Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

Puffins are Iceland’s most charming crowd-pleasers. This short cruise from Reykjavik takes you toward Akurey Island, where you can watch puffins, Arctic terns, and other seabirds from a shallow-draft sightseeing boat. I like the loaner binoculars and the guides who add useful facts about the birds, island, and bay. I also like the range of departure times, which helps you fit the trip around a cruise-ship day.

The main catch is distance. The boat cannot pull right up to the nesting cliffs, and puffins may look small without good optics. Sound quality has also been uneven, and the one-hour schedule includes the trip from the harbor to Akurey and back, so your time facing the island may feel brief.

Key points to know before you book

• Akurey Island is close to Reykjavik: The cruise takes about 15 minutes to reach the island from the harbor.
• Binoculars are provided: They make a real difference, though bringing your own may give you a sharper view.
• The boat circles the island: You get views of puffins on the water, in flight, and on the rocky slopes, but environmental limits prevent a close approach.
• Guides add much of the value: Guides such as Rebekah, Oscar, Joel, and Patricia have been praised for clear, lively commentary.
• The tour is built for cruise passengers: Round-trip transfers from Skarfabakki Harbour and a return guarantee reduce the risk of missing your ship.
• Timing affects the sighting: Puffin numbers vary by season, and late-season departures may show fewer birds.

Setting out from Skarfabakki Harbour

Your trip begins at Skarfabakki Harbour, the main cruise port for this excursion. If you are arriving by ship, go to the bus area and look for the Special Tours minibus. The pickup detail matters, since a missed shuttle can turn a simple morning into a stressful dash to the dock.

Complimentary transfers apply to passengers at Skarfabakki Harbour. If your ship docks at Miðbakki, you do not receive the same transfer arrangement, but that dock is described as a very short walk from the departure point. Check your ship’s berth before booking and allow enough time to find the office.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation, and several start times are available. That flexibility is useful on a port day. An earlier departure may also help you avoid a crowded boat and gives you a better chance of seeing puffins active around the island at breakfast time.

The boat holds a maximum of 33 people. That is a manageable group for a short wildlife trip, though a nearly full boat can feel tight when everyone moves to one side for a photograph.

The 15-minute ride to Akurey Island

Once the boat leaves Reykjavik, you have a short run across the bay before reaching Akurey. The guide uses this time to explain the local flora and fauna, introduce the birds you may see, and prepare you for the viewing conditions.

This is not a long open-water voyage. The route is short, and the boat is designed to work close to rocky shorelines and shallow areas that larger vessels cannot reach as easily. That smaller scale is one of the experience’s real strengths.

Coffee is served on board, giving you something warm during a cool or wet morning. Food and other drinks are not included, so bring anything else you may want before departure. A booking office toilet is available at the harbor, which is worth using before boarding, especially if you are fitting this outing into a tight ship schedule.

Weather can change the character of the ride. A calm morning makes it easier to watch birds on the water and keep binoculars steady. Poor conditions can lead to a cancellation or rescheduling, and the experience requires good weather.

Circling Akurey Island for puffins and terns

The boat circles the island outcrop, bringing different sections of the rocky shore into view. Puffins may appear on the island, bobbing in the water, or flying low over the boat. You may also see Arctic terns and other native seabirds.

The captain’s route matters here. Several guides and captains have been praised for positioning the boat as close to the island as allowed. The shallow-draft boat can approach areas that are less practical for a larger craft, but it still must keep a respectful distance from the birds and nesting ground.

That distance is the central tradeoff. You are watching a wild colony, not a staged animal encounter. The boat cannot pull alongside the cliffs, and the puffins can look tiny to anyone relying only on a phone camera. Binoculars make the experience much better, but the supplied optics have not always been described as top quality. If you own compact binoculars, pack them.

Your seat can affect the view. The boat may favor one side as it circles, and one side can have a clearer sightline for part of the trip. Since the boat changes position, you may not have an uninterrupted view of the island from every seat. Try to stay alert rather than settling into one spot, but be considerate of people around you.

The best moments may happen away from the cliff. Puffins flying past the boat or floating on the sea can be easier to spot than birds sitting among rocks. Look for the quick wingbeats, the bright bill, and small groups moving between the water and the island.

The quiet pause with the engines off

After the island circuit, the crew may shut down the engine for a few calm minutes. This pause gives you time to take photographs and watch the water without the vibration and noise of the boat.

It is a small but worthwhile part of the outing. Wildlife watching often works best when you stop trying to force a sighting. You can scan the island, check the water with binoculars, and listen for the guide’s final observations.

The sound system has been a weak point on some departures. One area of the boat may have speakers that are harder to hear, especially with wind or engine noise. If the guide begins speaking and you cannot hear clearly, move closer to the guide or toward the working speakers. The commentary can add a lot, particularly when the puffins are far away.

Guides have received strong praise for their presentation. Rebekah has been described as clear and entertaining, while Oscar, Joel, and Patricia have also been singled out for friendly, informative talks. The guide on your departure may be someone else, but the format gives you more than a simple ride to a bird colony.

Returning to Reykjavik before your ship sails

The return trip to the Port of Reykjavik completes the experience in about an hour. That short duration makes this an easy addition to a port day, but you still need to protect your ship schedule.

The shore-excursion guarantee covers round-trip transfers from Skarfabakki Harbour and promises timely return to the port. In the rare event that the ship departs before you return, the operator says it will arrange transportation to the next port of call. If your ship is delayed and you cannot attend, the tour price is refunded under the stated guarantee.

That promise is useful, but I would still confirm the pickup instructions before leaving your ship. A few logistical problems have occurred when passengers were listed at the office but not on the shuttle list, or when the pickup location was misunderstood. Make sure you know the bus area, keep the operator’s contact details handy, and do not assume the driver will find you automatically.

What the $63.51 price gets you

At $63.51 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an hour in Reykjavik. The price includes the boat, an expert guide, binoculars, coffee, and the port transfer from Skarfabakki. You are also paying for a specialized route and a captain who can take a smaller boat near the island.

The value depends on your expectations. If your main goal is to check puffins off your Iceland list and you are happy watching wild birds at a respectful distance, the price is reasonable. The trip is short, simple, and easy to fit around a cruise schedule.

If you want close-up photographs, the value is less certain. A phone camera may not capture much detail, especially in wet or dim weather. You can improve your odds with your own binoculars, a camera with a useful zoom, and an early departure.

The group limit of 33 people helps keep the boat smaller than a large harbor cruise, but a full departure can still create a scramble for views. The tour earns its price through access and convenience more than through length.

The season matters more than the brochure suggests

Puffin sightings are seasonal. Late in the season, some birds have already left the area, although you may still see groups on the water, near the cliffs, and flying around the island. One late-season outing was the final puffin watch of the year and still produced sightings, but the number of birds was lower than during the main season.

This is important if puffins are the sole reason you are booking. The tour operates around a wild colony, so no departure can promise a certain number of birds or a particular distance.

The bird activity can also vary with conditions. On a calm day, puffins may sit on the sea, but they need wind to take off, so a still morning can create a different kind of viewing. Wind, rain, light, and the point in the breeding season all affect what you see.

Ask about seasonal timing if your schedule allows. An earlier trip can be quieter and may give you a better chance to see birds heading out to feed. The date and weather will matter more than a guarantee of close photographs.

Who will enjoy this short wildlife cruise

I would recommend this trip most strongly to birders, families, and anyone who wants a low-effort wildlife outing close to Reykjavik. Children can manage the one-hour length, and the small boat, friendly crew, and puffin theme make it an approachable introduction to Icelandic birdlife.

It also suits cruise passengers who do not want a full-day excursion. You do not need to commit to the Golden Circle or a long drive. The harbor location, several departure times, and return arrangement keep the plan focused.

Photography enthusiasts should book with care. You can take photos, and some people have managed excellent shots, but the distance means a phone alone may disappoint. Bring binoculars and a real zoom if the image matters as much as the sighting.

This may not suit you if you dislike boats, are very sensitive to weather, or expect a close encounter. The puffins are wild, the island is protected from close approach, and the guide’s commentary may be difficult to hear from the back of the boat.

Practical ways to improve your outing

• Arrive at the correct bus area early, especially if you are using the cruise-port transfer.
• Confirm whether your ship docks at Skarfabakki or Miðbakki.
• Choose an earlier departure if you can, since it may be less crowded and offer active morning bird sightings.
• Bring your own binoculars if you have them.
• Pack a camera with optical zoom rather than relying only on a phone.
• Move nearer to the guide if the commentary becomes hard to hear.
• Wear clothing suitable for wet weather and wind.
• Keep your schedule flexible in case poor weather forces a change.
• Use the harbor toilet before boarding if you are on a tight timetable.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Akurey puffin cruise?

Book it if you want a short, convenient chance to see Icelandic seabirds from the water, and you accept that the puffins may be distant. The strongest parts are the friendly guides, compact route, loaner binoculars, and cruise-port return plan.

I would be more cautious if your priority is close photography or a long birdwatching session. In that case, choose an early departure, bring better optics, and check the season. For most nature lovers with a free hour in Reykjavik, this is a pleasant and practical outing, but the real reward is seeing wild puffins in their setting, not getting a guaranteed close-up portrait.

FAQ

How long does the puffin cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour, including the journey from Reykjavik harbor to Akurey Island, the island circuit, and the return to port.

Where does the tour meet?

The tour starts at Skarfabakki Harbour in Reykjavik. Passengers should be ready at the port bus area and look for a Special Tours minibus.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available to use on board. You may also bring your own if you want sharper or more powerful viewing.

Can I join from Miðbakki Harbour?

Yes, but complimentary transfers apply only to passengers at Skarfabakki Harbour. Miðbakki is described as a short walk from the departure point.

What birds might I see?

The main target is the puffin. You may also see Arctic terns and other native seabirds around Akurey Island.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.