Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Whales are never on a timetable. That is part of the thrill of this two-hour RIB tour from Reykjavik, where you race into Faxaflói Bay at up to 32 knots, then slow down to search for whales in their feeding grounds. I like the small, fast boat, which can move quickly toward wildlife, and the suspension seats and warm flotation suits, which make the ride far more comfortable than it first sounds. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and even a well-run trip cannot promise a close whale sighting.

The tour also includes puffin nesting grounds in summer and admission to the Whales of Iceland Museum. At $194 per person, it costs more than a standard large-boat outing, but you are paying for a shorter, more active trip with a smaller boat, special seating, safety gear, and a museum visit afterward. People under 140 centimeters, children under 10, pregnant women, and anyone with back problems should choose another way to see Faxaflói Bay.

Key points to know before you go

• The RIB reaches 32 knots: The ride itself is a real part of the experience, not just transport to the wildlife.
• Suspension seats soften the bumps: Each seat has shock absorption and a handle, though the boat can still bounce in rough water.
• Wildlife sightings vary: Minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins have all appeared, but nothing is guaranteed.
• Puffin visits are seasonal: The stop at Akurey and its nesting birds takes place during the summer breeding season.
• The gear matters: Warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles help protect you from cold air and sea spray.
• The museum ticket adds value: The Whales of Iceland Museum gives you a useful second look at the species you may have seen offshore.

Leaving Reykjavik for Faxaflói Bay

You meet the operator at Aegisgardur 5E, beside Reykjavik’s harbor area. There is no hotel pickup, so plan your route to the meeting point before tour time. Check-in is followed by a safety briefing and time to put on the supplied gear.

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB. It has an open feel, low sides, and far less bulk than the large whale-watching ships that also leave Reykjavik. That lower profile puts you closer to the water, which is excellent for seeing dolphins and whales but also means you notice every change in the sea.

The captain can reach a cruising speed of about 32 knots. That gives the tour a brisk, almost rollercoaster-like quality. Several people have described the first part as bumpy, then said they quickly got used to it. If you dislike fast boat rides, this is an important point. The RIB is not a quiet cruise.

The shock suspension seats are a thoughtful feature. You sit astride a seat with a handle in front, rather like a saddle, and the suspension takes some of the sharpness out of the movement. It does not turn the boat into a smooth ferry, but it can make a major difference when the boat hits waves.

Why the smaller boat changes whale watching

A large boat gives you more room to walk around and often a steadier ride. The RIB gives you speed, maneuverability, and a smaller group. Those advantages matter when the guide spots a blow or a pod of dolphins in the distance.

The captain can turn and reposition the boat quickly. That does not mean the boat chases animals or cuts across their path. It means the crew can spend less time getting to a promising area and more time watching from a sensible position.

You also have a better chance of seeing the water from every seat. On a crowded ship, passengers gather at the rail and you may lose the view behind a forest of cameras. On the RIB, the low seating and compact layout keep you close to the action. The trade-off is that you have less shelter from wind and spray.

The crew places safety first, and the captain decides whether to sail based on weather, sea conditions, passenger comfort, and experience. A cancellation or rescheduling because of bad weather is frustrating, but it is the correct call for this type of boat. The tour is not designed to push through poor conditions.

Searching the feeding grounds of Faxaflói Bay

Once the RIB reaches the open bay, the pace changes. The captain searches for signs of feeding activity, such as birds working over the water, while the guide explains local marine life and helps you watch for blows, fins, and movement at the surface.

This is the part that calls for patience. You may spend time crossing open water before finding a whale. One outing can produce several humpbacks and minke whales, while another may offer only distant sightings or dolphins. A smaller boat improves your position, but it cannot control the animals.

The reported sightings on this route include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and occasional breaching or tail-slapping behavior. Some trips have produced several minke whales, a group of humpbacks, or dolphins swimming beside the boat for many minutes. One especially memorable sighting involved a humpback mother and calf, while another included a whale breaching twice.

Those moments are possible, not promised. You should book this as a wildlife search, not as a guaranteed whale performance. Even a trip with no close whale sighting can still provide a fast ride, seabirds, sea views, and a chance to see dolphins or porpoises.

The guide makes a large difference here. Guides such as Rebecca, Rebekka, Joel, Patrick, Daniel, Alice, Eva, and Iris have been praised for their energy, humor, and ability to explain what you are seeing. A good guide does more than point toward a fin. They help you understand why the boat has stopped, what species may be nearby, and how to watch the water without missing a brief appearance.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer breeding season, the boat stops near Akurey, an island used by nesting puffins. You can see birds along the coast and around their nesting areas, and some outings have included pufflings and puffins hunting near the boat.

