2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

This is whale watching with a jolt of speed. The 12-meter RIB can reach the feeding grounds quickly, giving you more time to search for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Its suspension seats help, but the ride can still be rough when Faxaflói Bay is choppy.

I like the small group of up to 12 people, which makes it easier to hear the guide and get a clear view. I also like the warm gear and the chance to stop at Akurey, a puffin-nesting island, in summer. The main catch is simple: this is not a gentle boat ride, so people with back or joint problems should think carefully before booking.

The best moments can be extraordinary. You might watch a humpback and calf surface together, follow dolphins beside the boat, or see a minke whale for only a few seconds. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the company offers a free return ticket on its Classic or Express whale-watching trips if you see nothing.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast RIB boat: The custom-built 12-meter boat reaches open water quickly, with suspension seats that soften the ride but do not remove the bumps.
• Small group: A maximum of 12 people gives you a more personal outing and a better chance of hearing the guide.
• Wildlife targets: The crew searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
• Summer puffins: The route includes a stop near Akurey when puffins are nesting in Iceland.
• Cold-weather kit included: You receive warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles.
• Strong weather factor: Rough seas can make this an exciting ride or an uncomfortable one, depending on your tolerance and physical condition.

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to open water

Your outing begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you pay for hotel pickup, a bus brings you to the harbour. If not, make your own way to the meeting point and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. You need time to check in, find the changing area, put on the provided gear, and listen to the safety briefing. Some people found the changing setup cramped or confusing, so allow a little patience at this stage. Follow the staff’s directions rather than assuming every nearby building belongs to the same operator.

The equipment is a real help in Icelandic weather. You receive a thermal overall, life vest, gloves, and goggles. Wear warm layers underneath and sturdy shoes. The goggles are especially useful once the RIB picks up speed, since wind and spray can make it hard to keep your eyes open.

The boat is a new, custom-built RIB with special shock-absorbing seats. The seating is arranged for the fast ride, not for strolling around the deck. You stay seated while the boat is moving, and you need enough mobility to climb aboard and settle into your place.

The RIB ride is part of the attraction

The boat heads out across Faxaflói Bay at a brisk pace. Speeds close to 30 knots have been reported, and the ride itself can feel like a short roller coaster when the sea is rough. Several people considered the boat trip worthwhile even when whale sightings were brief or absent.

That is both the strength and the warning. If you enjoy speed, spray, and a bit of bouncing, the journey adds real energy to the outing. If you want a calm platform for photography, this may not be your best choice.

The suspension seats reduce some of the impact, and the crew makes an effort to keep the ride comfortable. Still, the seats cannot cancel the movement of the sea. In rough conditions, you can be jolted hard. I would avoid this trip if you have a serious back, joint, or heart problem, and I would ask the operator for current sea conditions before booking if you are unsure.

The age and size limits matter, too. The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or anyone under 145 centimetres. It also calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. A child who loves boats may have a wonderful time in calm conditions, but the speed and movement can be too much for some children.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

Once the boat reaches the feeding grounds, the guide begins the patient part of the trip. The crew watches the water for blows, fins, splashes, and groups of birds that may signal activity below the surface.

The common targets are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Humpbacks provide the most dramatic sightings, especially when one raises its fluke or surfaces near another whale. Minke whales are smaller and can appear quickly, often giving you only a short look before disappearing.

Dolphins can be the most active animals in the bay. A pod may travel beside the RIB or cross its path, giving you repeated views rather than one distant fin. Harbour porpoises are less showy, but spotting one still adds to the variety of the trip.

The guide’s skill matters here. A fast boat helps the captain move between likely areas, but speed alone does not find animals. You want a crew that can read the water, track movement, and explain what you are seeing. Guides such as Blanca and Jonathan have been singled out for friendly explanations, while captain Yoda has been praised for careful boat handling. Crew members may also point out sea birds and explain how the animals behave.

Keep your camera ready, but do not watch the whole trip through a screen. A whale may surface behind you or just off the side of the boat. The guide will usually direct your attention, but you need to scan the water yourself. A quick appearance is part of the challenge.

What a strong sighting can look like

The most rewarding outings have included several humpbacks, dolphins moving alongside the RIB, and a mother and calf surfacing together. One especially memorable pattern is a group of whales being followed for a long stretch, with repeated blows and occasional tail displays.

You should keep expectations realistic. One outing produced only a single whale sighting, and another saw no whales at all. That is not necessarily a failure by the crew. These are wild animals, not scheduled performers.

The operator’s no-sighting policy gives the trip some extra value. If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour. That does not guarantee a better result, but it softens the financial risk and gives you another chance if your schedule allows.

If you see one minke whale or a few brief porpoises, the free return policy may not apply, since the tour technically produced wildlife. Go in hoping for a good sighting, but judge the experience as a combination of boat ride, scenery, guide service, and wildlife luck.

Esja and the changing view from the bay

The journey is not only about animals. As the RIB leaves the harbour, you get broad views across Faxaflói Bay and toward Esja mountain. The mountain gives the trip a strong visual anchor, especially when you turn back toward Reykjavik.

The return journey offers a different view. From the water, the city’s coastline unfolds at a low angle, and the harbour feels more connected to the open bay. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray and cold. The boat can move suddenly, so keep your equipment secure rather than trying to change lenses or settings while underway.

The ride back can feel shorter because you know what to expect. It is also a good time to take in the coastline if the sea has not worn you out. On a rough day, you may simply want to hold on, keep your goggles in place, and let the captain do the work.

Akurey, Reykjavik’s summer puffin stop

During the summer nesting season, the tour stops near Akurey, one of the puffin islands close to Reykjavik. This is a welcome change of pace after the open-water search.

Puffins are small, and the RIB cannot always approach close enough for perfect views. Bring binoculars if you have them, but do not expect every bird to fill your camera frame. The island is still worth including because it adds another piece of Icelandic wildlife to the outing.

You may also see puffins running across the surface of the water, along with other sea birds. The stop is brief, so listen to the guide and watch the island carefully. The summer timing is important: puffins are present for nesting season, not all year.

The guide and captain shape the experience

A good wildlife boat needs more than a powerful engine. The guide must explain what you are seeing without talking constantly, and the captain must position the RIB without making the ride feel careless.

The strongest outings have featured guides who were warm, funny, and able to explain whale behaviour clearly. One guide was praised for speaking several languages, while Jonathan received particular credit for explaining sea birds and the animals along the route. Blanca has also been praised for her friendly, clear guidance.

Service is not always perfectly uniform. One poor experience included complaints about a cramped changing area, an unclear safety briefing, and staff who seemed impatient. That is worth noting because preparation matters on a fast boat. You should hear clear instructions before departure and feel comfortable asking questions about the sea conditions.

The company’s equipment gets strong marks for being clean and in good shape. The boat is custom-built for this work, and the suspension seats are more than a marketing detail. They make a meaningful difference, especially on a two-hour trip.

Is $189.87 a fair price?

At about $189.87 per person, this is a premium Reykjavik whale-watching trip. You are paying for the small group, the quick RIB, the included protective clothing, the guide, and the chance to reach the bay’s feeding areas faster than a larger boat.

The value depends on what you want. If your main goal is a low-cost whale trip with plenty of indoor space, choose a larger vessel. If you want the most active boat ride and a better chance of moving quickly between sightings, the RIB can justify the extra cost.

The free repeat option also matters. Wildlife remains unpredictable, but a complimentary return on another whale-watching trip gives you some protection if the bay is quiet. It cannot recover a missed holiday schedule, though, so book early enough to leave room for a second attempt.

The average booking lead time is about 49 days. That suggests you should not leave this until the last morning of a short Reykjavik visit, especially if you want a particular departure time or need flexibility for bad weather.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, so check the forecast before the deadline if your plans are flexible.

I would schedule this early in your Reykjavik stay rather than on your final few hours. That gives you a chance to reschedule or use the complimentary return option if the sea is quiet or the weather interrupts the trip.

Hotel transfers cost extra. Without that add-on, you meet at the Old Harbour and finish there. The activity lasts about two hours, but allow additional time for transport, check-in, dressing, the safety talk, and returning to your hotel.

Who should choose this tour?

This outing suits you if you want:

• A fast, active boat ride rather than a quiet cruise
• A small group and direct access to the guide
• The possibility of getting close to whales and dolphins
• A summer puffin stop as part of the route
• Included cold-weather and safety equipment
• A second chance if no wildlife appears

Think twice if you dislike bouncing boats, have back or joint trouble, or need easy boarding. The ride can be demanding, and the sea may be rough even when the outing goes ahead. If you are travelling with children, check the age and height rules carefully before paying.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale-watching tour?

Yes, if you see whale watching as both a wildlife search and an adventure ride. The small group, quick boat, helpful equipment, and skilled captain give you a good setup for finding animals in Faxaflói Bay. The best outings can bring you close to humpbacks, dolphins, and minke whales in a way that feels immediate and exciting.

I would not book it simply because you need a guaranteed whale sighting. No operator can promise that. Book it because you are comfortable with a brisk, bumpy ride and will still value the views, puffin island, guide, and open-water experience if the whales stay hidden.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, at the Special Tours ticket office. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the base tour price. It can be added for an additional fee.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. During summer, you also visit the puffin-nesting island of Akurey.

Is protective clothing provided?

Yes. The tour includes warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. You should still dress warmly and wear good shoes.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or anyone under 145 centimetres. The boat ride can be fast and bumpy, so you should also consider your child’s comfort with rough water.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. If there are no sightings on your tour, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours.