Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, this is less a slow cruise and more a fast wildlife search on the North Atlantic. I like the small 12-person group, which gives you a better view than a packed sightseeing boat, and I like the powerful RIB’s ability to cover more water. The suspension seats also take some sting out of the ride.

I especially like the chance to see puffins at their breeding grounds from May through August, followed by harbor views of the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. The trade-off is clear: wildlife is never guaranteed, and the speedboat can be rough, so this trip is not suited to pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone shorter than 145 centimeters.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast RIB boat: The rigid inflatable boat can search a wide area and get close to whales, dolphins, seabirds, and islands near Reykjavik.
• Small group of 12: Limited numbers make it easier to see the water and hear the English-speaking guide.
• Puffins are seasonal: The best window for puffin sightings runs from early May to late August.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive protective overalls and all required safety equipment, but you still need closed-toe shoes.
• Wildlife sightings vary: Minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds have all been seen, but nature sets the schedule.
• No-whale backup: If you do not see whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride.

A speedy start from Reykjavik Old Harbour

You meet at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure. The tour does not include hotel pickup, so plan your own way to the harbor and avoid bringing luggage or a large bag.

The first job is practical. You receive a short safety briefing, put on the supplied warm overalls, and settle into the RIB. Closed-toe shoes are required. The boat uses high-quality suspension seats, often called shock seats, which are designed to improve comfort and safety as the hull moves over the water.

This is an important difference from a standard whale-watching vessel. You sit low, close to the sea, and the boat can move quickly between likely wildlife areas. That speed gives the captain a larger search range during a two-hour outing, but it also means you should expect movement. If you prefer a calm ride with lots of indoor shelter, choose a larger boat instead.

The group limit of 12 is a real advantage. You are not trying to look over several rows of heads, and the guide can speak to a small group rather than a crowd. The English-language tour includes both a professional captain and a wildlife guide.

Searching the islands for whales and dolphins

Once the RIB leaves the harbor, the trip shifts from city sightseeing to open-water scanning. Your captain heads toward the islands near Reykjavik Old Harbour and the wider waters where whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds may appear.

The RIB’s main strength is range. A traditional boat may offer more room, but this smaller vessel can move quickly to cover a broader search area. That does not guarantee a sighting, since whales surface on their own schedule, but it improves the tour’s ability to look in more than one place during the short two-hour window.

You will need to watch the water carefully. A whale may show only a back or a brief blow, while dolphins can appear suddenly beside the boat. Several past outings have included Minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and even a shark. One particularly strong wildlife encounter included dolphins swimming and jumping near the boat, a humpback whale breaching, and two Minke whales.

The low seating position can make close sightings feel especially immediate. It also means spray and wind are part of the deal. The warm overalls help, but bring sensible footwear and dress for North Atlantic conditions beneath the provided gear. The boat ride itself is a major part of the fun, even on a day when the animals keep their distance.

Puffin stops from May through August

From early May until close to the end of August, the captain makes a short stop near puffin breeding grounds at the start of the outing. This gives the seasonal part of the trip a clear place in the schedule rather than treating puffins as an accidental extra.

Puffins are appealing, but keep your expectations in proportion. They are smaller than whales and may not provide the same dramatic moment as dolphins riding alongside the boat or a whale surfacing nearby. Still, seeing them near their breeding grounds adds a distinctly Icelandic touch, especially if you are visiting during the warmer months.

Outside the puffin season, the tour remains focused on whales, dolphins, seabirds, and the coastal setting. Do not book this trip solely for puffins if your visit falls outside the May to August window. The seasonal stop is not part of the experience year-round.

Returning past the Sun Voyager and Harpa

On the way back, the RIB follows Reykjavik’s shoreline. This gives you a different view of the city, with the sea between you and the harborfront buildings.

The Sun Voyager sculpture is one of the most recognizable sights along the waterfront. Seeing it from the water changes the usual city-walk perspective and gives the captain a quick sightseeing stop on the return route. Harpa Concert Hall provides another strong landmark, with its striking waterfront exterior visible from the boat.

You also pass colorful fishing huts and the restaurants around the harbor. These sights help connect the wildlife outing to Reykjavik itself. You begin in a working harbor, spend much of the tour in open water, then return with the city spread along the shore.

The trip lasts about two hours and ends back at the same starting point. Some captains add a playful speedboat spin in the harbor on the return, but you should treat that as part of the captain’s handling of the boat rather than a guaranteed feature.

How much wildlife can you expect?

