2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

A 12-meter RIB can cover Faxaflói Bay quickly, giving you a lively ride and a better chance of reaching feeding areas during this two-hour whale watch. I like the small group of up to 12 people and the fast, custom-built boat with suspension seats. Guides such as Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan have earned praise for their animal knowledge and calm handling.

I also like that Special Tours supplies warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests, so the cold wind is less of a problem. The trade-off is clear: this is a bumpy, high-speed boat trip, not a gentle cruise. Rough seas can be hard on backs and joints, and boarding takes some effort.

Key Points Before You Book

• Custom RIB boat: The 12-meter vessel uses shock-absorbing suspension seats to soften the ride, but the boat can still bounce hard in rough water.
• Small-group setting: A maximum of 12 people gives you more room to look for wildlife and hear the guide.
• Main wildlife targets: The crew searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
• Summer puffin stop: The route includes Akurey, a nesting island, when puffins are in Iceland.
• Full cold-weather gear: Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests are provided.
• Free second chance: If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket for a later Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express trip.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your outing begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you choose hotel pickup, a bus brings you to the harbour and returns you afterward. Without pickup, plan to reach the meeting point on your own.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because you need to check in, collect your gear, and listen to the safety briefing before boarding. The changing area can feel tight when several departures are being prepared, so arriving early makes the start less rushed.

The clothing package includes warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and a life vest. Wear good shoes and warm layers underneath. The supplied gear blocks much of the wind, but you are still heading into open water at speed, so ordinary sightseeing clothes are not enough.

The safety talk is short but important. Listen closely to instructions about boarding, seating, and staying secure during the faster sections. The boat uses suspension seats designed to absorb some of the jolts, yet you should still expect movement.

What the RIB Ride Feels Like

The RIB is the main attraction, not just transportation to the whales. It is quick enough to reach feeding areas faster than a larger, slower boat, and the open design gives you a clear view in every direction.

Several outings have included speeds close to 30 knots. That creates a roller-coaster feel, especially when the sea is choppy. Some people find the ride thrilling from the first minute. Others may find the bouncing tiring, particularly during a rough-weather departure.

The boat’s suspension seats are a real advantage. They make the ride more comfortable than a basic rigid seat, and one guide or captain may help you find a more suitable position if you are nervous. Still, suspension seats do not turn a RIB into a calm sightseeing boat.

Use the ride as a practical test of your comfort level. If you have back or joint problems, a heart condition, limited mobility, or concern about rough water, this may not be the right format for you. The experience is not recommended for children under 10 or people under 145 centimeters, and the operator also warns against joining with back problems or during pregnancy.

Into Faxaflói Bay With Esja in View

As the RIB leaves Reykjavik, you get a fine view back toward the city and out across Faxaflói Bay. The mountain Esja is one of the main visual markers on the route, rising across the water and giving the trip a strong sense of place.

The bay is more than a backdrop. It is feeding ground for several species, and your guide explains what to watch for as the boat moves through the search area. You may see a whale’s back or blow, a dolphin moving beside the boat, or a porpoise appearing for only a second before vanishing.

This is wildlife watching, not a set performance. A whale can surface once and disappear. A pod of dolphins might stay near the boat for several minutes, or the crew may need to search in several areas before finding anything. Sightings are not guaranteed, even with a fast boat and experienced crew.

That uncertainty is part of the value of having an active guide. People who have worked with captains such as Yoda and guides such as Blanca or Jonathan describe careful searching, clear explanations, and patient tracking. Staff assignments can change, so do not book expecting a particular person, but the guide’s role is central to making the most of limited time on the water.

Searching for Humpbacks, Minkes, Dolphins, and Porpoises

Humpback whales are the most dramatic possible sighting. Their large backs and tail flukes can appear above the surface, and a mother and calf may travel together. The RIB’s speed can help the crew reach an active area, but the captain must still keep a respectful distance and follow wildlife-watching rules.

Minke whales are smaller and often quicker to miss. You might see one briefly before it slips below the surface. A short glimpse can feel anticlimactic if you expect a full breach, but it is still a genuine sighting in the animal’s natural habitat.

White-beaked dolphins are often more active around the boat. They may travel in a pod, surface repeatedly, or move close enough to create a memorable encounter. Harbour porpoises are another possible sighting, though their smaller size and brief surfacing make them harder to spot.

The strongest outings can include several species. Some have involved two humpbacks, a long period following whales, or dolphins moving alongside a whale. Other departures have produced only one quick whale sighting, or none at all. Book this for the search and the setting, not for a guaranteed close-up photograph.

