2 hour Round Trip in Vestmannaeyjar on a RIB Boat

The best part of this trip is the access. A small RIB boat can nose into sea caves and pass close to rock formations that a larger vessel must leave alone. Around Vestmannaeyjar, that means clifftops, sea arches, bird colonies, and Elephant Rock all appear from a wonderfully low viewpoint.

I like two things in particular: the route reaches the more distant islands, including Súlnasker, and the crew adds local stories rather than simply driving you past the cliffs. The float suit and life jacket are included, which matters in Iceland’s cold, changeable water.

The main drawback is the weather risk. The trip does not operate in very strong wind, and it needs at least six people to go ahead. You also need to arrive at the Tangagata 7 office 30 minutes early, so this is not a casual last-minute add-on.

Key points to know before booking

• Sea caves and Elephant Rock: The RIB gets close to rock formations that larger boats cannot reach.
• Birdlife at close range: Look for puffins, eider, kittiwakes, gannets, and other seabirds.
• A route beyond the main islands: The boat heads toward distant islands and the striking gannet island of Súlnasker.
• Small-group format: The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, with at least six needed for departure.
• Cold-water clothing included: You receive a float suit and life jacket, but bring a hat and gloves.
• A weather-dependent outing: Strong wind can cause a cancellation, rescheduled departure, or refund.

Why Vestmannaeyjar is best seen from the water

Vestmannaeyjar, also called the Westman Islands, is a place where the sea tells much of the story. From land, you can see dramatic cliffs and isolated rock towers. From a RIB, you get the missing angle: dark walls rising straight from the water, openings in the rock, and seabirds moving around the cliffs.

That low position makes the scenery feel more immediate. You are not looking at a distant island from a harbor. You are moving along its edges and into places that are hard to reach by land or by a larger sightseeing boat.

I also like the fact that the trip does not stop at the most obvious viewpoints. The route includes several small islands, sea caves, Elephant Rock, and islands farther out. The captain may also look for whales and seals, though those sightings are not guaranteed. That uncertainty is part of the nature of a wildlife trip, so book it for the cliffs, caves, and birds first, with marine animals as a welcome bonus.

The boat carries up to 12 people. That is small enough to keep the experience personal without making it a private charter. You should have a clear view of the water and a reasonable chance of hearing the guide, though a fast open-boat ride is not the right setting for a quiet, dry cruise.

Meeting the boat at Tangagata 7

The trip begins at the Ribsafari office at Tangagata 7 in Vestmannaeyjabær. You need to be there 30 minutes before departure. Treat that as part of the schedule, not a suggestion. Arriving early gives the crew time to get everyone fitted with protective clothing and ready for the boat.

The starting point is near public transportation, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That makes planning simpler if you are already staying or spending time in Vestmannaeyjar.

The trip is listed as starting from Reykjavik, but the actual meeting address is in Vestmannaeyjabær on the islands. Pay close attention to that distinction when arranging your day. This experience does not include transport from Reykjavik, so you need to organize your own way to Vestmannaeyjar and to the Tangagata office.

The minimum group size is six people. If fewer than six are booked, the operator may cancel or move you to another departure. This is worth considering if your wider schedule is tight. A smaller operation can offer a more personal boat ride, but it also has less flexibility when demand is low.

The first ten minutes: getting ready for open water

The initial stop at the Ribsafari office takes about 10 minutes and has no separate admission charge. This is when the practical side of the outing happens.

The operator supplies a float suit and life jacket. The float suit is not just a safety item. It helps protect you from the cold air and spray that come with a fast boat ride around Icelandic islands. You should still bring a hat and gloves, as the supplied gear does not replace warm personal layers.

Wear clothing that can handle a cool, wet outing. The boat is open to the elements, and the trip may pass through exposed water as it heads toward the outer islands. Alcohol is not suitable for this activity, and the operator specifically warns that alcohol and RIB boat trips do not go together.

The experience is not recommended if you have back problems or are pregnant. A RIB can move sharply over the water, so this is a sensible restriction rather than a minor footnote. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Entering the sea caves and passing Elephant Rock

Once underway, the boat heads among the small islands of Vestmannaeyjar. The sea caves are one of the clearest reasons to choose this trip instead of a larger boat tour.

A RIB’s size lets the captain approach openings in the cliffs and enter several caves. You get a close look at the rock walls, the changing light, and the way the sea has worn passages into the island. Exact access depends on conditions, since the boat cannot safely enter every opening in rough water.

Elephant Rock is another highlight along the route. The name comes from the shape of the rock, which resembles an elephant’s head and trunk. Seeing it from the water gives you the best angle, since the outline depends on how the rock rises from the sea.

This is also where the guide’s role matters. The crew is not only handling the boat. The guide and captain explain the islands, the formations, and local traditions as the route unfolds. One guide identified in the tour material is B, who is praised for helping make the trip memorable and for pointing out the rock formations and seabirds. The captain and guide may be the same people on some departures or separate crew members, but names can vary by sailing.

Puffins, eider, and the busy cliffs

Birdlife is a central part of the outing. The route is designed to look for puffins, eider, kittiwakes, gannets, and other seabirds in their natural setting.

Puffins are the bird most people hope to see, but the wider mix is what gives the cliffs their character. Kittiwakes add constant movement around the rock faces. Gannets are larger and more dramatic in flight, especially near the outer islands. Eider add another familiar Icelandic species to the mix.

The RIB helps here because it can approach the base of the cliffs and move between islands. You are not viewing the birds from a single fixed point. The guide can identify what you are seeing and adjust the route to points of interest when conditions allow.

Bring a camera if you like, but keep it secure. The boat moves, the spray can be strong, and you may need both hands at times. I would treat photographs as a bonus and focus first on watching the birds and rock formations directly. A waterproof phone case is a sensible personal precaution, although it is not listed as supplied equipment.

Out toward Súlnasker and the distant islands

The route continues beyond the closer islands toward more distant rocks. The most ambitious point is Súlnasker, known as the gannet island. This section gives the trip a sense of scale. Instead of circling only the harbor-side sights, you head into the wider island group and open water.

Súlnasker is especially important for birdwatching, with its association with gannets. Conditions and wildlife activity can vary, so the exact experience depends on the sea and the day. Still, the chance to reach an outer island is a strong reason to choose this two-hour route.

You might also spot whales or seals. The operator presents these as possible sightings, not promises. Keep your expectations realistic: no wildlife boat can control where animals appear. The cliffs, caves, islands, and seabirds remain the dependable attractions.

This outer section can also be the roughest part of the ride. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew advises and pay attention to instructions. Anyone with back problems should choose a gentler boat outing instead.

What the two-hour length gives you

Two hours is a useful middle ground. It is long enough to cover the caves, rock formations, bird cliffs, and more distant islands without taking up the whole day. You get a proper outing rather than a short harbor spin.

At the same time, two hours on an open RIB can feel full. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, not merely transport between stops. You will be exposed to wind, spray, and movement for much of the trip, even with the float suit.

The compact duration makes this easier to fit around other time on Vestmannaeyjar. You can plan a half-day or full day on the islands and use the boat trip as the main water activity. Just leave room around the scheduled start, since check-in begins 30 minutes early and weather can affect operations.

Is the $247.39 price good value?

At $247.39 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. The value comes from the access and the small boat rather than from the number of hours alone.

You are paying for a guided route around the islands, entry into several sea caves, the chance to reach Súlnasker, wildlife viewing, the captain, the local guide, taxes, fees, activities, and protective clothing. There is no extra charge listed for the float suit, life jacket, or any part of the boat outing.

The maximum group size of 12 also matters. A larger vessel could offer a lower price, but it would not provide the same close approach to caves and rock formations. If the boat access is your main reason for visiting Vestmannaeyjar, the price is easier to justify.

The outing is less compelling if you mainly want a calm, inexpensive way to view the islands. In that case, the open RIB, weather exposure, and premium cost may not suit you. I would book it when you value close access, local interpretation, seabirds, and a more active ride.

The experience is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 109 days. That suggests you should plan ahead if this is important to your itinerary, especially during a busy period. You still need to allow for the minimum group requirement and weather.

Weather, cancellations, and the practical fine print

The boat does not operate when conditions are seriously windy. That is a sensible safety rule, but it means you should avoid placing the trip on the final possible hour of your Iceland plans.

If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum of six people is not reached, with the option of another date or experience, or a refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The cut-off uses local time.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English, and most people can take part, subject to the restrictions for pregnancy, back problems, children without an adult, and the need to handle an open-boat ride.

Who should book this RIB trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Vestmannaeyjar from the water rather than simply photograph it from shore. It fits people who enjoy active sightseeing, seabirds, unusual rock formations, and a guide who explains what you are seeing.

It is particularly good for:

• Visitors who want access to sea caves and close views of Elephant Rock
• Birdwatchers hoping to see puffins, gannets, kittiwakes, and eider
• Small groups that prefer a maximum of 12 people
• Visitors willing to pay more for a fast, close-range boat experience
• Anyone with enough flexibility to handle a weather or minimum-group change

I would hesitate to book it for someone seeking a smooth, dry, quiet cruise. I would also avoid it if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike boat motion, or have no spare time in case wind affects the schedule.

My booking call

Book this Ribsafari trip if your picture of Vestmannaeyjar includes sea caves, seabird cliffs, Elephant Rock, and a fast boat heading toward the outer islands. The combination of a 12-person maximum, supplied float suits, local guiding, and access to places larger boats cannot reach gives the $247.39 price a clear purpose.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost island sightseeing or need a guaranteed departure in tight weather-sensitive plans. For the right person, though, this is a focused two-hour way to see the Westman Islands at their most dramatic, from the waterline rather than from a distant lookout.

FAQ

Where does the RIB trip start?

The tour starts at the Ribsafari office at Tangagata 7, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær, Iceland.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at the office 30 minutes before the trip.

How long does the boat tour last?

The boat outing lasts about two hours. The full check-in process begins earlier at the office.

What is included in the price?

The price includes all taxes, fees, handling charges, activities, the driver and guide, and the local guide. A float suit and life jacket are also provided.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of 12 people. At least six people are needed for the trip to operate.

What happens if the weather is too windy?

The trip does not operate in very strong wind. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted or refunded.