feeling rushed.
• Binoculars included onboard: you’re not stuck squinting at tiny shapes on a windy horizon.
• Expert guide commentary: the guide helps you understand what you’re seeing, from nesting behavior to local seabirds.
• Boat designed for tricky shoreline areas: you get closer than you’d expect given environmental limits.
• Quiet engine moment for photos: the calm time helps you hear less wind and focus on spotting.
• Small group size: capped at 33 travelers, which can make wildlife watching feel more relaxed.

Getting to Akurey Island from Reykjavik: the quick start you’ll appreciate

This cruise is built around an easy, no-hassle rhythm. You meet at Skarfabakki Harbour, where a Special Tours minibus handles pickup for cruise passengers who want it, and the short hop sets you up for the sailing.

The actual cruise segment is also compact. You’ll head to Akurey Island, and that trip is about 15 minutes—long enough for the guide to start pointing out what’s typical in the area, but short enough that you don’t feel trapped in a long travel block before you even reach the birds. If you’re the type who likes to stay flexible on a shore day, this format is a relief.

One small detail that matters: the cruise also notes Miðbakki as an alternative dock. If you’re walking from there, it’s described as a short walk to the departure point. In other words, double-check your exact pickup point so you don’t burn time figuring it out while everyone else is boarding.

The boat ride: how close you’ll get to puffins (and what to do about it)

Iceland’s puffin viewing has a reality check. Even when you’re on a modern sightseeing boat, you typically can’t treat the birds like they’re at a zoo exhibit. Environmental restrictions limit how close vessels can get to nesting areas, and the puffins themselves can look small at sea level.

That said, you’re not just drifting far away. The experience is described as a state-of-the-art sightseeing boat that can reach tricky areas and cruise close to Akurey’s rocky shoreline. In practice, that usually translates to more sightings—puffins bobbing in the water, flying past, and appearing on cliffs and around the island outcrop.

The most practical takeaway: sit where you have a clear view. Some people note that the boat’s turn toward the island may be brief and that photo angles can be awkward if you’re on the wrong side. If you care about photos, aim for a position that keeps the island and bird activity in your direct field of view. If the weather is rough, expect everything to feel more limited—wind makes camera control harder and puffins choose their own routes.

Also, be realistic about the size of what you’re photographing. One review specifically warns that your phone camera may struggle if you’re not using binoculars, and a couple of people said the birds were easiest to appreciate through optics. If you only plan to rely on a phone without zoom tricks, you’ll likely feel underwhelmed.

Binoculars onboard and the guide’s job: spotting is easier when you know what to scan

This cruise leans hard into birdwatching support. Binoculars are included on board, and that matters because puffins are not always obvious until you learn what you’re hunting for. The guide’s commentary is built around helping you connect bird sightings with what’s happening on and around Akurey Island.

That’s where the expert narration earns its keep. The guide isn’t just repeating puffin facts. You’re also hearing about the local flora and fauna, and how the island environment supports seabirds. When someone points out what behaviors to watch for—like flying patterns, feeding rhythms, and where birds tend to gather—it turns your scanning from guesswork into a sort of bird-reading.

You’ll also notice that guides are often praised by name in people’s experiences. Some sailing days feature narrators like Rebekah, Joel, Oscar, and Patricia, and multiple reviews highlight how clear the English narration can be and how much energy they bring to the sightings. I’d treat that as a hint that you should listen closely early in the loop, not later after you’ve already zoned out.

One wrinkle: binocular quality can vary. A reviewer said the binoculars provided weren’t great, and suggested bringing your own. If you own a decent pair, consider bringing them anyway. Even if the loaners work fine for you, having your own setup can save frustration when the puffins suddenly appear.

The wildlife loop: the photo-friendly quiet time and what you’ll actually see

Your sailing pattern follows a “search and circle” approach. After the short transit to Akurey Island, the boat circles the outcrop and you’re encouraged to watch for puffins and other seabirds like Arctic terns.

Puffins can show up in different modes:

• perched or visible around the rocky shoreline and island spots
• floating in the water near the island
• flying overhead, often fast enough that you’ll need quick eyes rather than perfect framing

One of the clever moments in the experience is the mention of engine silence. After the circle is complete, the crew turns the engine off for a short time. That’s not only for comfort—it gives you a moment of calm to take photos and look closely with fewer distractions.

Seasons can change the number of birds. One review notes a late-season visit, where some birds had already left but there were still enough around to make the outing worth it. If you’re traveling late in the puffin window, don’t expect guaranteed huge clusters every time. But you should still see seabird activity, and the guide will help you make sense of it.

Weather also plays a role in what’s visible. Wet, windy conditions can reduce how close the boat feels to the birds and how steady your photos are. If the day looks rough, plan on accepting distance and focusing on the overall experience—spotting, learning, and watching the birds do their normal routines.

Timing, group size, and choosing your departure window

This is a short outing—about 1 hour total. That includes travel to and from the island and back to the port, not just time “on the wildlife.” So it’s smart for shore days when you have limited time and you don’t want a long excursion eating your whole stop.

The tour also offers multiple departure times from Reykjavik. Reviews suggest that booking earlier can help with crowd levels and bird activity—one person specifically recommends an earlier time because fewer people meant better viewing and a higher chance of seeing puffins looking for breakfast. You don’t need to overthink it, but if you’re choosing between two slots, earlier is often the safer bet for less shoulder-to-shoulder viewing.

Group size is capped at 33 travelers, which is a real factor on a small boat. A smaller crowd can make scanning easier, and it reduces the number of heads in your line of sight. Still, the “small boat” concept cuts both ways: you’re closer to other people, so your seating choice matters for photo angles.

If you’re prone to motion discomfort, remember this is a boat cruise. The experience doesn’t mention special medical accommodations. I’d dress for wind, keep your eyes on the horizon, and take it slow when moving around the deck.

Price and value: does $63.51 make sense for puffins?

At $63.51 per person, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do from Reykjavik. The question is whether the mix of short duration, guide-led birdwatching, and close-to-shore cruising justifies it.

Here’s what makes the value feel stronger than it first looks:

• You’re buying expert guidance, not just a ticket to a scenic drive.
• Binoculars are included, so you’re not adding rental costs or trying to “make do” without optics.
• The time is efficient. A 1-hour shore excursion can be the difference between doing one good thing and missing your whole day to timing stress.

What can make it feel less worth it:

• You won’t always get “close-up” puffins in the way your brain might imagine. Multiple comments point out that puffins can be small and viewing may be at a distance.
• On smaller boats, some seats aren’t ideal for photos over other passengers’ heads, especially during quick turns.
• Late-season timing can reduce how many puffins are visible at once.

So I’d frame the purchase like this: if you want a guided, optics-assisted puffin hunt in a limited shore-day window, the price can feel fair. If you’re expecting guaranteed super-close views for phone photography, you’ll likely want to adjust expectations before you pay.

Also, note that this tour is typically booked well ahead—on average 70 days in advance. If your trip is in high season or you have a specific time window, booking sooner can increase your chances of getting a departure that fits your schedule.

Practical tips for your cruise day (so the puffins win)

Dress like you’re stepping into wind. Even if the day looks calm on land, sea air changes fast. Plan on layers and a windproof outer shell.

Bring the right “birding mindset.” This is a scanning game. Don’t stare at one spot for too long. Move your eyes across the island, watch for motion over cliffs, and keep an eye on flights—puffins can appear quickly.

If you’re serious about photos:

• Bring a camera strap so you don’t fumble when you’re cold.
• Consider your seat choice before the boat leaves.
• Assume you’ll use binoculars first, then shoot once you spot the birds in your best frame.

If you’re relying on the binoculars alone, remember a couple of people noted the quality of the loaners may not be perfect. If you have your own binoculars, bring them. Even if you don’t use them constantly, they can save the day when birds pop into view.

Finally, coffee is served onboard as you go. Food and drinks aren’t included, so if you’re thinking of turning this into a full comfort package, plan a snack before or after you return to port.

Worry-free return to the ship: what you should understand before you sail

The experience is marketed as a worry-free shore excursion with return timing in mind. The promise is that they’ll ensure you get back to the Port of Reykjavik on time for your ship’s schedule.

In the rare event your ship has already departed, the plan is to arrange transportation to the next port-of-call. And if your ship is delayed and you can’t attend, you’re told you’ll receive a refund.

This kind of policy is exactly what you want when you’re on a cruise day with no “Plan B.” Still, I’d personally treat any port excursion as time-sensitive. Show up early at the correct pickup spot, watch for the Special Tours minibus, and confirm you’re at the right dock (Skarfabakki Harbour versus Miðbakki) before boarding.

Who this Reykjavik puffin cruise is best for

This is a strong pick if you love nature and you want structured birdwatching. It suits:

• birders who enjoy learning patterns, not just ticking off species
• families looking for a short, fun nature outing
• travelers who want a compact shore excursion that doesn’t swallow the whole day
• photography-minded visitors who are okay with distance and want a guided way to find birds

It may not be your best fit if you:

• need very long time for photography and slow walking tours
• expect guaranteed close-up views for phones without using binoculars
• hate any possibility of rough weather affecting what you see

Should you book the Puffin Sightseeing Cruise?

If you’re visiting Reykjavik and you want a calm, short, guide-led puffin hunt with binoculars provided and a route designed to get you near Akurey’s rocky shoreline, I think this is a solid book. The payoff is strongest when you show up ready to scan, listen, and accept that puffins are wild and small—even when you’re doing everything right.

But if you’re chasing a specific kind of photo—extreme close-ups, frame-filling birds from your phone—manage expectations. Plan for distance, bring your own binoculars if you have them, and pick an earlier departure if you can.

If that sounds like your style of Iceland day, you’ll likely have a memorable hour.

FAQ

How long is the Puffin Sightseeing Cruise from Reykjavik?

It’s about 1 hour (approx.), including the cruise to and from Akurey Island.

What is the price per person?

The price is listed as $63.51 per person.

Are English guides provided?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is pickup available from the port area?

Pickup is offered. You should be ready at the bus area in the port and look for a Special Tours minibus.

Where do we meet if we are using the Skarfabakki Harbour pickup?

The start is Skarfabakki Harbour (544P+F35, 104 Reykjavík, Iceland).

Are binoculars included?

Yes. Binoculars are provided to use onboard.

Is coffee included?

Coffee is served onboard as you go. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if my cruise ship is delayed or has already departed?

The excursion includes a worry-free guarantee to ensure you return to the Port of Reykjavik on time. If the ship has departed, they will arrange transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you can’t attend, your money will be refunded.

What’s the weather policy?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.