2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Whales are only half the adventure. This two-hour trip from Reykjavik combines a fast RIB ride across Faxaflói Bay with guided searches for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and harbour porpoises. I like the small maximum group of 12 and the way the boat can move quickly between likely feeding areas. I also like that warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life jackets are included, so you are not expected to arrive dressed like an Arctic sailor.

The main consideration is the ride itself. The RIB can be bouncy and intense in rough water, and the boat travels at high speed. That makes it exciting for many people, but it may be uncomfortable for anyone with back, joint, or heart problems. At about $189.87 per person, this is not the cheapest whale-watching option in Reykjavik, so you are paying for speed, a smaller group, and a more active outing rather than a relaxed cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• A 12-meter custom RIB reaches the bay quickly: You spend less of the two-hour outing simply getting to the whale-feeding areas.
• The boat holds no more than 12 people: That gives the guide more room to answer questions and helps you get a clear view when wildlife appears.
• Suspension seats soften the ride: They help, but they do not turn rough seas into calm water.
• Puffin island is a seasonal bonus: The stop at Akurey takes place during the summer nesting season, when puffins are in Iceland.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: If you see nothing, you receive a complimentary chance to return on a Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.
• The tour is best for active adults and older children: Children under 10 or under 145 centimeters are not recommended, and you need a moderate level of fitness.

Meeting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The tour begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you select hotel pickup, a bus takes you to the office before departure. Without pickup, you make your own way to the harbour, which is near public transportation.

Give yourself at least 30 minutes before departure. This is not a suggestion to wander in at the last moment. You need time to check in, find the changing area, put on the supplied gear, and listen to the safety instructions.

The changing setup may feel a bit cramped when several departures are preparing at once. One useful practical point is that the check-in building and the gear area may not be immediately obvious, so allow time to ask staff where to go. Once suited up, you will wear warm waterproof overalls, a life jacket, gloves, and goggles. These layers matter because the wind across the bay feels much colder at speed than it does on the harbourfront.

The guide provides instructions in English. The crew has received strong praise for being friendly, funny, and well informed about marine life. Guides such as Jonathan, Blanca, and a captain known as Yoda have been singled out for making the outing engaging, though your crew will depend on the departure.

Boarding the 12-meter RIB

After the safety briefing, you board a brand-new, custom-built 12-meter RIB express boat. The boat has suspension seats designed to reduce the sharp jolts that come with a high-speed ride. Those seats are one of the most important details in the entire experience. On smooth water, they make the ride comfortable. On rough water, they lessen the impact, but you will still feel the sea.

The RIB is built for speed and quick turns. That gives the captain a better chance of reaching an active whale or dolphin sighting without spending long stretches crossing empty water. It also makes the ride part of the attraction. Several accounts describe it as similar to a roller coaster or an exhilarating open-sea run.

You should be honest with yourself about what you want. If you picture sitting quietly on a large boat with a cup of coffee, choose a more sedate whale-watching cruise. If you enjoy wind, movement, and a little adrenaline, the RIB adds real value.

The small size also changes the mood. With a maximum of 12 people, the guide can usually keep the group together and point out birds or whale activity without shouting across a large deck. You are closer to the water, and the boat feels more like a small expedition than a sightseeing ferry.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay with Esja in view

The run across Faxaflói Bay is scenic even before the first animal appears. Keep an eye on the Reykjavik shoreline behind you and the distinctive Esja mountain across the water. The combination of open sea, mountain views, and the city coastline gives the ride a strong sense of place.

This is also when you learn why the RIB can improve your odds. The boat’s speed allows the crew to reach feeding areas farther out in the bay during a two-hour schedule. The guide and captain work together, watching the water for blows, dorsal fins, surfacing patterns, and groups of birds that may signal activity below.

The boat does not guarantee a whale simply because it moves quickly. Wildlife follows food, weather, and chance. A fast boat gives you more range, not certainty. That distinction is important when you are paying nearly $190 for a short excursion.

You might see humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, or harbour porpoises. Humpbacks are often the most memorable because their size and tail displays are easy to recognize. Minke whales may surface briefly, while dolphins can be more active and travel beside the boat in groups.

Finding whales, dolphins, and porpoises

The wildlife search is not a staged show. The guide cannot call up a whale on demand, and the animals may appear for only a few seconds. You may get a distant blow, several quick glimpses, or a longer encounter with a whale surfacing repeatedly.

On the best outings, the boat has followed humpback whales for close to an hour. Some sightings include two whales, a mother and calf, or humpbacks moving near a pod of dolphins. Tail flukes, water sprays, and acrobatic behavior are possible, but breaching is never something you should expect on schedule.

Dolphins may be easier to spot because they travel in groups and can remain active near the boat. Harbour porpoises are smaller and less dramatic, so you need to watch carefully when the guide points them out. The guide’s role is important here. You are not just looking at the water alone. You are learning what to watch for and why a particular patch of sea matters.

I especially like the combination of speed and interpretation. The RIB gets you into position, but the guide turns a quick glimpse into an understandable encounter. Expect explanations about the animals and seabirds in English, along with practical help when the captain adjusts position.

