RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

Expect whales at sea level. This two-hour RIB tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour gives you a lively ride, a small group of no more than 12 people, and a good chance to get close to whales, dolphins, and seabirds. I especially like the marine biologist guide and the fast boat, which can cover more of Faxaflói Bay than a slower craft. The visit to the puffin islands, offered from early May through the end of August, is another fine bonus.

The main caution is the ride itself. The boat is stable and fitted with suspension seats, but the North Atlantic can still get rough. I would think twice if you have knee or back problems, and I would not bring children under 10 or anyone shorter than 145 centimeters. At $208.09 per person, this is not the budget option, but the small group and low viewing position can make the extra cost worthwhile.

The best parts of this Reykjavik whale tour

• A maximum of 12 people: You get more room to see the water and less crowding around the boat’s edges.
• Puffin islands in season: From early May through late August, the boat visits Akurey, Engey, or Lundey for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Sea-level whale watching: The RIB brings you close to the water, where a surfacing humpback or minke whale can feel remarkably near.
• A wide search area: The fast boat can cover more of Faxaflói Bay while looking for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds.
• Warm protective gear: Coveralls and safety equipment are supplied, with reviews also noting gloves, hats, and goggles on some departures.
• A lively ride back through Reykjavik: The return route passes the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall from the water.

Leaving from Ægisgarður 5d at the Old Harbour

The tour starts at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavik, right in the Old Harbour area. The harbor is easy to reach by public transportation, and the activity returns to the same meeting point after roughly two hours. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so allow time to get yourself to the dock.

The boat is the star from the first minute. A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, is smaller and quicker than the large whale-watching vessels used on many standard excursions. Here, the group size is capped at 12. That matters because you are not competing with a packed upper deck every time a whale surfaces.

You sit close to sea level, which gives the wildlife a more immediate feel. A humpback surfacing beside the boat can appear suddenly, then vanish before you have time to raise your phone. The low position also makes it easier to watch dolphins or porpoises moving alongside the boat.

The tradeoff is comfort. The operator supplies high-performance suspension seats designed to absorb shocks, and several people found them helpful when the water became choppy. Still, suspension seats do not turn the North Atlantic into a lake. Expect a firm, fast ride, especially when the boat heads farther offshore.

Puffins around Akurey, Engey, and Lundey

If you take the tour between early May and the end of August, the boat usually makes a short visit to one of the islands near Reykjavik: Akurey, Engey, or Lundey. The exact island can vary, but the purpose is the same, to see puffins in their natural setting rather than at a zoo or roadside exhibit.

The journey to the islands is short, and the stop lasts around 5 to 10 minutes. That is enough time to watch puffins on the water and around the cliffs, but it is not a long birding session. Bring binoculars if you have them, though the small boat’s approach can put you close to the action.

Puffins share this part of the bay with auks, gannets, and many other seabirds. You might see birds in the air, on the sea, and around the rocky island edges. The quick visit works well as part of a whale tour because it adds variety without using most of your two-hour outing.

Outside puffin season, this stop is not part of the experience. The focus then turns more fully to the open bay and its marine life. If puffins are a high priority, book during the stated season and confirm the expected itinerary before setting out.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

After the island visit, the boat heads into Faxaflói Bay. This is the main part of the outing and lasts about 90 minutes. The crew searches a large area for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other sea life.

The fast RIB has a useful advantage here. It can move between search areas more quickly, giving the crew more water to scan during the limited tour time. That does not guarantee a sighting, since whales are wild animals, but covering more ground can improve your chances.

Past sightings have included several humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and even a basking shark. Some outings have produced about 15 whales and several dolphins. Other trips have seen only a few whales, or none at all. That variation is normal for any wildlife tour, and you should book this for the search and the experience at sea, not for a promised number of animals.

The best moments can be brief. A humpback may surface repeatedly, slap the water, or breach. One account described two whales breaching at the same time, while another saw a whale surface right in front of the boat. Those moments are rare and unpredictable, which is part of their power.

The guides help make the waiting periods worthwhile. They explain the animals, watch the water closely, and keep the group informed while the boat moves between possible sightings. Guides named in the feedback include Maria, Sam, Ann, Milán, and Lefterius, with particular praise for their enthusiasm and care.

Some crew members also take photos and videos during the outing and share them afterward. That can be a real help. You can keep your eyes on the water instead of trying to record every surfacing with a cold, gloved hand.

The ride, suspension seats, and rough-water reality

The RIB ride is not just transportation to the whales. For many people, the speed and movement are part of the fun. The boat can skim across the water, then slow down as the crew watches for signs of wildlife. It feels more active than a large-boat cruise.

The supplied coveralls are important, not decorative. You are going onto open North Atlantic water, and the combination of wind, spray, and cool air can make you cold even on a mild day. Wear warm layers beneath the suit. Wool or fleece, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear are recommended.

The gear has received strong praise for keeping people warm and dry, including on rainy outings. Some departures also supplied gloves, hats, and goggles. The tour includes all necessary safety equipment, and the boats use suspension seats to reduce jolts.

But conditions can change during the same trip. One account described a very choppy ride that lasted roughly 30 minutes each way to reach the whales. Another person with seasickness found the ride manageable. Your experience will depend on wind, swell, and personal tolerance.

The operator does not recommend this tour for people with knee problems, and the rough movement also deserves consideration if you have back issues. Children must be over 10 and taller than 145 centimeters. The tour is not recommended for young children.

Returning past the Sun Voyager and Harpa

Once the whale search ends, the boat returns toward Reykjavik along the shoreline. This final stretch gives you a different view of the city, with the water providing a broad angle for photographs.

The route passes the Sun Voyager sculpture, the striking steel ship-shaped artwork on the seafront. The boat also goes by Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass facade is especially recognizable from the harbor. These stops are brief, about five minutes each, but they add a pleasant city-view finish to what has mainly been a wildlife outing.

The boat arrives back at the Old Harbour approximately two hours after departure. Do not plan anything too tight immediately afterward. Weather, sea conditions, and the search itself can affect the timing.

What $208.09 buys you

At $208.09 per person, this tour costs more than a standard large-boat whale trip. The price is easier to justify if you value three things: a maximum of 12 people, the ability to cover a broad search area, and viewing wildlife close to sea level.

The small group also improves the practical side of the trip. You have fewer people blocking your sightline, and the guide can speak more directly to the group. A large boat may offer more indoor space and a steadier ride, but it can feel less personal when everyone rushes to one side after a sighting.

I would call this a good value for an active wildlife outing, not a cheap excursion. The ride itself adds to the entertainment, the warm gear is included, and the professional marine biologist guide gives the trip more substance than a simple boat transfer.

The value drops if you are mainly seeking a comfortable, quiet cruise. It also drops if rough water would make you miserable. You can receive a ticket for an alternative tour if there are no sightings, but wildlife is never guaranteed. That replacement option offers some protection, though it cannot change the fact that nature sets the schedule.

The published rating is 4.7 from 241 reviews, with 93 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the guides, the warm coveralls, the small boat, and close sightings of humpbacks. The negative experiences focus on weather cancellations, rough conditions, a late departure after an engine problem, and one replacement trip that produced no whales.

How to prepare for the two-hour outing

I would dress as if the day were colder than the forecast suggests. Start with a wool or fleece layer, add the supplied coverall, and wear sturdy shoes that can handle a wet deck. Gloves and a hat are sensible even when the air feels mild on land.

You should also think about motion before booking. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for knee problems. The operator specifically excludes children under 10 and anyone under 145 centimeters, so check this carefully for your family.

The meeting point is Ægisgarður 5d in the Old Harbour. Since transport to the dock is not included, public transportation or your own route planning matters. The end point is the same harbor location.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Who will enjoy this RIB whale safari most

I would choose this trip if you want an active morning or afternoon on the water and like the idea of getting close to wildlife without a large crowd. It fits couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who value personal space and a quicker boat.

It also suits photographers, though you need to balance camera use with the need to watch the water. The crew may take photos and videos, which means you can focus on the experience and still have a record of the sightings.

This is less suitable for anyone who needs a smooth ride, has knee or back trouble, or dislikes open-water movement. It is also not the best pick if your main goal is a long puffin visit, since the seasonal island stop lasts only 5 to 10 minutes.

Book with realistic expectations. You might see several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins in one outing. You might also spend much of the time scanning empty water. The crew can improve the search, but no boat can command a whale to surface.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale-watching tour?

Yes, if you want the most personal and energetic version of whale watching from Reykjavik. The combination of a 12-person boat, marine biologist guide, warm protective gear, suspension seats, puffins in season, and a broad search area makes the $208.09 price easier to defend.

I would skip it in favor of a larger boat if you are worried about rough water or need a gentler ride. For everyone else, this is a strong choice, especially during puffin season and when a close humpback sighting would be a highlight of your Iceland trip.

FAQ

Where does the RIB whale-watching tour leave from?

The tour starts at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavik, in the Old Harbour. It also ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours. About 10 minutes is set aside for the seasonal puffin visit, and roughly 90 minutes is spent searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and other wildlife.

Can I see puffins on this tour?

Yes, but only during puffin season, from early May through the end of August. The boat visits Akurey, Engey, or Lundey and spends around 5 to 10 minutes near the birds.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, auks, gannets, and other seabirds. A basking shark has also been seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be over 10 years old and taller than 145 centimeters. The activity is not recommended for young children.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If there are no wildlife sightings, you will receive a ticket for an alternative tour.