From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

A humpback whale surfacing beside a fast RIB is the sort of Iceland moment you remember long after you have left. This two-hour speedboat trip mixes wildlife watching with a lively ride across Faxaflói Bay, so you are not simply sitting on a slow boat waiting for a fin.

I like the small 12-seat boat, which gives the guide a good chance to speak with you directly. I also like the practical gear: warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and a scarf. The tradeoff is clear: the ride can be rough, especially in wind, and whales are wild animals that may keep their distance.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-seat RIB makes the boat ride part of the attraction, with suspension seats designed to soften the impact of the waves.
• Faxaflói Bay can produce a varied wildlife show, including humpback and minke whales, dolphins, seals, porpoises, and seabirds.
• Puffin islands are part of the route, giving you a chance to see birds in the water, in flight, and around their nesting areas.
• The harbor departure is scenic, with views of Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture before the boat reaches open water.
• Warm protective clothing is supplied, but you still need warm layers and fully closed shoes.
• This suits active adults and older children, but children under 10 are not allowed.

Why this speedboat tour feels different

Reykjavik has several ways to search for whales. A larger vessel usually offers more indoor shelter and a steadier ride. This RIB takes the opposite approach. You sit close to the water, feel the boat rise and fall over the waves, and cover ground quickly.

That speed matters in a two-hour outing. The boat can leave the old harbor, pass the central waterfront, reach likely wildlife areas, spend time searching, and return without turning the trip into a half-day commitment. You get a proper look at Faxaflói Bay while keeping much of your day free for Reykjavik.

The boat has 12 suspension seats. That small capacity gives the outing a personal feel, and the suspension helps reduce the jolts from the water. It does not make the ride smooth in bad conditions, though. On a windy day, the RIB can be bumpy, and the fast sections may feel exciting to one person and uncomfortable to another.

I would choose this trip if you enjoy a little motion and want wildlife watching to feel active. If you prefer a calm, quiet cruise, a larger boat may be a better fit.

From Ægisgarður to open water

You meet at Ægisgarður 5G, about a five-minute walk from Reykjavik’s city center. This is convenient if you are staying near the center or already exploring the old harbor. Allow enough time to arrive, get fitted with the gear, and listen to the safety guidance before departure.

The crew provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf. The overall is especially useful because spray and wind can make the open bay feel much colder than the city streets. Still, wear warm clothing underneath. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the protective suit is not a substitute for layers.

You must wear closed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and open-toed shoes are unsuitable for this boat. I would choose sturdy footwear with a good sole, then keep your hands free for the ride and your camera.

The RIB is described as a new, state-of-the-art boat. Its 12 seats and safety equipment are important here because the boat is designed for speed, not just transport. The guide speaks English and Icelandic, and you receive information about the wildlife as well as the city.

Reykjavik waterfront views before the wildlife search

The departure gives you a short scenic introduction to Reykjavik from the water. As the boat leaves the harbor, you pass Harpa Concert Hall, the city’s striking glass-fronted performance venue, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront.

These views add value to a short tour. You are not starting in a featureless stretch of sea. Instead, the trip begins with recognizable city sights before the skyline gives way to open water. If you are new to Reykjavik, this offers a useful sense of how the harbor relates to the central city.

The harbor section is also the gentlest part of the outing. Use it to check your clothing, secure loose items, and get comfortable in the seat. Once the boat picks up speed, the wind becomes stronger and the ride becomes more physical.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

Faxaflói Bay is the main wildlife area for the tour. Up to 23 species of whale can be found in the bay, along with dolphins, seals, and several kinds of seabirds. That variety gives the guide different possibilities to look for, but it also means sightings are never guaranteed.

The most likely memorable encounters from the experience described here include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and pilot whales. A humpback may appear as a broad back or a blow before disappearing again. Dolphins can be more active, sometimes swimming close to the boat and circling it.

Do not expect a wildlife show on demand. A whale can surface once and vanish for several minutes. Even when you see one, it may reveal only its back or blow rather than leaping clear of the water. That is normal in the wild, and it is part of the difference between this outing and an oceanarium.

The guide and boat navigator work together to search and follow animals without losing sight of the group or ignoring safety. You can ask questions during the trip, and the guide explains what you are seeing. This makes the experience useful even during quiet stretches, when the boat is moving from one search area to another.

The smaller boat can help you feel close to the water, but closeness is not the same as a guaranteed close approach to a whale. Animals set the distance. The crew’s responsibility is to search respectfully and avoid turning the encounter into a chase.

Puffin islands and the birdlife of the bay

The tour also heads close to islands where puffins nest and lay their single egg. This part gives the trip a different rhythm. Instead of watching for a large animal surfacing in the distance, you may see puffins flying, swimming, or gathering near the cliffs and shore.

Puffins are quick and small, so keep your camera ready and watch the water as well as the air. Seeing a puffin in flight is rewarding, but seeing one bobbing on the sea can be just as interesting. The boat allows you to approach the nesting areas from the water without landing on the islands.

