Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Puffin Sightseeing Cruise

Akurey Island is close to Reykjavik, but its rocky shoreline gives you a fine chance to see puffins in the wild without spending half a day at sea. The small sightseeing boat can work into shallow, tricky areas, and the calm pause with the engine off is a nice touch for listening and taking photos.

I like the loaner binoculars, since puffins often sit farther away than your phone camera would prefer. I also like the range of departure times and the short route, which fits neatly into a cruise stop. The main caution is simple: you may see many birds, but you may not see them close enough for clear phone photos.

Key points to know before booking

• Akurey Island is only about 15 minutes from Reykjavik’s port, so most of the hour is spent near the bird area rather than on a long ocean crossing.
• Puffins are usually viewed from a distance, and binoculars matter. Bring your own if you have a good pair.
• The boat holds a maximum of 33 people, but viewing can still be better from one side than the other.
• Guides are a major part of the experience, with past tours led by warm, entertaining voices such as Rebekah, Oscar, Joel, and Patricia.
• Skarfabakki Harbour pickup is included, while Miðbakki is close enough to walk to the departure point.
• Weather and season affect the outing, with tours sometimes rescheduled and fewer puffins appearing late in the season.

A short cruise with a real wildlife purpose

This is not a grand fjord voyage or a long expedition. It is a focused bird-watching trip from Reykjavik’s harbor to Akurey Island, followed by a return to port. The total outing lasts about one hour, with roughly 15 minutes of travel each way.

That short length is a strength if you have limited time. You can fit it around a cruise schedule, a morning in Reykjavik, or another shore activity. It is also a good choice if you like wildlife but do not want a full-day trip into the countryside.

The boat circles the island outcrop while you look for puffins on the rocks, in the water, and in the air. Arctic terns and other native seabirds may also appear. You are not simply dropped beside the island and left to stare. An English-speaking guide explains the birds, the island’s flora and fauna, and what you are seeing through the binoculars.

The boat then pauses with its engine switched off. This brief quiet period gives you a better chance to hear the surroundings and take pictures without engine noise. It is also the most peaceful part of the trip, especially if the sea is calm.

Leaving Skarfabakki Harbour

Your meeting point is the bus area at Skarfabakki Harbour, at 544P+F35, 104 Reykjavik. If you are arriving by cruise ship, watch for a Special Tours minibus and be ready at the port bus area.

The included round-trip transfer applies to passengers at Skarfabakki Harbour. If your ship uses Miðbakki instead, you do not receive the same complimentary transfer, but the alternative dock is described as a very short walk from the departure point.

This detail matters more than it may first seem. Reykjavik has more than one harbor area, and a port day leaves little room for confusion. Check your dock before leaving the ship, and give yourself time to find the bus area. A few people have had trouble connecting with the pickup, while others received prompt help from the company or had the boat held for a few extra minutes.

The booking information says that the operator provides a worry-free shore excursion guarantee. If the ship is delayed and you cannot attend, you can receive a refund. If the rare worst case occurs and your ship leaves before you return, transportation to the next port of call is promised. That is a valuable safeguard for cruise passengers, though you should still follow the meeting instructions carefully.

The 15-minute ride to Akurey

Once aboard, the boat makes the short run from the port toward Akurey Island. Use this time to settle in and listen to the guide’s introduction.

The trip is not just filler between the harbor and the birds. The guide talks about the local plant and animal life, giving you a little context before the boat reaches the island. Guides have included Rebekah, Oscar, Joel, and Patricia on different departures, and the best commentary combines useful facts with a light touch.

The boat is designed to reach areas that larger vessels cannot. Its shallow draft can bring you somewhat closer to the rocky shore, but environmental limits still apply. You should not expect the boat to pull right up beneath the nesting birds.

That distance is the key point to understand. Some departures produce excellent views of puffins flying close to the boat or floating on the water. On other trips, the birds look small on the island, especially if you rely only on a mobile phone.

Watching puffins around Akurey Island

The boat circles the island so both the guide and captain can search for birds. Puffins may be sitting on the cliffs, bobbing in the water, or flying back to the island with fish for their young. Arctic terns and other seabirds add variety, especially when the puffins are quiet or farther away.

The captain’s skill can make a difference. A boat with a shallower draft may get closer than a larger vessel, and the captain may know where birds gather at a particular time of day. Early departures can be especially appealing because the birds may be active while looking for food.

Still, this is wild bird watching, not a guaranteed close encounter. Puffins move, weather changes, and the boat cannot approach beyond sensible environmental limits. If you need frame-filling photographs, this outing may leave you frustrated. If you are happy to watch bird behavior through binoculars, it can be far more rewarding.

Bring a camera with a strong zoom if you have one. A standard phone camera is unlikely to show much detail when the puffins are on the island. The supplied binoculars help, though their quality may vary, so serious birders should bring their own pair.

Finding the best place on the boat

The boat holds up to 33 people. That is not a huge group, but the viewing area is still limited, and your position can affect what you see.

Because the boat circles the island, the best side changes as the route progresses. At times, one side may face the birds while the other side has a view over open water. One account of the trip found that the boat turned so the opposite side faced the island only briefly on the return.

I would arrive ready to choose your position quickly, but I would not treat one seat as a guarantee. You may need to share the view, lean around other passengers, or move when the boat turns. Staying alert and polite works better than camping in one spot.

The guide’s speaker system also matters. Some people have found the commentary clear and entertaining, while others could not hear well from the rear of the boat. If hearing the naturalist is important to you, sit where the guide and speakers are easiest to hear, rather than automatically choosing the back.