The crew follows the IceWhale code of conduct, which is meant to limit disturbance while allowing close observation. A small boat can sometimes approach wildlife more closely, but responsible distance still matters. Getting close enough to see a whale clearly is thrilling. Chasing it aggressively would spoil the experience for both you and the animal.

The summer stop at Akurey puffin island

During the summer nesting season, the boat stops near Akurey, one of the popular puffin-nesting islands. This adds variety to the trip and gives you a chance to see one of Iceland’s best-known seabirds in its natural setting.

Puffins are small, and the boat does not always get as close as you might hope. Bring binoculars if you have them, and keep your camera ready. Puffins can sit on the water, fly low, or appear to run across the surface as they gain speed.

The stop is seasonal, so do not count on it outside the months when puffins are nesting in Iceland. It is also a wildlife viewing stop, not a landing. The value is in seeing the island and birds from the water, especially if your whale sightings are limited.

For some people, Akurey becomes an unexpected highlight. For others, the puffins may look like small dark shapes at a distance. That is a fair reason to keep expectations sensible. The boat is designed mainly to search for whales and dolphins, with puffin island as a welcome addition.

Returning along Reykjavik’s coastline

Before heading back to the Old Harbour, the boat follows the Reykjavik coastline. This gives you a different view of the city and a final chance for photographs. Keep your camera protected from spray, and do not remove your goggles too quickly if the wind is still strong.

The full tour lasts about two hours, though the exact rhythm depends on sea conditions and wildlife. The return ride can feel shorter because you now know the boat’s movement and have settled into the seats. If the water turns rough, however, the trip back may still be tiring.

If hotel transfers were selected, a drop-off bus waits at the harbour. Hotel transfers cost extra, so check the option carefully when booking. If you arrange your own transport, the activity ends back at the Old Harbour meeting point.

Is the $189.87 price fair?

At $189.87 per person, this is a premium whale-watching experience. You are not simply paying for a seat on a boat. The price includes the small group, a newer custom RIB, suspension seating, cold-weather equipment, an English-speaking guide, and the chance to cover more of Faxaflói Bay in a short time.

The value is strongest if you care about the ride as much as the wildlife. Even on a day with only a brief minke whale sighting, the fast crossing, open-water views, and puffin stop can make the outing worthwhile. One helpful safety net is the complimentary return option if no wildlife appears, though the free retry is on the Classic or Express whale-watching tours rather than necessarily another RIB departure.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to see a whale and you dislike physical activity. No operator can guarantee sightings, and a two-hour tour gives nature a limited window. You may see only one whale, or none at all.

I would treat the price as payment for a compact, active marine adventure. If you want the highest possible comfort for the money, compare it with a larger boat. If you want speed and a small group, the extra cost is easier to justify.

Rough water, safety, and physical demands

The supplied gear is a real strength. Warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, and goggles protect you from cold air and spray, and the equipment is reported to be clean and in good condition. Wear warm layers underneath and sturdy shoes, since you still need comfort getting in and out of the boat.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. Boarding a RIB requires stepping down into the boat and settling into a fixed seat. The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or anyone under 145 centimeters, and the operator also advises against the ride for people with back problems or those who are pregnant.

Pay attention to the weather notice. Rough water can produce hard landings, even with suspension seats. One account described serious back pain after a particularly forceful impact, while other older passengers found the ride enjoyable. The difference is not just age. Your tolerance for bouncing, your physical condition, and the day’s sea state all matter.

The tour may be cancelled if weather makes conditions unsuitable. That is frustrating when you have built it into a short Iceland itinerary, but it is preferable to forcing a small fast boat into unsafe seas. If the company cancels for poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers.

Who will enjoy this RIB tour most?

I would recommend it to adults, active older children who meet the size and age guidance, couples, and small groups who want a more exciting alternative to a standard cruise. It also suits you if you value close guide interaction and want to spend less time simply crossing the bay.

The tour is a good match for photographers who enjoy quick wildlife encounters, though you need to keep your camera secure and be ready fast. It also works well for anyone with only a short stay in Reykjavik because the experience lasts roughly two hours and begins in the Old Harbour.

I would think twice if you have a heart condition, back or joint problems, limited mobility, or a strong fear of rough water. You may also prefer another option if a calm, slow ride matters more to you than speed.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want a fast, close-to-the-water adventure and understand that wildlife sightings remain unpredictable. The strongest reasons are the small group, capable guides, quick RIB, quality cold-weather gear, and the chance of seeing humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins in one outing.

Skip it if you need a gentle cruise or cannot comfortably handle a bumpy ride. For everyone else, this is a lively way to experience Faxaflói Bay, with a complimentary retry if the wildlife fails to cooperate. Just check the forecast, arrive 30 minutes early, dress in warm layers, and decide honestly if a high-speed boat suits your body as well as your sense of adventure.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

The tour begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is available only if you select that option. Transfers cost extra. Without pickup, you meet the tour at the Old Harbour ticket office.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment. You should still dress warmly and wear good shoes.

How many people can join the RIB tour?

The boat can carry a maximum of 12 travelers, creating a small-group experience.

What happens if no whales are seen?

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If there are no sightings, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours.

Can children join the tour?

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old or anyone under 145 centimeters. Participants should also have a moderate level of physical fitness.