Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Wildlife watching with a speedboat twist. This two-hour trip takes you from Reykjavik into Faxaflói Bay, where you search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins. I like the small RIB boat because it can move quickly toward wildlife, and I like the suspension seats, which soften the jolts of the ride. The main tradeoff is simple: a fast open boat is exciting, but it can feel bumpy and cold, especially when the sea turns rough.

I also like the way this tour combines wildlife with a proper boat adventure. You can reach a cruising speed of 32 knots, then slow down in the feeding grounds to watch the sea. The included warm flotation suit, gloves, goggles, and life vest help, but you should still wear layers underneath.

The tour costs $194 per person for two hours. That is a serious price for a short outing, yet it includes the boat trip, safety gear, a guide in English, a summer stop at the puffin nesting grounds, and admission to the Whales of Iceland Museum. The value depends heavily on your priorities: this is for people who want a lively, close-to-the-water experience, not a quiet cruise on a large ship.

Key points to know before booking

• The RIB reaches 32 knots: Getting to Faxaflói Bay is part of the fun, with a fast ride and plenty of spray.
• Suspension seats soften the jolts: Each seat has shock absorption and a handle, making the ride easier on your body than a basic inflatable boat.
• Wildlife sightings are never promised: You might see several humpbacks, or only distant minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: The stop at Akurey and its nesting grounds is offered during the summer breeding season.
• Warm gear is included: You receive overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles, but extra clothing is still wise.
• Museum entry adds value: The Whales of Iceland Museum in the Grandi harbor district gives you a closer look at whale biology, migration, and conservation after the boat ride.

Leaving Reykjavik Harbor for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at the operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, near Reykjavik harbor. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the marina area. Arrive ready for the fitting process, since the crew supplies warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and a life vest before you board.

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, often called a RIB. It is smaller and more nimble than the large whale-watching vessels that also leave Reykjavik. That size matters. The guide can turn quickly when a whale surfaces or when a pod of dolphins appears in the distance.

The boat uses special shock suspension seats. You sit low, hold a handle in front of you, and let the seat absorb some of the movement. One person compared the motion to riding a horse saddle, while another described it as a small roller coaster. That gives you a fair idea of the ride: not a smooth ferry crossing, but not an uncontrolled pounding either.

The first part of the trip is the fastest. At up to 32 knots, the RIB covers the bay efficiently and gives you a clear view back toward Reykjavik. The ride itself is a major part of the experience, especially if you enjoy speed and sea spray. If you prefer calm sightseeing, this format may feel like too much boat and not enough quiet.

Searching the whale feeding grounds

Faxaflói Bay is the main wildlife area for the tour. Your guide watches the water, seabirds, and activity around the boat while the captain works out where to search. The boat does not simply park in one spot and wait. It moves across the bay, looking for signs of feeding animals.

The species seen on different trips include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. Some outings have produced several humpbacks, including a mother and calf. Others have brought brief glimpses of a humpback or minke whale, with dolphins providing most of the action.

This difference is important when you set expectations. You are looking for wild animals in a large bay, not visiting an aquarium with a scheduled performance. One trip included about eight separate minke whale sightings, two resting humpbacks, a lively pod of dolphins, and puffins. Another produced a single minke whale at a distance. Both outcomes are possible.

The guide helps turn uncertain sightings into a useful experience. Guides such as Rebekka, Rebecca, Joel, Patrick, Daniel, Alice, and Eva have been praised for explaining whale behavior, local birds, and marine life in an engaging way. Guide assignments change, but the pattern is clear: the guide is not just there to point at a fin. You receive context about the species and the bay, and the crew keeps the mood lively during the search.

The best moments can be short. A whale may surface, blow, and disappear before everyone sees it. Dolphins can arrive quickly, swim beside the RIB, or jump near the boat for several minutes. One group watched around 15 dolphins after the captain reached them in time. Another saw dolphins swimming against the boat and putting on a show for roughly 10 minutes.

The smaller boat gives you a lower viewing position close to the water. That can make a nearby whale feel more immediate than one seen from the upper deck of a large vessel. It also means you need to pay attention. Wildlife may appear on either side, and the boat can move again quickly.

The RIB ride: thrilling, bumpy, and exposed

This is not a gentle sightseeing cruise. The RIB moves fast, bounces over waves, and can throw spray toward the passengers. The suspension seats are a real advantage, but they do not remove the motion. If you have back problems, the tour is not suitable, and the activity also excludes pregnant women, children under 10, and anyone shorter than 140 centimeters.

The ride can affect people differently. One person who dislikes adrenaline still found the crew professional and careful, but did not enjoy the speed. Another person worried about seasickness and found the RIB easier than expected. That is useful advice: the seats may reduce discomfort, but this remains a moving, open boat.

The supplied clothing is practical rather than decorative. The flotation suit helps with warmth and safety, while the goggles protect your eyes from wind and spray. Still, the bay can feel cold even when Reykjavik seems comfortable. Wear warm layers beneath the suit, and do not count on the provided gear to replace every item of cold-weather clothing.

The weather can also change the character of the trip. The captain decides if it is safe and comfortable to sail based on sea and weather conditions. A departure may be moved if conditions are poor. That judgment is a good thing, but it means you should avoid placing this tour immediately before an important flight or fixed appointment unless you have plenty of spare time.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer breeding season, the RIB stops near Akurey, one of the islands used by puffins for nesting. You can look toward the coast and nesting areas while puffins fly, float, and hunt around the island.