Akurey and the Summer Puffins

During summer nesting season, the boat stops near Akurey, one of the area’s popular puffin islands. This adds a second wildlife experience to the outing and breaks up the whale search.

Puffins can be plentiful around the island, but they may look small from the boat. The RIB does not always get as close as you might hope, so bring binoculars if you have them. You can still watch birds flying low over the water, and one guide has pointed out puffins running across the surface.

The stop is a useful bonus rather than the main reason to choose the tour. If whale watching is your priority, keep your expectations focused on the bay. If you enjoy seabirds and want a faster, more active way to see a nesting island, Akurey makes the itinerary more varied.

The timing of this stop depends on the season. It is included during the summer months when puffins are in Iceland for nesting, not as a year-round feature.

The Guide and Captain Make the Difference

A good captain spots movement, handles the boat smoothly, and positions the RIB without creating unnecessary disturbance. A good guide helps you understand what you are seeing and keeps the mood steady during the quiet stretches.

The most praised staff members in the supplied accounts include Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan. Yoda is singled out for confident boat handling, while Blanca and Jonathan are praised for friendly explanations and strong animal knowledge. These names reflect past departures, not a promise about your particular crew.

English is the tour language. The guide may point out seabirds and explain whale behavior as you move through the bay. This is especially helpful when the wildlife appears for only a few seconds, since you learn where to look and what signs to watch for.

The crew also has to make judgment calls about weather, sea conditions, and wildlife distance. Most reports describe feeling safe and well equipped, but one serious account describes painful impacts in heavy swells. That is an important warning, not a minor footnote. Ask yourself if an intense boat ride would still be enjoyable if the sea turns rough.

Is $189.87 a Fair Price?

At $189.87 per person, this is a premium whale-watching option in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small group, a fast custom RIB, supplied cold-weather equipment, a two-hour search, and an English-speaking guide.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If your priority is the lowest possible price or a stable ride, a larger boat may make more sense. If you want speed, a small group, and a more physical connection with the water, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The free return option also softens the risk. If you see no wildlife, Special Tours provides a complimentary ticket for a later Classic or Express whale-watching trip. That does not give you back the time spent or guarantee a better result, but it gives you another opportunity without buying a second ticket.

The experience is best value for someone who considers the RIB ride itself part of the attraction. Several outings have produced only a quick whale sighting, yet the boat ride, views, gear, and puffin stop still formed a worthwhile half-day activity. If you need a guaranteed wildlife encounter, no operator can promise that here.

Practical Details That Matter

Hotel pickup and drop-off can be added for an extra fee. Without that option, you start and finish at the Old Harbour meeting point, which keeps the logistics simple if you are already in central Reykjavik.

The full activity lasts about two hours, but allow extra time before departure for check-in and gearing up. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so do not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. Poor weather can cancel the outing, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed for the trip is not reached.

The tour is offered in English and operates with a maximum of 12 people. That limit is one of its practical advantages. You have a better chance of seeing over other heads, and the guide can speak to the group without the distance and noise of a large vessel.

Bring a camera, but protect it from spray and keep it secure during the fast sections. Goggles are supplied, yet glasses wearers may want to think about how they will manage eyewear under the hood and goggles.

Who Should Book This RIB Tour?

I would choose this for an active couple, a small family with suitable-age children, or anyone who wants whale watching with a dose of speed. It is also a good fit if your schedule is tight, since the RIB can reach the bay’s feeding areas quickly.

You should be comfortable with a rough ride and able to board a small boat. The operator requires moderate physical fitness, and the minimum height and age limits matter. This is not a good pick for anyone with serious back or joint concerns, limited mobility, or a strong dislike of bouncing over waves.

It also suits someone who values the setting even if the wildlife is shy. Esja, Reykjavik’s shoreline, seabirds, Akurey, and the open bay provide plenty to look at while the crew searches. The experience feels more like a sea expedition than a quiet cruise.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want the best chance of reaching whale-feeding areas quickly and you enjoy a fast, physical ride. The small group, excellent cold-weather gear, suspension seats, summer puffin stop, and possible second ticket make the price easier to defend.

Skip it if you need a smooth boat, guaranteed sightings, or a gentle family outing. For everyone else, this is a strong Reykjavik choice, provided you read the weather forecast, arrive early, dress in layers, and accept that the RIB ride can be as memorable as the whales.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the base experience. It can be added for an additional fee, with return transport also provided when that option is selected.

What wildlife might I see?

The crew searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are puffins included?

During the summer nesting season, the boat stops at Akurey, a popular puffin nesting island.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, goggles, and access to suspension seats designed for extra comfort.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not recommended for children under 10 years old or for anyone under 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if I see no whales?

If there are no wildlife sightings, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on a Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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 refunded.