Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik whale tour is the small RIB boat. With no more than 12 people aboard, you sit close to the water and can move quickly across Faxafloi Bay when wildlife is spotted. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins are all possible.

I like the speed and the personal feel. The boat can cover ground faster than a large vessel, and guides and captains can keep the group together when whales surface. I also like that warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are supplied. The catch is simple: a RIB ride can be very wet and bumpy, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• A 12-person RIB keeps you close to the water: You get a clearer sense of the boat’s movement and a better view than from a crowded upper deck.
• The ride is part of the attraction: The boat moves quickly across the bay, but open-water spray can soak clothing and shoes.
• Wildlife sightings vary widely: Some outings see several whale species, dolphins, and puffins. Others see little or nothing.
• Warm gear is provided: Use every piece, including the overalls, gloves, and goggles, and bring a hat.
• Reykjavik sights come along for free: You pass Harpa, Sun Voyager, Engey, Lundey, and Viðey while heading through Faxafloi Bay.
• Weather can change the plan: The operator may cancel for wind or rough water, with a new date or full refund offered.

Why the small RIB makes a difference

This is not a gentle harbor cruise. You straddle a seat on a 12-person inflatable boat and hold on as the RIB speeds away from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The low seating position puts you close to the sea, which can make a whale surfacing beside the boat feel wonderfully immediate.

A RIB also has a practical advantage. When a captain hears of a sighting or spots activity, the boat can move quickly to the area. Several outings have included minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins in the same trip. One particularly strong outing included five or more humpbacks, with one whale reported close to the boat.

That speed comes with a tradeoff. The ride across open water can be rough, especially when wind and waves pick up. One outing was described as a repeated blast of cold saltwater, with soaked shoes, wet jeans, and damp outer clothing despite the supplied suit. Other outings were warm and dry, so conditions matter greatly.

I would think of this as a wildlife search mixed with a fast sea ride. If you want a quiet, steady boat with room to walk around, choose a larger whale-watching vessel. If you like motion and want a smaller group, this RIB is the more exciting choice.

Leaving Old Harbour beside Harpa

The meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, a convenient spot in central Reykjavik. Hotel transport is not included, so you need to reach the harbor yourself. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the tour returns there after roughly two hours.

Before departure, you receive warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment. Take the fitting seriously. Even in summer, bring a hat and wear clothes you can keep dry under the provided gear. The reviews include both very wet and completely comfortable outings, so preparing for spray is the sensible approach.

The first part of the trip offers a quick view of Reykjavik from the water. Harpa Concert Hall is easy to recognize by its colored glass facade, inspired by Iceland’s basalt formations. The Sun Voyager sculpture is another included sight, giving you a different angle on two of the city’s best-known waterfront landmarks.

This short sightseeing portion helps you get your bearings, but it is not a full city tour. The main purpose is to reach the open bay and look for marine life.

Across Faxafloi Bay in search of whales

Faxafloi Bay opens broad and exposed west of Reykjavik. From the water, you may see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast and, in clear conditions, Snæfellsjökull far away. The bay’s wide views give the ride a strong sense of space, but they also leave you more open to wind and spray.

The tour operates all year. Summer is described as the peak period, but minke whales, humpbacks, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises may be found at other times. That does not mean you will see all of them, or even any of them. Wildlife moves freely, and the captain cannot control the day’s result.

The strongest outings have included dolphins swimming under the boat, several minke whales, and humpbacks surfacing, blowing, slapping the water, and disappearing before returning nearby. One family saw four types of marine life and two kinds of dolphins. Another outing saw only one humpback, while some departures found no whales at all.

That range is important when you judge the price. You are paying for the boat, crew, equipment, and a well-planned search, not a guaranteed whale show. If no whales appear, the operator may offer a complementary ticket, though that does not help much if your Reykjavik schedule is tight.

Engey, Lundey, and Viðey from the water

The route can include views of the islands around Kollafjörður, part of Faxa Bay. Engey is the second-largest island in the fjord. Viðey is the largest, and its position near Reykjavik makes it a familiar sight from the coast.

Lundey means Puffin Island in Icelandic. This small, uninhabited island is a useful stop in the wider search because puffins may be seen around it, especially during the warmer months. Several outings included puffins on the return route, adding a smaller, livelier sight after the excitement of the whales.

You should not expect the boat to land on these islands. They are passing points and wildlife areas, not walking stops. The value is in seeing Reykjavik’s offshore setting and understanding that the city is bordered by working water, open bay, and small island habitat.

