From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

A humpback whale surfacing beside a fast RIB is the sort of Iceland moment you remember long after the trip. This two-hour speedboat outing combines wildlife watching with a lively ride across Faxaflói Bay, so even a quiet animal-spotting day still has plenty of motion and sea air.

I like the small 12-seat boat, which keeps the guide close and gives the trip a personal feel. I also like the thoughtful cold-weather setup: a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket, and your own scarf are provided. The tradeoff is clear: this is a bumpy speedboat ride, not a gentle cruise, and whales are never guaranteed.

Key points

• A 12-seat RIB makes the ride part of the attraction, with suspension seats designed to soften the impact of the waves.
• Faxaflói Bay can offer varied wildlife, including humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, and many sea birds.
• Puffin islands are a close-up stop, with birds flying, swimming, and gathering around nesting cliffs and beaches.
• The city views begin at once, as you pass Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture from the water.
• Cold-weather gear is supplied, but you still need warm clothing and closed shoes.
• The tour suits active visitors aged 10 and over, not anyone looking for a calm, polished harbor cruise.

A fast start from Reykjavik’s old harbor

You meet at Ægisgarður 5G, about a five-minute walk from Reykjavik city center. That central location makes this easy to fit into a day of sightseeing, especially if you are staying near the harbor or downtown.

The crew gets you into the supplied warm waterproof overall before departure. You also receive gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and a scarf. Wear warm layers underneath, since Iceland’s weather can shift quickly and the boat is exposed to wind even on a pleasant day.

The boat carries 12 people and uses suspension seats. That matters more than it may sound. A rigid inflatable boat moves quickly and can hit the water hard, so the seats help reduce the jolt. They do not turn the trip into a smooth ferry crossing, though. You should expect a lively ride, especially if the wind is up.

The supplied goggles are practical rather than decorative. At speed, spray can reach your face, and the boat may turn sharply as the crew follows wildlife or changes course. Closed shoes are required. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and open-toed shoes are a poor match for a moving boat anyway.

Harpa, Sun Voyager, and Reykjavik from the water

The first part of the trip gives you a different view of Reykjavik. You pass Harpa Concert Hall, with its striking glass exterior, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront.

These sights are familiar from land, but the water changes their scale. The harbor opens the view, and you get a quick sense of how Reykjavik faces Faxaflói Bay. Your guide also provides information about the city as well as the wildlife, so the outward journey is not simply a transfer to the whale grounds.

The boat leaves the harbor at speed, turning the city sightseeing into an active opening rather than a separate tour stop. If you have already walked the waterfront, this adds a fresh angle. If you have not, it offers a useful first look at two of Reykjavik’s best-known waterfront landmarks.

Do not expect a long photo stop here. The boat is moving, and the focus soon shifts to the bay. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and remember that the most memorable moments may last only a few seconds.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

Faxaflói Bay is home to as many as 23 whale species, along with dolphins and seals. That does not mean you will see 23 species, or even a whale. Wildlife is free to move where it wants, and the crew cannot control the weather, visibility, or animal behavior.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. Whales are harder to spot in open sea than in an oceanarium, and a sighting may be no more than a back, a blow, or a brief rise above the surface. A humpback can appear impressive even when you see only the top of its body and the puff of air as it breathes.

The crew’s job is to search, read the water, and respond when an animal appears. Previous trips have included humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, and even a pod of pilot whales. One outing followed a feeding humpback that surfaced to breathe, while a pod of dolphins circled and moved around the boat.

Those possibilities explain why the guide matters. You are not simply racing around hoping to spot a fin. The guide points out what to watch for, explains the animals, and answers questions in English or Icelandic. A good pair of eyes can help you notice a distant blow or a small movement that you might miss on your own.

The boat may slow down when wildlife is nearby. The crew aims to keep a respectful distance and avoid turning a natural encounter into a chase. You should still expect movement, noise, and quick changes of direction. The action is less predictable than a scheduled sightseeing stop, which can be thrilling but also requires patience.

Puffin islands and the best bird watching

The trip also heads close to islands in Faxaflói Bay where puffins nest and lay a single egg. This is one of the tour’s most appealing details, especially if you want more than a whale checklist.

You may see puffins on the cliffs and beaches, flying above the water, or swimming nearby. Their compact shape and quick wingbeats make them entertaining to watch, and the boat gives you a lower angle than a distant shore viewpoint.

The puffin stop also helps balance the whale search. If whales stay hidden, the birdlife provides another clear reason to keep looking. Sea birds of several types may appear during the cruise, adding movement across the water and around the islands.

The boat can get close to the nesting areas, but close does not mean guaranteed contact. Wildlife controls the distance, and the crew’s responsibility is to observe without causing unnecessary disturbance. You should bring patience and binocular-style attention, even if you do not carry binoculars.

For many people, the puffins will be a highlight in their own right. A whale sighting can be dramatic but brief. Puffins are often easier to follow when they are gathered around the islands, giving you more time to watch their behavior.

What the 12-seat RIB feels like on the water

The RIB is the defining feature of this outing. It is not just transport to the wildlife grounds. The boat accelerates across the waves, makes tight turns, and can feel like an activity on its own.

That is great news if you like speed and motion. Several trips have included fast runs over the waves and sharp turns near the end. The ride can add energy to a day that otherwise consists of museums, cafes, and walking streets.