The birdlife is not limited to puffins. The bay supports various seabirds, so this section adds detail to the wildlife search even if the whales remain elusive. On a strong day, the boat can combine a humpback, dolphins, puffins, and other birds into one compact outing. On a quieter day, the puffin islands and the ride still provide something to focus on.

The timing of puffin sightings can depend on the season, and the supplied information does not promise a particular number of birds. You should treat them as a welcome possibility rather than a fixed part of the trip.

The speed and the suspension seats

The RIB ride is not just a way to reach the bay. For many people, it is the main reason to choose this tour over a standard whale-watching boat. The boat can accelerate over the waves and make fast turns, adding a little adventure between wildlife stops.

The 12 suspension seats are meant to improve comfort and safety, but they cannot remove every bump. One outing may feel fairly manageable, while another may be rough because of wind direction and wave size. The sea conditions matter more than the boat’s age or design.

I would not recommend this for someone who dislikes fast boats, has trouble with rough water, or wants a quiet ride for the full two hours. The trip is also not suitable for children under 10. For older children and adults who enjoy a lively outing, the RIB can be a highlight in its own right.

Keep your expectations sensible about comfort. The warm overall blocks spray and cold air, but you may still feel the motion through the seat. Secure your glasses and personal belongings before the boat accelerates.

What the $192 price means

At $192 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small 12-seat boat, a fast ride, protective clothing, a guide, and the chance to reach wildlife areas quickly from the city center.

The value depends on what you want from a whale trip. If your priority is the most sheltered and steady ride possible, a larger boat may offer better comfort for your money. If you want a small group, direct contact with the guide, and a high-energy boat experience alongside wildlife watching, the price is easier to justify.

The gear also reduces the amount of specialist clothing you need to bring. You still need warm layers and closed shoes, but the waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket, and scarf are supplied. That matters in Iceland, where wind and spray can change how cold a short boat trip feels.

A two-hour duration works well for a busy Reykjavik schedule. You can fit it between meals, museums, or other city plans without giving up most of the day. The limitation is that two hours leaves less time to wait for wildlife than a longer cruise. The crew may work hard and still return with only a few sightings.

Weather, wildlife, and realistic expectations

Whale watching is always dependent on nature. The bay can produce several species in one trip, but it can also stay quiet. Whales are harder to spot in open sea than in a controlled setting, and no sighting can be promised.

Weather is just as important. Iceland can bring wind, drizzle, and changing conditions, even during a season that looks mild on a forecast. A calm day may make the RIB feel comfortable and allow everyone to focus on the animals. A windy day can turn the same route into a much rougher ride.

Dress for the boat, not just for Reykjavik. Wear warm layers under the supplied overall, choose closed shoes, and bring only items you can keep secure. Goggles help protect your eyes from spray, especially at speed.

The crew’s role is a major part of the experience. You receive information about whales, wildlife, and Reykjavik, and you can ask questions during the search. The best value comes when you treat the trip as both a guided nature outing and a boat adventure, rather than measuring it only by the number of whales seen.

Who should book this RIB outing?

I would recommend it to adults and children aged 10 or older who like fast boats, open water, and wildlife that does not follow a script. It is a strong choice if you want to stay near central Reykjavik and fit a wildlife trip into a short schedule.

It is also a good match if you care about group size. Twelve seats create a more intimate setting than a large sightseeing vessel, and the guide can explain what is happening without shouting across a crowded deck.

I would think twice if you are nervous on boats, prone to discomfort in rough water, or looking for a warm indoor cabin. The supplied waterproof clothing helps, but the RIB remains an exposed, active ride. The best day for this experience is one with calmer water, though the weather cannot be selected with certainty.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 119 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the close wildlife encounters, friendly guidance, safety focus, and fun of the RIB itself. Reports include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, pilot whales, porpoises, and puffins. That range is impressive, but it should not be treated as a promise for every departure.

My call: book it if you want wildlife with a jolt of adventure

Book this tour if you want your whale watching to include speed, spray, and a small group. The combination of a central harbor meeting point, a two-hour schedule, warm protective gear, and a 12-seat RIB makes it practical for a Reykjavik visit.

Choose another style of boat if comfort and shelter matter more than excitement. Also skip it if you cannot accept the basic uncertainty of wildlife watching. For the right person, the best outcome is not just spotting a whale. It is racing across Faxaflói Bay, seeing dolphins cut through the water, passing puffin islands, and returning to the city with the whole outing still fresh in your mind.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s old harbor, about a five-minute walk from the city center.

How long is the tour?

The cruise lasts two hours.

How many people can the RIB hold?

The boat has 12 suspension seats.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, puffins, and harbor porpoises. The bay can contain up to 23 whale species, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I see humpback whales?

Humpback whales have been seen on this outing, along with minke whales and other species. Seeing one on your departure cannot be guaranteed.

Are puffins part of the route?

Yes. The boat sails close to islands where puffins nest and lay their single egg.

What clothing and equipment are included?

A warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf are provided.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothing and fully closed shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

No. Children under 10 are not suitable for this activity.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guidance is available in English and Icelandic.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the booking terms.