RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this trip is the low, close-to-the-water view. From a small RIB boat, a surfacing humpback feels far more immediate than it does from a large viewing deck. You also get a fast ride, a small group, and a marine biologist guide who can explain what you are seeing as the boat searches a broad part of Faxaflói Bay.

I like two things here. First, the boat can cover more water than a slow, larger vessel, which matters when whales are spread out. Second, the supplied coveralls, gloves, hats, and suspension seats make the North Atlantic less punishing. The catch is simple: this is a rough-water adventure, not a gentle cruise. It is not recommended for people with knee problems, and children must be over 10 and taller than 145 centimeters.

Key points to know before you book

• Small RIB, maximum 12 people: You get a clearer view and less crowding around the boat’s sides.
• Puffin islands in season: From early May through the end of August, the boat visits Akurey, Engey, or Lundey.
• A real search, not a guaranteed show: The crew may find humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and many seabirds, but sightings depend on nature.
• Suspension seats matter: These shock-absorbing seats make the ride safer and more comfortable when the sea turns choppy.
• Warm equipment is included: Coveralls and safety gear are provided, but you should still wear wool or fleece, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes.
• Poor weather can change the plan: If conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

From Ægisgarður 5d to the open bay

The tour begins at Ægisgarður 5d in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You make your own way there, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is close to public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same harbour location after about two hours.

The short harbour start gives the crew time to fit you with the necessary gear and explain the boat. The supplied coveralls are a major help. They protect you from spray and cold, but you should not treat them as a substitute for warm clothing. Bring a wool or fleece sweater, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

The RIB is built for speed and stability, with high-performance suspension seats. That design gives the tour its appeal: you can move quickly toward wildlife and spend less time simply covering distance. It also explains the physical warning. Even with shock absorption, the ride can jolt your knees and back when the sea is rough.

The boat holds no more than 12 people. That is a meaningful difference from a large whale-watching vessel. You have less competition for a view, and the guide can speak to the group without trying to address a packed deck. The small boat also puts your eyes close to sea level, where a whale’s back or blow can seem remarkably near.

The puffin islands from early May through August

During puffin season, the first wildlife stop is usually one of the small islands just outside Reykjavik: Akurey, Engey, or Lundey. The ride from the harbour is short, and the boat spends around five to ten minutes near the birds.

This is not a long birding session. Think of it as a compact visit that adds another layer to the whale search. Puffins share the islands with auks, gannets, and many other seabirds. The RIB’s small size lets it approach the islands quickly and get close without spending much of the two-hour trip on transit.

The timing matters. Puffins are included only from early May to the end of August. Outside those months, the tour focuses on the bay and its marine life. Even in season, wildlife is wild, so the exact number of birds and the quality of the view can vary.

If you want photographs, keep your camera ready, but do not let it take over the trip. The crew may also photograph the sightings and share images afterward. That was especially useful on outings led by guides such as Lefterius, since you can watch the water instead of trying to record every moment yourself.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

The main portion of the trip lasts about one hour and 30 minutes in Faxaflói Bay. This is where the crew searches for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life.

A whale safari is partly a search. The crew does not know exactly where an animal will surface, and a sighting may last only seconds. The boat’s speed helps because the team can cover a wider area. Once animals are located, the RIB’s low profile gives you a close angle from the water rather than a distant view from a high deck.

The strongest sightings described from this tour include humpbacks surfacing beside the boat, whales breaching several times, white-beaked dolphins playing alongside the RIB, and groups of as many as about 15 whales. A minke whale can be shyer and harder to spot, but the guides are trained to scan the water and keep the group informed during quiet stretches.

That last point matters. You may spend time looking at empty water before the next blow appears. A good guide fills those gaps with useful facts and clear instructions about where to look. The marine biologist guides, including named guides such as Sam, Maria, Ann, and others on different departures, have been singled out for their explanations and calm handling of the group.

The boat ride itself is part of the attraction. On a smooth day, it can feel like a fast, playful run across the bay. On a windy day, it can become very bumpy. One outing involved a long, choppy run well offshore before the whales appeared, while another report described a rough ride back after several close sightings. The same feature that makes the tour exciting can also make it tiring.

Why the suspension seats and warm suits matter

The RIB’s suspension seats are not a minor extra. They absorb some of the shock from waves and reduce the force reaching your body. This is especially useful during the return journey, when wind and sea conditions may change.

Still, you should be realistic about comfort. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for people with knee problems. It is also not designed for young children. The minimum age is over 10, and the minimum height is 145 centimeters.