It is less appealing if you dislike rough water. One particularly windy outing was described as bumpy, and another noted that the ride depends heavily on wave size and wind direction. The suspension seats help, but they cannot remove the movement of the sea.

I would choose this trip for the RIB experience as much as for the animals. If you want a quiet boat, a sheltered cabin, or a long, steady viewing platform, choose a different style of whale cruise. If you like an active outing and accept that the sea sets the terms, the boat is a strong match.

The age limit also matters. Children under 10 are not permitted, so this is aimed at older children, teenagers, and adults. Even then, think about your group’s comfort with speed, spray, and sudden motion before booking.

Warm gear helps, but Iceland still wins the weather argument

The operator provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and a scarf. This is a useful package, especially for visitors who did not bring specialist marine clothing.

Still, do not arrive in light indoor clothes. Wear warm layers beneath the overall, and choose closed shoes that stay secure on your feet. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the bay may feel much colder than Reykjavik’s streets.

The overall helps keep you dry, but it does not make your head, face, or hands completely immune to wind. The gloves and goggles are welcome, yet your own warm hat or additional layers may still be useful if you have them. The supplied scarf is a nice practical touch and doubles as a souvenir.

Rain does not automatically ruin the trip. A light drizzle is manageable with the waterproof gear. Wind is the bigger concern because it affects both comfort and sea conditions. The company may need to adjust the experience for safety, but you should book with the understanding that nature controls the timetable and the sightings.

Is $192 a fair price for two hours?

At $192 per person, this is not a budget wildlife outing. You are paying for a small-group RIB, safety gear, a guide, and the extra speedboat element, not simply for transport around the bay.

The value improves if you want several experiences in one short trip. In two hours, you get harbor views, a fast ride, a guided search for marine life, and a close approach to puffin nesting islands. The small boat also gives the outing a more personal scale than a large vessel.

The price is harder to justify if your only goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No whale tour can promise that, and the conditions may produce only dolphins, puffins, or distant wildlife. You need to value the boat ride and the wider sea experience, not just the headline animal.

For a short Reykjavik stay, the time value is good. The meeting point is close to the center, the trip lasts two hours, and you can fit it around other city plans. For visitors watching every krona, compare it with larger boat tours before committing. For visitors who want a small boat and a more active ride, the added cost has a clear purpose.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option also make planning easier. Check the available departure times when you book, since the exact schedule is not fixed here.

What can make the trip special

The strongest outings combine several sightings. A humpback whale may surface while dolphins circle the boat, followed by puffins around the islands. That combination gives the trip variety and means you are not waiting for one type of animal to appear.

But a single sighting can still matter. Seeing one humpback feeding, breathing, or lifting its back from the water is a real encounter, even if it does not leap clear of the sea. Whales generally do not perform on demand, and the quieter signs of their presence can be just as meaningful.

Dolphins may provide more visible action. They can move around the boat, appear and disappear quickly, and give you several chances to watch them. Pilot whales and harbour porpoises are less certain but show how varied the bay’s marine life can be.

The guides add another layer by explaining what you are seeing and answering questions as the trip unfolds. Past trips have been praised for friendly, attentive crews and strong safety habits. You should expect guidance about the whales, other animals, and Reykjavik itself rather than a silent boat ride.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

You should consider it if you:

• Want a small boat rather than a large sightseeing vessel
• Enjoy speed, spray, and a bumpy ride
• Are interested in dolphins and puffins as well as whales
• Have only a short window in Reykjavik
• Are aged 10 or over and comfortable on open water
• Appreciate supplied cold-weather gear and a guide who stays involved

I would be cautious if you:

• Need guaranteed whale sightings
• Get motion sick easily
• Prefer a quiet, stable boat
• Dislike wind, cold, or sudden turns
• Are traveling with a child under 10
• Have only sandals or open-toed shoes

The best attitude is to treat the animals as a gift, not a scheduled show. The RIB ride, harbor views, birds, and guide still give the outing purpose if the whales remain out of sight.

Should you book the Katla Whale Watching RIB?

Book this tour if you want wildlife watching with an adrenaline kick. The 12-seat boat, suspension seats, supplied gear, puffin islands, and close search for dolphins and whales make it more active than a standard harbor cruise.

Skip it if you want the calmest possible boat or if a whale sighting is essential to your Iceland plans. No natural encounter is guaranteed, and rough weather can make the ride uncomfortable.

For the right person, the $192 price buys more than two hours on the water. It buys a compact, fast-moving way to see Reykjavik from the bay and search for animals in their own environment. I would choose it for an active morning or afternoon, especially when a short trip schedule leaves little room for a longer cruise.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching speedboat tour depart from?

The tour meets 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. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What wildlife might I see?

Faxaflói Bay can have whales, dolphins, seals, and several kinds of sea birds. Possible whale species include humpback, minke, and pilot whales. Puffins may be seen around the nesting islands.

Are whales guaranteed on the tour?

No. Whales are wild animals and can be harder to spot in open sea than in an oceanarium. The guide searches for them, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

You receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf. You should still wear warm clothes and closed shoes. Sandals and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 10 are not permitted. The RIB ride can also be bumpy, especially in windy conditions, so older children and adults should be comfortable with speed and rough water.