Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

A small RIB can get across Faxaflói Bay fast, then turn sharply toward a whale blow or pod of dolphins. That gives you a lively ride and a better chance of reaching wildlife than a slow harbor cruise, though sightings are never promised. The boat also gives you fine views back toward Reykjavík, including Harpa concert hall and the city shoreline.

I like the 12-seat boat, which keeps the group small and makes it easier to see what the guide is pointing out. I also like the practical gear: warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are supplied, a real help when wind hits at speed. The tradeoff is a rough, exposed ride that is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone below 145 centimeters.

At a glance

• A fast route to the whale grounds: The RIB covers open water quickly, leaving more time to look for animals.
• A genuinely small group: The 12-seat boat feels more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Several species are possible: Humpback and minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds may appear.
• Wildlife comes first: The captain can change direction quickly when a blow or pod is spotted.
• Warm gear is included: Overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are provided.
• A free second chance: If no wildlife appears, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.

Setting out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

Your trip begins at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to Reykjavík’s waterfront. Check in 30 minutes before departure by scanning the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

You do not get hotel pickup, so allow time to walk, take a taxi, or arrange your own transport. If you drive, use the supplied map link to locate the nearest free parking, then leave enough time to find the meeting point.

The harbor is a good place to start. You are close to cafés, restaurants, and Reykjavík’s main waterfront sights, so this tour fits neatly into a day of city exploring. I would avoid scheduling it too tightly before a flight or another fixed activity. Sea conditions can change, and the captain’s safety decision takes priority.

Before boarding, you are fitted with warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and the required safety equipment. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing beneath the suit. The supplied gear helps, but it does not make the trip tropical. Several people found the wind cold, especially around the ears and face, so I would bring a hat or face covering if you are sensitive to chill.

The RIB ride across Faxaflói Bay

The boat carries up to 12 people, and that small capacity is one of its best features. You are not packed onto a wide sightseeing deck with a large crowd between you and the sea. The guide can speak to the group more directly, and the captain can maneuver with much greater freedom.

The RIB is built for speed, so the ride itself is part of the attraction. You travel between islands and out toward the feeding areas, with Reykjavík shrinking behind you. In calm weather, the journey feels exhilarating rather than intimidating. In wind or rough water, it becomes a serious bouncing ride.

One useful detail from the trip reports is that passengers often half-sit and half-stand to absorb the motion as the boat meets the water. That posture can make the ride more comfortable, but it is still not gentle. If you would avoid a very bumpy amusement-park ride, think carefully before booking this boat.

The speed matters for wildlife. A report from one trip described roughly half an hour reaching the main whale area, followed by about 45 minutes watching animals before the return toward Reykjavík. Exact timing can vary, but the basic point is clear: part of the two-hour outing is spent traveling, not watching whales. The RIB reduces that travel time compared with a slower vessel, but it cannot remove it.

Watching whales in open water

The main goal is to find whales in their natural surroundings, not to visit a fixed attraction. The captain watches for blows, fins, and activity on the surface, then changes course when something appears.

Humpback whales are the species most often described on successful trips. You might see a broad back, a blow, a tail fluke, or a full breach. Some outings have produced several humpbacks, with one group seeing close encounters with three and another seeing around seven. Those moments depend heavily on conditions and animal behavior, so do not treat any particular number as a promise.

Minke whales are another possibility. They are smaller and can surface briefly, making them easy to miss if you are looking in the wrong direction. A guide who knows the animals and keeps scanning the water adds real value here. The guides have included Claudia or Klaudia, Julian or Julien, and Bianca, depending on the departure. Their roles combine spotting, explanation, and keeping the group focused.

Dolphins and harbour porpoises can make the trip even more rewarding. White-beaked dolphins have been seen close to the boat, sometimes in large groups, and porpoises have appeared alongside whales. Dolphins may move quickly and unpredictably, so the RIB’s maneuverability is especially useful.

You should also expect stretches with nothing obvious on the surface. That is normal whale watching. The boat may slow, circle, or reposition while everyone scans the bay. Bring a camera, but keep your eyes on the water too. A whale may surface for only a few seconds, and the best moment often happens away from the direction you were watching.

Engey, Lundey, and the Reykjavík shoreline

The route passes near Engey, the second-largest island in the Kollafjörður area of Faxaflói Bay. The island adds a sense of place to the outing. You are not simply being taken offshore and returned; the route introduces you to the small islands scattered around Reykjavík’s coast.

Lundey is also on the route. Its Icelandic name means Puffin Island, and the small, uninhabited island can provide a final wildlife stop on the way back. Puffins have been seen in large numbers in spring and summer, along with other seabirds.

Puffin sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. The best general whale-watching season is April through September, and puffins can add a pleasant bonus during that period. Some trips in April found hundreds of puffins, while later summer departures also saw birds around Lundey. In October, the focus is more likely to be whales and dolphins, though wildlife conditions vary.

The return route gives you a different view of Reykjavík. Harpa concert hall is especially easy to recognize from the water, and the shoreline, harbor, and mountains provide a fine backdrop on a clear day. If the whales are quiet, the city views and island passages still give the outing some sightseeing value.

What the guide and captain add

A good wildlife outing depends on more than speed. The captain must decide where to search, how close to approach, and when to move on. The guide must explain what you are seeing without losing the group in a burst of pointing and excitement.

This operation has received strong praise for friendly crews and clear explanations. Guides such as Claudia, Julian, Julien, and Bianca have been singled out for their enthusiasm and marine information. The captain’s experience is just as important, especially when wind and waves make the bay less forgiving.

There is one practical weakness to know about. On a fast boat with engine noise and wind, it can be hard to hear the captain’s instructions about where to look. Sit where you can see the guide and keep checking both sides of the boat. Wildlife can appear behind you just as easily as in front.

The small group helps the atmosphere. A guide can answer questions without shouting across a packed deck, and the captain can react quickly to a sighting. That is a meaningful benefit if you want the trip to feel active and personal rather than like a large sightseeing cruise.

Weather, comfort, and the risk of seasickness

The trip depends on suitable weather. The captain decides if the RIB can operate, based on wind, waves, safety, and passenger comfort. A departure may be rescheduled if conditions are poor, or if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

A fast boat does not automatically mean a dry boat. In decent weather, the protective clothing may keep you comfortable without getting wet. In cold wind or rough conditions, spray and chill remain possible. One departure was switched from the RIB to a larger yacht because the wind made the smaller boat unsuitable. The slower boat was less exciting, but it offered a more comfortable alternative in difficult weather.

The motion also causes seasickness for some people. Even on a relatively calm day, some passengers felt ill. I would avoid a heavy meal just before sailing, dress in layers beneath the supplied suit, and consider your own tolerance for bouncing on open water.

This is not the right trip for anyone with a back problem, for pregnant women, or for children under 10. It is also not suitable for anyone shorter than 145 centimeters. Those rules are tied to the boat’s seating, movement, and safety needs, not simply to age.

Is 200 dollars a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is an expensive two-hour activity, especially in Iceland, where many outings already carry a high price. The value comes from the combination of a small group, fast boat, warm equipment, guide service, and the chance to see several species in the wild.

The RIB can reach whale areas quickly and move toward fresh sightings faster than a large vessel. You also avoid the crowding that comes with a standard boat, where passengers may be spread across decks and farther from the water. If you care most about intimacy and excitement, the premium makes sense.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to get out on the bay. Wildlife cannot be guaranteed, and two hours includes travel time. A quiet trip can still offer islands and city views, but it may not feel like a $200 experience to every visitor.

The free return ticket improves the value. If you see no wildlife, you can try again on another day at no extra charge. That help is limited if you are in Reykjavík for only one day, but it matters if your schedule allows a second attempt.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking also make it easier to fit the trip into a changeable Iceland itinerary. Those policies do not remove the weather risk, but they give you some flexibility.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this RIB tour if you want wildlife, speed, and a small group in equal measure. It suits adults and older children who are comfortable with a bumpy ride and who would rather move quickly toward animals than spend the day on a large boat.

It is also a strong choice for photographers, though you need to balance camera use with watching the sea. The small boat gives you a better chance of being close to the action, but the movement makes steady photographs difficult.

You should choose a larger boat instead if you want a steadier ride, more room to move around, or better shelter in poor weather. A large vessel may feel less exciting, but it can be the wiser option for anyone prone to seasickness or uncomfortable with wind.

Plan your clothing carefully, arrive 30 minutes early, and leave spare time around the booking. The trip is English-speaking, and the supplied equipment covers the main safety needs, but your personal comfort still depends on warm layers and sensible footwear.

Should you book the Reykjavík RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want the most active version of whale watching from Reykjavík and accept that nature does not follow a timetable. The boat is small, quick, and capable of reaching pods and whales that a slower vessel may struggle to approach.

I would be especially tempted during April through September, when whale watching is generally strongest and puffins may add another reason to keep scanning the islands. If you have only one day in Reykjavík, understand that the free repeat ticket may not help if the water is quiet, so the risk is higher.

For me, the deciding factors are your comfort with rough water and your appetite for uncertainty. If both are high, $200 can buy a memorable outing with whales, dolphins, puffins, island views, and a genuinely thrilling ride. If you need a calm, dry, predictable cruise, choose a larger boat instead.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour begin?

The tour begins at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How do I check in?

Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk inside Old Harbour House.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts two hours.

How many people fit on the RIB boat?

The RIB carries 12 people.

What wildlife might I see?

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

Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, but you receive a complimentary ticket to try again if you see nothing.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment are provided. You should also bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 years old or for anyone under 145 centimeters.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The captain decides if conditions are suitable, and the tour may be rescheduled because of weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached.