Puffin & Wildlife RIB Safari | Nature Tour in East Iceland

About 1 hour on the waterGroup: Small groupEasyMeet at the Old Pier, BakkagerðiAge 10+Early May to mid-August

Passengers on the RIB boat below the cliffs

A RIB boat safari along the East Iceland coast, built around looking for puffins and other seabirds during the summer nesting season.

Departure harbourCoastal cliffs and skerries

A fast RIB boat ride along the East Iceland coastline
A chance to see puffins and other seabirds up close
Runs in the summer puffin season
A shorter alternative to a full day tour

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

The mountains of Borgarfjörður Eystri from the sea

Check-in at the Old Pier, BakkagerðiMeet 15 minutes before departure and get suited up.

Meet 15 minutes before departure at the Old Pier in Bakkagerði. You are fitted with a windproof flotation suit, life jacket and ski goggles before boarding.

Included · flotation suit, life jacket, ski goggles

Read our Borgarfjörður eystri guide →

Sea cliffs and hidden covesAbout an hour by RIB along the cliffs to see puffins and other wildlife.

About an hour by RIB along the base of the sea cliffs and into coves you cannot reach on foot, looking for puffins and other seabirds. Keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and whales too. The boat is open and fast, so expect wind and spray.

Time on the water · about 1 hour

3Return to the pierBack at the Old Pier to de-gear.

Afterwards you can drive to the Puffin Marina viewing platforms in Borgarfjörður Eystri to see the colony from land.

About the puffin RIB safari East Iceland

This RIB (rigid inflatable boat) safari runs from a harbour in East Iceland and is built around looking for puffins and other seabirds along the coast. RIB boats are open and fast, so they can reach more of the coastline in less time than a slower sightseeing boat, at the cost of more wind and spray.

Expect to be given a flotation suit or warm waterproof gear for the boat, since the sea here is cold even in summer and the ride can be splashy.

Included

1-hour RIB boat safari with a guide (English and Icelandic)
Windproof flotation suit, life jacket and ski goggles

Not included

Food and drinks
Transport to Borgarfjörður Eystri

What to bring

Warm layers under the suit provided
Seasickness tablets if you're prone to it

Good to know

Departs from the Old Pier in Bakkagerði, Borgarfjörður Eystri; check in 15 minutes before departure
About 1 hour on the water
Minimum age is 10 (junior price for ages 10-13)
Groups are usually 4 to 12 passengers
Runs in puffin season, early May to mid-August
Puffin sightings depend on the birds and the weather and are never guaranteed
The boat is open and can be splashy and cold even in summer
Several departures a day; see start times in the booking calendar

Questions people ask

Will we definitely see puffins?

Not guaranteed. They're commonly seen along this coast in summer, but sightings depend on the day.

Is the boat cold?

Yes, expect wind and sea spray; a suit is normally provided, but dress warmly underneath.

Does this tour run year round?

No, it runs while the puffins are here, from early May to mid-August.

Where does the tour start?

At the Old Pier in Bakkagerði, the village in Borgarfjörður Eystri. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure to get suited up.

What is the minimum age?

10 years. Children aged 10-13 pay the junior price.

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From20,000 ISKPer person