RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik whale watch is the small RIB boat. With no large crowd blocking your view, you sit close to sea level and can turn quickly when a whale surfaces. The boat also covers a wide search area, which matters when wildlife is spread across Faxaflói Bay.

I like two things here: the personal feel of a boat capped at 12 people, and the marine biologist guide who explains what you are seeing instead of simply pointing at a fin. The return along Reykjavik’s waterfront, past the Sun Voyager and Harpa, is a fine bonus. The catch is the ride itself. It can be rough, especially on the way back, so this is not a good pick for anyone with knee or back trouble.

Key points to know before booking

• A true small-group trip: The RIB carries no more than 12 people, giving you room to see wildlife from sea level.
• Puffins are seasonal: Visits to Akurey, Engey, or Lundey run from early May through the end of August.
• The ride is part of the attraction: Fast and exciting on calm water, but choppy conditions can make the trip demanding.
• Warm gear is supplied: You get coveralls and safety equipment, with wool or fleece, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes still recommended.
• Wildlife can be varied: Sightings have included humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, gannets, and other seabirds.
• There is a weather backup: If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Why the 12-person RIB changes whale watching

At $208.09 per person, this is not Reykjavik’s budget whale excursion. You are paying for a very different setup from a large sightseeing boat: a small group, a fast boat, sea-level views, and the chance to move around the bay with less crowding.

That difference matters when an animal surfaces close by. On a large boat, you may need to compete for a rail position. Here, your guide can direct the boat and the group can shift attention quickly. Several outings have produced close humpback sightings, with one whale surfacing near the boat and another breaching repeatedly.

The RIB also gives you an exciting ride between sightings. That is a plus if you enjoy speed and open water. It is not just transport to the wildlife. It is part of the experience, and you should book with that in mind.

The boat carries high-performance suspension seats. These absorb some of the shock when the water gets rough, and they are one reason the ride can remain comfortable even when the bay is choppy. They do not turn the North Atlantic into a calm lake. You still need moderate physical fitness, and the operator does not recommend this activity for people with knee problems or young children.

Meeting the crew at Ægisgarður 5d

You meet at Ægisgarður 5d in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The tour ends at the same place, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the harbour on your own.

Before boarding, you receive coveralls and the required safety equipment. The coveralls are important. Even on a bright day, wind over the water can feel much colder than the temperature in town. Bring a wool or fleece sweater, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear rather than relying on ordinary city clothes.

The boat is limited to 12 people. That small capacity helps the guide keep instructions clear and gives you a better chance of seeing from either side of the RIB. It also means the experience can sell out, especially since it is commonly booked well ahead.

Your guide is a professional marine biologist. Guides on these trips have included Maria, Sam, Ann, and others, with a captain and guide working together to spot animals and handle the boat. Their role is not only to identify species. They also fill the quiet stretches, explain animal behavior, and help the group stay focused when the sea offers only a distant fin.

Akurey and the puffin islands from May to August

During puffin season, roughly early May through the end of August, the boat makes a short run to one of the islands outside Reykjavik. The possible stops are Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, depending on the outing.

The boat spends about five to ten minutes near the island. That may sound brief, but the islands are close to the Old Harbour, and the RIB can reach them quickly. Puffins, auks, gannets, and other seabirds fill the air and cliffs in season. You may also see puffins in the water near the harbour.

This section is especially useful for anyone who wants a broader wildlife trip rather than a whale-only outing. You are not promised puffins, whales, or dolphins on every departure, but the route gives you more than one reason to keep watching.

The small boat helps here. It can approach the islands more quickly than a slower, larger vessel, and you get a low view of the birds on the water. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole visit looking at a screen. Five minutes goes quickly, and the birds will not pose for you.

Outside the puffin season, the itinerary focuses on the bay and its marine life. If puffins are a priority, book between early May and late August and confirm the seasonal schedule when you reserve.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

The main wildlife search takes about an hour and a half. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, covering a broad area in search of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds.

This is where the RIB’s speed becomes useful. Wildlife does not gather at a fixed viewing platform, so the crew needs to search. A faster boat can cover more water and respond when another sighting is reported. That improves your chances, but it cannot guarantee an encounter. These are wild animals in open water.

Sightings have included humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and even a basking shark. Some trips have produced several humpbacks, while others have had fewer sightings or none. The experience depends on weather, season, animal movements, and simple luck.

The low position on the water gives the whales a strong sense of scale. When a humpback rises near the boat, you are looking across the surface rather than down from a high deck. That can make a close surfacing feel more immediate. It also means spray, wind, and cold are part of the deal.

Your guide may ask everyone to watch one side of the boat, then quickly turn attention elsewhere. You will need to stay alert. A whale can appear for only a few seconds, and the most exciting moments may happen when you have just lowered your camera.

The ride, the weather, and the real comfort level

This is a fast boat tour, not a gentle cruise. On good water, the speed makes the trip playful and efficient. In rough conditions, it can become a hard ride, particularly on the return journey.

That distinction is important for older adults and anyone with joint, knee, or back problems. The supplied information specifically advises against the tour for people with knee problems, and several outings have included long, choppy stretches. The suspension seats help, but they do not remove every jolt.

For people prone to seasickness, the experience varies. Some passengers have found the ride manageable, while others have needed help from the crew. The guides are prepared to assist, but you should still consider your own tolerance for rough water before paying the higher price.

Weather can also cancel the RIB trip. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. One practical warning: poor weather may lead to a different boat option, but a substitute trip does not guarantee whale sightings. I would keep some flexibility in your Reykjavik schedule rather than placing this on the final morning before departure.

The return past Sun Voyager and Harpa

After the wildlife search, the boat heads back along Reykjavik’s shore. This final stretch gives you a different view of the city, with the sea opening a wide angle toward the waterfront.

The route passes the Sun Voyager sculpture, one of Reykjavik’s best-known coastal sights. It then goes by Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass facade looks particularly striking from the harbour side. You get a short waterfront tour without paying for a separate city cruise.

This is a pleasant way to finish. After watching open water for more than an hour, the city comes back into view, and you can take photographs from the boat. The stop by Harpa is brief, around five minutes, so treat it as a scenic pass rather than a proper visit inside the building.

The boat returns to Ægisgarður roughly two hours after departure. Since there is no hotel transfer, you are free to continue exploring the Old Harbour, walk toward central Reykjavik, or use nearby public transportation.

Is $208.09 a fair price?

The price is high for a two-hour activity, but the comparison should be with other small-group RIB trips rather than with every whale boat in Reykjavik.

You are paying for a maximum of 12 people, a professional marine biologist guide, supplied coveralls, safety equipment, suspension seats, and a fast boat that can cover more of the bay. You also get the puffin island visit in season and a short coastal view of Reykjavik on the way back.

The value is strongest if you care about the boat experience itself and want a more personal outing. It is also a good fit if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want wildlife, seabirds, and waterfront views in one two-hour trip.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to get on the water at the lowest cost. A larger boat may offer more interior shelter or a gentler ride. This RIB also has no food or drinks included, though the trip is short enough that this is rarely a serious issue.

The 4.7 rating and 93 percent recommendation reflect a strong overall record, but I would not read those numbers as a promise of whales. The operator provides an alternative ticket if there are no sightings, while weather cancellations offer another date or a full refund. Wildlife tours always involve some risk of an empty sea.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this trip for an active adult, a couple, or a family with older children who want close views and do not mind a lively ride. Children must be over 10 and taller than 145 centimeters, so this is not designed for small children.

It suits you especially well if:

• You prefer a small group to a large sightseeing boat.
• You enjoy speed and do not mind wind or spray.
• You want puffins as well as whales during the summer season.
• You like having a marine biologist explain what you are seeing.
• You can handle sitting on a moving boat for about two hours.
• You have enough flexibility to move the booking if weather cancels the trip.

I would choose another type of boat if you have knee or back problems, dislike rough water, or want a quiet cruise. The high-performance seats help, but the operator’s own warnings should be taken seriously.

Book at least a little ahead. The trip is often reserved 46 days before departure, and the 12-person limit is a real limit, not a loose marketing claim. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The final call: thrilling, personal, and weather dependent

I would book this tour if I wanted the most direct version of Reykjavik whale watching and was comfortable paying more for it. The combination of a small boat, sea-level views, puffin islands in summer, and a marine biologist guide gives the trip more character than a standard harbour outing.

The main question is not simply Will I see whales? You cannot control that. The better question is Will I enjoy the RIB ride even if the animals stay distant? If your answer is yes, the price makes more sense.

Choose it for the close-up format and the fun of the boat. Skip it if you need a smooth, sheltered ride or have physical limits that make rough water a concern.

FAQ

How long does the whale watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours, including the wildlife search, the return along Reykjavik’s shoreline, and the ride back to the Old Harbour.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the RIB boat?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Are puffins included on every departure?

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

What should I wear?

Wear warm layers, such as a wool or fleece sweater, along with a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Coveralls and necessary safety equipment are provided.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.