Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

The best part of this Reykjavík outing is the boat itself. A 12-seat RIB can move quickly across Faxaflói Bay, cover more water than a slow harbor cruise, and turn toward a whale blow before the moment passes. You also get a fine view back toward Harpa and Reykjavík’s shoreline.

I like the small group, which gives you a better chance of seeing the animals without a crowd of people blocking the view. I also like the warm flotation overalls, gloves, and goggles, since the ride can be cold even on a pleasant Icelandic day. The tradeoff is a bumpy, windy trip that is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people under 145 centimeters, or anyone with back problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Wildlife can include humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds.
• The 12-seat RIB is quick and nimble, but its open-water ride is rougher than a large yacht.
• Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are provided, though you should still wear warm layers.
• The tour lasts two hours, including the run out to the wildlife area and the return to Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.
• No sightings mean a complimentary return ticket, although that is less useful if you leave Iceland soon.
• Wind and waves can change the boat or cancel the departure, so keep your schedule flexible.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour by RIB

You meet at Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, near Reykjavík’s waterfront. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Check-in is done at a self-service kiosk by scanning the bar code or QR code on your ticket, so allow time to find the building and get suited up.

The harbor is a good starting point. You are close to central Reykjavík, and the city looks different from the water. Harpa concert hall is one of the first landmarks to catch your eye, with its glass facade facing the bay. The view gives you a useful sense of how Reykjavík sits between the sea and the mountains.

The crew supplies warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and required safety equipment. Wear comfortable shoes and bring warm clothing beneath the suit. A camera is worth packing, but keep it secure. On a fast, bumpy boat, a phone can be much harder to manage than it is on a calm sightseeing vessel.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. If you drive, use the nearby free parking location provided with your booking information. Public transport or a short walk from central Reykjavík may be simpler, depending on where you are staying.

The ride across Faxaflói Bay

Once out of the harbor, the RIB picks up speed. The ride is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the whales. You sit in a compact boat with an open view in every direction, and the captain can cover a broad area while looking for signs of wildlife.

Expect the boat to bounce over the water. One useful technique is to half-sit and half-stand, allowing your legs to absorb some of the movement. This is not a quiet cruise, and it is not ideal for anyone who would find a roller-coaster-style ride uncomfortable. Several people have found the boat fun, but seasickness is still possible even when the weather looks fairly calm.

The wind is the bigger issue. A warm suit helps, but cold air can still hit your face and ears at speed. Bring a face covering if you are sensitive to wind, and make sure your ears are covered well. In rain or rough weather, you may get wet despite the protective clothing.

The captain decides whether the RIB can sail based on wind, waves, safety, and passenger comfort. If conditions are poor, the departure may be moved to another time. On some occasions, the RIB has been replaced by a larger yacht. That can mean a slower ride, but it may be the safer and more comfortable option in rough conditions.

Searching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises

The main search area is off Reykjavík in Faxaflói Bay. The captain and guide watch for blows, fins, movement, and groups of birds that may indicate feeding activity. The RIB’s speed gives the crew a useful advantage when a whale appears farther away.

Humpback whales are the main prize on many summer trips. You might see a broad back rise from the water, a blow before the whale surfaces, or a tail as it goes down. Some outings produce repeated encounters with several humpbacks. A few especially lucky trips have seen a dozen or more, while other departures have found only one or none.

Minke whales are another regular possibility. They are smaller and can surface quickly, so you need to keep watching rather than waiting for a large dramatic breach. White-beaked dolphins may travel in groups close to the boat, making them easier to follow when they are active.

Harbor porpoises are smaller and less showy, but a close look is rewarding. Wildlife remains wild, so there is no fixed performance. The boat may spend time waiting in an area, then move when the crew spots activity elsewhere.

The guides add useful context as you search. Claudia, Julian, Bianca, and other English-speaking guides have been praised for explaining the animals, answering questions, and helping people understand where to look. This matters on a small boat, where the difference between seeing a whale and missing it may be only a few seconds.

One practical weakness is that engine noise and wind can make spoken instructions hard to hear. If the captain points or calls out a direction, look quickly and then keep scanning the water. You should not expect every sighting to happen directly beside your seat.

Engey, Lundey, and Reykjavík from the water

The route passes among islands in Faxaflói Bay, including Engey and Lundey. Engey is the second-largest island in the Kollafjörður area. Lundey means Puffin Island in Icelandic, and its uninhabited shore is an important stop for bird watching.

Puffins are most likely during the warmer months, and sightings can be particularly good from spring into summer. Trips in April have produced large numbers of puffins, while later summer outings may catch the end of the puffin season. You may see birds resting on the water or flying around the island, along with other seabirds.

The islands give the trip a welcome change of pace. You get wildlife, open water, and a city view in the same short outing. On a clear day, mountains around the bay add to the scenery. On a cloudy day, the water and islands can look much more stark, but that is part of Iceland’s appeal.

The route is not a guaranteed sightseeing circuit. The captain may spend more time reaching a whale area and less time near the islands. If whales are active far from the harbor, you may have only a short visit near Lundey on the way back. That is a fair trade if the main goal is marine wildlife, but it is worth knowing if you want a slow island cruise.

Why the small boat changes the experience

A large whale-watching vessel gives you more room to walk around and may feel steadier. The RIB gives you a closer, faster, more personal outing. With a maximum of 12 people, the guide can speak to the group directly, and you are less likely to be several rows away from the action.

The boat can also maneuver quickly. If a captain spots a blow or a pod of dolphins, the RIB can move toward the area instead of slowly repositioning a large vessel. That does not guarantee a close encounter, since the crew must respect the animals and keep passengers safe, but it improves your ability to respond to changing wildlife.

The cost is $200 per person, which is high even by Icelandic standards. I think the price makes sense if you value the speed, small group, warm equipment, and chance to cover more of the bay. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a relaxed boat ride or a low-cost way to see Reykjavík from the water.

The free return offer helps reduce the risk. If you see no wildlife, you can try again at no extra charge. This is valuable when you have several days in Reykjavík, but it does not help much if this is your last morning in Iceland or if your schedule is packed.

Best time of year and weather concerns

The main whale-watching season runs from April through September. Summer generally gives you the best mix of longer daylight, milder conditions, puffins, dolphins, and whales, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

April can be rewarding for puffins and may produce whale sightings, but the sea and air can still feel wintry. September and October can bring excellent whale encounters, including humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, but daylight and weather become less predictable.

Weather is not a minor detail here. The captain may postpone or alter the trip if wind and waves make the RIB uncomfortable or unsafe. Keep the booking flexible and avoid putting the tour immediately before a flight or another fixed appointment.

If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly, dress warmly, and consider where you usually feel most stable in a small boat. The operator provides protective gear, but no suit can remove the motion of the sea.

Who should book this RIB safari?

I would choose this for an active adult or older child who wants the ride to be part of the fun. It suits people who prefer a small group, quick movement, and a closer connection to the water. It is also a strong choice if you have already seen Reykjavík’s main sights and want something that feels less like a standard city tour.

You should think twice if you have back trouble, dislike fast rides, or want a calm and quiet boat trip. The experience is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people shorter than 145 centimeters, or people with back problems.

It can work well for photographers, but conditions are demanding. Keep your camera protected from spray and hold it securely. You may get excellent whale or dolphin images, but you also need to watch the water rather than spend the whole trip looking through a screen.

The English-speaking guides are a real part of the value. People have singled out Claudia, Julian, Bianca, and other crew members for their friendly manner, clear explanations, and enthusiasm. The guide can turn a quick surfacing into a useful lesson about whale behavior, rather than leaving you to guess what you just saw.

Check-in, cancellations, and practical planning

Book enough time to reach Old Harbour House 30 minutes before departure. The QR check-in is simple, but you still need time for clothing and safety preparation.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. The tour may be rescheduled if too few people book, so check your messages and keep your plans open.

If the operator changes the RIB to a larger yacht because of conditions, the ride will be slower and less intimate. Still, a slower boat is preferable to an unsafe one, and whale sightings can remain excellent. Some outings on the larger vessel have produced close humpback encounters even after the speedboat was canceled.

Should you book this Reykjavík whale tour?

Book it if your priority is an exciting small-boat search for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins, and you can accept cold wind, bumps, and uncertain sightings. The RIB offers a more active experience than a standard cruise, and the free return ticket gives you some protection against an empty wildlife day.

Skip it if you need a gentle ride, have a sensitive back, or have only one tightly scheduled chance to go. At $200, this is not a casual add-on. But for a marine wildlife fan with flexible time and reasonable weather, the combination of speed, small numbers, helpful guides, and Reykjavík views makes it a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour leave from?

The tour leaves from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík. You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the RIB whale-watching tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the journey from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay and the return.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I see no wildlife?

You receive a complimentary ticket to try the tour again on another day if no wildlife is seen.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are provided. Bring a camera, and consider a face covering for the wind.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 145 centimeters tall.