The protective suits help with cold and spray. One outing took place in rainy weather, yet the supplied equipment kept the group relatively warm and dry. Add your own warm base layers, and you will be in a much better position to enjoy the ride rather than focus on the weather.

If you are prone to seasickness, the experience is not automatically off-limits. Some outings were described as surprisingly manageable, while others were very choppy. The crew can help people who feel unwell, but sea conditions are beyond anyone’s control. If rough water is a serious concern, a larger vessel may be a better fit.

Reykjavik’s shoreline on the way back

After the wildlife search, the boat returns along Reykjavik’s shore. This final stretch gives you a different view of the city and works well as a photo stop.

You pass the Sun Voyager sculpture, the sleek steel ship-shaped landmark on the waterfront. The route also goes by Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass exterior is especially striking from the harbour side. These stops are brief, about five minutes each, but they add a pleasant city element to what is otherwise a sea-focused outing.

The return to Ægisgarður takes place roughly two hours after departure. There is no separate end point or transfer to arrange. You finish where you started, close to Reykjavik’s harbour sights and public transportation.

The price: expensive, but not unreasonable

At $208.09 per person, this is not the budget choice for whale watching. You are paying for a maximum group size of 12, a fast RIB, suspension seating, safety equipment, coveralls, and a professional marine biologist guide.

The value comes from the way those parts work together. A large boat may offer more indoor space and a gentler ride, but the small RIB gives you a less crowded view and puts you much closer to the water. If you care about the boat experience as much as the animals, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The price is harder to defend if you mainly want a warm, easy ride or if you are booking only for a guaranteed whale sighting. No responsible operator can promise that. The good safeguard here is a replacement ticket for an alternative tour if there are no sightings, while a weather cancellation offers another date or a full refund.

For many people, the best value comes from a strong wildlife day. Humpbacks breaching near the boat, dolphins riding alongside, puffins on the islands, and the Reykjavik shoreline at the end can make the fare feel worthwhile. On a trip with no whales, the RIB ride and city views may not fully compensate.

How this compares with a standard whale-watching boat

The choice is less about which tour is universally better and more about the kind of day you want.

Choose this RIB if you want:

• A small group with no more than 12 people
• A faster boat that can search a wide area
• A close, low-level view of whales
• An exciting ride as part of the activity
• Puffins and seabirds during the May to August season

A larger boat may suit you better if you need a steadier ride, more room to move, or a more relaxed pace. This RIB is not the quiet option. It is active, exposed, and weather-dependent.

The small group also helps photographers and anyone who dislikes crowded viewing rails. You can turn quickly, hear the guide, and usually find a clear sightline. But the limited capacity means it is smart to reserve ahead. This tour is booked, on average, about 46 days in advance.

Who should book this RIB tour

I would choose this trip for an older child or adult who enjoys speed, open water, and the possibility of a close wildlife encounter. It suits a couple, a family with children over the age and height limits, or a small group that wants a more personal boat ride.

I would pause if you have knee or back concerns, dislike rough water, or need a gentle sightseeing trip. The warnings are not just formal wording. A rough ride can be hard on the body, even with suspension seats.

The guide team is another strong reason to book. The crew members named on different outings, including Maria, Emily, Sam, Ann, Milán, Pedro, and Lefterius, have been praised for warmth, clear explanations, spotting skill, and care with seasickness. The exact guide depends on your departure, but the role is the same: find the wildlife, explain its behavior, and help you enjoy the waiting time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most immediate version of whale watching from Reykjavik and accept that the sea may be rough. The small boat, low viewpoint, warm gear, and broad search area give it a real advantage over a standard sightseeing cruise.

Skip it if comfort matters more than excitement, or if a missed sighting would ruin the day. For the right person, though, a humpback surfacing beside a 12-person RIB, followed by puffins and a harbour run past Harpa, is a memorable use of two hours.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

It starts at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, in the Old Harbour.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the RIB boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are puffins included on every departure?

Puffin visits take place during puffin season, from early May through the end of August. The boat visits Akurey, Engey, or Lundey when conditions allow.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, gannets, auks, and other seabirds.

Is warm clothing provided?

Coveralls and all necessary safety equipment are provided. You should still wear a wool or fleece sweater, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be over 10 years old and taller than 145 centimeters. The experience is not recommended for young children.

What happens if there are no whale sightings or the weather cancels the trip?

If there are no sightings, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.