Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The best part of this evening RIB tour is the timing. You head into Faxaflói Bay while Iceland’s summer light still hangs over the water, making a two-hour wildlife trip fit neatly after a day in Reykjavík. The boat can cover ground quickly, yet the group stays small at 12 people.

I like the chance to see whales, dolphins, and puffins in one outing, and I like the return along Reykjavík’s shoreline, with the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall in view. The catch is the ride itself: this is not a gentle harbor cruise, so cold, wind, spray, and bumpy water are part of the deal.

Key points to know before booking

• A fast RIB boat covers more of Faxaflói Bay: You can search a wider area than on a slower sightseeing vessel.
• Only 12 people travel on each boat: That gives you a better chance of seeing the water and hearing the guide.
• The evening departure works well in summer: Iceland’s bright nights let you explore Reykjavík first and head out later.
• Puffins are seasonal: They are usually present from about May 15 to August 20.
• Warm overalls are supplied: You still need layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
• A whale-free trip comes with a backup option: You receive a complimentary ticket for a later ride on a larger boat.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

Your tour begins at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure, since the crew needs time to get you checked in, fitted with warm overalls, and ready for the boat.

The harbor is easy to pair with an afternoon in central Reykjavík. You can walk around the waterfront, look at the fishing boats, or eat before setting out. Food and drinks are not included, so this is the place to grab anything you want before boarding.

The Old Harbour setting also gives the trip a clear sense of place. You are not being whisked away to a distant marina. You start beside the working waterfront, then leave the city behind at speed.

The boat holds no more than 12 people. That matters on a wildlife trip. You have less chance of being stuck behind a large crowd, and the captain can keep the group together without the feel of a packed excursion vessel.

What the RIB ride feels like

A rigid inflatable boat is stable, but it is still a small, powerful boat built for speed. The ride out of the harbor can be lively, with the captain moving quickly toward the islands and open water.

You should wear close-fitting layers rather than loose clothing. Loose sleeves, scarves, or dangling items can flap hard in the wind, and large bags or luggage are not allowed. Closed-toe shoes are required, while a hat and gloves are strongly sensible even during an Icelandic summer.

Warm overalls and safety equipment are provided. They help, but they do not replace your own clothing. One useful lesson from the trip reports is simple: cold can distract you from the wildlife. Bring enough layers to stay focused on the water rather than on your fingers.

The boat’s speed has a practical purpose. Whales and dolphins can be spread across a large area, so a fast vessel can scout more water during the two-hour outing. The tradeoff is comfort. If you have back or knee problems, this ride is not recommended, and it is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall. That restriction is tied to the type of boat and the physical demands of the ride, not to the length of the trip.

Around the islands: the puffin portion

The first wildlife search takes you around the wind-beaten islands in the bay. This is where you look for puffins in their natural setting.

Puffins are small birds, so do not expect the same scale as whale watching. Their appeal comes from the setting and the chance to see them at sea rather than in a zoo or enclosed display. The boat’s smaller size helps you get a closer look without bringing a large crowd around the islands.

Timing matters here. Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20. If you book outside those dates, you should not count on seeing them. Even within the season, wildlife is wildlife, so the boat searches rather than promises a fixed show.

Summer departures can be especially attractive for this section of the route. The late light gives the islands a softer look, and you do not have to spend your best daytime hours on the water. You can visit Reykjavík’s museums, churches, cafés, and waterfront first, then set out when many ordinary sightseeing plans are winding down.

Several recent outings included large numbers of puffins, with one group seeing hundreds. That is not a guarantee for your departure, but it shows why the puffin portion can be more than a quick consolation before the whales.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

After the island loop, the boat heads farther into the bay to search for whales and dolphins. The guide and captain watch the water for signs of movement, then adjust the route as wildlife appears.

The area just offshore from Reykjavík is considered one of the world’s strong whale-watching locations. In summer, whales are seen on more than 95 percent of tours according to the supplied tour information. That is an excellent success rate, though it is still not a promise for one specific trip.

Humpback whales are the main stars in the recent trip accounts. Some departures had whales surfacing close to the boat, while others saw the same animals more than once. Dolphins have also appeared alongside whales, and seals have been spotted as part of the wider mix of bay wildlife.

The RIB design changes how you experience these sightings. You sit close to the water, and the boat can move swiftly toward a promising area. That can produce striking views when a humpback surfaces nearby. It also means you should keep your camera ready, since wildlife does not pause for a perfect photograph.

The captain’s conduct matters just as much as speed. One especially appealing detail is that the boat does not need to crowd animals or join a tight pack of vessels. The aim is to get a good view while keeping a respectful distance. You may still find other boats in the bay, but the small-group format helps the outing feel less like a floating queue.

No wildlife tour can control what appears. You might see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals, or you might spend more time scanning empty water. That uncertainty is part of the bargain. The useful protection here is the complimentary ticket for a later trip on a larger boat if you do not see any whales.

The midnight-sun advantage

The evening departure is the tour’s most distinctive feature. In summer, Reykjavík’s daylight seems to last all night, so an evening boat ride does not mean sitting in darkness.

For you, the timing creates a better day plan. Spend the morning and afternoon exploring the city, then reach the Old Harbour for the wildlife outing. You do not have to choose between a whale trip and a full day of Reykjavík sightseeing.

The light also gives the water a different character from a standard morning departure. The supplied information describes the evening as a chance to enjoy the golden hours, and that is the right way to think about it. You are not booking a night cruise in the usual sense. You are booking a late trip in bright northern summer light.

The whales do not stop being active because the clock says evening. The tour information notes that whales never fully sleep, so you can expect the same general wildlife possibilities as on daytime departures.

This timing does have one planning issue. Departure times vary, so you need to check availability for your date. You also need to leave enough time to reach the Old Harbour 30 minutes early.

Returning past the Sun Voyager and Harpa

The final part of the route is more than a transfer back to shore. The boat follows Reykjavík’s waterfront, giving you views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and the glittering Harpa Concert Hall.

After time on open water, this return helps bring the city back into view. Fishing huts, restaurants, and waterfront attractions form the shore-side scene, while the boat gives you a fresh angle on familiar landmarks.

The ride back also rounds out the experience nicely. You begin with the Old Harbour, move through islands and open bay, then return along the city’s edge. It gives the two-hour trip a clear shape rather than making it feel like a simple out-and-back run.

Do not expect a guided city tour from the water. The main purpose remains wildlife, and the shoreline views are an added part of the return. Still, they are useful if you are spending only a short time in Reykjavík and want to see the harbor area from more than one viewpoint.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB vessel, a professional captain, an English-speaking wildlife guide, warm overalls, and the chance to search a wide area in two hours.

The value depends on what you want. If you only want to get out on the water at the lowest price, a larger boat may make more sense. If you care about a smaller group, faster movement, and a closer-to-the-water ride, the premium is easier to justify.

The 12-person limit is a meaningful part of the price. On a large boat, you may need to compete for rail space or move around to find a clear view. Here, the group is small enough that the wildlife search feels more personal, even when the animals keep their distance.

The whale guarantee also changes the calculation. If the boat does not spot whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat. That does not remove the value of your time, but it does reduce the risk of paying a premium and leaving without the main target.

The recent rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 28 reviews, with especially strong praise for close humpback sightings, dolphins, puffins, and the guides. Maria and Miquel were singled out on one departure for their guiding and care. The most useful praise concerns the wildlife itself and the respectful approach, not simply the speed of the boat.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this tour if you want an active wildlife outing and have only one free evening in Reykjavík. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a fast boat and changing conditions.

It is also a good fit if you dislike large group tours. Twelve people is still a group, but it is small enough for the captain and guide to keep the outing focused.

The trip is less suitable if you want a quiet, smooth cruise. It is also the wrong choice for anyone with back or knee problems, anyone who is pregnant, or anyone with mobility limitations. The minimum age is 10, and children must also be at least 145 centimeters tall.

Bring your own warm layers even though overalls are supplied. A hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes are specifically required or recommended, and the wind on open water can make summer feel much colder than it does in town.

Practical details that affect your choice

The tour lasts two hours and operates with a live English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to the Old Harbour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The tour needs at least two passengers to operate. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

The boat does not allow luggage or large bags. Pack light and keep your hands free for the rail, your camera, or simply watching the water.

Should you book the evening RIB tour?

Book it if you want the best combination of wildlife, speed, and a small group during Reykjavík’s bright summer nights. The chance to see humpback whales, dolphins, puffins, and perhaps seals in one outing is strong, while the ride back past Harpa and the Sun Voyager gives the trip a pleasant city finish.

Skip it if you need a smooth ride, have back or knee concerns, or prefer a lower-cost large-boat cruise. For everyone else, the $200 price is reasonable when the small group and fast RIB experience matter to you. Just dress warmly, arrive early, and remember that the sea, not the schedule, decides which animals appear.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour depart from?

It departs from the ticket office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What animals might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals in Faxaflói Bay. Humpback whales and dolphins have been seen close to the boat on recent departures.

When can I see puffins?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20.

How many people are on each boat?

The RIB boat carries a maximum of 12 people.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Loose clothing, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is suitable for children over 10 years old who are also at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

If you do not see any whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat.