Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Faxaflói Bay is close enough to Reykjavik for a two-hour whale trip, yet far enough from the harbor to feel properly wild. The RIB boat reaches about 32 knots, then slows to search feeding grounds where minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises may appear. In summer, the route also calls at Akurey, a small island known for puffin nesting.

I like the small, quick boat, which can change direction faster than a large whale-watching ship. I also like the suspension seats and warm flotation suits, useful when the sea turns cold and the ride gets lively. The main drawback is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule, and some trips find only distant whales or dolphins.

Key points before you book

• Fast RIB ride: The boat cruises at roughly 32 knots, making the trip part wildlife search and part open-water thrill.
• Suspension seating: Shock-absorbing seats make the ride more manageable, though this is still not a calm sightseeing cruise.
• Summer puffins: The boat visits Akurey and its nesting grounds during the breeding season.
• Strong guide presence: Guides such as Rebekka, Rebecca, Joel, Patrik, Daniel, and Alice have been praised for clear explanations and lively delivery.
• Museum ticket included: Your admission to the Whales of Iceland Museum adds a useful land-based look at whale size, biology, migration, and conservation.
• Strict suitability rules: The trip is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 140 centimeters tall.

Leaving Reykjavik harbor for Faxaflói Bay

You meet the operator at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5E in Reykjavik’s harbor area. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the meeting point on your own.

The first part of the outing is a proper boat ride, not a gentle harbor cruise. Once you leave the waterfront, the RIB accelerates across Faxaflói Bay. At around 32 knots, you feel the wind, spray, and movement of the sea. The boat’s low profile puts you close to the water, which gives you a better view than a high-sided vessel, but also means the ride can feel bumpy.

That trade-off is central to this excursion. I would choose it for the maneuverability and the fun, not for a quiet, dry journey. Several people describe the ride as similar to a small rollercoaster. The suspension seats soften the impact, yet you still need to be comfortable with speed and motion.

The crew supplies warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. Use the goggles. They help with wind and spray, especially when the boat is moving quickly. Wear warm layers underneath the provided suit, since the bay can feel much colder than Reykjavik’s streets.

Searching the whale feeding grounds

The main purpose of the trip is to search Faxaflói Bay for whales in their natural setting. The boat does not follow a fixed animal show schedule. Instead, the captain and guide watch the water, bird activity, and signs of feeding, then decide where to spend time.

That means patience matters. On some outings, the boat reaches whales quickly. On others, the crew spends a long stretch looking before finding a blow or a dorsal fin. One trip took time to locate a whale but still produced a good outing. Another found dolphins first and only brief glimpses of a minke whale.

The most commonly noted sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and puffins. Some outings have also produced porpoises. The best moments can be surprisingly varied: a whale surfacing near the boat, dolphins riding alongside the RIB, or a humpback showing its tail before disappearing again.

You may see several animals, but you should not book this as a guaranteed humpback encounter. Wild whales move through a large bay, and conditions change from day to day. The company’s captain decides whether to sail based on weather, passenger safety, and comfort. If conditions are unsuitable, the trip may be rescheduled.

What the RIB changes about whale watching

A large whale-watching ship gives you more room to walk around and usually offers a steadier platform. A RIB gives you a smaller group, lower seating, faster travel, and quicker turns when the guide spots activity.

That agility can matter. The boat can reach a possible sighting without the long, wide turn required by a larger vessel. You also sit closer to the water, so an animal near the boat can feel much more immediate.

The cost is comfort. You stay in one suspension seat for much of the trip, and the boat’s movement can be tiring if you dislike speed or have a sensitive back. The operator specifically excludes people with back problems, pregnant women, children under 10, and anyone shorter than 140 centimeters.

For the right person, the RIB is the better choice. I would pick it if you want a more active outing and enjoy the boat as much as the wildlife. If your priority is a slow, sheltered ride, a larger vessel may suit you better.

Guides who make the search more interesting

The guide is important on a wildlife trip because there can be long periods when you are watching empty water. A good guide fills those minutes with useful detail about whale behavior, local marine life, and the bay.

The guiding team has included Rebekka, Rebecca, Joel, Patrik, Daniel, Alice, and others. Rebekka has been singled out for her energy and clear explanations, while Joel has been praised for pointing out rare birds as well as whales. Patrik was described as both funny and well informed, and Daniel received strong praise for keeping the mood upbeat.

These details matter because the experience is not only about how many animals you see. A guide who explains what you are looking at helps you understand the difference between a minke whale surfacing and a humpback feeding. You also get a better sense of why the boat pauses in one area instead of chasing every distant splash.

The best guides keep the group involved without turning the trip into a nonstop lecture. They also help with practical matters, including getting suited up, staying safe, and watching the water in the right places.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer breeding season, the boat stops near Akurey to look for puffins and their nesting areas. This is a useful addition because it gives the trip a second wildlife focus, rather than making the entire outing depend on whales.

Puffins gather around the island and coastal nesting areas during the breeding season. You may see them flying, resting on the water, or moving near their burrows. The exact length of the stop can vary, and the boat is not designed to linger beside the island for a long bird-watching session.

Bring realistic expectations. The puffin visit is a short part of a two-hour whale trip, not a dedicated puffin safari. Still, seeing puffins close to the boat can be a highlight, especially when whale sightings are limited. Summer is the key season for this feature, so do not count on it outside the breeding period.

The value of the $194 price

At $194 per person, this is a costly two-hour activity. You are paying for a small, fast boat, specialist safety gear, a guide, and access to an open-water wildlife search rather than a guaranteed animal encounter.

The price makes more sense if you value the ride itself. The RIB covers ground quickly, maneuvers close to potential sightings, and provides a more personal feel than a large ship. The included Whales of Iceland Museum ticket also gives you something useful to do after the boat ride, especially if the animals stayed distant.

The value is weaker if you judge the trip only by the number of whales seen. Some outings have produced several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and even dramatic activity such as breaching or tail slapping. Other outings have found dolphins and only brief whale sightings. Nature sets the result.

I would see this as a special-occasion activity rather than a casual add-on. It suits someone willing to pay more for speed, a smaller boat, and the chance to be close to wildlife. The free cancellation option up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make it easier to fit into a changeable Iceland itinerary.

Visiting the Whales of Iceland Museum afterward

Your ticket includes entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum in the Grandi harbor district. The museum focuses on Atlantic whale species, whale biology, migration, and conservation.

This is more than a spare indoor stop. The museum helps you understand the animals you may have just seen at sea. A minke whale can look modest from a moving boat, while a full-scale exhibit shows its size far better. The same is true of humpbacks and other large species.

Plan the museum for after the boat trip, when you can connect the displays with what happened on the bay. It is also a useful part of the value calculation: if the sea produces only distant sightings, the museum still gives you a substantial wildlife experience.

Meals and drinks are not included, so plan those separately around your harbor time. The museum is in the Grandi area, while the boat meeting point is at Ægisgarður 5E.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

The captain decides whether to sail according to weather conditions. That rule protects both safety and comfort, but it means your schedule needs some flexibility.

Even on a clear day, the bay can feel cold once the RIB is moving. Wear warm layers under the supplied overalls and keep gloves on. The goggles are particularly helpful when wind and spray hit your face.

The suspension seats are one of the tour’s practical strengths. They absorb some of the shock when the boat hits waves, and several people found them more comfortable than expected. They do not turn the RIB into a smooth ferry. You will still feel the sea, especially during the fast sections.

Motion sickness is not eliminated, but the smaller boat and open air may work well for some people. If you already know that speed, spray, or repeated bouncing makes you uncomfortable, consider that before paying the higher price.

Who should choose this tour

I would recommend it to adults and older children who enjoy active boat rides, open water, and uncertain wildlife encounters. It is especially good for someone who has already taken a standard whale cruise and wants a smaller, quicker boat.

It also suits a short Reykjavik stay. The two-hour duration leaves room for other plans, and the departure point is in the city. Some people have even fitted the outing around a flight, though you should allow plenty of time for changes caused by weather.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, dislike rollercoaster-style motion, or need a guaranteed schedule. The age, height, pregnancy, and back restrictions are firm considerations, not minor footnotes.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want the boat ride to be a major part of the experience. The small RIB, suspension seats, warm gear, quick turns, and close-to-the-water view create a more active outing than a standard ship cruise.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed humpback, a perfectly calm ride, or a long puffin stop. The strongest value comes from combining the thrill of the boat with the chance to see wild whales and dolphins, then using the included museum ticket to learn more on land.

For an active wildlife outing from Reykjavik, I think the $194 price is reasonable when the boat, guide, and museum all matter to you. If you want the quietest and most stable platform, choose a larger whale-watching vessel instead.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour meet?

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5E, 101 Reykjavik, in the harbor area.

How long is the RIB whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What wildlife can I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

Does the tour visit puffin nesting grounds?

Yes, the boat visits the puffin nesting grounds near Akurey during the summer breeding season.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

The operator provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. You should still wear warm layers underneath the overalls.

Is the boat ride smooth?

The RIB has special shock suspension seating, which helps reduce the impact of the waves. The ride can still be fast, bumpy, and wet, with a cruising speed of about 32 knots.

Who cannot join this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters tall.

Is the Whales of Iceland Museum included?

Yes, a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district is included.