Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

The best part of this trip is the small, fast boat. A 12-seat RIB speedboat can cover water quickly and turn toward a whale sighting much faster than a large cruise boat. You’ll search Faxaflói Bay for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins, with Reykjavík and Harpa concert hall behind you.

I like the intimate group size and the free return ticket if no wildlife appears. Guides such as Claudia, Julian, and Bianca have been praised for clear explanations and real enthusiasm. The catch is simple: this is a bumpy, windy ride, and wildlife is never guaranteed.

Key points

• Small 12-seat boat: You get a clear view without crowded upper decks or a large group around you.
• Fast route to the wildlife: The RIB can cover the open bay quickly and react when the captain spots a blow or moving pod.
• Excellent species range: Sightings may include humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.
• Warm equipment provided: Overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear help with Iceland’s cold wind.
• Free second chance: If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket for another trip.
• Not a gentle cruise: The ride can be rough, so it is unsuitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, and anyone shorter than 145 centimetres.

A fast start from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

You begin at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to the center of 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 matters. You need to collect your warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and other safety equipment before walking to the boat. If you are driving, check the nearest free parking before setting out, since the meeting point itself does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

Once seated, the boat leaves the harbor and begins working its way into Faxaflói Bay. The first minutes give you a fine view back toward Reykjavík. Harpa concert hall is especially striking from the water, and the changing angle makes the city feel less familiar than it does from the streets.

The boat carries only 12 people. That does not guarantee every person will have an unobstructed view at every moment, but it keeps the group small enough for the guide to speak with you and for the captain to move quickly when animals appear.

Why the RIB changes the whale-watching experience

A large whale-watching boat gives you more room to walk around, but a RIB gives you speed and closeness. The tradeoff is comfort. You sit or half-stand with your legs ready to absorb the movement as the boat hits the water, and the ride can feel like a brisk amusement-park attraction in rough conditions.

That motion is part of the appeal for many people. The trip is not just transportation to a viewing area. The boat ride itself is lively, and the captain can cover a broad part of the bay before returning to the harbor.

It also helps when the animals are spread out. The captain may spot a distant blow, a fin, or a pod moving across the water, then head in that direction. Several trips have reached areas with multiple humpback whales, while others have found minke whales or dolphins closer to Reykjavík.

The speed does not mean you chase animals recklessly. The captain decides how to approach and when to move away. The crew’s job is to give you a good view while keeping a respectful distance and protecting passenger safety.

Out among Engey and Lundey

The route passes among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay, including Engey, the second-largest island in Kollafjörður. It is a pleasant change from watching only open water. The island gives you a sense of the bay’s shape and helps explain why Reykjavík is tied so closely to the sea.

The boat also passes Lundey, whose name means Puffin Island. This small, uninhabited island lies off Reykjavík’s western coast and is a useful place to look for seabirds, especially during the warmer months.

Puffins are not the main reason to book this trip, but they can become a memorable bonus. Sightings have included large numbers of puffins in spring and smaller groups near the end of the puffin season. Other seabirds may appear around the island as the boat passes.

Do not expect a long stop at Lundey. The tour lasts two hours, and the crew must balance bird viewing with the time needed to reach whale activity and return to the harbor. Think of the island as one part of a moving wildlife search, not a landing or a shore visit.

Whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the bay

The main prize is the larger marine life. Humpback whales are often the most dramatic sight. You may see a blow first, followed by a dark back, a tail, or the sudden lift of a fluke. Some trips have encountered several humpbacks in one area, with one group seeing about a dozen.

Minke whales also appear in Faxaflói Bay. They are smaller and often quicker to disappear, so your sighting might be brief. That does not make it unimportant. Seeing a minke whale in or near Reykjavík harbor can be a fine reminder that the wildlife is not always far offshore.

White-beaked dolphins can be especially entertaining because they may travel in groups and move quickly around the boat. Harbour porpoises are smaller and easier to miss, but a sharp-eyed guide can help you spot them.

The strongest wildlife days have included humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds on one outing. That is an impressive range, but you should not treat it as a promise. Nature does not follow the booking calendar.

If nothing appears, the operator provides a complimentary ticket to try again. This is useful only if your schedule allows another outing. If you are leaving Reykjavík the same day, the guarantee cannot create more time. I would book early in your stay if seeing whales is a high priority.

What the guides add

The guide speaks English and explains what you are seeing, where to look, and how the animals behave. The quality of those explanations matters on a whale trip because a sighting can last only a few seconds.

Claudia, also spelled Klaudia in some accounts, has been singled out for clear explanations, patience, and a warm manner. Julian has been praised for his enthusiasm and background in marine biology. Bianca has also been remembered for keeping her excitement genuine, even after seeing whales many times.

You should still expect some practical difficulty with communication in a moving boat. One passenger found it hard to hear where the captain was directing everyone to look. Wind, engine noise, and several people reacting at once can make short sightings confusing.

A useful habit is to watch the guide’s hand signals and keep scanning the water rather than staring at one fixed point. If you hear a direction but cannot catch the exact words, ask quickly. The small group makes that easier than it would be on a packed vessel.

Warm clothing helps, but cold wind still wins

The provided overalls are an important part of the price. You also receive gloves, goggles, and safety equipment. The gear has kept passengers comfortable on cold-water trips, but it does not turn the bay into a mild-weather outing.

Wind hits differently at speed. Your face and ears may feel cold even inside the supplied clothing, so bring a warm base layer and consider a face covering if you are sensitive to wind. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and a camera is worth bringing if you can protect it from spray.

In calm weather, some people have completed the trip without getting wet. In wind and waves, conditions can change quickly. The operator may cancel the RIB departure, move you to a larger boat, or reschedule based on safety and comfort.

That change can affect the experience. A larger boat is slower and less nimble, so it does not deliver the same fast, close-to-the-water feeling. It may still produce excellent wildlife sightings, though. One changed departure resulted in a close humpback encounter from the larger vessel.

Timing your trip for the best chance

The strongest whale-watching period in Iceland runs from April through September. Spring can bring puffins and calmer days, while summer has produced frequent sightings of humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds.

October trips can still work. Sightings of whales and dolphins have occurred then, but the weather is more likely to affect the ride. The captain makes the final decision to sail based on conditions and experience, so a departure may be rescheduled if the minimum number of participants is not reached or the weather is unsuitable.

I would avoid placing this tour on the final few hours of your Iceland trip. That gives you no room for a weather change or a second attempt. A morning or early-stay booking gives you more flexibility.

The two-hour duration is enough to reach open water, spend time looking for animals, pass the islands, and return to Reykjavík. It is not a full-day expedition. One drawback is that a large part of the outing can go toward reaching the area where whales are active, leaving less time for watching than you might expect.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. Icelandic activities are costly, and a whale trip can feel like a gamble because nature offers no fixed show.

The value comes from the boat and the group size. You are paying for a 12-seat RIB, a captain who can cover water quickly, an English-speaking guide, warm equipment, and city sightseeing from the bay. If you see several whale species plus dolphins or puffins, the price can feel justified.

A large boat may offer more indoor space and a gentler ride, but the RIB gives you a more active experience and fewer people competing for the same view. I would choose this option for access and excitement, not for comfort.

The free return trip also improves the deal, but only if you can use it. Ask yourself how much flexibility remains in your Reykjavík schedule. If you have one open afternoon, the second chance has real value. If your itinerary is tightly packed, treat the ticket as a safety net rather than a guarantee.

The current score is 4.7 out of 5 from 621 ratings, and 87 percent of ratings award a perfect score. That matches the main strengths: friendly crew, good wildlife knowledge, warm equipment, and a genuinely fun boat.

Who should book this RIB trip?

I would choose it if you want more than a slow cruise and do not mind a physical ride. It suits adults, older children aged 10 and up who are tall enough for the safety requirements, photographers who value a small group, and anyone hoping to see several kinds of marine life in one outing.

It is a particularly good match if you have already seen Reykjavík from land and want a different view of Harpa, the harbor, the islands, and the surrounding bay. The city looks more connected to the sea when you are moving through the islands rather than viewing them from shore.

I would think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike rough water, or become seasick easily. Even in decent weather, at least some people have felt seasick on the RIB. The boat can be cold, loud, and bumpy.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best chance of covering a wide area in a small group, and if the thrill of the RIB ride matters almost as much as the wildlife. The most memorable outings have included several humpback whales, dolphins, minke whales, porpoises, and puffins, with guides who help you understand what you are seeing.

Choose a larger boat instead if comfort is your priority or if you are sensitive to motion. Whichever option you choose, schedule whale watching early enough to allow a second attempt. For an active visitor who accepts the uncertainty of nature, this RIB trip offers strong value and one of Reykjavík’s most distinctive ways to get out on the water.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour begin?

The tour begins at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before departure at the Old Harbour House.

How do I check in?

Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk inside the Old Harbour House.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The operator provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10 years old. Participants must also be at least 145 centimetres tall.

Can the tour be changed because of weather?

Yes. The captain decides whether conditions are suitable for sailing. The trip may be rescheduled if weather, sea conditions, or the minimum number of participants prevent the departure.