Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

Reykjavik’s Old Harbour is the launch point for a fast, close-to-the-water search for puffins, whales, and dolphins. The RIB can cover more ground than a big sightseeing boat, then turn quickly when a guide spots a blow or a pod of birds. On the way back, you get a fresh view of Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture from the sea.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the marine biology focus. Guides such as Emily, Max, Matt, and Kylie have helped passengers identify animals and understand their behavior, while the crew shares photos after the trip. I also like the practical gear: warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are supplied.

The trade-off is simple: this is a lively RIB ride, not a quiet cruise. Wind, spray, and rough water are part of the deal, and marine life never follows a timetable. You need to be at least 10 years old, 145 cm tall, and able to handle the boat’s motion.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin islands come first: Puffins are seen seasonally, generally from April 20 through mid-August, with the exact end date listed as August 15 or August 20.
• A two-hour wildlife search: The boat visits puffin habitat, then ranges farther for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds.
• Small RIB, wider search area: The light, stable boat can move quickly and reach places larger boats may not cover in the same time.
• Marine biology commentary: Specially trained English-speaking guides explain animal behavior and help you spot wildlife.
• Warm gear is supplied: Expect waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and other safety equipment, but still dress warmly underneath.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: You might see humpback or minke whales, dolphins, and hundreds of puffins, but the ocean decides what appears.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour by RIB

You meet at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then board a specially designed RIB for the two-hour outing. With only 12 people in the group, you get a better chance of hearing the guide and turning your head quickly when wildlife appears.

The boat’s size matters. A larger vessel offers more indoor space and a gentler sightseeing feel, but this RIB can search a broader area during a short tour. Its maneuverability also lets you approach wildlife carefully without crowding it. The goal is a close view, not a chase, and the guide and captain work together to keep a respectful distance.

This is also a proper boat ride, not just a floating wildlife platform. The captain may open the throttle between viewing areas, and the ride can feel exciting as the RIB moves over the water. Several people praised the comfortable seats and their ability to absorb some of the bumps, but you should still expect motion and wind.

Before departure, you receive warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and the required safety equipment. Bring hiking shoes, warm layers, and clothing suited to Icelandic weather. A puffy jacket, wool layers, warm socks, and a hat are useful even under the supplied suit. One person noted that a suit felt damp and musty, so it is sensible to wear your own warm base layers rather than rely on the outer gear alone.

The boat has no toilet and no food service. Use facilities before leaving and bring anything you need beforehand. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, which is hardly a hardship on a small open-style boat.

Puffins around Reykjavik’s islands

The first wildlife section usually takes you toward the islands near Reykjavik, where puffins gather during the nesting season. Puffin season is listed from April 20 into August, with the information varying slightly between August 15 and August 20. If seeing puffins is your main reason for booking, choose a date within that window and confirm the exact operating details when you reserve.

Puffins are small birds, so distance and light affect the view. The RIB’s low position on the water can give you a more direct look than a high deck on a large ship, especially when birds sit on the sea or fly close to the boat. You may also see many other seabirds around the islands.

Some outings have produced hundreds of puffins, while other trips focus more on whales and dolphins. That contrast is worth keeping in mind. You are paying for a wildlife search in a natural setting, not a guaranteed puffin display.

The guide adds real value here. Rather than simply pointing at birds, the commentary can explain nesting behavior and the role of the islands. The marine biology background of guides such as Max and Emily has been especially useful for passengers who want more than a quick photograph.

Searching farther for whales and dolphins

After the puffin stop, the captain heads farther out in search of larger marine life. The boat’s range is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. In two hours, the crew can cover more water than a slower boat, improving the chance of finding active pods or whales at the surface.

Common sightings described on this tour include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Some trips have seen a single whale, while others have produced several humpbacks and large groups of dolphins. One exceptionally successful outing recorded more than 60 whales, but that is best understood as an unusually lucky day rather than a normal expectation.

The most memorable moments can be surprisingly close. Dolphins may race alongside the RIB or pass beneath it, and passengers have heard whales exhale as they surfaced nearby. A humpback might appear beside the boat, but you may just as easily see a distant back, a fin, or a brief blow before the animal disappears.

Your guide’s job is part naturalist and part spotter. They watch the water, listen for reports, explain what you are seeing, and help you prepare your camera before the animal surfaces. Guides named Matt, Kylie, Emily, Max, Mike, and Marie have all been praised for clear explanations and an easy manner, though the person leading your trip will depend on the date.

The crew also takes photographs when possible and sends them afterward. That is useful because it is hard to hold on, watch the sea, and take a sharp photograph at the same time. Do not treat the photos as a guaranteed personal album, but they can preserve sightings you might otherwise miss.

The ride itself: thrilling, cold, and not for everyone

The RIB is a major part of the attraction. It feels quicker and more active than a standard whale-watching cruise, and the low seats keep you close to the water. The same features that make the boat fun also make weather preparation essential.

You may find yourself gripping the seat as the boat crosses waves. Even on a calm forecast, speed creates wind, and the air can feel cold once you leave the harbor. Sunglasses help with glare, while goggles are supplied if you do not bring your own eye protection.

The supplied waterproof suit protects against spray, but it does not replace warm clothing. Wear several comfortable layers, sturdy footwear, gloves, and a hat. The operator supplies gloves, but bringing your own familiar pair is wise. A neck gaiter may also be provided to keep, depending on the trip.

This outing is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, children under 10, people under 145 cm, or people over 140 kg. The listed upper age limit is 75. Those rules are practical rather than fussy: passengers must fit safely into the seating and handle a boat that moves quickly over open water.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider the conditions before choosing your date and bring whatever remedy you normally use. The small boat is stable for its type, but stability does not mean stillness.

Reykjavik from the water on the return

The return leg gives the tour a second purpose beyond wildlife. As the RIB follows the shore, you see Reykjavik from a lower and more open viewpoint. Harpa Concert Hall is particularly striking from the water, with its geometric glass facade catching the changing light.

You also pass the Sun Voyager sculpture, one of the city’s best-known waterfront sights. Seeing it from the sea helps connect the harbor, the modern city center, and the open bay in one short trip.

This final section is useful even if the animals are quiet. You still get a brisk ride, harbor views, and a different sense of Reykjavik’s position beside the sea. The return also makes the tour easy to fit into a city day, since it finishes at the same Old Harbour meeting point.

Is $191 a fair price?

At $191 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The price makes more sense if you want the RIB format, the small group, a trained wildlife guide, supplied cold-weather gear, and the chance to cover a wide search area in only two hours.

You are also paying for flexibility on the water. A larger boat may give you more room and indoor shelter, but the RIB can move quickly between sightings and put you closer to the surface. If you already know that an energetic boat ride is part of the fun, the value is stronger.

The price is harder to justify if you want guaranteed whales, a relaxed cruise, onboard toilets, or a warm cabin. Wildlife tours always carry uncertainty. One outing may produce humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins; another may find only one whale but still offer seabirds, scenery, and a memorable ride.

The free cancellation period, up to 24 hours before departure, gives you some protection if your plans change. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps when Iceland’s weather affects your schedule.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for an active visitor who wants wildlife and speed in the same package. It suits couples, families with children who meet the age and height rules, and anyone who prefers a small group to a large sightseeing vessel.

It is especially appealing if puffins are high on your list and you are visiting during their season. The trip can also work well for wildlife enthusiasts who want explanations from a marine biologist rather than a simple boat transfer.

You should think twice if you dislike wind, spray, bumpy rides, or cold weather. This is not the best choice for someone who needs step-free access or a toilet onboard. It is also a poor fit if your schedule allows only one narrow window and you would be deeply disappointed by a quiet wildlife day.

The tour runs from April 1 through October 31, but the best dates for combining puffins with whales fall within the seasonal wildlife period from late April through August. Starting times vary, so check availability before planning other Reykjavik activities around it.

Final verdict: book it for the boat and the wildlife

I would book this tour if you want an active two-hour sea adventure and can accept that sightings depend on nature. The strongest reasons are the small group, fast RIB, skilled guides, supplied gear, and the chance to receive crew photographs afterward.

Book during puffin season if those birds are your priority, and dress more warmly than you think you need. If you prefer comfort, indoor shelter, and a gentler pace, choose a larger vessel instead. For everyone else, this is a well-focused way to combine Reykjavik’s harbor sights with a real search for Icelandic marine life.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the ticket office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity finishes back at the same meeting point at the Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What languages are available?

The live guide speaks English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 12 participants.

When can I see puffins?

Puffin season is listed from April 20 through August 15, with another date reference extending it to August 20. Check the exact seasonal information for your chosen date.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The operator provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment.

Is there a toilet or food on the boat?

No. Toilets and food are not available onboard.

What are the age, height, and weight limits?

You must be at least 10 years old and 145 cm tall. The maximum listed weight is 140 kg, and the activity is not suitable for people over 75 years old.