Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

Reykjavik’s whale watching by speedboat is part wildlife outing, part high-speed sea ride. The rigid inflatable boat gets you far from the harbor quickly, then works a broad search area for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. I like the small group size, capped at 12, and the close-to-the-water view. I also like the return along the city shore, with the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall appearing from an angle you cannot get on land.

The main catch is simple: wild animals do not keep appointments. Some trips see several whales and dolphins, while others find only one whale or none. The ride itself is rough and fast, so this is not a good pick if you have back trouble, are pregnant, or dislike a hard jolt on open water.

Key points at a glance

• A real RIB adventure: The small, powerful boat can cover more sea than a classic whale-watching vessel.
• Only 12 people: A limited group gives you a better chance at an unobstructed view.
• Puffins from May through August: The boat makes a short stop near their breeding grounds early in the trip.
• Suspension seats and warm overalls: The shock seats soften the ride, while provided coveralls help against Iceland’s cold.
• A strong wildlife range: Look for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, seabirds, and possibly other marine life.
• A no-whale safety net: If the trip finds no whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride.

Why the speedboat changes whale watching

At $200 per person for two hours, this is not Reykjavik’s budget harbor outing. You are paying for a smaller boat, a faster run into open water, and a more active experience than a large cruiser usually provides.

That difference matters most when wildlife is spread out. The RIB can move across a larger search area, giving the captain more options than simply waiting in one patch of sea. It also sits low in the water, so an animal that surfaces nearby can feel remarkably close.

There is a tradeoff. A large boat gives you more room to move and usually a steadier platform. The RIB gives you speed, excitement, and a lower viewpoint, but the North Atlantic can make the ride physical. The suspension seats help, though they do not turn a fast boat into a calm ferry.

I would choose this trip for the boat experience as much as for the wildlife. A no-sighting trip can still be fun, but you should not spend $200 expecting a guaranteed whale encounter. The complimentary return ticket offers some protection, yet it may not help if your Iceland schedule is packed.

Meeting at Reykjavik Old Harbour

You make your own way to the Old Harbour at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure, not at the scheduled start time. That extra half hour is used for check-in, the safety briefing, and getting dressed for the water.

The Old Harbour is a useful starting point because the city’s waterfront becomes part of the trip from the first minute. Once aboard, the captain takes the boat out past the working harbor and toward the open water. You are not being collected from your hotel, so allow time to reach the meeting point on foot, by taxi, or by whatever city transport you are using.

Bring closed-toe shoes. Leave luggage and large bags behind, since there is no room for bulky belongings on a small RIB. A phone or small camera may be useful, but secure anything you bring. The speed and spray are part of the experience.

Before departure, you receive warm overalls and the required safety equipment. The crew also gives a briefing before the boat leaves. The English-language tour has a professional captain and a wildlife guide, with past guides including Elsa and Raoul. The crew’s role is more than pointing out fins: they explain what you are seeing, help scan the water, and manage the boat safely when conditions change.

The RIB ride and its suspension seats

The boat is a rigid inflatable vessel, compact enough for close views but powerful enough to travel quickly. You sit on specially designed suspension seats, often called shock seats, which are intended to reduce the force of bumps as the boat crosses choppy water.

That feature matters. The RIB can move fast, and a seat near the front gives you the most dramatic ride. Some riders have loved the front row because it offers a clear view and a strong sense of being out on the water alone. The same position can also take more movement, so I would choose it only if you are comfortable with speed and spray.

The crew can make the ride exciting, including a quick spin near the harbor on the return. That playful moment is not the main reason to book, but it adds to the outing’s character. You should still expect the captain to put safety first, especially when sea conditions are poor.

One useful point about Icelandic weather: a pleasant day in Reykjavik does not guarantee smooth water offshore. A previous trip was canceled even though conditions on land looked fine, and the operator explained that the sea was the issue before moving the passengers to the next day. That is a sensible decision, not a sign that the tour is unreliable. Open-water conditions can change the plan.

Searching for whales and dolphins

Once the boat reaches open water, the captain and guide begin scanning for signs of marine life. You may see a whale’s back, a blow, a fin, or a sudden patch of movement. The RIB’s low profile helps you feel close to the surface, but it also means sightings can be brief.

Minke whales are among the sightings associated with this trip. Humpback whales have also appeared, including a dramatic breach on one outing. Dolphins can be especially entertaining because they may travel beside the boat, leap near it, or follow the vessel for a time. Porpoises and seabirds add interest when whales are not nearby.

The difference between a good and a disappointing trip often comes down to expectations. You might see several species in one morning, or you might get only the back of a single minke whale. The boat may travel a long way from the harbor while the captain keeps searching. That effort improves your odds, but nature still sets the terms.

I like that the experience is not built around a single guaranteed animal. You are watching a working stretch of Icelandic sea, where several species may pass through. Puffins, dolphins, seabirds, whales, and even an occasional shark have been spotted on different outings. The guide can make those sightings more meaningful by explaining what you are looking at and why the animals gather in the area.