The honest answer is that sightings vary. Several outings have produced excellent encounters, including dolphins, Minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds. Other trips have produced only a glimpse of one Minke whale, or dolphins without whales.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the operator. It is simply the nature of wildlife watching. One October outing had great staff and an exciting ride but no whales. Another had a single brief look at the back of a Minke whale. If seeing a whale is the only reason you are booking, keep the complimentary return ticket in mind.

If no whales are spotted, the captain provides another ride at no extra charge before you leave. That policy does not guarantee the second outing will succeed, but it lowers the risk of paying once and getting no chance to try again.

Weather matters, too. A trip can be canceled because of sea conditions even when Reykjavik looks fine from land. That happened to one group, and the staff explained that conditions offshore were different. The decision is sensible: the North Atlantic can change quickly, and a small RIB needs safer water than the harbor does.

Is the $200 price worth it?

At $200 per person, this is a premium two-hour activity. You are paying for the fast RIB, a small group, professional crew, protective gear, and the ability to search a broad area. You are also paying for a more active ride than a large whale-watching boat usually provides.

The value depends on what you want. If you care most about comfort, indoor space, and a lower price, compare this with a larger vessel. If you want the boat ride itself to be exciting and prefer sitting close to the water, the RIB offers something different.

I think the price makes the most sense for people who want two experiences in one: a serious attempt to find wildlife and a fast coastal ride around Reykjavik. The tour also saves you from spending the full two hours in one fixed viewing area. The captain can cover more ground, which is useful when animals are scattered.

Still, no expensive wildlife trip can promise a whale. The complimentary return option helps, but you need enough time in Reykjavik to use it. If your schedule allows only one narrow departure, you may want to choose a tour based on the ride, coastal views, and possibility of wildlife rather than a guaranteed result.

Who should choose this RIB tour?

This outing suits older children and adults who enjoy speed, open water, and a little uncertainty. Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall. Those limits are tied to the boat’s size, motion, and seating rather than simply the length of the tour.

It is a good match if you want:

• A small group rather than a large boat
• A fast ride with suspension seats
• Close views of the sea and shoreline
• A chance to see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seabirds
• A guide who can explain the animals and local waters
• A short activity that fits into a Reykjavik stay

Think carefully if you have a history of back problems. The operator does not recommend the trip for people with back problems or pregnant women. The speed and movement that make the ride exciting can also make it uncomfortable.

You should also be ready for a boat trip, not just an observation platform. Even with warm overalls and shock seats, the RIB moves across open water. If that sounds like the best part, you are looking at the right kind of tour.

Practical planning for your departure

Choose from the available start times, then make your own way to the Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes early so you have time for check-in, the safety briefing, and the change into warm overalls.

Wear closed-toe shoes. Do not bring luggage or a large bag, since the boat has limited space. Food and drinks are not included, so eat and drink before you board if you need something more than the tour itself.

The tour is conducted in English. The captain drives and handles the route, while the wildlife guide explains what you see and helps you understand the animals. Guides on past outings have included Elsa and Raoul, both praised for being friendly and clear, with Elsa especially noted for her conservation-focused explanations.

Keep your schedule flexible around the sea. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful in Iceland, where weather can change quickly, though you should still check the exact departure time and conditions before heading to the harbor.

My take: book it for the ride as much as the whales

I would book this tour if I wanted a small, fast, active outing from central Reykjavik and understood that wildlife sightings are never certain. The strongest reasons are the 12-person limit, the broad search area, the close-to-the-water seating, and the chance to see dolphins or whales without spending half a day away from the city.

I would skip it if I needed a gentle, sheltered boat ride, had back problems, was pregnant, or could not accept paying $200 for a possible wildlife sighting. For the right person, the RIB ride is exciting even before an animal appears. For the wrong person, the speed and exposed position may overshadow everything else.

Book during May through August if puffins matter to you. Leave room in your schedule for a second attempt if whales are your main goal. With those expectations in place, this is one of Reykjavik’s more memorable ways to combine marine wildlife with a close look at the city from the water.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour leave from?

It leaves from Reykjavik Old Harbour at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $200 per person.

What type of boat is used?

You ride in a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, with suspension seats designed to improve comfort and safety.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The small-group tour is limited to 12 people.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine wildlife. Sightings have included Minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, puffins, and a shark.

Can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffin stops are offered from early May through the end of August, when the birds are at their breeding grounds.

What should I bring?

Bring closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and the necessary safety equipment are provided.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is suitable for children who are at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if no whales appear?

If you do not see any whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride.