From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

A humpback whale surfaces near a small RIB, then a pod of dolphins circles the boat. That is the best-case picture for this two-hour speedboat safari from Reykjavik, and the setting gives you a good chance to see wildlife in open water rather than behind glass. You also get a fast, lively ride and close views of the puffin islands.

I like the small 12-seat boat, which feels more personal than a large whale-watching vessel, and the provided waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket, and scarf make the cold easier to manage. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and the RIB can pound over waves. If the bay is rough, this is not a gentle sightseeing cruise.

Key points

• Small RIB with suspension seats: A 12-seat boat keeps the group compact and gives the ride a lively, direct feel.
• Faxaflói wildlife search: Watch for up to 23 whale species, plus dolphins, seals, and seabirds.
• Puffin islands up close: Cruise near the islands where puffins come to nest and raise a single chick.
• Reykjavik views at departure: Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture provide a memorable start and finish.
• Cold-weather gear supplied: You receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf.
• A true open-water experience: Whale sightings are never guaranteed, and rough weather can make the ride demanding.

A fast start from Reykjavik’s old harbor

You meet Katla Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5G, about a five-minute walk from central Reykjavik. That is handy if you are staying downtown or already spending time around the harbor. The trip does not require a long transfer outside the city, so it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon plan.

Before boarding, you put on the warm waterproof overall and safety equipment. Wear warm clothes underneath. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and the provided outer layer protects you from spray, wind, and drizzle, but it does not turn the boat into a heated cabin.

The equipment list is practical rather than decorative. Gloves help with the cold, goggles protect your eyes from spray, and the life jacket is part of the safety setup. You also receive a scarf, described as your own whale-watching scarf, which makes a nice small souvenir.

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and that rule matters on a moving boat with wet surfaces. Sturdy walking shoes are the sensible choice.

Harpa, Sun Voyager, and the harbor departure

The first part of the cruise gives you a quick view of Reykjavik from the water. You pass Harpa Concert Hall, the city’s striking glass-fronted cultural center, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront.

These sights are not separate stops, so do not expect time to get off the boat or study them at leisure. Instead, they frame the departure. You see the familiar city edge slip behind you as the boat heads toward Faxaflói Bay.

I like this opening because it gives the excursion a sense of place. You are not being driven to a distant marina and then placed on a generic wildlife boat. The trip begins in Reykjavik itself, with the city’s harbor, sculpture, and concert hall forming part of the experience.

Once the RIB picks up speed, the ride becomes part of the attraction. The boat is built for speed, and previous outings have included fast runs and sharp turns. That is fun for many people, but it is not the right choice if you want a calm, quiet cruise.

The RIB ride: exciting, compact, and sometimes rough

The boat has 12 suspension seats. These seats are designed to reduce the strain from the boat’s movement and make the ride more comfortable and secure than sitting on a basic bench.

Still, suspension seats do not remove the motion. Wind direction and wave size make a major difference. On a calm day, the ride may feel brisk and playful. On a windy day, the boat can be rough, with repeated bumps as it crosses the bay.

I would choose this excursion for the combination of wildlife and speed, not for comfort alone. If you enjoy a boat ride with some excitement, the RIB adds real value. The vessel itself becomes one of the main attractions, even during a quiet wildlife stretch.

If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully before booking. The activity information does not promise smooth water, and the supplied clothing protects you from cold and spray rather than seasickness. A calm-weather forecast is worth watching when you have flexibility.

The small group size also helps. With 12 seats, you are closer to the guide and less likely to feel lost in a crowd. The guide provides information about the animals, wildlife, and city, and you can ask questions during the outing.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The boat continues into Faxaflói Bay, where as many as 23 whale species may be found, along with dolphins, seals, and many kinds of seabirds. The guide and boat navigator work together to scan the water and respond when wildlife appears.

That teamwork matters. Whale watching is not a staged show. You may spend time looking at open water, waiting for a blow or a dark back to break the surface. A good guide helps you understand what to watch for and where to look, but cannot control when an animal appears.

Possible sightings include humpback whales and minke whales. Humpbacks may show a back, blow, or more dramatic rise from the water. Minke whales are smaller and can be harder to spot. Dolphins may be easier to follow because they often move actively around the boat.

The range of animals is part of the appeal. You are not booking only for one famous species. You might see a humpback, minke whale, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, or even pilot whales. You should treat every sighting as a bonus rather than expecting a particular animal.

The open-water setting also changes how you experience the animals. A whale may surface briefly and disappear before you can point a camera at it. You need to keep watching, listen to the guide, and accept that the memorable moment may be quick.

The operator clearly states that whales cannot be guaranteed. That warning is important. Whales are harder to spot at sea than in an aquarium, where the animals are confined to a visible space. If seeing a whale is your only reason for booking, you may prefer to think of this as a wildlife search with a speedboat ride, not a guaranteed whale encounter.

