Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is the boat itself. A rigid inflatable boat can cover far more water than a standard harbor cruiser, and its low position puts you close to the sea when dolphins or whales appear. You may also see puffins near their breeding islands from May through August.

I like the small group of 12 and the warm coveralls, which make the trip feel more personal and practical than a large sightseeing boat. I also like the shoreline finale, with views of the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall from the water. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and rough sea conditions or an empty search can make the $200 price feel steep.

• Suspension seats soften the ride while the RIB speeds across open water.
• Puffin stops run from early May through late August, when the birds are near their breeding grounds.
• Dolphins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, seabirds, and possibly other marine life can appear, but no sighting is guaranteed.
• A maximum of 12 people gives the captain and guide room to keep the outing personal.
• No whale sighting means a complimentary return ticket, an important safeguard on a wildlife trip.
• Front seats offer the most thrilling ride, but they also take the most spray and motion.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour by RIB

You meet at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik Old Harbour, then check in with the captain and wildlife guide. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because you need to get into the provided warm overalls, hear the safety briefing, and settle into a seat before the boat leaves.

The boat is a rigid inflatable vessel, often called a RIB. It is small, powerful, and built for speed. Unlike a large whale-watching cruiser, it sits low on the water and can turn quickly when the crew spots activity. With a maximum of 12 people, you are not lost in a crowd, and you should have a clear view in most directions.

The new suspension seats are one of the most useful details here. They are designed to reduce the shock from the boat hitting waves, which helps with comfort and safety as the RIB moves quickly across North Atlantic water. Still, this is an active ride, not a gentle harbor cruise. If you have back problems, this trip is not recommended, and pregnant women should not take it.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Leave luggage and large bags behind, since there is no room for bulky belongings aboard the boat. You receive warm overalls and the necessary safety gear, but you should still dress for Icelandic weather and expect the possibility of spray.

The Speedboat Ride Is Part of the Attraction

The captain gets you out of the harbor quickly. That speed is not just a gimmick. It lets the crew search a much wider area during a two-hour trip, which improves the odds of finding active wildlife. It also gives you a livelier outing than a conventional boat tour.

The front seats are the most exciting place to sit. A past passenger described the front row as the best spot on a calm day, with a stronger sense of speed and open space. You will also feel more of the boat’s motion there, so choose the front if you want the ride to be part of the adventure, not simply transportation to the viewing area.

The suspension seats help, but they do not turn the RIB into a smooth sofa. Conditions can change quickly offshore. A previous departure was canceled even though the weather looked fine from land, because the sea conditions were less suitable. That is a good reminder to trust the captain’s decision. A calm Reykjavik street does not always mean a comfortable or safe ride on the open water.

Searching for Whales and Dolphins

Once outside the harbor, the captain and guide begin scanning the water. The crew is looking for signs of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. The wide search area is the main reason to choose the speedboat version of whale watching.

You might see minke whales, which appeared on several departures, or a humpback whale breaking the surface. Dolphins can be especially entertaining because they may travel alongside the boat, leap from the water, or play in the wake. One outing included several dolphins that stayed with the RIB, while another produced a humpback breach, minke whales, and porpoises.

Those moments are never scheduled like a museum stop. You may spend time watching an empty stretch of sea before a fin or blow appears. Sometimes the best sighting is brief, perhaps only the back of a minke whale. The guide helps you know where to look and explains the animals and local waters in English, but the crew cannot control what surfaces.

The guide is an important part of the experience. Guides named Elsa and Raoul received special praise for their friendly manner and clear explanations on past trips. Elsa was also noted for her interest in conservation, which adds useful context without turning the outing into a classroom lecture. Your guide may be different, but the role is the same: spot wildlife, explain what you are seeing, and help you make sense of quick encounters.

The RIB’s low profile can give you a close view when an animal surfaces nearby. That is one reason this format appeals to people who find a large cruiser too distant or slow. The tradeoff is that the ride feels more exposed. You are closer to the motion of the sea, the wind, and the spray.

Puffin Islands From May Through August

From early May until near the end of August, the tour makes a short stop near puffin breeding grounds at the start of the trip. This is a seasonal bonus, not a year-round feature.

Puffins are smaller and less dramatic than whales, so do not expect them to be the main event. They are still a special part of Iceland’s summer wildlife, especially for anyone who has not seen these birds before. You may watch them around the nearby islands before the boat heads farther out in search of larger marine life.

The timing matters. If you visit outside the May to August window, puffins are not part of the stated program. If puffins are high on your list, book during that season and confirm the available departure date when you reserve.

The islands near Reykjavik Old Harbour also give the tour a broader sense of place. You are not only chasing animals in open water. You are seeing the coastal setting where the city, fishing activity, bird colonies, and North Atlantic sea meet.

Returning Along Reykjavik’s Shoreline

On the way back, the captain cruises along the city shore. This is a calmer change of pace after the offshore search, and it gives you a different view of Reykjavik than you get from land.

The route includes the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall. Both are easy to recognize from the waterfront, but seeing them from the sea changes their scale and setting. You can also look back toward colorful fishing huts and the restaurants around the old harbor.

These stops are brief rather than formal visits. You do not get off the boat, and this is not a city architecture tour. Instead, the shoreline views fill out the final part of the ride and help connect the wildlife outing to Reykjavik itself.

Some captains have added a playful speedboat spin in the harbor on the return. That detail appeared in past accounts, but it should be treated as a possible flourish, not a guaranteed part of every trip. The main itinerary remains the open-water search followed by the shoreline cruise.

What $200 Buys You

At $200 per person, this is a premium short outing. You are paying for a small boat, a maximum of 12 people, a professional captain and wildlife guide, warm overalls, safety equipment, and the ability to cover a broad search area quickly.

The price makes the most sense if you value the RIB experience as much as the wildlife. Even on a departure with no whale sighting, the ride can still be exciting, particularly on a calm day or from the front row. That does not make an empty search equal to a whale encounter, but it does soften the risk.

The operator also offers a complimentary ticket for another ride if you do not see any whales. This is useful, but it does not erase every inconvenience. You need enough time in Reykjavik to use the extra ticket, and a second trip still depends on weather and wildlife. If your schedule is tight, the guarantee is less valuable.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 77 ratings, and 96 percent of ratings gave the transport a perfect score. The strongest pattern is clear: people value the boat, the crew, the close wildlife encounters, and the sense of adventure. The main weakness is also clear: no whale sighting can leave you wishing the price were lower.

Who Should Choose This Tour

I would choose this trip if you want an active wildlife outing rather than a slow, steady cruise. It suits adults and children aged 10 or older who are at least 145 centimeters tall and comfortable with speed, open water, and boat motion.

It is also a good match for a short Reykjavik stay. The entire trip lasts about two hours, and the meeting point is in the Old Harbour, close to central city sights. You can pair it with time around Harpa, the Sun Voyager, and the harbor without giving up a full day.

Families should think carefully about the age and height rules. Children under 10 and anyone under 145 centimeters cannot join. The boat’s lively ride may also be too much for children who dislike motion or cold weather.

I would not pick it for someone with a history of back problems, and it is not recommended for pregnant women. If you want a quiet ride with plenty of indoor shelter, choose a larger boat instead. If you want the strongest possible sense of speed and proximity to the sea, the RIB is the better fit.

Timing, Weather, and Practical Planning

You can choose among several departure times, subject to availability. I would place the tour early enough in your Iceland schedule to leave room for a rescheduled trip if sea conditions cancel the first departure. A weather cancellation is frustrating, but the crew may be dealing with offshore conditions that are not obvious from Reykjavik’s streets.

Arrive 30 minutes early. Wear closed-toe shoes, avoid large bags, and use the provided overalls. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand if you tend to get hungry on active outings. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you make your own way to the Old Harbour.

The tour operates in English. The guide’s explanations are useful for identifying animals quickly, since a whale may surface for only a moment. Keep watching the water rather than focusing only on the guide, especially once the captain slows or changes direction.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

The Main Strengths and Weak Points

The biggest strength is the combination of speed, small-group access, and low-on-the-water views. You cover more territory than a slower vessel and may get close to dolphins or whales when conditions line up.

The crew is another strong point. Past departures featured friendly captains and guides who explained the wildlife clearly and kept passengers comfortable. Safety was also a repeated positive, including careful handling during fast sections and harbor maneuvers.

The main weak point is uncertainty. No wildlife trip can promise a whale, and some outings have produced only a partial view of one minke whale or dolphins without a whale. The complimentary return ticket helps, but only if you have time to come back.

The second consideration is physical comfort. The suspension seats are a smart feature, yet this remains a fast RIB ride on the North Atlantic. The boat can be thrilling, but it is not ideal for anyone who needs a very gentle sea journey.

Should You Book Whale Watching by Speedboat?

Book it if you want a high-energy two-hour adventure and you like the idea of searching a wide area in a small boat. The chance to see dolphins close to the RIB, puffins in summer, and whales near Reykjavik is strong value for the right person, especially when you also count the shoreline views and the lively ride.

Think twice if $200 feels hard to justify without a guaranteed whale sighting, or if you are sensitive to boat motion. The complimentary return trip reduces the risk, but it cannot guarantee the weather or wildlife on the next outing.

For an active visitor who wants more than a standard harbor cruise, I would put this near the top of the Reykjavik wildlife list. Choose a calm-weather day if possible, arrive early, sit near the front if you want the most excitement, and keep your expectations realistic. The sea decides what you see.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik speedboat whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts about two hours, including the open-water wildlife search and the return along Reykjavik’s shoreline.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Reykjavik Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. You make your own way to the meeting point because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How many people are on the boat?

The small-group tour accepts a maximum of 12 people.

Can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins may be seen from early May through the end of August, when the tour makes a short stop near their breeding grounds.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

If no whales are spotted, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave.

Is the boat suitable for children?

The tour is suitable for children aged 10 and older who are at least 145 centimeters tall. Children under 10 and anyone under 145 centimeters cannot join.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

Bring closed-toe shoes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Warm overalls and all necessary safety equipment are provided, while food and drinks are not included.