Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The best part of this Reykjavík cruise is the midnight-sun setting. You leave the Old Harbour in a small RIB boat, race past the city, circle puffin islands, and search Faxaflói Bay for humpback whales, dolphins, and possibly seals. Guides such as Maria and Miquel have led trips praised for close wildlife sightings and clear, friendly guidance.

I like the 12-person limit, which keeps the boat compact and gives you a better view than a crowded vessel. I also like the evening timing: you can spend the day exploring Reykjavík, then head out when the summer light still hangs over the water. The tradeoff is the ride itself. It can be cold and bumpy, and the boat is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back, knee, or mobility problems.

Key points to know before booking

• A fast RIB covers more water: The powerful boat reaches open water quickly and can search a broader part of Faxaflói Bay.
• Only 12 people ride per boat: The small group makes it easier to see the animals and hear the guide.
• Summer evenings stay bright: This is a smart choice if you want to use your daytime hours for Reykjavík sightseeing.
• Puffins are seasonal: You have the best chance from about May 15 through August 20.
• Whales are common in summer: Whale sightings are reported on more than 95 percent of summer tours, though wildlife can never be guaranteed.
• Dress for the water, not the calendar: Warm overalls are supplied, but you still need layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

Your meeting point is the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, since you need time to check in, receive safety instructions, and put on the supplied warm overalls.

The harbour is easy to pair with a meal or a walk before the tour. It is also close to some of Reykjavík’s most recognizable waterfront sights, including Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Since hotel pickup is not included, plan your route to the harbour in advance.

The boat holds just 12 passengers. That number matters. On a larger whale-watching boat, you may need to move from side to side or look over other people to follow an animal. On this RIB, the group is small enough that the guide can direct everyone’s attention quickly when a whale surfaces.

The crew includes a professional captain and an English-speaking wildlife guide. Maria and Miquel have both been praised for making the trip informative and enjoyable, though the exact guide depends on the departure.

The RIB ride across Faxaflói Bay

The first minutes are lively. The captain takes the RIB out of the harbour at speed, and the boat’s compact design lets it move quickly across the water. This is not a slow, leisurely cruise. You should expect wind, spray, engine noise, and a ride that may feel lively when the sea is rough.

The boat is built for stability and high performance, but stability does not mean a completely smooth ride. Keep both hands available when the boat is moving, and follow the crew’s instructions. Loose clothing is not allowed, and that rule makes sense on a fast open boat. Wear fitted layers instead of a long scarf or anything that can flap around.

The speed is useful for wildlife watching. A whale may be several miles from the harbour, and a faster boat can spend more of the two-hour tour searching rather than simply traveling to the viewing area. It also gives the captain room to work around different parts of the bay.

The ride itself is part of the appeal, but it will not suit everyone. If you have a history of back or knee problems, this is a poor match. The experience is also not suitable for pregnant people, children under 10, or anyone with mobility impairments. Children who join must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall.

Puffin islands and the summer bird season

One early focus is the wind-beaten islands in the bay, where puffins gather in their natural habitat. Seeing puffins from a small boat is different from seeing them in a photo or at a crowded roadside viewpoint. You watch for quick flashes of movement on the water and rocky islands, with the guide helping you spot the birds.

Timing matters a great deal. Puffin season runs from approximately May 15 to August 20. If puffins are high on your list, book within that window. Even during the season, sightings are not guaranteed, but the timing gives you a reasonable chance.

The number of birds can be impressive. One July trip included hundreds of puffins, while an August departure still found puffins before they left for the season. They are small, fast, and easy to miss, so bring your patience and listen closely to the guide’s directions.

The RIB’s size helps here. A small boat can spend time near the islands without bringing a huge crowd into the viewing area. The goal is close observation, not chasing birds from one spot to another.

Searching for humpback whales and dolphins

After the puffin islands, the captain heads farther into open water to look for whales and dolphins. Faxaflói Bay is known for whale watching close to Reykjavík, and summer is the strongest season for sightings. The stated summer success rate is over 95 percent, but that figure should not be read as a promise for every individual trip.

Humpback whales are the main attraction for many people. Their size makes even a brief appearance memorable, especially when one surfaces close to the boat. Recent trips have included humpbacks seen on separate occasions, along with dolphins moving through the water.

You may also see seals. One trip included whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins, making it a particularly full wildlife outing. Still, nature sets the schedule. You might spend time scanning open water before an animal appears, and a whale may surface only briefly.

The captain’s conduct is an important part of the experience. The aim is to get close enough for a good view without hounding the animals. On a well-run trip, you may find the boat alone or nearly alone in the viewing area rather than surrounded by a cluster of vessels. That quieter approach gives you a better chance to watch natural behavior instead of simply following a crowd.

The evening light adds something special. In summer, Reykjavík’s late hours can remain bright, and the low sun may cast warm light across the bay. Several trips have included whales beneath sunset light. Exact conditions depend on the date and weather, but the timing gives this tour a mood that a midday departure cannot match.

Returning beside Reykjavík’s waterfront

The return is not just a straight run back to the harbour. The boat finishes with a ride along Reykjavík’s shoreline, giving you views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and the glittering Harpa Concert Hall.

This is a useful way to see the city from a different angle. From the water, the harbour edge includes colorful fishing huts, restaurants, and other waterfront attractions. You also get a clear sense of how closely Reykjavík’s urban center sits beside the open bay.

The shoreline ride helps round out the trip. Even if the wildlife is quiet, you still receive a short coastal view of the city. If the whales have been active, it gives you a calm final stretch after the faster open-water search.

What the $200 price really buys

At $200 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales near Reykjavík. The price reflects the small group, the custom RIB boat, the professional captain, the wildlife guide, and the ability to cover more water in two hours.

I think the value is strongest if you have limited time in Reykjavík and want an efficient wildlife outing. The evening departure lets you keep the daytime free for museums, pools, food, or a city walk. You also avoid committing a large part of the day to a slower boat trip.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a relaxed cruise or if you are trying to keep costs low. A fast RIB is more active than a classic whale-watching boat, and the two-hour format gives you less time on the water than some longer departures. You are paying for speed, a small group, and a distinctive evening setting.

There is one useful safety net. If you do not spot any whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave. This does not guarantee that the second trip will find whales, but it reduces the risk of paying for a wildlife tour and receiving no second chance.

The policy is also flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. The tour needs at least two passengers to operate. If that minimum is not met, you receive a rescheduling option or a full refund.

Staying warm on an open boat

Warm overalls and safety equipment are included, but do not treat the overalls as your entire cold-weather plan. Bring a warm base layer, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. The supplied clothing helps, yet the boat’s speed creates strong wind chill even during a bright summer evening.

Wear practical clothing that fits close to the body. Loose garments are not allowed, and bulky extras can get in the way on a compact boat. You may also want to keep your hands free so you can hold on and follow the guide’s pointing direction.

Food and drinks are not included. Eat before you arrive or plan a meal afterward in the Old Harbour area. The two-hour length is manageable without refreshments, but you should not expect snacks or a café stop during the trip.

The light can fool you. Reykjavík may look warm and sunny from shore, while the open bay feels cold. I would dress for the wind and water first, then enjoy the extra daylight as a bonus.

Who should choose this tour

This tour suits you best if you want a small, fast wildlife outing and prefer to keep your main sightseeing hours free. It is a good fit for couples, families with older children who meet the height requirement, and anyone who likes an active boat ride rather than a quiet harbor cruise.

It also works well for photographers and wildlife fans who value a small group. You have a better chance of hearing the guide, moving your view around the boat, and getting close enough for a clear sighting without a large crowd.

I would choose another format if you want a gentle ride, have back or knee concerns, or dislike cold, wind, and open-water motion. The RIB is stable for its type, but it remains a fast inflatable boat. This is not a sightseeing cruise where you sit back in complete comfort.

The timing is especially useful during the brighter months. You can spend the day in Reykjavík and still head to sea in good light. For puffins, aim for a date between May 15 and August 20. For the strongest whale-watching odds, summer is the sensible season.

Should you book the Reykjavík evening RIB tour?

Book it if the combination of speed, small group size, and summer evening light sounds right to you. The strongest reasons are the 12-person boat, the chance to see several kinds of wildlife in one outing, and the easy fit with a full day in Reykjavík.

I would be cautious if the $200 price stretches your budget or if you need a smooth, accessible boat ride. You should also pack seriously for the cold, even if the sky is bright.

For an active two-hour search with a real chance of humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, and seals, this is a strong choice. The complimentary larger-boat ticket if no whales appear adds useful protection, and the 4.9 rating from 28 bookings reflects a very strong record. Just remember that nature controls the final show.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour depart from?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What time does the tour depart?

Starting times vary. Check availability for the departure times offered on your chosen date.

How many people ride in each boat?

Each RIB boat carries only 12 passengers.

What animals might I see?

You may see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals. Humpback whales and dolphins have been seen on recent trips, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is suitable for children over 10 years old who are at least 145 centimeters tall. Children under 10 cannot join.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Loose clothing is not allowed, and large bags or luggage cannot be brought onto the boat.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls and all necessary safety equipment are provided. You should still bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and suitable shoes.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

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

Is the tour suitable for people with back or knee problems?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with a history of back or knee problems, and it is not suitable for pregnant people or those with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.