This stop adds variety to the tour. A whale search can involve long stretches of scanning the sea, while puffins provide smaller, busier wildlife close to shore. Several outings included large numbers of puffins, and some people saw pufflings during the breeding season.

The stop is brief, so keep your expectations in check. If puffins are a top priority, you may wish the boat stayed longer. The RIB’s strength is its mobility, and the tour’s main purpose remains whale watching. In summer, though, the island visit can be one of the most charming parts of the route.

Outside the summer months, you should not expect this puffin stop to be part of the experience. The included visit applies during the nesting season, when the birds are breeding and using the island.

What happens when the whales do not cooperate

A good guide can improve a quiet day, but cannot control the animals. You may spend time searching before seeing anything, or you may see whales only at a distance. The tour’s own conditions make no promise of a particular species or number of sightings.

That is not a reason to dismiss the outing. The bay can still provide dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds, along with views of Reykjavik’s coastline. One outing did not produce many whales or any dolphins, yet the boat ride and crew still made the trip worthwhile. Another had a young minke whale circle the RIB for 15 minutes after a long search.

I would book this tour if you can treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a guaranteed show. You get the best value when the ride, guide, scenery, and chance encounters all matter to you. If your only goal is to see a humpback whale close up, the $194 price may feel high on a slow day.

The Whales of Iceland Museum after the boat

Your ticket includes admission to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. You can visit after the boat trip and use the exhibits to understand the animals you may have seen outside.

The museum covers whale biology, migration, and conservation. It also helps you grasp the size and variety of Atlantic whale species in a way that a quick surface sighting cannot. Seeing a whale’s back or tail in the bay is thrilling, but a museum visit gives you time to study the animals more carefully.

This included visit improves the tour’s value. If the sea is quiet, the museum gives you a second wildlife-focused activity. If you see several whales, it adds background and scale to the experience. Plan the museum for after the boat, since the package does not include meals or drinks and does not provide hotel transportation.

Is $194 a fair price for two hours?

At $194 per person, this is one of the pricier short activities in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small, fast boat, a limited passenger setup, safety equipment, an English-speaking guide, the puffin stop in summer, and museum admission.

The price makes more sense if you specifically want a RIB rather than a large ship. A smaller group gives you less crowding around the rail and lets the captain react quickly to wildlife. You also spend less time slowly getting out to the bay because the boat can cruise at 32 knots.

The cost makes less sense if you are mainly interested in a relaxed view of the coastline or if you dislike speed. A larger vessel may be a better match for someone who wants more space to move around and a gentler ride. This RIB experience is best understood as two activities in one: a wildlife search and a high-speed sea ride.

The museum ticket is a useful extra, but it should not be the main reason you book. The real value comes from the boat, the small-group feel, and the chance to see wild animals close to the water.

Who should choose this Reykjavik whale tour?

I would recommend it to adults and older children who enjoy active outings, changing weather, and a little adrenaline. It suits you especially well if you want a more personal alternative to a large whale-watching ship.

It is also a strong choice for photographers who prefer a low position near the water, though the movement can make quick shots difficult. Keep your camera protected from spray, and be prepared to watch rather than photograph every moment.

I would think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, are under 140 centimeters tall, or dislike fast boats. The minimum age is 10, and the company specifically says the activity is not suitable for children younger than that.

You also need patience. The guide and captain may work hard to locate whales, but nature sets the schedule. A day with dolphins and puffins can be excellent even if the whales stay distant.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour lasts two hours, with departure times varying by date. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

The tour runs in English. No meals or drinks are included, so eat beforehand and bring anything you need for the short outing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either, so allow time to reach Aegisgardur 5E at the Reykjavik harbor.

Weather is the biggest practical variable. The captain makes the final decision about sailing with passenger safety and comfort in mind. If you are connecting to a flight or another timed activity, leave a buffer rather than treating the two-hour duration as a guaranteed door-to-door schedule.

Should you book the RIB whale watching tour?

Book it if you want a fast, close-to-the-water wildlife trip and can accept that whales may not appear on cue. The combination of a nimble RIB, suspension seats, warm gear, expert guiding, summer puffins, and museum entry makes this more than a standard boat ride.

I would choose it over a larger vessel if the speed and small-group format appeal to you. I would skip it if you want a calm cruise, have physical limitations that make bouncing uncomfortable, or need a guaranteed whale sighting. For the right person, seeing a humpback breach, a minke circle the boat, or dolphins race alongside the RIB can become a highlight of Reykjavik. Just remember that the most honest promise is not whales on demand, but a well-run chance to meet wild Icelandic marine life.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour meet?

You meet at the local tour operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the RIB boat tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Available starting times depend on the date.

How fast does the RIB boat travel?

The RIB reaches a cruising speed of up to 32 knots while traveling to Faxaflói Bay.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other marine species and seabirds. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Are puffins included on every departure?

The puffin nesting grounds near Akurey are visited during the summer breeding season. The stop is seasonal.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

The tour provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles.

Is the boat ride suitable for people with back problems?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems, pregnant women, children under 10, or people shorter than 140 centimeters.

Is museum admission included?

Yes. The tour includes a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain decides whether to sail based on weather conditions, safety, and passenger comfort. Departures can be affected by the weather.