A guide-led search, not just a fast ride

The crew can make a real difference. Guides have included Claudia, Eva, and Julien on different outings, and the strongest trips paired friendly commentary with careful spotting. One guide was a marine biologist, which added useful answers to questions about the animals and the bay.

The quality of explanation may vary by departure. One outing was praised for excellent guiding but offered fewer facts about whales than expected. I would book this mainly for the wildlife search and boat ride, with guiding as an added benefit rather than the sole reason to go.

The captain’s skill matters just as much. A good captain knows when to hold position, when to move on, and how to give you a chance to see a whale surface more than once. Several successful trips described the boat staying near humpbacks long enough for repeated surfacing and close views.

The small group helps here. With a maximum of 12 people, you are not competing with a large crowd for every sightline. You can also ask questions more easily than on a large vessel.

What the ride feels like in real conditions

The RIB seats are designed for a fast ride, not lounging. You sit astride the seat and hold on. The boat’s movement can be exciting in calm water, but the same design becomes tiring when the sea is choppy.

Use all the supplied equipment. Wear the overalls fully, keep the gloves on, and use the goggles when spray starts flying. Bring a hat, and avoid relying on jeans or ordinary shoes as your only protection. The supplied gear may cover much of you, but it cannot always keep footwear completely dry.

Your phone may be difficult to use in open water. Spray can make photos hard, and wet hands are not ideal for handling a camera. I would keep your phone protected until the captain or guide indicates a calmer moment. The best memories may be the brief scenes you watch rather than photograph.

This is also worth considering for children. The tour has been enjoyed by families, including children, but each person needs to be comfortable with speed, cold spray, and holding on for the ride. Anyone prone to motion sickness or uneasy on rough water should think carefully before choosing a RIB.

Is $145 a fair price?

At $145 per person, this sits in the premium range for a two-hour outing. The price makes more sense if you value the small group, the faster boat, the included cold-weather gear, and the chance to get closer to wildlife than you might on a large vessel.

The RIB can also make the most of limited time in Reykjavik. You leave from downtown, spend about two hours on the water, and return to the same place. There is no hotel transfer, but the central harbor meeting point keeps the logistics simple if you are already sightseeing in the city.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No operator can promise that, and this tour has had quiet departures. A larger boat may offer a steadier ride and more indoor shelter, though it will not provide the same small-boat feel.

The strongest value comes on a day when the captain finds active animals and the water stays manageable. Seeing dolphins under the boat or humpbacks surfacing nearby can make the cost feel fair. On a cold, wet day without wildlife, it can feel expensive.

Weather cancellations and schedule planning

The tour requires good weather, and the operator may cancel because of wind or rough sea conditions. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is the right safety policy for a small boat, but it can still disrupt a short Reykjavik visit.

Past cancellations have happened with notice as late as the evening before a morning departure, and at least one group learned of a cancellation only after arriving at the meeting point. The operator apologized and explained that sea conditions can vary between companies, but you should still leave some flexibility in your day.

Book early if your schedule is tight. The tour is often reserved well ahead of time, with bookings averaging about 36 days in advance. The regular cancellation rule allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose it for:

• You want a small group rather than a large sightseeing boat.
• You enjoy a fast, active ride.
• You have only a couple of hours available in central Reykjavik.
• You are prepared for cold air, spray, and a possible bumpy crossing.
• You care more about the chance of a close encounter than about comfort.
• You enjoy seeing dolphins, puffins, islands, and waterfront sights along with whales.

I would choose another style of boat if you want a dry, calm ride, need stable seating, or would be disappointed by a trip without whales. The RIB is best for people who see the sea journey itself as part of the day.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want the most lively version of whale watching from Reykjavik. The 12-person boat, quick movement, close-to-the-water seats, and strong possibilities for dolphins, puffins, minke whales, and humpbacks give it real appeal.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may see several species and watch a humpback surface only a few meters away, or you may spend two cold hours searching an empty bay. Wear every piece of provided gear, bring a hat, protect your phone, and keep a flexible schedule in case wind cancels the trip.

For an active visitor with limited time, this is a memorable gamble. For someone seeking comfort and certainty, the larger-boat option is likely the wiser choice.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour start?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The outing lasts up to about two hours.

How many people can join the RIB?

The boat holds a maximum of 12 participants, making this a small-group tour.

What equipment is included?

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment are included.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and puffins. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather makes the tour unsafe, you are offered a different date or a full refund.