2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is the boat itself. A 12-meter custom-built RIB can reach the feeding grounds faster than a larger whale-watching vessel, leaving more time for wildlife. You also get a lively ride across Faxaflói Bay, with Esja mountain and Reykjavik’s coast as your backdrop. I especially like the small group, capped at 12, and the suspension seats, which make a rough day less punishing.

I also like that the crew supplies the gear you actually need: warm overalls, life vest, gloves, and goggles. Guides such as Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan have earned strong praise for their wildlife knowledge and friendly manner. The catch is simple: this is a fast, bouncy boat. If you have back, joint, or heart problems, limited mobility, or dislike rough water, choose a larger, steadier boat instead.

Key points to know before you book

• A fast 12-meter RIB reaches the bay’s feeding grounds quickly, giving you a good chance of spending useful time near whales and dolphins.
• The group is limited to 12 people, so you get a less crowded view and easier access to the guide.
• Humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises are the main wildlife targets.
• Akurey puffin island is included in summer, when puffins are in Iceland for nesting.
• Thermal overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests are provided, but you should still wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
• The ride can be rough and exhilarating, with the boat reaching close to 30 knots in suitable conditions.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour on a small RIB

Your tour begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you add hotel pickup, a bus takes you to the harbour and returns you afterward. Without pickup, make your own way to the meeting point and arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. You need time to check in, find the changing area, put on your gear, and hear the safety instructions. One practical wrinkle is that the changing facilities may be in a separate hut, and the signage has not always been obvious. Give yourself extra time rather than arriving at the last minute.

The RIB is a new, custom-built boat measuring about 12 meters. It has shock-absorbing suspension seats, a useful feature on open water. You sit astride the seats rather than settle into a conventional passenger chair, so the ride feels active from the first minute.

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is small enough for the guide to speak to everyone and point out wildlife without a crowd pressing around the rail. It also improves your odds of getting a clear view, since the boat has fewer passengers competing for the best angle.

The ride across Faxaflói Bay

The trip to the feeding grounds is part transport and part attraction. The RIB moves quickly, and the ride can feel like a controlled roller coaster when the sea is lively. Some people will consider that half the fun. Others will find the bouncing tiring, especially on a rough day.

The suspension seats reduce the impact, but they do not turn the boat into a calm sightseeing platform. You may be jolted as the hull meets a swell. One particularly important piece of advice: do not assume the provided overalls solve every comfort issue. They keep out the cold wind and spray, but they cannot protect a sensitive back from hard landings.

The crew provides warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. The goggles are especially useful when the RIB is moving quickly into the wind. Wear warm layers underneath, along with good shoes. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and the bay may feel much colder than the harbour.

You will see Faxaflói Bay open around you as the boat heads out. Esja mountain is a major landmark on the way, and the views back toward Reykjavik give the trip a strong sense of place. This is not just a wildlife outing with the city forgotten behind you. You get a fine look at the coast and the mountain setting before the animal search takes over.

Searching for whales and dolphins in the feeding grounds

The wildlife search is the heart of the outing, but it is still a search. No responsible operator can promise a whale sighting, and the bay does not perform on a timetable. The main targets are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.

Humpbacks are the headline act. You might see a back roll through the water, a blow, or the tail fluke as a whale sounds. Some outings produce longer encounters, with the boat following a humpback for a substantial part of the trip. A few lucky groups have seen a mother and calf together or watched dolphins moving near the whales.

Minke whales can be harder to follow. They may appear briefly and then vanish, so a quick glimpse can be all you get. Dolphins are often more active, and a large pod moving beside the RIB can make the trip memorable even if the whales remain distant.

The guide’s role matters here. A good guide explains what to watch for, identifies birdlife and marine animals, and helps you understand why the captain is changing direction or slowing down. Guides named in the feedback include Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan, all praised for their ability to explain the wildlife and keep the mood upbeat. Your guide may be someone else, but the tour is conducted in English.

The captain also shapes the experience. The RIB can cover ground quickly and reposition when an animal surfaces. That speed improves your chances of reaching active areas, though it never guarantees close sightings. The crew must also follow wildlife-protection rules, so a good encounter still includes limits on how close or how long the boat can remain.

The summer stop at Akurey puffin island

During the summer nesting season, the boat stops at Akurey, one of the popular puffin islands near Reykjavik. This adds variety to the trip and gives you a chance to watch seabirds rather than spend the full two hours focused only on whales.

Puffins can be plentiful, but viewing distance varies. You may see many birds gathered around the island, while individual birds can remain difficult to make out from the boat. Bring binoculars if you have them, though no binocular equipment is listed as part of the tour.

The island stop is short and fits into the wider wildlife outing. It is not a separate landing or walking visit. You stay aboard the RIB, so the value comes from seeing the nesting area and the birds in their natural setting.

If puffins are high on your Iceland list, check the season before booking. The stop is offered during the summer months when puffins are present for nesting, not as a year-round feature.

What the two-hour timing really means

The advertised duration is about two hours, starting and ending at the Old Harbour meeting point. That makes it easy to fit into a Reykjavik day, especially if you choose a departure that does not collide with another fixed activity.

The two hours include the harbour departure, the fast run out to the bay, the wildlife search, the possible puffin stop, and the return along the Reykjavik coast. The actual time spent watching a whale depends on where animals are found and how long they remain near the boat.

This is one reason the RIB design has value. A larger, slower boat can offer a steadier ride and more room, but the RIB gets to distant areas faster. If you want a compact outing with a strong sense of motion, the two-hour format works well. If you want a long, leisurely wildlife cruise, this is not that type of tour.

At the end, the boat returns to the same Old Harbour area. If you purchased hotel transfers, the return bus waits to take you back. Otherwise, the activity ends at the meeting point, leaving you free to continue around the harbour or Reykjavik city center.

Is $189.87 good value?

At about $189.87 per person, this is a premium whale-watching outing. You are paying for the RIB, a small group, faster access to the bay, specialist clothing, and a more active experience than a standard boat trip.

The price makes the most sense if you value the ride as much as the wildlife. Even when sightings are brief, you still get a fast trip across Faxaflói Bay, views of Esja, a possible puffin stop, and an unusual way to see the Reykjavik coast. Several people who saw few or no whales still considered the RIB ride worthwhile.

The value is strongest when the wildlife cooperates. A close humpback, a pod of dolphins beside the boat, or a mother and calf can make the cost feel justified. The experience is less satisfying if you expect guaranteed whales or a calm platform for photography.

There is a useful safety net if the animals do not appear. When there are no sightings, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours. That does not guarantee success on the second outing, but it gives you another chance without paying again for the basic wildlife search.

Rough water, safety, and who should skip it

The biggest decision is not the price. It is the motion.

The RIB can be bouncy, especially when the sea is rough. Some people describe that as exhilarating. Others have found the impact uncomfortable or painful. One account describes a serious back injury after a hard landing, while another says an older passenger in her 80s enjoyed the trip. Those experiences point to the same lesson: age alone is not the deciding factor, but your physical condition and tolerance for jolts are important.

The activity is not recommended for children under 10 or anyone under 145 centimeters tall. You also need a moderate level of physical fitness. Getting into the RIB may be difficult if you have mobility limitations, and people with back or joint problems should consider the larger, steadier alternative.

The tour is weather dependent. Poor conditions can lead to cancellation, and the operator will offer another date or a full refund. That is sensible for an open-water RIB, though a cancellation can disrupt a short Reykjavik visit. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if this outing is important to you.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

How this compares with a standard whale-watching boat

A standard whale-watching boat usually appeals to people who want more room, a calmer ride, and greater freedom to move around. The RIB offers the opposite: fewer people, faster travel, closer-feeling encounters, and a greater physical kick.

I would choose this RIB if you are excited by speed and do not mind sitting in one position for much of the trip. It is also a smart choice when your schedule is tight, since the boat can get to the search area quickly.

I would choose a larger vessel if you are prone to seasickness, have a bad back, want indoor shelter, or are traveling with young children. The RIB is not a better boat for everyone. It is a more intense boat for the right person.

Photography also requires realistic expectations. You can bring a camera, and the return along the coast gives you attractive views, but fast movement, spray, and bouncing make steady wildlife shots difficult. Keep your equipment secure and focus on watching first.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik whale tour most?

This outing suits you if you want more than a passive cruise. It is a good fit for couples, small groups, and families with older children who enjoy a fast ride and can handle the physical demands.

It also works well for anyone who wants to combine several Iceland experiences in one short trip: open bay views, mountain scenery, seabirds, puffins in summer, and the possibility of whales and dolphins. The English-speaking guide adds useful context without turning the trip into a long lecture.

You should think twice if a wildlife sighting is the only reason you are booking. Nature is unpredictable, and even a well-run trip may produce only one brief whale appearance. Book it because you want both the search and the ride, not because you expect a guaranteed performance.

Should you book the Special Tours RIB?

Book this tour if you want the best chance of reaching the wildlife grounds quickly and you like an energetic boat ride. The small group, capable crew, warm gear, suspension seats, and possible Akurey stop give it plenty of substance beyond a simple trip offshore.

Skip it in favor of a larger boat if you have back or mobility concerns, dislike rough water, or need a calm and spacious setting. For everyone else, the RIB is a strong Reykjavik choice, provided you accept the central truth of whale watching: the ride is guaranteed, the whales are not.

FAQ

Where does the RIB whale-watching tour begin?

The tour begins at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik, in the Old Harbour, at the Special Tours ticket office.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup can be added for an extra fee. If you select it, transport takes you to the Old Harbour and returns you to your hotel afterward.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. You need time for check-in, changing into the provided gear, and receiving safety information.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are puffins included?

During the summer nesting season, the tour includes a visit near Akurey, a popular puffin nesting island.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

Warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles are provided. You should still dress warmly and wear good shoes.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not recommended for children under 10 years old or anyone under 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if the tour is canceled or no whales are seen?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If no wildlife is seen, you receive a complimentary ticket for another Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.