Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The best part of this tour is the combination of fast RIB boat travel and Iceland’s endless summer light. You can spend your day seeing Reykjavik, then head out in the evening when the bay glows under the midnight sun. The small boat reaches wildlife areas quickly, and the ride itself feels like part of the adventure.

I like the 12-person limit, which gives you a better view than a crowded deck, and I like the final run along Reykjavik’s shoreline past the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. The trade-off is comfort: this is a brisk, open-water ride, not a gentle harbor cruise. It is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 10, or people with back, knee, or mobility problems.

Key points

• Two hours on a high-performance RIB: The boat covers water quickly and can get closer to wildlife than a larger sightseeing vessel.
• Evening departures suit summer plans: Use the bright Icelandic night for wildlife watching after a full day in Reykjavik.
• Puffins are seasonal: You have the best chance from about May 15 through August 20.
• Small groups mean better sightlines: Each boat carries only 12 people, with a captain and wildlife guide aboard.
• The wildlife mix is broad: The search includes whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals, though sightings can never be promised.
• A whale guarantee adds value: If you do not see whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for a later ride on a larger boat.

Setting Out From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because the crew needs to get you fitted with warm overalls and safety equipment before you board.

The harbour is easy to pair with an evening in central Reykjavik. You can eat nearby before or after the trip, though food and drinks are not included. The meeting point also puts you close to some of the city’s best waterfront views, so you do not need to treat the tour as an isolated activity.

This is not a hotel pickup tour. You make your own way to the Old Harbour, and you should avoid bringing luggage or large bags. Loose clothing is also not allowed, a sensible rule on a fast boat where flapping layers can become a nuisance.

The crew provides warm overalls, but I would still wear a proper base layer, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Recent passengers found the cold noticeable even during successful summer outings. You will enjoy the animals far more if your hands and face are warm enough to stay focused.

Why the Evening Timing Works

I like the departure time because it lets you use Reykjavik’s daylight efficiently. During Iceland’s summer, the sun remains above or close to the horizon for much of the night, so an evening sailing does not mean sacrificing your best views.

You can spend the earlier part of the day at museums, on a city walk, or farther afield, then return for a two-hour trip on Faxaflói Bay. The bright sky changes the mood of the experience. Instead of a standard daytime excursion, you get the soft light of late evening over the water, with the city glowing behind you on the return.

The wildlife does not follow a sightseeing timetable. Whales do not fully sleep, and the tour searches the same waters used by daytime departures. In summer, whale sightings are reported on more than 95 percent of outings, which is a strong figure, but it is still not a promise for your particular trip.

That distinction matters. You are paying for time on the water, expert searching, and a chance to see wild animals in their own habitat. You are not buying a guaranteed performance. A whale may surface briefly, remain distant, or fail to appear at all. The complimentary larger-boat ticket helps soften that risk if no whales are seen.

The RIB Ride Across Faxaflói Bay

The vessel is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, designed for speed and stability. It is smaller than a classic whale-watching boat, yet powerful enough to cover a wider area in the two-hour window.

The captain gets you out of the harbour quickly. That speed has a practical benefit: less of your tour is spent simply reaching the search zone. It also adds excitement. You should expect a lively ride, with wind, spray, and the need to hold on as the boat moves across open water.

The small size gives you a more direct view of the sea. With only 12 people aboard, you are not looking over a large crowd or fighting for a position at a crowded rail. The guide can also speak to a manageable group, and you have a better chance of hearing what is being pointed out.

There is a price for that access. A RIB does not offer the same sheltered, spacious feel as a larger boat. It is a poor choice if you need a calm ride or have a history of back or knee trouble. The operator specifically excludes people with mobility impairments, and the experience is not recommended for pregnant women.

For able-bodied children, the minimum age is 10, and each child must be at least 145 centimeters tall. That height rule is worth checking before you book. A child who meets the age requirement but not the height requirement will not be suitable for this boat.

Searching for Puffins Near the Wind-Beaten Islands

One of the first wildlife targets is the group of islands near the bay. The boat loops around these wind-exposed outcrops to look for puffins in their natural setting.

Puffins are small, quick, and easy to underestimate. Hundreds may gather in one area, as happened on a recent July outing, but they can still be hard to photograph from a moving boat. Bring patience rather than expecting a posed portrait.

Timing is important. Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, you should not book this particular trip expecting puffins. Whales and dolphins remain the main reason to go, but the bird portion is a major bonus during the right weeks.

The evening light can work in your favor. Bright summer skies help you watch the birds and the water around the islands, while the low angle of the sun can give the scene a warmer look. Weather remains changeable, so do not assume that a late-summer sailing will feel mild.

Watching for Whales and Dolphins

After the puffin area, the captain heads into open water to search for whales and dolphins. Humpback whales are among the species you might see, and recent outings have also included dolphins and seals.

The most praised part of the experience is the chance to see large animals at close range. Humpbacks have surfaced near the boat on separate occasions, and multiple whales have appeared beneath the evening sky. Dolphins may travel near the boat, while seals can add an unexpected sighting to the trip.