Puffin season from May through August

From early May until near the end of August, the trip makes a short stop near puffin breeding grounds at the beginning of the outing. This is a seasonal addition, not a year-round feature.

Puffins are charming, but I would keep your priorities straight. They are smaller and harder to see than a whale or a pod of dolphins, especially from a moving boat. The stop gives you a chance to look toward the breeding area, but it may not become the highlight of the ride.

For many people, though, seeing puffins is a major reason to choose an Iceland boat trip in summer. If you are visiting during the May to August window, the timing gives the tour another wildlife goal while the crew searches for larger animals farther offshore.

Outside that season, you should not book this trip expecting puffins. The core experience remains the RIB ride, whale and dolphin search, seabirds, and the waterfront return.

Returning past Sun Voyager and Harpa

The wildlife search takes up the main part of the two-hour trip. On the way back, the boat follows Reykjavik’s shoreline and pauses briefly so you can view city sights from the sea.

The Sun Voyager sculpture looks different from the water than it does from the pavement. Its skeletal ship shape makes more sense when seen against the harbor and open horizon. Harpa Concert Hall offers another strong city view, with its distinctive glass exterior catching the light beside the waterfront.

The return also passes colorful fishing huts and waterfront restaurants. From a RIB, you see Reykjavik as a harbor city first, not simply as a collection of downtown streets. This short shoreline section helps round out the trip, particularly if you have already walked the city center and want a fresh angle.

Do not mistake these stops for long sightseeing visits. The boat does not become a city tour, and the focus stays on the water. You get quick looks and photo opportunities before returning to the Old Harbour.

Is $200 good value?

The price is high for a two-hour activity, so value depends on what you want from the morning. If you want the least expensive chance to see a whale, a larger boat may make more sense. If you want a small group, fast transport, a low viewpoint, and the excitement of the RIB itself, the higher cost is easier to justify.

The maximum of 12 passengers is important. You are not packed into a large crowd, and you have a better chance of seeing over the shoulders of fewer people. The guide can also keep the group together more easily while pointing out wildlife.

Your ticket includes the captain, wildlife guide, warm overalls, and safety equipment. Food and drinks are not included, but a two-hour trip does not require a meal onboard. Eat beforehand and bring only what you can safely carry in a small space.

The repeat-ride policy also affects value. If no whales appear, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride before leaving. That is helpful if you have spare time in Reykjavik, but it is less useful if you are departing the city soon or moving on to another part of Iceland.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this experience if you want wildlife and motion in equal measure. It suits adults, older children, and anyone who finds a fast boat ride appealing rather than tiring. Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall, or about 4 feet 8 inches.

It is a good fit for a short Reykjavik stay because the tour lasts only two hours and leaves from the city harbor. You can pair it with waterfront sightseeing before or after the ride, though you should leave enough time for the early arrival requirement.

This is not the right choice for anyone with a history of back problems. The suspension seats reduce the impact, but the boat still moves quickly over open water. It is also not recommended for pregnant women, and anyone sensitive to rough motion should think carefully before booking.

I would also avoid making this your only Iceland wildlife plan if seeing a whale is the main purpose of your trip. The complimentary ticket helps, but sightings remain uncertain. Think of the tour as a sea adventure with a strong chance of wildlife, not as a guaranteed animal encounter.

Practical details before you book

Choose from the available start times, then arrange your own route to the Old Harbour. The tour operates in English, and you should arrive half an hour early.

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that works with the provided warm overalls. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Keep your hands free, protect small personal items, and expect the possibility of cold air, spray, and a lively ride.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when you are still sorting out your Iceland schedule. Weather can affect departures, so leave some flexibility in your plans if possible.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 77 reviews, with 96 percent of people giving the transport a perfect score. That matches the pattern of the outing: the crew, boat, and ride are usually the strongest parts, while the biggest uncertainty is wildlife.

Should you book Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat?

Book it if you want a small, fast, energetic wildlife trip and you would still enjoy the boat ride if the whales stay away. The RIB’s speed, low seating, suspension seats, seasonal puffin stop, and shoreline views make this more than a basic harbor cruise.

Skip it if you need a smooth ride, have back problems, are pregnant, or have only one tightly scheduled chance to see a whale. At $200, it is best for people who value the experience of being on the North Atlantic as much as the final wildlife count.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat whale-watching tour depart?

It departs from Reykjavik Old Harbour at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The small-group tour is limited to 12 people.

What animals might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, seabirds, and other marine life. Minke whales and humpback whales have been seen on the tour.

Can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins may be seen from early May through near the end of August, when the boat makes a short stop near their breeding grounds.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional captain, an English-speaking wildlife guide, warm overalls, and all necessary safety equipment.

Should I bring food or drinks?

Food and drinks are not included. The tour lasts two hours, and you must make your own arrangements for anything you want before or after the trip.

What should I bring?

Bring closed-toe shoes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales are spotted, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve-now-and-pay-later booking.