Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

The best part of this Reykjavík outing is the combination of a fast, lively boat ride and a real search for whales in open water. A 12-seat RIB can cover ground quickly, then slow down when the captain spots a blow or a pod of dolphins. I like the small group size and the chance to see Reykjavík’s harbor, Harpa concert hall, Engey, and Puffin Island from the water. The tradeoff is simple: the ride can be rough, windy, and cold, and wildlife never follows a schedule.

I also like the warm overalls, gloves, and goggles, which matter more than they might sound on a chilly Icelandic morning. Guides such as Claudia, Julian, Julien, and Bianca have been praised for clear explanations and good energy. Still, this is not a gentle harbor cruise. You need to be at least 145 centimeters tall, aged 10 or older, and comfortable with a bumpy ride.

Key points at a glance

• A true small-group trip: The RIB carries only 12 people, giving you a better view and a less crowded ride than a large sightseeing boat.
• Fast access to Faxaflói Bay: The boat can reach whale and dolphin areas more quickly than slower vessels.
• Wildlife can be varied: Sightings may include humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.
• Good city views included: You pass Reykjavík landmarks, Engey, and Lundey, the island known as Puffin Island.
• A useful wildlife guarantee: If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket for another attempt.
• Weather matters: Wind and waves can cancel or change the boat, so keep your plans flexible.

From Old Harbor to the open bay

Your outing begins at the Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to central Reykjavík. Check in 30 minutes before departure by scanning the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. That extra time is useful, since you must collect your gear and get ready before boarding.

The meeting point is easy to reach on foot from central Reykjavík. If you drive, check the supplied parking information before setting out, since the nearest free parking is not at the check-in door. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the harbor.

Once everyone is suited up, you walk to the 12-seat RIB. The boat is built for speed and maneuverability, not for strolling around or sitting in a large enclosed cabin. You sit or half-stand in a supported position, using your legs to soften the impact as the boat meets the waves. That makes the ride exciting, but it also explains why people with back problems should skip it.

The first part often feels like a proper speedboat outing. The RIB heads out from the harbor and across the water toward the wildlife areas in Faxaflói Bay. The captain can cover a large area in a short time, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose this format.

The ride is also the part most likely to test you. Even with calm weather, the boat may bounce, and wind can hit your face and ears at speed. Bring warm layers, cover sensitive ears, and consider a face covering if cold wind bothers you. The supplied goggles help with spray and wind, while the waterproof overalls provide a valuable outer layer.

Searching among Reykjavík’s islands

The trip is not only about chasing whales. The route takes you among the small islands and along Reykjavík’s coast, giving you a different view of the city. Harpa concert hall is especially striking from the water, while the shoreline and surrounding mountains help you understand how closely Reykjavík is tied to the bay.

Engey, the second-largest island in Kollafjörður, appears as part of the route. It is uninhabited and gives the boat a more open-water setting soon after leaving the harbor. Lundey, or Puffin Island, is another important stop in the wider search area. It is small, uninhabited, and known for puffins and seabirds.

Puffins are seasonal, so your chance depends on the time of year. Several spring and summer outings have included puffins, sometimes in large numbers, while late-season trips may catch the final part of puffin season. The best general whale-watching period is April through September, and that is also the sensible window if you hope to combine whales with puffins.

The islands add value even on a quiet wildlife day. You are not simply sitting offshore with Reykjavík behind you. You are moving through a working coastal setting, watching the city recede and the open bay widen around you.

What the wildlife search is really like

The captain and guide watch the water for blows, fins, splashes, and moving groups of birds. The boat may change direction quickly when a whale surfaces or dolphins appear. This is where the RIB has an advantage over a large vessel: it can move promptly toward a sighting and position a small group without a crowded deck.

Commonly reported sightings on this route include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Some outings have seen several species in one trip, while others have produced only a few brief glimpses or no whales at all. That difference is normal. Wild animals decide the itinerary.

Humpback whales are often the headline sighting. You might see a back roll through the water, a blow rising into the air, or a tail lifting before the whale disappears. A few lucky outings have included multiple humpbacks, close passes, or active behavior such as breaching and tail slapping. Those moments are memorable, but they should be treated as luck rather than a promised part of the tour.

Minke whales can be harder to spot because they are smaller and often surface quickly. Dolphins may be easier to follow when they travel in a pod beside the boat. Porpoises are smaller still, so you need to watch carefully and listen to the guide’s directions.

That last point is worth noting. The RIB is noisy, especially at speed, and one person has found it difficult to hear exactly where the captain was pointing. Stay alert, keep your camera ready, and look in the direction given as soon as the boat slows. You may have only a few seconds to catch a fin or blow.

Two hours, with the timing used well

The stated duration is two hours, but the wildlife search does not happen at one fixed spot. You may spend a meaningful part of the outing reaching the main whale area, then pause for sightings before returning toward Reykjavík and checking around Puffin Island or nearby waters.

That timing creates a small compromise. A fast RIB gets you out there quickly, but if wildlife is far from the harbor, the ride to and from the sighting area takes part of your time. One outing found a strong concentration of humpbacks after a lengthy run, leaving less time for watching than the passengers hoped.

Still, the boat’s speed helps balance that problem. A slower craft may spend more total time on the water but less time actively searching across a wide area. The RIB is a good choice if you value movement, access, and the excitement of responding to sightings.

Guides add useful context during the search. English is the operating language, and past guides including Claudia, Klaudia, Julian, Julien, and Bianca have been singled out for explaining whale behavior, answering questions, and keeping the group engaged. The guide is not just decoration here. On a short trip, someone who can identify a blow or explain the difference between a minke whale and a humpback makes each sighting easier to understand.

The small boat advantage

A 12-seat limit changes the feel of the experience. You are not trying to peer over rows of heads or rush from one side of a large deck to the other. The guide can speak to a compact group, and the captain can turn the boat without managing a huge passenger load.

The RIB also gets closer in a practical sense, not because it should crowd the animals, but because it can maneuver in response to their movement. A number of outings have included dolphins near the boat and whales close enough for clear photographs. The boat’s low profile can make the wildlife feel more immediate.

There are costs to that intimacy. You are more exposed to weather, spray, noise, and motion than you would be on a larger vessel. If the sea is rough, a big boat may feel more stable. One RIB departure was changed to a larger yacht because of wind and waves, and that alternative offered a calmer ride but lost much of the speedboat thrill.

The operator’s decision to sail depends on weather, wave conditions, passenger safety, and comfort. A trip can be rescheduled if conditions are poor or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. That is sensible for a small boat, but avoid placing this activity immediately before a flight or other fixed appointment.

Who should book this RIB trip

I would choose this outing for an adult or older child who wants an active sea experience rather than a quiet cruise. It suits you if the idea of bouncing across the bay sounds fun and you are willing to accept that the wildlife search may not produce a dramatic encounter.

It is not suitable for children under 10, anyone under 145 centimeters, pregnant women, or people with back problems. The combination of speed, wave impact, and a half-standing riding position is the reason for those limits. You should also think twice if you are prone to seasickness. Even in decent weather, several people have felt unwell.

The trip is a good fit for photographers, but keep your camera secure and be ready to shoot quickly. You may get excellent views of whales, dolphins, puffins, and Reykjavík, though the boat’s movement makes long, carefully framed shots difficult. A phone or camera with a wrist strap is the practical choice.

If your priority is warmth and stability, choose a larger boat if an alternative is offered. If your priority is a smaller group, speed, and the possibility of moving quickly between sightings, the RIB makes more sense.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is an expensive two-hour activity, especially in Iceland, where many excursions already carry a high price. You are paying for the specialized RIB, a small passenger load, safety equipment, a guide, and the ability to cover more water than a slower boat.

The value depends heavily on what you want from whale watching. If you only want a basic chance to see a whale, a standard boat may cost less and provide a steadier ride. If you want the ride itself to be part of the adventure, the RIB offers more energy and a closer, less crowded setup.

The complimentary return ticket helps protect the purchase if the wildlife stays away, though it is only useful if you have another day in Reykjavík. One person missed out on a second attempt because it was their final day in Iceland. If your schedule is tight, the guarantee cannot erase the risk of an empty sighting day.

For a first whale-watching trip, the small group and fast boat can justify the cost. I would book it when you have at least one flexible day, not when this is your only narrow chance before leaving Iceland.

Practical preparation before departure

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing beneath the provided overalls. The operator supplies warm suits, gloves, goggles, and required safety equipment, but your own base layers still matter. Wind can make the bay feel colder than Reykjavík’s streets.

Bring a camera, but protect it from spray and keep your hands free when the boat is moving quickly. The supplied gear can be stored at the office according to trip arrangements, but take only what you need aboard.

Check the weather and keep an eye on messages from the operator. The captain may cancel, reschedule, or substitute a larger boat when wind and waves make the RIB unsuitable. A change of boat can be disappointing, but going out in unsafe conditions would be worse.

The cancellation terms are practical: cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland route is still taking shape.

Should you book it?

Book this RIB trip if you want a lively, small-group wildlife search and can handle cold wind, bumps, and uncertainty. It is especially appealing from April through September, when whale activity and puffins give you the widest range of possible sightings.

Skip it if you need a smooth, quiet ride, have back or balance concerns, or have no spare day for a weather change. The whales are wild, and even the best captain cannot promise a show.

For the right passenger, $200 buys more than a view of the bay. It buys a fast run among Reykjavík’s islands, a close look at the city from the water, and a genuine chance to meet Iceland’s marine life on its own terms.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour leave from?

It leaves from the Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavík. You should check in 30 minutes before departure by scanning the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

How long is the tour?

The boat trip lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I see no wildlife?

You receive a complimentary ticket to try the tour again on another day. This is most useful if your schedule allows a second attempt.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera. The operator supplies warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment.

Who cannot join the RIB tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 145 centimeters tall. The boat can be bumpy and exposed to wind and waves.