Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik whale tour is the small 12-seat RIB. You sit close to the water, move quickly across Faxaflói Bay, and spend less time chugging from one possible sighting to the next. The boat can cover ground fast when a whale or dolphin appears, and the low seats make the action feel close.

I like the warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment, and I like the quick city views at the start and end. The crew may find minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins, with some trips producing several species. The catch is simple: this can be a wet, rough ride, and wildlife is never guaranteed.

What makes this RIB trip different

• A 12-seat boat keeps the group small, so the guide can answer questions and help you follow sightings.
• The RIB moves quickly, a real advantage when animals surface in more than one part of the bay.
• Warm overalls and gloves are provided, along with goggles and safety equipment.
• Harpa, the Sun Voyager, Engey, Lundey, and Viðey add sightseeing value even when wildlife is scarce.
• Summer offers the best odds, though the tour operates all year when sea conditions allow.
• A calm day can be magical, but wind changes the experience completely, so dress with more protection than you think you need.

Leaving Old Harbour beside Harpa

Your meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, a short walk from central Reykjavik and near public transportation. There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to reach the harbor on your own. The tour ends at the same place, which makes it easy to continue into downtown afterward.

The harbor departure gives you an enjoyable few minutes before the boat reaches open water. You get broad views of Harpa Concert Hall, whose colored glass facade reflects Iceland’s basalt forms, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront. These sights are not the main reason to book, but they make the start feel like a compact Reykjavik sightseeing trip rather than a simple transfer to the whale grounds.

The crew fits you with warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment. Use every piece. One particularly useful tip is to wear a hat even in summer, since the wind can cut through gaps around your head and neck. The supplied gear helps, but it does not make jeans, ordinary shoes, or a light jacket fully waterproof.

The RIB ride across Faxaflói Bay

A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, sits low and handles very differently from a large whale-watching vessel. You straddle your seat and hold on as the captain builds speed. On a calm day, the ride feels lively and fun. On a windy day, waves can send cold saltwater over the front and sides.

That difference matters. Some people describe the ride as the ideal mix of speed and excitement. Others find the spray tiring, with soaked shoes, damp clothing, and little chance to use a phone. Your comfort depends heavily on the sea that day, not just on your tolerance for speed.

The small boat gives you a better chance to feel part of the search. You are not looking over a large crowd, and the captain can turn quickly when the crew spots movement. The tradeoff is that there is less room to walk around and no sheltered indoor cabin. If you need a steady, dry platform, choose a larger boat instead.

The guide usually keeps an eye on the water and explains what you are seeing. On some outings, the guide has been a marine biologist. Claudia, Eva, and Julien are among the crew members praised for friendly care and strong wildlife spotting. The level of explanation can vary, so you should book this mainly for the fast small-boat format, not for a formal marine-life lecture.

Searching Faxaflói for whales and dolphins

Faxaflói Bay opens wide in front of Reykjavik. From the water, you may see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast and, on a clear day, the distant Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano about 120 kilometers away. The bay itself is relatively open, with only a few islands near shore.

The crew searches for minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. You might see one species, several species, or none. That uncertainty is part of any whale trip, and the company cannot control where wild animals surface.

The RIB’s speed is valuable here. If dolphins appear in one area and whales are spotted farther off, the boat can relocate faster than a slower vessel. The boat also gives you a low viewpoint, so a whale surfacing close by can feel remarkably near. One outing brought a humpback within about 15 feet of the RIB, though that kind of distance is a lucky moment, not a promise.

Dolphins can be especially entertaining. They may travel beside the boat or swim beneath it, and some outings have included schools of dolphins early in the trip. Harbour porpoises are smaller and harder to follow, so you may only catch a brief glimpse.

Whales are less predictable. A minke may surface once and disappear. A humpback may remain in the area long enough to spout, rise, slap the water, and show its back before sounding again. If you are watching, keep your eyes on the water rather than your camera. The action can last only a few seconds.

Engey, Lundey, and Viðey on the route

The islands add useful reference points as the boat works through the bay. Engey is the second largest island in Kollafjörður, the inner part of Faxa Bay. It helps break up the open-water view and gives you a sense of how close Reykjavik remains even after the boat has left the harbor.

Lundey means Puffin Island in Icelandic. It is a small, uninhabited island off Reykjavik, and the route may bring you near puffins, especially during the warmer months. Puffins are not the main target of the trip, but they can be a welcome bonus when whale sightings are thin.

Viðey is the largest island in Kollafjörður. Seeing these islands from the water gives the outing a local character. You are not just speeding into empty sea. You are moving through the island-fringed bay that shapes Reykjavik’s waterfront.

The itinerary does not promise a separate landing or a long stop at any island. Think of them as scenic points along the search route. The boat may pass near them while the crew looks for birds and marine mammals.

What a successful outing can look like

The strongest trips combine speed, skilled spotting, and good luck. One outing included minke whales, puffins, and two humpbacks that held attention for much of the trip. Another produced four whale species and two dolphin species, with humpbacks swimming very close to the boat.

You might instead see a single humpback or a few distant blows. Even a good sighting can be brief. One person found the guide excellent but wished the animals had stayed visible longer and come closer. That is a fair warning: the RIB improves your position and response time, but it does not control the animals.

The company may offer a complementary ticket if no whales are seen, but that does not restore time in your schedule. If seeing whales is a top priority, leave room in your Iceland plans for another attempt. Booking early in your stay gives you more flexibility, though this tour is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging about 36 days in advance.

The real price of the experience

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales. You are paying for a small group, a fast boat, supplied protective gear, and a roughly two-hour outing from central Reykjavik. The speed can make the price worthwhile if you value close views and a more active ride.

A larger boat may offer more indoor shelter and a steadier platform, but it will not provide the same low-to-the-water feel. The RIB also spends less time simply getting from place to place. If several animals are active, that speed can turn a good sighting into a series of sightings.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet cruise or a guaranteed wildlife show. You are paying for the chance to search well, not for a fixed number of whales. The best return comes on a calm day when dolphins or humpbacks are active.

Weather, clothing, and cancellations

Take the weather warning seriously. The operator cancels when wind or sea conditions are unsafe, and some departures have been canceled the night before or at the harbor. That can disrupt a short Reykjavik visit, especially when there is no time to rearrange your day.

Safety should come first, but communication matters. Check your phone and email before leaving for the harbor, and keep your schedule flexible if the forecast looks poor. If the company cancels because of weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you can accept another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

For your part, wear layers and bring a hat. Use the provided overalls, gloves, and goggles. Waterproof trousers or shoes are not listed as included, so do not assume your regular footwear will stay dry. A phone is hard to use once spray starts, and you should protect it before the boat reaches open water.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Who will enjoy this boat most

I would choose this outing for someone who wants wildlife plus a little adrenaline. It suits couples, families with children, and anyone who prefers a small group to a large vessel. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 12.

It is less suitable if you dislike bumps, cold spray, or sitting exposed to the weather. It may also frustrate serious photographers. The boat can move quickly and the animals may appear for only seconds, while wet hands and bouncing seats make camera work difficult.

The tour is offered in English. It lasts about two hours, but allow extra time around the scheduled departure in case fitting gear and boarding take longer than expected.

Is the Reykjavik RIB whale tour worth booking?

Book it if you want the most active whale-watching option from downtown Reykjavik. The small group, quick boat, low viewpoint, and chance of close dolphins or humpbacks make it a memorable choice. The views of Harpa, the Sun Voyager, Lundey, Engey, and Viðey add value even before the wildlife search gets serious.

Skip it if you need a calm, dry ride or if your schedule cannot absorb a weather cancellation. The smartest plan is to book early in your visit, wear every layer provided, and treat whales as a possibility rather than a guarantee. On a calm day with active animals, this can be one of the best ways to see Faxaflói Bay.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching RIB tour?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB holds a maximum of 12 people for the tour.

What equipment is provided?

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment are provided.

What animals might I see?

The tour may find minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and puffins. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you must make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.