Puffins, close enough to care. This Reykjavik shore excursion takes you by boat to Akurey Island for a focused birdwatching trip, with expert commentary on what lives there and when to look for it. The ride is quick, the viewing window is real, and the timing is built for shore travelers who do not want a long day.

What I like most is the loaner binoculars (so you are not stuck zooming your phone) and the onboard guide who explains the flora and fauna around the island, not just puffins. You also get flexibility with multiple departure times from Reykjavik, plus a sightseeing boat designed to work around tricky shoreline areas while staying within environmental rules.

One consideration: the boat cannot always get right up to the nesting areas, so you are often viewing birds from the water at a distance. Also, because the tour is about 1 hour total, the time actually spent near the puffins can feel tight on days when the boat needs to maneuver for the best viewing angles.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

• Quick Reykjavik to Akurey Island hop: about a 15-minute cruise each way helps keep the tour moving.
• Binoculars included, and that matters: puffins can be small, so these make a big difference.
• Engine silenced for photos: you get a calm window for pictures and a quieter wildlife moment.
• Small group pace (max 33): easier than big crowds when everyone is scanning the cliffs.
• Built for rocky shoreline conditions: the boat is designed to get close to the island’s edge where allowed.
• Coffee served on board: a small comfort that helps make the short trip feel complete.

Getting Oriented at Skarfabakki Harbour

Your experience starts at Skarfabakki Harbour (544P+F35, 104 Reykjavík). If you are coming from a ship, you’ll either be picked up or routed to the harbor area via the provided round trip transfer from Skarfabakki Harbour.

Show up a few minutes early so you can find the Special Tours minibus at the bus area without stress. The tour’s start is time-sensitive, because you are sailing soon after boarding, and the whole point is keeping the schedule tight enough to work as a shore excursion.

If you are at the alternative dock, Miðbakki, it is described as a very short walk to the departure point. That is useful to know because it changes how much buffer time you should build into your plan.

The 15-Minute Cruise That Sets the Tone

Once you leave Reykjavik’s port area, you get a 15-minute journey to Akurey Island. That short stretch is not just travel time. Your guide’s commentary gives you context while you are still on the water, so you are already looking for “what” before you get close enough to see “how.”

In practice, that makes the whole cruise feel smoother. You are not going from blank scenery to instant bird spotting. You are being coached on what to watch for, where seabirds tend to move, and what kinds of behavior can signal feeding or nesting activity.

You will also notice the boat is positioned for viewing from different angles. That matters in Iceland, where wind and waves can turn even a simple ride into a shifting game of sightlines.

Akurey Island: How Puffins and Seabirds Get Spotted

The main event is circling Akurey’s outcrop and watching for puffins and other seabirds such as Arctic terns. You are not just looking for birds sitting still. You are watching movement, the rhythm of flight patterns, and the way seabirds use the cliffs and rocky edges.

The best part is that the boat is designed to reach tricky areas so you can cruise close to the rocky shoreline where allowed. That helps because puffins are often visible when they pop up in predictable areas: near their burrows, near feeding routes, and around spots where fish activity draws birds closer.

Also, pay attention to the seabirds beyond puffins. The tour is framed as learning the island’s broader wildlife, not treating puffins as the only thing worth seeing.

The Key Timing Trick: Engine-Off for Photos and Calm

After the boat completes its circle of the island, you get a special moment: the crew shuts off the engine for a few minutes. This is not just for vibes. When the engine stops, you get a quieter, more stable environment for photography, plus fewer vibrations on the water.

That’s when I would slow down and actually observe. Puffins can move quickly, and when you are scrambling for the perfect shot you can miss the pattern of what is happening. Use the quiet window to take photos, then look up and scan for the next burst of activity.

On rougher days, this is especially valuable because it gives your eyes a break from constant motion. Even if you are not a serious photographer, it makes the wildlife moment feel more real.

Binoculars, Photo Sides, and the Reality of Viewing Distance

The cruise includes binoculars to use on board. This is a huge plus for puffin spotting because they can look small in the distance, and your phone camera struggles when the birds are moving.

That said, I would not assume binoculars are always perfect for every person. Some people found the quality not great and wished they had brought their own. If you are serious about birdwatching, bring your own binoculars if you have them, even though loaners are included.

Also, positioning matters. One common theme is that you get better photo angles depending on where you sit. For example, some guests reported that being on the starboard (right-hand) side improved what they could capture, because the boat does not always face the island the same way for the whole trip.

You cannot control everything, but you can help yourself. If you want puffin photos, pick a side that gives you an uninterrupted view during the circle. If you end up in the back, check whether the onboard audio is clear where you are sitting, because a few people mentioned sound issues when seated away from the speakers.

Your Guide’s Role: More Than a Puffin Lecture

This tour is guided, and the narration is part of the value. The guide focuses on the flora and fauna of Akurey Island, so you learn what you are seeing rather than just being told where to point your camera.

Different guides can bring the talk in different tones. In the feedback I saw, guides like Rebekah were praised for clear English and strong pacing, Joel was singled out as friendly and instructive, Oscar earned mentions for excellent commentary, and Patricia was praised for teaching puffin facts in a fun way.

You do not need to be a hardcore birder to enjoy it. The real win is that you get ideas for spotting behaviors. Once you know what to look for, puffin sightings can feel like a real discovery instead of random luck.

Boat Comfort and Group Size: Small-Group Birding in Practice

The tour caps at 33 travelers, which helps the experience feel calmer than big mass-market cruises. When everyone is scanning, smaller groups mean fewer people blocking your line of sight and less waiting for people to shift.

The boat is also described as small enough that you get closer than you might on larger vessels. Some guests even appreciated that the boat has a shallower draft, which can help with how close you can approach the island edge.

If you are worried about comfort, remember this is a short ride. Still, dress for wind. Even “short” trips can feel chilly on the water in Iceland.

Coffee on Board and the Food Reality

Coffee is served on board as you go. That is a nice touch, especially if you are doing this early in the day as a shore excursion.

Food and drinks beyond coffee are listed as not included. So if you are prone to getting hungry, plan a snack before you arrive at the harbor, or eat once you are back on land. This is a small time window, and you will likely want your energy for the walking and sightseeing that come after.

When Weather Changes the Plan

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, it may be canceled, and you will be offered another date or a full refund.

I also liked the idea behind the “worry-free” promise: the operator says they will ensure timely return to the port for this activity. In the rare case your ship has already departed, they say they will arrange transportation to the next port of call. And if your ship is delayed so you cannot attend, they offer a refund.

In other words, you are booking something that is built for shore-day uncertainty. Weather is still weather, but the plan is not left totally hanging.

Price and Value: Is $63.51 Worth It?

At $63.51 per person for about 1 hour, this is not a bargain, but it can feel fair if you care about seeing puffins with real guidance.

Here is the value equation I see:

• You get an expert guide on every tour, plus onboard commentary timed to your cruise.
• Binoculars are included, which directly increases your odds of enjoying the sights.
• You get round trip transfers from Skarfabakki Harbour, which removes a common shore-excursion headache.
• Coffee is included, so you are not starting from zero energy.
• The cruise is designed to reach the island edge where it is allowed, rather than just sightseeing from far out.

The drawback is that the tour duration is short, and you might not get long, lingering time on the best viewing side. Also, puffins can be visible at distance depending on conditions and boat approach limits. If you expect “close-up in your hand” bird photography, temper the expectation.

Who This Shore Excursion Fits Best

This is a great fit if you:

• love birdwatching and want a straightforward puffin-focused outing
• want an outdoors experience that does not eat your whole day
• like naturalist-style narration, not just a sightseeing script
• travel with kids or friends who enjoy learning while they look out the window

It is also a good choice for first-timers in Iceland. You get a living wildlife scene that feels special even if it is your first day in Reykjavik.

If you are traveling only for the closest possible photos, you might prefer a longer or more specialized format. But for most people, this hits the sweet spot: puffins, education, and manageable time.

My Booking Advice: Should You Go?

I would book this cruise if you want a short, well-organized puffin outing with included binoculars and guided wildlife talk. The best experiences seem to happen when you arrive ready to scan, because puffins are often about motion and timing, not just standing still for a picture.

Go for it if you:

• can handle wind and cold weather on the water
• know that puffins are small and you will use binoculars
• want a shore-day plan that includes transfers and a worry-free approach to timing

Skip or adjust expectations if you need “super close” access for photos or if you are sensitive to sitting on the side that might not face the island perfectly at all moments. If you do book, sit where you have the clearest island view, and consider bringing your own binoculars for maximum photo confidence.

If your goal is to see puffins in their natural coastal setting while learning what you are looking at, this is one of the most sensible ways to do it from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the Puffin Sightseeing Cruise?

It runs for about 1 hour, including travel to and from Akurey Island and the time spent circling the island for wildlife spotting.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes round trip transfers from Skarfabakki Harbour, an expert guide, binoculars to use on board, and coffee served on board.

Do I need to bring my own binoculars?

Binoculars are provided for use on board. You might still want to bring your own if you prefer your own view or want higher-quality binoculars.

What is not included?

Food and drinks are not included (coffee is served on board).

Where do I meet, and is there pickup?

The meeting point is Skarfabakki Harbour. Pickup is offered via the Special Tours minibus at the bus area in the port. Complimentary transfers are only applicable for passengers from Skarfabakki Harbour, while Miðbakki is a short walk away.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What happens if weather is bad?

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