Close viewing is exciting, but the guide’s approach matters just as much as distance. One recent outing was especially appreciated because the animals were not hounded and the boat was not surrounded by a crowd of other vessels. That gives you a more respectful wildlife experience and makes each sighting feel less manufactured.

You should keep your eyes moving. A whale may surface behind you, and dolphins can appear for only a short time. The guide and captain will help direct your attention, but you will get more from the trip if you stay alert instead of watching through a camera screen the entire time.

The boat’s speed helps the crew search a wider section of the bay. That does not guarantee a sighting, but it improves the use of a short two-hour schedule. On a larger boat, you may have more interior shelter but spend more time reaching the search area.

The Guides and the Small-Group Feel

Your crew includes a professional captain and an English-speaking wildlife guide. Guides Maria and Miquel have been specifically praised for being warm, helpful, and well informed during recent outings.

A 12-person boat changes the social feel of the trip. You are not part of a huge crowd, and the guide can give clear instructions without relying on a loudspeaker. You also have less competition for the best viewing angle.

The small group does not mean the captain can control the animals or guarantee a private encounter. Other boats may still be operating in the bay, and wildlife remains unpredictable. It does mean the experience feels more personal and nimble than a standard large-boat cruise.

I also like that the tour combines interpretation with action. You are not simply transported to a viewing area. You learn what to watch for while the captain moves between islands, open water, and the city shoreline.

The Return Along Reykjavik’s Shoreline

The final part of the trip brings you back toward the city along the shoreline. This is more than a practical return to the harbour.

You get views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and the glittering Harpa Concert Hall. Fishing huts, restaurants, and waterfront attractions fill out the scene, giving you a different look at Reykjavik after time spent facing the open bay.

This closing run helps the tour feel like a complete evening outing rather than a wildlife search followed by an ordinary dock arrival. The city lights and water views also make it a good fit for a first or last night in Reykjavik, though you should leave enough time afterward if you have a fixed dinner booking.

The shoreline segment is not the main reason to pay $200, but it adds useful value. You get wildlife, a fast boat ride, and a short waterfront tour in one package.

Is $200 a Fair Price?

At $200 per person, this is a premium excursion. You are paying more than you would for a basic large-boat whale cruise, so the value rests on three things: the RIB boat, the small group, and the evening timing.

The RIB lets you cover more water and approach the wildlife area in a more direct way. The 12-person limit gives you better sightlines and a less crowded setting. The evening departure lets you fit whale watching into a full day in Reykjavik without giving up the city’s bright summer hours.

Those benefits matter most if you care about the quality of the ride and the size of the group. If your main goal is simply to get on the water at the lowest cost, a larger boat may make more sense.

The whale guarantee improves the financial risk. If no whales appear, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat before you leave. It does not solve every inconvenience, since you need time for another outing, but it is better than paying a premium and receiving no second chance.

The high rating of 4.9 from 28 ratings supports the idea that the experience delivers well for people who want a close, active wildlife outing. I would still treat that rating as a guide, not a promise. Weather, sea conditions, and animal behavior will shape your particular trip.

Who Should Book This Evening Cruise?

I would choose this tour if you want an active boat ride, prefer a small group, and have a strong interest in wildlife. It is especially useful for a summer visit when the long daylight makes an evening departure feel natural.

It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a fast open-water boat. The minimum age of 10 and height requirement of 145 centimeters make it less flexible for families with younger children.

You should think twice if you are sensitive to cold, prone to motion discomfort, or need a sheltered and easy-access vessel. Warm overalls are provided, but you still need layers, gloves, and a hat. The operator does not recommend the trip for people with back or knee problems, and it is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Photographers may like the smaller boat and close views, but this is not a calm platform with unlimited time to set up equipment. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you can safely carry and use.

Booking Details That Matter

The tour lasts two hours and operates in English. Check the available departure times for your date, since the exact schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while you build an Iceland itinerary.

The tour needs at least two passengers to operate. If that minimum is not met, you will be offered a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the Old Harbour ticket office. Wear warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Do not bring a large bag or loose clothing, and remember that food and drinks are not included.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if the idea of seeing humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins from a fast, 12-person RIB sounds worth the premium price. The strongest reasons to choose it are the small group, the efficient boat, and the chance to watch wildlife beneath Iceland’s bright evening sky.

I would book between May 15 and August 20 if puffins matter to you. Outside that window, choose it for whales and dolphins rather than birds.

Skip it if you need a gentle, sheltered ride, have back or knee problems, or want the cheapest possible whale-watching option. For the right passenger, though, this is a compact and lively way to turn a Reykjavik evening into a serious wildlife outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the ticket office at the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What type of boat is used?

The tour uses a custom-made rigid inflatable boat, also called a RIB speedboat.

How many people are on each boat?

Each boat carries only 12 people.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals in and around Faxaflói Bay.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

You receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and safety equipment are provided.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.