Reykjavik: Premium Whale Watching with Flexible Ticket

Faxaflói Bay is right outside Reykjavík, but a small RIB speedboat gets you away from the harbor quickly and lets the captain cover more water in search of whales. The trip is as much about the fast ride and open sea as it is about spotting wildlife, with possible sightings of humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins.

I like the flexible ticket, which lets you change your departure time up to one hour before sailing if space is available. I also like the return along Reykjavík’s shoreline, when you get sea views of the city and its landmarks. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and you may spend two hours seeing little more than waves, seabirds, or an empty stretch of water.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours on Faxaflói Bay: The compact route gives the crew time to search a broad area beyond Reykjavík.
• Fast, open-air RIB boat: Expect an exciting ride, not a quiet cruise on a large sightseeing vessel.
• Comfortable suspension seats: These are designed to soften the motion and improve safety on the water.
• Possible summer puffins: From May through August, the tour includes a chance to see puffins near the harbor.
• Flexible departure time: You can request a time change up to one hour before departure, subject to availability.
• Free second chance if wildlife is absent: If you see no whales or dolphins, you can try the classic whale watching tour on a larger boat in Reykjavík or Akureyri.

Leaving Reykjavík Old Harbour by RIB

You meet at the Whale Safari ticket office at Aegisgardur 5, in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because you need time to check in, receive warm overalls and safety equipment, and get ready for the boat.

This is not a large harbor cruise with rows of indoor seats. The RIB is a small, powerful inflatable boat built for speed and quick movement. You sit outside, close to the water, with the boat’s compact size helping the captain move between possible wildlife areas.

The open-air setup gives you a better sense of the bay. You feel the wind, see the water at a low angle, and have fewer people between you and the sea. It also means you need to take the weather seriously. Wear clothing suited to Iceland’s conditions, even if the sky looks calm when you leave the harbor. Sports shoes are required, and oversize luggage is not allowed.

What the two-hour route feels like

The main purpose of the trip is to search Faxaflói Bay for marine life. The boat can cover a wide area during its two-hour run, which is useful because whales and dolphins do not gather at a fixed viewing point for your convenience.

Your captain provides live guidance in English and controls the pace of the outing. The search can include stretches of travel with no sightings, followed by a sudden change in pace when something appears. That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is also the reason I would not book this as a guaranteed wildlife show.

The RIB’s speed is one of its pleasures. You get a thrilling ride across the water and can enjoy the boat itself even during a quiet wildlife period. One recorded outing included two humpback whales, two minke whales, and a pod of porpoises, which shows how varied a good morning or afternoon can be.

You may also see dolphins. The tour is designed to look for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and other wildlife in their natural setting rather than at a controlled attraction. That makes any sighting feel earned, but it also brings no certainty.

Humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and the luck factor

Humpback whales are the most dramatic possible sighting listed for the trip. Their size can make even a brief appearance memorable, especially from a small boat. Minke whales are usually a less imposing sight, but they are still a major reason to get out on the bay.

Dolphins and porpoises can add movement to the trip. A pod traveling near the boat may provide a more active show than a whale that surfaces only briefly. Keep your eyes moving and listen to the captain’s instructions, since wildlife can appear on either side of the RIB.

You should also set your expectations before paying the $202 price. Some departures produce several excellent sightings. Others produce no whales or dolphins at all. One October trip was described as fun with a great guide, but without a single whale. Another September outing saw no wildlife, leaving the speedboat ride as the main reward.

That is not a flaw unique to this operator. It is the basic risk of any wildlife trip. Still, the price makes the risk more important. If seeing a whale is your main reason for booking, use the included second-chance policy as part of your decision. If the RIB tour produces no whales or dolphins, you can try the classic whale watching tour on a larger boat in Reykjavík or Akureyri.

Summer puffin watching from May through August

From May through August, puffin watching is included because the birds nest near the city’s harbor during the breeding season. This gives the trip another wildlife goal, especially if you are visiting before or after the strongest whale activity.

Puffins are small, colorful, and quick. The RIB’s open seating can be helpful when you want a clear view, but you should not expect every bird to pose neatly for a photo. The puffin portion is seasonal, so it does not apply outside the May to August period.

An April trip produced puffin sightings even though it was not considered the best month for whales. That makes the birds a useful bonus for spring visitors, though whale sightings remain unpredictable. In summer, you have the best chance to combine puffins with the search for whales and dolphins.

The RIB seats and cold-weather gear

The boat has high-quality suspension seats designed to improve comfort and safety. This is a meaningful feature on a fast boat. A small RIB can move sharply over waves, and a seat that absorbs some of that motion is better than a basic bench.

Warm overalls and all needed safety equipment are included. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing and sports shoes. The supplied overalls are a layer of protection, not a reason to arrive in light clothes.

The boat ride is not suitable for everyone. The tour is limited to children over 10 who are at least 145 centimeters tall. It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back, heart, or mobility problems. The combination of speed, cold, open water, and repeated motion makes these restrictions sensible.

If you are unsure about your physical comfort, the larger classic whale watching boat is likely the better choice. This RIB experience favors passengers who can handle a lively ride and get in and out of a small boat without assistance.

Returning along Reykjavík’s shoreline

After the wildlife search, the boat heads back toward Reykjavík along the city’s shoreline. This is more than a simple ride back to the dock. You get a different view of the capital from the water, with the harbor and city landmarks arranged behind you rather than in front of you.

The shoreline run also gives the trip a satisfying finish when the wildlife search has been quiet. You still have the speed, the open air, and the changing view of Reykjavík. It cannot replace a whale sighting, but it helps the tour feel like a complete short excursion rather than two hours spent only waiting.

Because the total duration is two hours, this fits neatly into a Reykjavík day. You do not lose a full morning or afternoon, and the meeting point is in the Old Harbour rather than outside the city. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Aegisgardur 5.

Is $202 a fair price?

At $202 per person, this is a premium activity. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, suspension seats, safety gear, warm overalls, an English-speaking captain, and the chance to cover more water than a slower boat might manage.

The value depends on what you want. If you want the most exciting boat ride and prefer being close to the water, the RIB adds something a large vessel cannot. The compact boat also creates a more direct connection with the sea and wildlife.

If you mainly want a comfortable, low-cost way to look for whales, this may feel expensive. A larger classic whale watching boat is available as the free second attempt if the RIB produces no whales or dolphins, but the initial price is still high. Meals and drinks are not included, so bring anything you want for after the trip rather than expecting onboard service.

I would think of the ticket as two experiences in one: a wildlife search and a short marine adventure. That makes the cost easier to justify for active visitors who value the ride itself. It is harder to justify if you will be disappointed by anything short of a close whale sighting.

The flexible ticket is useful in Iceland

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and sea conditions may force a cancellation. The tour is dependent on weather and water conditions, so you should leave some space in your schedule if possible.

The flexible ticket lets you contact the local supplier and request a different departure time up to one hour before the reserved departure. The new time depends on availability. This is especially useful if the forecast changes, your plans in Reykjavík shift, or you decide to place the boat trip later in your day.

You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking. These policies reduce some of the planning risk, though they cannot guarantee calm seas or wildlife.

Who should book this RIB safari?

I would recommend it to you if you meet these conditions:

• You want a fast, active boat ride, not a quiet cruise.
• You are comfortable with open-air conditions and changing weather.
• You are at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall.
• You have no back, heart, or mobility concerns.
• You can accept that whales and dolphins may not appear.
• You value a flexible departure and a possible second wildlife attempt.

I would steer you toward the larger classic boat if you want a steadier ride, need more space, or are worried about back strain. I would also choose the larger vessel if the trip is mainly about comfort and viewing time rather than speed.

My verdict on the Reykjavík RIB tour

Book this tour if you want to combine wildlife watching with a genuine speedboat outing. The best version includes humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, or porpoises, followed by a brisk run along Reykjavík’s shore. Summer adds puffins, and the suspension seats make the fast boat more practical than a basic inflatable craft.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed whale show. At $202, an empty bay can feel costly, even when the captain and boat ride are good. The flexible ticket, weather policy, and free second attempt make the risk easier to manage, but they do not remove it.

My call: choose this for energy, small-boat access, and the chance to cover a broad area of Faxaflói Bay. Choose the classic whale watching boat if your priority is a calmer ride and a simpler wildlife outing.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour depart from?

It departs from the Whale Safari ticket office at Aegisgardur 5, 101 Reykjavík, in the Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB tour lasts two hours.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. From May through August, puffin watching is also included.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. A professional captain provides live guidance in English.

What is included in the ticket?

Warm overalls, safety equipment, an English-speaking captain, suspension seats, seasonal puffin watching, and the flexible ticket are included.

Do I need to bring special clothing?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing and sports shoes. Oversize luggage is not allowed.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Can I change my departure time?

Yes. You can contact the local supplier to request a different departure time up to one hour before the reserved departure. Changes depend on availability.

What happens if I do not see whales or dolphins?

You can try again for free on the classic whale watching tour using a larger boat in Reykjavík or Akureyri.