Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Faxaflói Bay is close to Reykjavik, but it can feel wonderfully wild once your RIB boat leaves the harbor. The fast ride is only half the fun. Your real goal is the feeding ground, where minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds may appear in open water. The smaller boat can turn quickly and gives you a low, close view of the sea.

I especially like the spring-loaded suspension seats, which soften the impact when the boat hits a wave, and the included warm flotation suit, gloves, goggles and life vest. I also like that your ticket includes the Whales of Iceland Museum, a useful follow-up visit that puts the size and biology of these animals into perspective.

The trade-off is simple: this is a brisk, bumpy ride rather than a quiet cruise. Sightings are never certain, the water can feel cold even in summer, and the tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people under 140 centimeters, or anyone with back problems.

Key points to know before booking

• The RIB reaches about 32 knots: You spend less time getting to Faxaflói Bay and more time looking for wildlife.
• Suspension seats help on choppy water: You still feel the motion, but the ride is less punishing than a basic inflatable boat.
• Puffin island is seasonal: The stop near Akurey is offered during the summer breeding season, when puffins and nests may be visible.
• Sightings vary by day: Past trips have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and porpoises, but some outings produce only distant glimpses or no whales.
• Guides add real value: Staff members such as Rebecca, Daniel, Patrick and Alice have been praised for clear explanations, energy and care around the animals.
• The museum ticket stretches the value: You can visit Whales of Iceland in the Grandi harbor district after the boat trip, at no extra charge.

Leaving Reykjavik Harbor at 32 knots

You meet the operator at the ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, in Reykjavik’s harbor area. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there. Plan enough time to find the office and get suited up without rushing.

Before boarding, you receive a warm flotation suit, life vest, gloves and goggles. The suit matters. Even if the day feels mild in town, the wind is stronger on the bay, and the speed of the RIB creates a steady blast of cold air. One practical tip is to wear warm layers underneath rather than relying on the outer suit alone.

Once everyone is seated, the boat heads out at a cruising speed of about 32 knots. That gives the opening stretch a definite thrill. You feel the RIB rise and settle over the waves, and spray can reach you near the front. The suspension seats have a handle in front of you, and that setup helps absorb some of the jolts.

I would not describe this as a calm sightseeing cruise. It has the feel of a controlled rollercoaster on the water. Some people love that mix of speed and wildlife. If you prefer a steady ride or tend to get motion sick, the bigger whale-watching boats may suit you better.

The payoff for accepting the motion is time. The RIB can cover the distance to likely feeding areas faster than a large boat, leaving more of the two-hour outing for watching the water. Its size also lets the captain adjust position quickly when a whale surfaces or a pod of dolphins appears.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The main part of the trip takes place in Faxaflói Bay, where whales come to feed. Your guide watches for blows, fins, seabirds and other signs of activity while explaining the animals you may see.

Minke whales are among the more regular possibilities. They are smaller and often quick to surface, so you may see only a brief back or blow before the animal disappears. Humpback whales can offer a bigger show, with broad backs, tail slaps, flipper slaps and, on rare occasions, a full breach.

Past outings have produced striking encounters. One trip saw a humpback feeding for about an hour. Another caught several humpbacks together, including a mother and calf. Other trips found a young minke whale circling the boat for around 15 minutes, giving everyone repeated looks at the animal.

Those moments are possible, not promised. One of the most important points to understand before paying $194 is that this is wildlife watching, not a staged performance. Some days produce several whale species and dolphins. On another day, you may wait a long time and see only a distant minke whale, porpoises or birds.

The guide helps make the searching worthwhile. Guides named in past trips include Rebecca, Daniel, Patrick, Alice, Joel, Eva and Iris. Their role is more than pointing at a fin. They explain whale behavior, identify marine species and keep the group focused when the water looks empty.

The small RIB also changes how you watch. You sit close to the water, with fewer people around you than on a large vessel. That can make a quick sighting easier to catch, although the low viewpoint and fast movement may make photography harder. Keep your camera protected from spray and be ready to look up from the screen.

Dolphins, porpoises and the surprises between whales

Whales are the headline, but dolphins often provide the most active encounter. Several outings have found white-beaked dolphins swimming near the boat, leaping and riding the wake. One pod stayed with the RIB for about 10 minutes, putting on a lively display around the passengers.

Porpoises may also appear, though they can be harder to spot. They are smaller and less dramatic at the surface, so you need to watch closely. Your guide may also point out seabirds or rare birds along the route, adding interest during quiet periods.

This is one reason I would not judge the experience only by the number of whales seen. A day with dolphins, puffins and a few distant whale sightings can still feel full. At the same time, you should not book on the assumption that a dolphin pod will come to the boat.

The guide’s attitude matters here. The strongest guides described in the trip details were not simply reciting facts. Rebecca was praised for her energy, Joel for spotting birds and sharing local wildlife facts, and Daniel for making the trip fun and personal. A good guide turns the waiting into part of the experience instead of letting it feel like dead time.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer months, the RIB stops near Akurey, an island used by puffins during the breeding season. You can look for birds around the island and see nesting areas along the coast.

Puffins are small, quick and easy to miss, so this is not a guaranteed close-up photo stop. One past comment wished for more time near the puffins, which tells you something useful: the visit is a brief wildlife stop within a two-hour whale tour, not a dedicated puffin expedition.

Still, Akurey adds variety. The trip is not only about waiting for a blow in the distance. You get a chance to watch seabirds in a breeding area, and the island gives the route a clear point of interest during the warmer season.

You may see puffins hunting, flying low over the water or gathered near their nests. Pufflings have also been spotted. Keep your expectations sensible, since the boat must respect the birds and avoid crowding them.

In April and other cooler months, puffin activity may not be part of the outing. The included puffin visit applies during summer, so check the date of your tour if this is a main reason for booking.

What the RIB ride feels like in real use

The suspension seating is one of the best practical features. You sit like you would on a saddle, with a handle in front, and the seat has some shock absorption. It does not turn rough water into calm water, but it can make the ride easier on your body.

The boat remains bumpy. One past passenger described the motion as a little rollercoaster, while another found the ride less comfortable because they did not enjoy the adrenaline. Both reactions are fair. I would choose this boat for its maneuverability and excitement, not for comfort alone.

The warm gear is also essential. You receive flotation overalls, gloves, goggles and a life vest, but you should still wear extra layers underneath. Wind, spray and open water can make the temperature feel much lower than it does on land.

The operator makes the final call on sailing based on weather, passenger safety and comfort. Bad weather can lead to a rescheduled departure. That may disrupt your plans, but it is the right decision for a fast open-water boat. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

The tour lasts two hours, including the ride out, wildlife search and return. If you have a flight or another fixed appointment, allow extra time beyond the advertised duration. One past passenger was able to make a flight after the crew kept the timing on track, but you should not build a tight connection around any sea excursion.

Does $194 offer good value?

At $194 per person, this is not the budget choice for seeing whales from Reykjavik. You are paying for a small-group RIB experience, special seating, warm safety gear, a guide, the chance to reach the feeding grounds quickly and admission to the Whales of Iceland Museum.

The value depends on what you want from a boat trip. If you want the largest possible vessel, indoor areas and a gentler ride, a standard cruise may be a better match. If you want speed, a lower viewpoint and a boat that can react quickly to wildlife, the RIB gives you something different.

The museum ticket improves the overall package. It is in the Grandi harbor district and covers whale biology, migration and conservation, with life-sized displays showing how large these animals really are. If your whale sightings are brief, the museum gives you a second way to understand what you were looking for at sea.

I would also consider the time saved. The boat reaches open water quickly, and a small group means you spend less time waiting for a large vessel to turn or position itself. That does not guarantee better sightings, but it makes the search more active.

The price feels easiest to justify for someone who sees the boat ride itself as a major part of the outing. If you care only about a guaranteed close view of a whale, no operator can promise that in the open sea.

Who should choose this tour

This RIB tour suits you best if you:

• Want an active boat trip rather than a slow cruise
• Are comfortable with speed, spray and bouncing over waves
• Prefer a smaller boat with a lower view of the water
• Are interested in dolphins, puffins and seabirds as well as whales
• Appreciate guides who explain animal behavior and local marine life
• Can keep your schedule flexible in case weather changes the departure
• Meet the age, height and health requirements

I would be cautious if you have back problems, dislike fast rides, are pregnant, or are under 140 centimeters tall. Children under 10 cannot join. The operator also lists the trip as unsuitable for people with back problems, so take that warning seriously even though the seats have shock absorption.

The tour is also a good fit for a short Reykjavik stay. You do not need to travel far from the capital, and the included museum gives you another activity in the same harbor district. Just remember that the boat trip itself demands your full attention for two hours.

Simple ways to prepare

Wear warm layers under the provided suit. Bring only what you can secure, and protect cameras and phones from spray. The supplied goggles are worth using, especially during the fast ride out.

Keep your eyes moving instead of staring at one spot. Whale blows can appear far from the boat, while dolphins and porpoises may surface closer and faster. Listen to the guide, who may spot movement before you do.

Try not to measure success only by a breach. A minke whale’s back, a humpback’s blow, a dolphin riding alongside or a puffin near Akurey can all be memorable sightings. The less rigid your expectations, the more you will enjoy the changing rhythm of the trip.

The cancellation policy gives you flexibility before departure: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Weather decisions belong to the captain and are made with safety and comfort in mind.

My call: book it for the boat as much as the whales

I would book this tour if you want an exciting, close-to-the-water experience and understand that nature sets the schedule. The RIB is quick, the suspension seats are a real help, the gear is included, and the guides bring useful facts and plenty of energy. The possible mix of humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins and summer puffins gives the trip strong range.

I would choose another style of outing if you want a quiet cruise, have a sensitive back, or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For everyone else, the combination of Faxaflói Bay, a fast small boat and the Whales of Iceland Museum makes this a strong two-hour use of time in Reykjavik, especially when you value the ride itself as much as the final sighting.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik RIB whale-watching tour depart?

Meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the whale-watching tour last?

The boat tour lasts two hours.

What animals might I see?

You may see minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds. During the summer months, the tour also visits the puffin nesting grounds near Akurey.

Is the puffin stop available all year?

No. The puffin nesting-ground visit is offered during the summer breeding season.

What equipment is included?

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

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children under 10 cannot join. The experience is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters tall.

Is the Whales of Iceland Museum included?

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