Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik whale trip is the small 12-seat RIB. It reaches open water faster than a large boat, and its low seating position can put you close to dolphins, puffins, and whales in Faxaflói Bay. I like the speedy ride and the chance to see several species in one outing.

I also like that the crew supplies warm overalls, gloves, and goggles, then returns you to the Old Harbour after about two hours. Guides such as Claudia, Julien, and Eva have been praised for friendly care and strong animal-spotting skills. The catch is simple: rough water can make the ride wet and bumpy, and no captain can promise a whale sighting.

Key points to know before you book

• A 12-seat boat: You get a small-group outing rather than a crowded vessel with a distant view.
• Fast access to Faxaflói Bay: The RIB can cover water quickly when a sighting is reported.
• Several possible species: Look for minke and humpback whales, killer whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and puffins.
• Warm gear is supplied: Overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are included.
• Downtown departure: You meet at Old Harbour House, close to Harpa and public transportation.
• Weather matters: Strong wind or rough seas can lead to a cancellation, date change, or refund.

A fast start from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, a handy downtown location near the waterfront. You do not get hotel pickup, so plan to reach the harbour yourself. The tour ends at the same place, which makes it easy to continue on foot toward Harpa, the Sun Voyager, or central Reykjavik.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That number matters. You can hear the guide more easily, move your head to follow a blow or fin, and ask questions without competing with a large crowd. The small group also gives the captain more freedom to adjust the boat’s position around an animal.

Before departure, you receive a warm one-piece overall, gloves, goggles, and the required safety equipment. Use all of it. One particularly useful tip is to wear a hat even in summer, and keep proper clothes underneath the suit. Your shoes and lower legs can still get wet if the sea turns rough.

The RIB uses straddle-style seating, so you sit close to the water and hold on during the faster sections. That design helps create the thrilling part of the outing, but it also means this is not a calm sightseeing cruise. If you prefer a dry, steady ride, a larger vessel may suit you better.

Harpa and the Sun Voyager set the scene

The first part of the trip gives you a different angle on Reykjavik. From the water, you can take in Harpa’s colored glass facade, a modern concert hall inspired by Iceland’s basalt formations. Its geometric front catches changing light and makes a strong contrast with the open bay behind it.

You also get panoramic views toward the Sun Voyager, the well-known steel sculpture along the waterfront. This city view is a useful bonus, especially if you are new to Reykjavik and want to get your bearings from the sea.

The boat then heads out toward Faxaflói Bay. From this broad body of water, you can see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast, and on clear days, Snæfellsjökull far to the west. The distant mountain and wide water give the ride a sense of scale that is hard to get from shore.

The bay is not only a passage to the whales. It is part of the setting. You may spend stretches looking at open water before the captain finds animals, so the scenery and the changing weather become part of the outing. That is lovely in calm conditions, but less comfortable when wind sends spray over the boat.

Searching Faxaflói for whales and dolphins

The main purpose is to locate marine mammals in the bay. Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. The summer months are considered the strongest period, but trips operate all year and the bay can produce memorable sightings outside summer too.

Your guide and captain watch for blows, fins, movement, and groups of birds. Once an animal is located, the RIB can travel quickly to the area. This is one of the clearest advantages of the smaller boat: it can cover ground at speed instead of taking a long time to reposition.

The low seating puts you near the waterline. That can make a dolphin swimming beside the boat feel remarkably close. One account describes dolphins moving right under the RIB, while other outings have included several minke whales and groups of humpbacks surfacing, blowing, and striking the water with their fins.

A lucky trip can bring a remarkable sequence. Some outings have included four types of whales, two dolphin species, puffins, and around ten whales. Humpbacks have been seen close to the boat, with one reported sighting only a few feet away. Those moments are possible, not guaranteed, and wildlife always sets the schedule.

You may instead see only one whale, a few brief surfaces, or no whales at all. A whale can appear for a second and vanish before you raise your phone. That is not a flaw in the boat or crew. It is the honest nature of watching wild animals.

Engey, Viðey, and the islands near the capital

The route can bring you near several islands in the waters around Reykjavik. Engey is the second-largest island in Kollafjörður, the inner part of Faxa Bay. Its open, uninhabited character adds to the feeling that you have left the city, even though Reykjavik remains close.

Viðey is the largest island in Kollafjörður. From the water, it helps frame the bay and the capital beyond it. The island is a familiar local landmark, but seeing it from a low RIB gives you a fresh angle.

Lundey means Puffin Island in Icelandic. This small, uninhabited island off Reykjavik is an important stop in spirit, even if the boat does not linger there for long. Puffins are often seen in the area, especially during the warmer part of the year, and several outings have included close looks at these compact seabirds.

