Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

A 12-seat RIB speedboat changes the feel of whale watching in Reykjavik. You skim across Faxaflói Bay, sit close to the water, and can reach distant sightings faster than a large vessel. When the sea is lively, the ride itself becomes part of the show.

I like the small group and the practical warm gear. Everyone gets a close view, and guides such as Rebekah, Anika, Joel, and Joe have been praised for explaining the animals clearly. The tradeoff is real: this is a bouncy, exposed boat ride, and whale sightings are never guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast RIB with 12 seats: The boat can cover more water quickly and follow moving whales better than a slow, crowded vessel.
• Wildlife is varied: Possible sightings include humpback and minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, puffins, and other sea birds.
• Everyone gets close to the action: Two seats per row help give each person a useful view, though passengers still need to share both sides of the boat.
• Warm equipment is supplied: You receive a waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket, but warm clothing and waterproof footwear still make sense.
• The trip lasts about two hours: You see Reykjavik from the bay, including the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip. You are then offered another date or a full refund.

Why the RIB makes such a difference

At $164 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales from Reykjavik. The price buys a very different outing, though. A large whale-watching boat gives you more room and a calmer ride. This RIB gives you speed, a smaller group, and a much lower viewpoint.

That speed matters in Faxaflói Bay. Whales move. A pod can surface in one place and disappear several hundred metres away a minute later. A nimble boat can get to a reported sighting quickly, then adjust its position as the animals travel. The crew also communicates with other boats, which helps the captain locate wildlife across the bay.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That is small enough for the guide to speak without a microphone, answer questions, and point out wildlife without a crowd pressing around the rail. With two seats per row, you are not stuck several rows back from the action.

There is one catch. The RIB is built for speed, and the ride can bounce hard over rough water. The seats have suspension, which helps, but you may still spend much of the two hours bracing yourself. One account specifically warned that the ride can feel semi-standing, especially for anyone with back or knee trouble. Take that seriously.

Setting out from Geirsgata 11

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik. The activity ends at the same place, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation, but you should plan to arrive early.

The departure timing deserves care. The boat may leave before the time printed in a booking summary suggests. One strong practical tip is to treat the check-in time as roughly 30 minutes before the stated departure. Arriving late can mean watching the boat leave without you.

Before boarding, you receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. The gear is useful, especially when the boat accelerates or the wind picks up. Still, bring warm layers underneath and wear waterproof shoes. One report found the supplied clothing less waterproof than expected, so do not treat it as a full substitute for sensible Icelandic clothing.

The boat is small, but most travelers can take part. The operator requires at least one adult per booking. The tour is offered in English.

Sun Voyager from the water

The first listed sight is the Sun Voyager, the striking steel sculpture beside Reykjavik’s waterfront. From the bay, you see it as part of the city’s shoreline rather than as a monument approached on foot.

This view gives the opening part of the trip a useful sense of place. You are not simply racing away from the harbor toward open water. You get a quick look back at Reykjavik, its waterfront, and the relationship between the city and Faxaflói Bay.

Do not think of this as a separate sightseeing stop where you disembark. The attraction is the view from the RIB. The boat’s low position places you close to the water, while the city forms a backdrop behind the sculpture.

Harpa and the Reykjavik waterfront

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre is the second named sight. Its glass facade is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable modern buildings, and it looks especially distinct from the water.

Again, this is a passing view rather than a concert hall visit. The value is in seeing Harpa, the waterfront, and the city from an angle you will not get on a standard walking tour. The bay also gives you a broader sense of how compact Reykjavik is.

These city views are a bonus, not the main event. If you want time inside Harpa or a careful look at the Sun Voyager, visit them separately before or after the boat trip. The RIB’s job is to get you out into the bay quickly.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

Faxaflói is home to several kinds of marine life. The most sought-after sightings are humpback and minke whales, but dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, and puffins can also appear. The bay supports large numbers of sea birds, so the trip is not a failure if a whale stays hidden.

The best outings can produce a remarkable mix. Sightings have included several humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins in one trip. A humpback may surface close to the boat, swim beneath it, slap a fin, or breach. A mother and calf have also been seen together.

That is the exciting possibility, not a promise. Wildlife watching depends on weather, season, animal movements, and plain luck. Some departures see several whale species. Others find dolphins or porpoises but no whales. The crew cannot control that part of the experience.

The captain’s skill matters when animals are located. A fast boat can move between sightings and keep up when a whale changes direction. Several guides, including Rebekah, Anika, Joel, and Joe, have been singled out for clear explanations and strong animal knowledge. The best guides do more than point at a fin. They explain what you are seeing and leave room for questions.

The small boat also changes your view. You are nearer the waterline than you would be on a large whale-watching vessel. That can make a nearby whale feel much closer, but it also means spray, wind, and motion are part of the bargain.

Puffin Island and the birdlife

Puffins are another possible highlight. The boat may make a brief stop near Puffin Island, giving you a chance to see these compact seabirds on the water and around the island.

Do not expect to walk ashore or get close enough for a detailed portrait. The island visit is a short wildlife stop from the boat, and puffins may remain at a distance. Bring realistic expectations and enjoy the wider birdlife as well.

This part works best as an extra layer to the outing. You are already looking for whales, but the bay supports many bird species. A day with puffins, dolphins, and a minke whale can feel full even if the biggest humpback sighting never comes.

How comfortable is the ride?

The RIB is exciting, but it is not a calm sightseeing cruise. The boat moves quickly, and rough water can send it bouncing up and down. Suspension seats reduce the impact, yet you should expect an active ride for much of the trip.

I would choose this option if you like fast boats, roller coasters, and a little physical movement. I would think twice if you have back or knee problems, dislike spray, or want a quiet place to sit and watch the horizon.

The supplied overall, gloves, goggles, and life jacket cover the main safety and weather needs. You should still dress warmly. Reykjavik can feel cold on the water even when the city itself seems comfortable, and wet shoes can make the ride unpleasant.

There is also a practical viewing issue. A small boat gives everyone a good chance to see, but people can still block one side by standing or shifting at the wrong time. The captain may position the boat so both sides get a view, but you should be considerate and avoid holding one spot for the entire sighting.

Is $164 a fair price?

The $164 price is high compared with a standard large-boat excursion. For a family or group watching its budget, that difference can add up quickly.

The value comes from the format. You are paying for a maximum of 12 people, a fast boat, close-to-water viewing, supplied protective gear, and about two hours on the bay. You also pay for the chance to reach wildlife faster and adjust position when whales move.

If your main goal is simply to get on the water at the lowest cost, choose a larger vessel. If your priority is an active ride and the best possible access to a sighting, the RIB earns its higher price. It is especially appealing if your Reykjavik schedule is tight, since the boat spends less time slowly reaching open water.

I would not pay the premium solely because you expect guaranteed whales. No boat can offer that. Pay it because you want a smaller group, a faster search, and a more exciting ride.

Weather, cancellations, and backup plans

This activity requires good weather. The operator can cancel for poor conditions, even if another boat appears to leave. Different boats have different sizes, routes, and safety limits, so a departure by another company does not mean the RIB should have gone out.

If weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That can be useful if you have several days in Reykjavik, but it is harder if this is your only open morning. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if whale watching is important to you.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Icelandic time.

Who should choose this tour?

This is a strong fit for you if you:

• Want a small group rather than a boat carrying 100 or more people
• Like fast, active rides
• Have limited time and want to cover the bay efficiently
• Care about seeing Reykjavik from the water
• Are comfortable with wind, spray, and bouncing
• Want a guide close enough to answer questions directly
• Are willing to pay more for a more personal outing

A large boat may suit you better if you want a steadier deck, more indoor space, or the lowest price. I would also choose the larger option for anyone who knows that rough motion causes problems.

Families can enjoy the RIB, and one parent specifically found it a good choice with a daughter. Still, the motion and weather should be part of your decision. This is a nature trip with an adventure-ride element, not a gentle harbor cruise.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

I would book it if the fast boat is part of the appeal, not just the whales. The combination of speed, 12-person capacity, low water-level views, and guides who can talk directly with the group gives this outing a clear advantage over a standard cruise.

Book with sensible expectations. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seals, or you may see only some of them. Arrive early, dress warmly, wear waterproof shoes, and leave room in your schedule in case weather changes the plan.

At $164, it is a premium excursion. For many people, the thrill of the RIB and the chance to reach a moving whale quickly make that premium worthwhile. If you prefer comfort and certainty, save the money for another activity. If you want a lively, close-to-the-water search across Faxaflói Bay, this is one of Reykjavik’s more memorable choices.

FAQ

How long does the whale-watching trip last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB has a maximum capacity of 12 travelers.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, puffins, and other sea birds. Whale sightings are not guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket.

Do I need to bring warm clothing?

Yes. You are advised to dress warmly. Waterproof shoes are also a sensible choice, since the supplied clothing may not keep every part of you fully dry.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.