The guide can make or break the hour

The strongest part of this experience is often the person holding the microphone. A good guide keeps the ride lively, explains why puffins behave as they do, and points out less obvious birds that you might miss.

Rebekah has been praised for clear English and detailed commentary. Oscar has been singled out for an engaging presentation, while Joel has a reputation for being friendly and well informed about puffins. Patricia has also led lively trips focused on puffin behavior. Guides vary by departure, so you should not book expecting a particular person.

The content can vary too. Some trips offer a steady flow of facts about the birds and the island. Other departures may have quieter or less effective commentary, and poor speakers can make even a good guide hard to follow.

That is why I see this as both a wildlife outing and a short guided talk on the water. If the birds are distant, the explanation becomes especially important. A quiet guide leaves you with little to do besides scan the rocks. An energetic guide can make a distant puffin feel worth the trip.

Coffee, photos, and the ride back

Coffee is served on board during the cruise. Food and other drinks are not included, so do not count on a full snack service. The coffee is a small comfort on a cool or damp Reykjavik morning.

After the island circuit, the captain may shut off the engine for a few moments. This is your chance to photograph the boat, island, and birds without vibration and noise. It is also a useful pause after the busy viewing period.

The return to the harbor is quick. Since the activity is built around a cruise port, the operator has a clear reason to keep the timing under control. You should still leave a sensible buffer for returning to the ship, especially if you plan to connect with another activity afterward.

The shore excursion guarantee adds peace of mind. If your ship is delayed and you cannot join, the stated policy offers a refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Price and value at $63.51

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 round-trip transfer from Skarfabakki Harbour. For a cruise passenger, the port transfer and return protection add real value.

The question is how much you want from the wildlife viewing. If you want a close, professional bird photography session, the price may feel high for an hour in which puffins can remain small. You may also feel shortchanged if weather, season, speaker problems, or an awkward viewing position limit the experience.

For a first puffin sighting, though, the cost can make sense. You do not need to arrange transport outside Reykjavik, and you do not spend most of the day getting to a remote bird colony. The short trip lets you see puffins, Arctic terns, and other birds while keeping the rest of your port day free.

I would place the value somewhere in the middle. The tour earns its price when the birds are active, the guide is strong, and the sea is calm. It is less convincing when late-season numbers are low or when you arrive without binoculars and expect close phone photos.

Season, weather, and realistic expectations

Puffin viewing is seasonal. Late in the season, some birds may already have left, though plenty can still remain. One late-season outing saw groups on the cliffs and in the water, while another had fewer birds than expected.

The operator requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. One trip was canceled and rescheduled because of weather, then produced a strong sighting on the later departure. That is useful to remember: a weather change can improve the outing rather than simply spoil it.

Dress for a boat ride in Iceland, though the supplied information does not specify clothing requirements. At minimum, be prepared for wet weather and changing conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, consider that even a short trip takes place on open water, although the route itself is brief.

The season also affects the feel of the trip. Earlier outings may offer more activity around the island, while the final departures of the season can be quieter. If puffins are the main reason you are booking, choose the earliest suitable date available in the season rather than assuming every departure will be equally full of birds.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik cruise?

This is a good match for birders, families, nature lovers, and anyone who wants a short wildlife break from the city. Children can manage the one-hour format, and the boat ride does not demand a full day of walking or complicated transport.

It also suits cruise passengers who want a shore activity with a stated return guarantee. The port pickup, short route, and several departure times make it easier to fit around a ship schedule.

I would be more cautious if you care mainly about photography. You need binoculars, patience, and a willingness to accept that the puffins may be distant. A powerful zoom lens will help, while a basic phone camera may disappoint.

The experience also suits someone who values interpretation. The puffins are the main attraction, but the guide’s explanation of the birds and other species gives the hour more purpose. If you want only a fast boat ride with no commentary, you may find the educational side unnecessary.

Booking details that matter

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, which may help you review information before departure.

Most people can participate, and the boat has a maximum group size of 33. Binoculars are included for use on board, but I would bring your own if bird watching is important to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted under the stated policy. Cutoff times use local Icelandic time.

Should you book the Akurey puffin cruise?

Book it if you want a short, easy wildlife outing from Reykjavik and you will be satisfied seeing puffins at a natural distance. The best reasons to go are the compact route, expert guides, loaner binoculars, useful port transfers, and the chance to see birds flying, swimming, and resting on the island.

Think twice if your main goal is close-up photography or a long, detailed nature cruise. The birds may be tiny from the boat, the sound system is not perfect everywhere, and the season can affect how many puffins remain.

My practical choice would be an early departure during the stronger part of the puffin season, with personal binoculars and a camera that has real zoom. With those expectations, this is a sensible way to add a genuine Icelandic wildlife experience to a cruise day.

FAQ

How long does the puffin cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately one hour. The journey to Akurey Island takes about 15 minutes, followed by the island circuit and the return to Reykjavik’s port.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Skarfabakki Harbour in Reykjavik. You should wait at the port bus area and look for a Special Tours minibus.

Is pickup included from every Reykjavik harbor?

Complimentary transfers are included for passengers arriving at Skarfabakki Harbour. Miðbakki is a short walk from the departure point, but the same complimentary transfer does not apply there.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are available to use on board. If you own a good pair, bringing them may help because the puffins can be some distance from the boat.

What birds might I see?

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

Is food included?

Coffee is served on board. Food and other drinks are not included.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of 33 travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

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