These island views are worthwhile even on a quiet whale day. Still, do not expect a shore landing or a long stop. The RIB is built to search the bay, not to provide a walking tour of the islands.

Why the RIB can be thrilling, and tiring

The boat’s greatest strength is also its main warning. You ride low and fast, and the captain may cross open water at a lively pace. On a calm day, that creates a terrific sense of motion and puts you close to the sea. On a rough day, the same ride can mean repeated spray, cold hands, wet shoes, and a lot of gripping.

One family found the trip far too wet despite using the supplied suit. Their jeans and shoes became soaked, and using a phone for photos was nearly impossible. Another outing was calm enough for the group to stay dry and warm. Both reports can be true because sea conditions change quickly.

Take the equipment seriously. Put on the overalls fully, use the gloves and goggles, and bring a hat. Wear clothing that can handle moisture under the suit, and avoid assuming that summer means warm conditions on the bay.

You also need to be comfortable holding on and sitting astride the seat. The operator says most people can participate, but this is still an active ride rather than a gentle boat trip. Children have taken part, including an 11-year-old, but each family should think honestly about cold, spray, motion, and the child’s comfort.

Guides, captains, and the value of a small group

The crew has a major effect on the day. Guides named in positive accounts include Claudia, Julien, and Eva, and one guide was a marine biologist. Strong crew members explain what you are seeing, answer questions, keep watch for animals, and give the captain useful direction.

Several outings have been praised for captains who stayed with whales long enough for repeated surfacing. That patience matters. A quick glimpse is exciting, but staying in the area can give you time to see a humpback blow, rise, submerge, and surface again.

The small group makes this more personal. You are not one face among dozens on a high-sided boat. The guide can respond to questions and help you understand where to look. One weaker outing included a guide who did not provide many whale facts, so the quality of explanation may vary.

I would book this partly for the boat and partly for the crew’s ability to find animals. The RIB does not magically create sightings, but it gives a skilled captain a quick, flexible platform for the search.

Is $145 a fair price?

At $145 per person, this costs more than a basic large-boat whale trip, but you are paying for a different format. The price covers up to two hours in a 12-seat RIB, the small group, the faster ride, and warm protective equipment.

I think the price makes sense if you value time and closeness. The boat leaves from downtown, spends less time plowing across the bay, and can move quickly when animals are spotted. You also get city views, island scenery, and a chance to see puffins or dolphins along with whales.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a comfortable platform for photos. Salt spray can make photography difficult, particularly on a rough day. You may also return without a whale sighting, and the operator cannot control that. A refund or a complimentary ticket may be offered after a no-sighting trip, but you still cannot recover a short holiday schedule.

The tour takes about two hours, so it fits neatly into a day of Reykjavik sightseeing. That compact timing is useful if you have only a short stay. Since the boat returns to the harbour, you can combine it with Harpa, the Sun Voyager, and central Reykjavik without arranging a long transfer.

Cancellations and changing sea conditions

This activity requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. Strong wind or rough seas can lead to a cancellation, with a different date or a full refund offered. A cancellation has occurred as late as the night before, and another group learned only at the meeting point, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

The safety decision can differ between operators. One company may send a RIB out while another cancels because boats, routes, and safety limits are not identical. That can be frustrating if you have limited time, but an open-water speedboat should not run simply to protect a booking.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy.

Who should choose this trip?

I would choose this RIB if you want a compact, active outing with a real sense of speed. It suits people who like being close to the water, can handle spray and bumps, and would rather have a small group than a large viewing deck.

It is also a good pick for families with older children who enjoy boats and wildlife. The supplied gear helps, but parents should prepare children for cold, wet conditions and the need to hold on.

You may prefer a larger boat if you want a steadier ride, more room to move, or easier photography. The RIB is not the best choice for anyone who dislikes motion, cannot tolerate cold spray, or expects a guaranteed close whale encounter.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB?

Book it if the thought of racing across Faxaflói in a small boat sounds as appealing as the whales themselves. The strongest days can include humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and close water-level views, all within a short trip from downtown.

Skip it if comfort comes first or if your schedule cannot absorb a weather cancellation. My practical advice is to reserve it early, since it is commonly booked well ahead, and leave room in your day for changing conditions. Wear a hat, use every piece of supplied gear, and treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching trip start?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the trip last?

The RIB outing lasts up to about two hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The boat holds a maximum of 12 participants.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and puffins.

Is the tour offered all year?

Yes. The trip operates throughout the year, with summer described as the peak period for sightings.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and the necessary safety equipment are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you must make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. A different date, another activity, or a full refund may also apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.