This stop adds variety to the trip. Whale watching can involve long stretches of open water, while puffins give you something smaller and more active to look for. They may sit on the water, fly low over the waves, or gather around the island.

The time at the puffin grounds can feel brief. If birds are your main goal, do not expect a long bird-watching session. The focus remains whales and other marine life in Faxaflói Bay. Still, seeing puffins from a low RIB can be a strong bonus, especially if you are visiting Iceland during the breeding season.

The island is not part of the tour outside the relevant summer period. Your main wildlife possibilities in other months are marine mammals and seabirds seen around the bay.

Warm clothing, goggles, and the reality of the sea

The operator supplies warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. Put on every piece, even on a bright day. The boat’s speed creates wind, and the open design leaves you exposed to spray. One person specifically noted that extra layers under the provided suit were still useful.

The goggles are not decorative. They help when the boat is moving fast and spray blows across the seating area. You may also find the gloves useful when gripping the handle during the faster sections.

The suspension seat helps with impact, but it does not remove the physical demands of the ride. The boat can bounce up and down, especially at speed or in unsettled water. People with back problems should not join, and the minimum height of 140 centimeters is there for a practical reason. Children under 10 and pregnant women are also not permitted.

If you are prone to motion sickness, the RIB may work better for you than expected because of the open air and forward-facing seats, but no boat is sickness-proof. The motion is active, and the boat may spend a long time moving across open water while searching.

What the $194 price really buys

At $194 per person, this is a premium two-hour activity. The price makes more sense if you value the boat itself, not just the wildlife count. You get a high-speed RIB, suspension seating, a live English-speaking guide, protective clothing, a summer puffin stop, and admission to the Whales of Iceland Museum.

A large vessel may feel more relaxed and offer more indoor space. The RIB offers a closer-to-the-water position and quicker movement. If you have already taken a conventional whale-watching cruise, this is a different experience rather than a duplicate one. The smaller boat gives you a more active way to search.

The museum ticket helps stretch the value beyond the two-hour trip. It is located in the Grandi harbor district, so you can visit after the boat outing. The museum covers whale biology, migration, conservation, and Atlantic species, with life-size models that help you understand the scale of the animals you were hoping to see offshore.

That visit is especially useful after a distant sighting. You may not get a dramatic breach, but the museum can fill in the details about the animals and their lives. It should not be treated as a substitute for the boat trip, but it makes the day feel more complete.

How to get the most from the two hours

Arrive ready for weather, not just the forecast. Wear warm layers beneath the supplied suit, and expect wind even if Reykjavik feels mild. Keep your camera secure and be prepared to look up from the screen, since whales often appear for only a few seconds.

Listen closely to the guide’s instructions. The crew needs everyone seated and balanced when the RIB accelerates or changes direction. The handle in front of you is there to use.

Set realistic expectations before departure. You might see a humpback surface near the boat, a minke whale at a distance, or dolphins racing alongside you. You might also spend much of the trip searching. The best attitude is to value the setting, the speed, and the search itself, while treating a close sighting as a bonus.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The tour is conducted in English.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this for an adult or older child who enjoys speed, open water, and active wildlife watching. It is a good fit if you want a small boat, a lively guide, and a chance to move quickly around Faxaflói Bay rather than sit on a large covered vessel.

It also suits repeat whale watchers. The RIB’s maneuverability and low seating offer a fresh view, even if you have already watched whales from a larger ship. The puffin stop makes it more appealing in summer.

I would hesitate if you want a calm, sheltered cruise or if you dislike bouncing boats. The sea can be rough, the wildlife can remain distant, and the trip may be rescheduled for weather. People with back problems, pregnant women, children under 10, and anyone below 140 centimeters cannot take part.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the RIB ride is part of the attraction for you. You get a fast, lively trip with warm gear, a small boat, strong guiding, seasonal puffins, and a museum visit that adds useful context.

Do not book it solely because you expect a guaranteed humpback whale at close range. Nature does not work that way. But if you can accept uncertainty and want a more active whale-watching trip from Reykjavik, the combination of speed, maneuverability, and expert guiding makes the $194 worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB whale-watching tour?

The boat tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour meet?

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

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other marine species and seabirds.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions, animal movements, and weather. Some trips see several whales, while others see dolphins, distant whales, or no whales.

Does the tour visit puffin nesting grounds?

Yes, the boat visits the puffin nesting grounds near Akurey during the summer months.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

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

How fast does the RIB boat travel?

The boat can reach a comfortable cruising speed of 32 knots.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 140 centimeters tall.

Is entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum included?

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