Puffin islands and a close look at seabirds

The cruise also goes near the islands in Faxaflói Bay where puffins nest and lay their single egg. This gives the outing a second focus beyond whales.

Puffins can be seen flying, swimming, or resting around the nesting areas. Their quick movement and colorful appearance make them a different kind of wildlife sighting from the slower rhythm of whale watching. The boat may approach the islands closely enough for you to see birds around the cliffs and shoreline.

The puffin portion can be especially useful if whale activity is quiet. It does not replace a whale sighting, but it gives you another reason to keep watching the water and islands. Seabirds of various species may also appear during the cruise.

The exact number of birds you see depends on conditions and timing. The activity information identifies puffin nesting areas, but it does not promise a set number of puffins. As with whales, keep expectations sensible.

What the guide adds to the experience

The guide provides information in English or Icelandic. You receive facts about whales and other wildlife, along with information about Reykjavik and the coastal setting.

This is not just a ride with a driver pointing at animals. The guide helps you understand what you are seeing and gives you a chance to ask questions. That matters when a whale appears only briefly or when you are trying to tell a dolphin from another dark shape in the water.

The best outings depend on a good partnership between the person navigating and the guide watching for wildlife. The experience has included successful efforts to follow feeding humpback whales, locate dolphins, and find puffins near the islands.

Do not expect a formal lecture throughout the entire two hours. The focus shifts between safety, navigation, wildlife spotting, and the city views. That informal format suits the small boat and keeps the experience active.

Is $192 a fair price?

At $192 per person, this is not Reykjavik’s budget whale-watching option. You are paying for a two-hour trip in a small, 12-seat RIB rather than simply buying transport across the bay.

The price makes the most sense if you value three things:

• A small group instead of a large boat
• A high-speed ride as part of the entertainment
• Provided cold-weather equipment and live wildlife guidance

The suspension seats, waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket, and scarf also reduce the amount of specialist gear you need to bring. You still need warm layers and closed shoes, but the operator supplies the main protective outerwear.

For me, the value depends on your idea of a whale-watching trip. If you want a quiet, spacious boat with room to move around, this may not be your best match. If you want an active excursion that combines Reykjavik harbor views, a fast RIB, puffin islands, and the chance to see whales and dolphins, the higher price is easier to justify.

Because the trip lasts two hours, it leaves much of your day free. That is useful in Reykjavik, where you may want time for museums, pools, food, or a second excursion. The short duration also limits the time available to search if wildlife is slow to appear, so the compact schedule is both a benefit and a trade-off.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

This outing suits adults and children aged 10 or older who enjoy an active boat ride and can handle cold, wind, and possible bumps. It is a good pick for a first Iceland visit if you want to combine wildlife with a close look at Reykjavik’s waterfront.

You will likely appreciate it if you:

• Like speed and sharp turns on the water
• Prefer a small group
• Want to see more than whales alone
• Are happy to watch patiently for animals in the wild
• Can dress warmly and tolerate changing weather

You may want a different kind of cruise if you prefer a slow, steady vessel, dislike spray, or need a guaranteed wildlife sighting. The boat can be rough on windy days, so check the forecast if your schedule allows and choose the calmest available time.

The minimum age is 10, so families with younger children cannot join this particular trip. The information provided does not list accessibility details, so contact Katla Whale Watching directly if you have mobility or other access needs.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can reserve the trip and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The tour runs for two hours, but the exact departure time depends on availability. English and Icelandic are the guide languages.

Weather deserves attention even after you book. Iceland’s conditions can shift quickly, and wind affects both comfort and wildlife watching. Bring warm clothing even though an overall is supplied. The outer gear is useful, but you should not treat it as a substitute for a warm base layer.

Should you book the Katla RIB tour?

Book it if you want a wildlife search with a proper sense of motion. The compact RIB, suspension seats, supplied gear, puffin islands, and chance of dolphins or whales make this more than a simple harbor cruise.

I would book it for someone who sees the boat ride as part of the reward. I would also leave room in my expectations: you could see a humpback close to the boat, or you could spend much of the trip scanning the bay and enjoying seabirds and city views.

The strongest reason to choose it is the mix. You get Reykjavik landmarks, open-water wildlife, puffin nesting areas, and a fast ride in two hours. The main warning is equally clear: rough water and uncertain sightings are part of the deal. If you accept both, this is a lively and memorable way to meet the sea around Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching speedboat tour depart?

Meet at Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s old harbor, about a five-minute walk from the city center.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts two hours.

What animals might I see?

You may see whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and other seabirds. Up to 23 whale species can be found in Faxaflói Bay, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I definitely see a whale?

No. Whales are wild animals, and the operator states that sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What kind of boat is used?

The trip uses a 12-seat luxury Rigid Inflatable Boat, or RIB, with suspension seats.

Is warm clothing provided?

A warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf are provided. You should still wear warm clothes underneath.

What shoes can I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 10 years old.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guidance is available in English and Icelandic.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.