2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik whale-watching trip is the boat itself. A fast, 12-meter RIB can reach Faxaflói Bay’s feeding grounds quickly, then turn and reposition when a whale surfaces. With only 12 people aboard, you get a better view than on a large vessel, and guides such as Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan add plenty of animal knowledge and good humor.

I like the suspension seats, which soften the ride, and the full cold-weather kit, including thermal overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests. The trade-off is clear: this is a brisk, bouncy open-sea ride. If you have back or joint trouble, limited mobility, or dislike rough water, a larger whale-watching boat may suit you better.

Key points before you book

• A speedy RIB reaches the feeding grounds fast, leaving more of your two-hour trip for wildlife searching.
• The small group has room to move and watch, with a maximum of 12 people aboard.
• Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises are possible, but no sighting is guaranteed.
• Akurey puffin island is included in summer, when puffins return for nesting.
• The ride can feel like a roller coaster in rough water, despite the shock-absorbing seats.
• No-whale trips receive a free return ticket for the Classic or Express whale-watching tours.

Speeding out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your outing begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you add hotel pickup, a bus takes you to the harbour. Without it, plan to make your own way there and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. You need time to check in, find the changing area, put on the provided gear, and listen to the safety briefing. The changing setup has been described as cramped at busy times, and the directions between buildings may not be obvious, so give yourself that full half hour rather than cutting it close.

Once dressed, you board the custom-built RIB. It has special shock-absorbing seats, designed to make the ride less punishing than a basic inflatable boat. They help, but they do not turn this into a calm harbor cruise. The boat can travel close to 30 knots, and open water can bring a lively ride.

I see the boat ride as half the attraction. You are not simply sitting on a vessel waiting for a whale to appear. You are moving quickly across Faxaflói Bay, with the wind, spray, and views of the Reykjavik coastline and Esja mountain providing much of the early entertainment.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

The main search area is the feeding ground in Faxaflói Bay. Your guide scans the water, watches for blows and dorsal fins, and works with the captain to approach wildlife carefully. The species listed for this route include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

Humpback whales are the prize sighting. They may surface several times, show a blow, roll through the water, or raise a tail before disappearing. Some outings have followed humpbacks for a long stretch, while others have produced only quick glimpses. A mother and calf may appear together, and dolphins sometimes travel near the whales.

Minke whales can be harder to follow because they surface quickly. You might see a short back and fin, then spend time waiting for the next appearance. Dolphins and porpoises can make up for a quiet whale search, especially when a pod moves close to the boat.

The RIB gives the captain a useful advantage. It can cover ground quickly and reposition without the long turns needed by a big ship. That matters in a two-hour outing, since time spent traveling between sightings is time you are not watching the water.

Still, speed does not guarantee animals. Wildlife moves freely, and conditions change. One outing might bring several humpbacks and a large dolphin pod. Another might produce one brief whale sighting or none at all. The operator offers a complimentary return ticket for another Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express trip if you see no wildlife, which takes some of the sting out of an unlucky day.

What the small group changes

The 12-person limit is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. On a large whale-watching boat, you may need to compete for a rail position or look around other people when a whale surfaces. Here, the group is small enough that the guide can address people directly and help everyone understand what to watch for.

A small boat also feels more personal. The captain can respond quickly to reports from the guide, and the guide can explain the animals as the trip unfolds. Guides such as Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan have been singled out for friendly presentations, sharp spotting, and a good sense of humor.

The small RIB also lets you feel closer to the sea. That is exciting, but it can make the trip feel intense. You sit low, travel fast, and feel each wave more directly than you would on a larger vessel. If you prefer a steady platform, choose the regular whale-watching boat instead.

A summer stop at Akurey puffin island

During the summer nesting season, the boat stops near Akurey, one of the popular puffin islands near Reykjavik. Puffins return to Iceland in summer to nest, and the island gives you a chance to see them among the other seabirds.

Keep your expectations sensible. Puffins are small, and the boat does not necessarily pull right up beside the birds. You may see them sitting on the water, flying low, or running across the surface. Binoculars can help, though the tour information does not state that they are provided.

Akurey adds welcome variety to the trip. If the whale search is slow, the puffin stop gives you another form of wildlife to look for. If whales are active, the island is still a pleasant change before the return to shore.

The stop is seasonal, not an all-year feature. If you are visiting outside the puffin nesting months, the main focus remains whales, dolphins, porpoises, and the bay scenery.

The gear keeps the cold manageable

Faxaflói Bay is exposed, and the wind becomes much sharper once the RIB is moving. Special Tours provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests. This is not a minor detail. Without proper gear, the boat speed and cold air could make two hours feel very long.

Wear warm clothing underneath the overalls, and choose good shoes. The official advice is to dress warmly, and I would take it seriously even if the forecast looks mild in Reykjavik. Conditions on land do not tell you much about the feel of a fast boat in the bay.

The goggles protect your eyes from wind and spray. The overalls help block the cold, while the suspension seats reduce some of the jolting. You should still expect an outdoor adventure rather than a polished indoor excursion.

The equipment has generally been praised as clean and in good shape. That matters for comfort and confidence, especially when you are wearing gear shared by many people.

How rough is the RIB ride?

This is the key decision point. In calm conditions, the RIB can feel thrilling without being unpleasant. In rougher water, it may bounce hard, and the ride can feel like a roller coaster.

The suspension seats are helpful, but they cannot remove every impact. One particularly serious account described a hard landing that caused significant back pain. Other outings in rough conditions were enjoyed as exciting and manageable, but the difference comes down to your body, the sea state, and your tolerance for motion.

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or under 145 centimeters in height. It also requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Getting into the RIB may be difficult if you have mobility limits. Anyone with back, joint, or heart concerns should think carefully before choosing this boat, and people who are pregnant should not assume the ride is suitable.

If you are fit, enjoy fast boat rides, and want a close-to-the-water view, the motion is part of the fun. If you want a quiet wildlife cruise, pick the larger boat option.

What the two hours feel like

The two-hour schedule is compact. After check-in and gearing up, you travel out across the bay, search for wildlife, pause at Akurey during summer, and return along the Reykjavik coastline.

The trip does not guarantee a long viewing session with a whale. You may spend part of the outing scanning open water between sightings. That is normal for whale watching, not a flaw unique to this operator.

When conditions line up, the short duration works well. A fast boat can reach the search area quickly, and the crew can follow animals without spending the whole morning or afternoon at sea. Some outings have tracked humpbacks for close to an hour, while others have seen dolphins and minke whales in shorter bursts.

The return leg offers another useful view. You can look back toward Reykjavik and photograph the coastline from the water, with Esja and the harbor area providing a strong sense of place.

Is $189.87 good value?

At $189.87 per person, this is not the budget choice for whale watching in Reykjavik. You are paying for the custom RIB, the small group, the speed, the safety equipment, the guide, and the more active style of trip.

I think the price makes the most sense if you care about the boat experience as much as the wildlife. Even on a day with limited sightings, the ride across the bay can be a memorable part of your Iceland visit. If your only goal is to see a whale as cheaply as possible, compare the cost with a larger standard boat.

The free return offer also improves the value if the first trip produces no wildlife. It does not guarantee that your second attempt will succeed, but it gives you another chance without paying again for the tour itself. Bad weather cancellations are handled differently: you are offered another date or a full refund.

Hotel transfers are optional and cost extra. The meeting point is near public transportation, so you may not need to pay for a pickup if you are staying in Reykjavik and can reach the Old Harbour easily.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Book with the ride in mind, not just the whale count. You need to be comfortable climbing into a small boat, sitting for a fast trip, and handling some movement.

A few simple choices will help:

• Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and safety instructions.
• Wear warm layers and sturdy shoes.
• Bring a camera, but secure it carefully in the wind and spray.
• Expect the outing to operate in English.
• Keep your schedule flexible in case weather affects the departure.
• If you do not see wildlife, ask about the complimentary return ticket before leaving.

The tour ends back at the Old Harbour. If you selected hotel pickup and drop-off, a bus waits after the return trip to take you back to your hotel.

Who should book this RIB whale tour?

I would choose this outing if you want a small group, a fast boat, and the chance to get close to wildlife while still following responsible viewing practices. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families with older children who see the boat ride as part of the adventure.

I would not choose it for a young child, anyone with serious back or joint concerns, or anyone who gets anxious in rough water. The regular whale-watching boat will likely be a better fit for a steadier ride.

The wildlife is never guaranteed, but the format gives you a strong chance to reach the feeding grounds quickly. Guides such as Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan have helped make the trip informative as well as exciting, and the free return option gives you some protection against a quiet day.

Should you book the 2-hour RIB whale-watching tour?

Book it if you want speed, close views, a small group, and a genuine open-water thrill. The combination of suspension seats, warm gear, skilled spotting, and a maximum of 12 people makes this more personal than a standard harbor cruise.

Skip it if comfort matters more than excitement, or if you have physical concerns that make hard boat movement risky. At $189.87, the tour asks you to pay for the whole package, not just the possibility of a whale.

For the right person, this is one of Reykjavik’s most memorable ways to get onto the bay. Just choose it for the fast RIB adventure first, and treat the whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins as the wild bonus they are.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

The tour begins at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik, at the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard tour price. They can be added for an extra fee.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in, safety information, and time to put on the provided gear.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. During summer, it also includes a visit to Akurey puffin island.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on a Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old or under 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins.