RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is the low, close view from the RIB. You sit near sea level rather than high above the water, and a humpback surfacing beside a small boat feels far more immediate than watching from a crowded upper deck. The boat also covers a wide search area, which helps when the whales are spread across Faxaflói Bay.

I like two things in particular: the 12-person limit, which gives everyone a fair chance at the rail, and the combination of puffins, dolphins, seabirds, and whales. Guides such as Maria, Sam, Ann, Milan, Pedro, and Lefterius have been praised for their warmth and wildlife knowledge. The supplied coveralls and shock-absorbing seats are useful, not decorative extras.

The catch is the ride. A RIB is exciting because it is quick, but the open North Atlantic can turn rough. This tour is not recommended for young children, people with knee problems, or anyone who would struggle with a bumpy return trip. Children must be over 10 and taller than 145 centimeters.

Key points to know before booking

• Small boat, maximum 12 people: You get a better view and less crowding than on a large whale-watching vessel.
• Puffins are seasonal: The island visit runs from early May through the end of August.
• The ride is part of the attraction: Fast, stable boats make the trip lively, but choppy water can be hard on knees and backs.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: The usual targets are humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive coveralls and safety equipment, but still need warm layers, gloves, a hat, and sturdy shoes.
• No-sighting backup: If poor conditions prevent sightings, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour.

Leaving Ægisgarður 5d in Reykjavik

The tour begins at Ægisgarður 5d in the Old Harbour, a handy base for a short sea trip from central Reykjavik. You meet there and return to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back across town.

The full outing lasts about two hours. That is a good length for a city break: long enough to reach the open bay, but short enough to fit around museums, lunch, or an afternoon excursion. The boat spends about 90 minutes in Faxaflói Bay, with the remaining time used for the harbour departure, puffin stop, and return ride.

You should arrive ready for the weather rather than dressed for Reykjavik streets. Wear a wool or fleece sweater under the supplied coverall, plus a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. The coveralls help keep out spray and wind, but they do not replace warm clothing.

Puffin islands from early May to late August

During puffin season, the RIB makes a short run to Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, the small islands just outside Reykjavik. The boat usually spends about five to ten minutes near the birds. This is a compact stop, not a long island visit, but it adds a second kind of wildlife to the trip before the search for whales begins.

Puffins share this area with auks, gannets, and other seabirds. From the water, you see them around the cliffs and sea surface, with the RIB able to approach quickly because of its small size. The close approach is useful for viewing, though you should remember that the birds are wild and their movements are unpredictable.

Outside the early May to late August season, the puffin stop is not part of the outing. The whale search still takes place, but you should not book this trip mainly for puffins if you are visiting outside those months.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

After the island visit, the captain heads into Faxaflói Bay. This is the main event, and the crew uses the RIB’s speed to cover more water while looking for signs of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

You might see humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, or porpoises. Sightings can range from one shy minke to several humpbacks surfacing in the same area. Some outings have included around 15 whales, while others have produced only a few sightings. That difference is normal for wildlife watching, and no operator can promise a breach or a close pass.

The strongest moments come when the animals choose the boat’s path. A humpback may surface near the RIB, dolphins may travel alongside it, or a whale may breach several times. You could also see a basking shark, though that is an occasional bonus rather than a planned feature.

The marine biologist guide helps make quiet periods useful. While the crew searches, you receive information about the animals and the surrounding seabird life. Guides have also been praised for handling seasickness and keeping people calm when conditions become rough.

What the RIB feels like on the water

This is not simply a whale trip with a faster transfer. The ride itself is a major part of the appeal. You sit in a small, powerful boat that can move rapidly between possible sighting areas, giving you a lively run across the bay.

The seats have a high-performance suspension system. These shock-absorbing seats reduce the impact of waves and make the ride more comfortable than a basic hard bench. They do not make the sea smooth, though. Several outings have included a long, choppy run back to shore, and that is the key physical issue to consider.

If you have back, knee, or mobility problems, the boat may not be suitable. The operator specifically advises against it for people with knee problems, and the minimum age and height rules keep very young children off the RIB. If you are prone to seasickness, the crew can help, but you should still take the open-water conditions seriously.

The supplied coveralls are one of the tour’s practical strengths. They help in rainy weather and cut the wind while you sit still watching for a blow or a dorsal fin. Add your own warm layers, because cold becomes more noticeable when the boat pauses.

Returning past the Sun Voyager and Harpa

Once the wildlife search ends, the boat heads back along Reykjavik’s shoreline. This final run gives you a different view of the city, with the sea in the foreground and the waterfront opening up around you.

The route passes the Sun Voyager sculpture, one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable seaside sights. It also goes by Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass exterior catches changing light even on a grey day. These stops take only a few minutes each, but they make the return trip feel like a short harbour tour rather than a simple ride back to the dock.

You finish at the same Old Harbour meeting point roughly two hours after departure. Since food and drinks are not included, plan anything you want to eat before or after the tour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.

Why the small group matters

At a maximum of 12 people, this RIB gives you more room to see than a large whale-watching boat. You are less likely to find yourself several rows behind someone else when a whale surfaces, and the guide can speak to the whole group without a microphone or a long explanation repeated from the upper deck.

The smaller boat also reaches wildlife at sea level. That low viewpoint can make a whale feel much larger, especially when a humpback surfaces close to the boat. It is also easier to watch dolphins or porpoises moving beside the hull.

The tradeoff is comfort. A large vessel generally offers more indoor space and a gentler feel in rough conditions. The RIB gives you a closer, more active outing, but you accept spray, wind, and more motion in return.

Is $208.09 a fair price?

At $208.09 per person, this is not the budget option for whale watching in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small group, a fast boat, a marine biologist guide, supplied coveralls, suspension seats, and a greater sense of access to the water.

I think the price makes the most sense if you care about the boat itself and want a more personal outing. A close humpback sighting from a 12-person RIB can justify the extra cost for you, especially if you have already done a standard large-boat cruise elsewhere.

The value is less clear if you mainly want the cheapest chance of seeing a whale. Wildlife remains unpredictable, and rough weather can cancel the RIB or lead to a different boat arrangement. One poor-weather outing involved a delayed departure and no sightings, which shows why you should not treat the price as a guarantee of wildlife.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 241 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. The most consistent strengths are the crew, warm equipment, close viewing position, and exciting ride. The main concern is also consistent: the boat can become rough.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this tour for an adult or older child who wants an active sea trip, not just a quiet wildlife cruise. It suits people who enjoy speed, outdoor conditions, photography, and the chance to see several species in one outing.

It is also a strong choice for a small family group or friends who want to share one boat without a large crowd. The crew may take photos and videos during the trip, allowing you to watch the animals instead of keeping your phone raised the whole time.

I would think twice if you have knee or back trouble, dislike bumpy rides, or want guaranteed puffins. It may also be a poor fit on the first morning after a long flight if you are tired and sensitive to motion, although the active ride can help some people stay awake.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You should be comfortable boarding the RIB, sitting through a fast ride, and handling cold outdoor conditions. If that sounds manageable, the small boat adds real value.

Weather, cancellations, and wildlife odds

This activity needs suitable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the trip runs but produces no sightings, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour.

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

These rules matter because North Atlantic weather can shift quickly. I would avoid placing this tour on the final few hours of your Iceland visit. Give yourself another possible day if you can, so bad weather does not remove your only chance to go.

You also need to set the right expectation. Even with a large search area, good guides, and a fast boat, whales remain wild animals. The strongest outings have included multiple humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, puffins, and even a possible shark sighting. Another day may be quieter.

Should you book the RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want a small, fast, close-to-the-water adventure and accept that the sea may be rough. The combination of a marine biologist, 12-person boat, puffin islands in season, and a wide search area gives you more than a basic harbour cruise.

Skip it if you need a smooth, sheltered ride or have knee and back concerns. For everyone else, this is a good use of two hours in Reykjavik, especially from May through August when puffins add another wildlife stop. Wear warm layers, keep your schedule flexible, and treat every whale sighting as a gift rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

It starts at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavik, in the Old Harbour.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the RIB?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are puffins included all year?

No. The puffin visit operates during puffin season, from early May through the end of August.

Which wildlife might I see?

You might see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and many seabirds.

Is warm clothing provided?

Coveralls and necessary safety equipment are provided. You should still wear a wool or fleece sweater, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children must be over 10 years old and taller than 145 centimeters.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund. If there are no wildlife sightings, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour.