2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Whales, puffins, and a very fast boat. This 2-hour RIB tour from Reykjavik combines wildlife watching with a lively ride across Faxaflói Bay. I like the small group size, capped at 12 people, and the way the boat can reach feeding areas faster than a larger vessel. The free return ticket offered after a no-sighting trip is another welcome touch.

I also like the warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats, which matter in Iceland’s cold, windy waters. The main caution is simple: this is not a gentle cruise. The RIB can be bouncy and rough, and anyone with back, joint, heart, or mobility concerns should think carefully before booking.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-meter custom RIB carries no more than 12 people, giving you a closer, less crowded experience.
• The suspension seats soften the ride, but they do not turn rough seas into calm water.
• The boat reaches whale-feeding areas quickly, improving your chances of seeing humpback and minke whales.
• Summer trips include a stop near Akurey, a nesting island known for puffins.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed, but a complimentary return ticket is offered if no sightings occur.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off cost extra, while the basic meeting point is at Special Tours in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Why this RIB trip feels different

A standard whale-watching boat gives you room to walk around and usually offers a calmer ride. This RIB does something else. It treats the journey across the bay as part of the attraction.

The custom-built 12-meter boat is designed for speed, and it can travel close to 30 knots in suitable conditions. That lets the crew move quickly between possible feeding areas instead of spending much of the two-hour outing simply getting there. When a whale surfaces, every extra minute near the action helps.

The smaller boat also puts you closer to the water. You may see a humpback’s back rise beside the boat, a minke whale appear for only a few seconds, or white-beaked dolphins moving in a fast group. This closeness can feel special, but it also means you feel every swell more clearly.

The boat has shock-absorbing suspension seats. These were praised repeatedly for making the ride more manageable, especially when the RIB is moving quickly. Still, the seats are not magic. In rough water, you may be bounced around, and the experience can feel more like an outdoor amusement ride than a quiet nature outing.

Check-in at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The tour starts at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is used for check-in, changing clothes, and the safety briefing.

If you have booked hotel pickup, a vehicle takes you to the Special Tours ticket office. Pickup and return transport are not included in the basic price, so check your booking carefully before assuming your hotel is covered. If you are making your own way there, the meeting point is near public transportation.

The changing area can feel cramped when several departures are preparing at once. One useful tip is to allow enough time to find the correct preparation area after checking in. The operation uses more than one building in the harbour area, and clear directions are helpful.

You will be issued warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. Wear warm layers underneath, along with sturdy shoes. The outer gear protects you from spray and cold wind, but Iceland’s weather can still work its way through if you arrive dressed lightly.

The guide gives safety instructions before boarding. This is the moment to ask about the sea conditions and tell the crew if you are worried about the ride. Pay close attention, since getting on and off a small RIB requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

The boat ride across Faxaflói Bay

Once everyone is dressed, you board the new RIB. Its suspension seats are arranged so you remain seated during the faster sections. You are not wandering around with a coffee in hand. The point is to stay secure and watch the water ahead.

The first part of the trip includes views of Reykjavik’s coastline and Esja mountain. The city soon falls behind as the boat heads into Faxaflói Bay. On a clear day, the changing view from harbour buildings to open water is one of the trip’s pleasures, even before any whale appears.

The ride itself receives some of the strongest praise. Many people find the speed exciting, smooth, and great fun. Others find the bouncing intense, especially when the sea is rough. One person compared the feeling to a roller coaster, while another found the motion too hard on the back. Both reactions are believable.

Sea conditions can change the whole character of the tour. In calm water, the RIB may feel quick and lively. With larger swells, every landing can jar your body. If you have an old back injury, joint problems, a heart condition, or difficulty with balance, this is not the safest choice for a boat outing. The tour is also not recommended for children under 10 or under 145 centimeters tall.

Searching for whales in the feeding grounds

The crew searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. The guide watches the water and explains what you are seeing, while the captain adjusts the boat’s position. The best moments often come from patience rather than spectacle.

A humpback may surface several times in the same area. You might see a blow, then a dark back, then the tail as the whale goes down. Some trips have followed humpbacks for close to an hour, including a mother and calf. Other outings produce only a quick glimpse of one whale. Breaching is possible, but it should never be treated as part of the schedule.

Minke whales are smaller and often appear briefly. You may see one surface once and then lose it. Dolphins can be more active, sometimes traveling close to the boat in a pod. Harbour porpoises are another possibility, though their smaller size can make them harder to spot.

This is where the RIB’s speed has real value. The crew can move to another sighting area quickly, and the small group makes it easier to hear the guide. Several guides and captains have been praised for patient searching and careful boat handling. One guide named Jonathan was especially appreciated for explaining the birds and animals seen along the way. Captains Yoda and Blanca were also singled out for friendly service and strong handling of the boat.

There is no guarantee of wildlife. That is not a flaw unique to this company. Whales are wild animals, and the bay does not operate on a timetable. If you see no wildlife, the company provides a complimentary ticket for another attempt on its Classic or Express whale-watching trips. That offer helps protect the value of your day, though it may not help if you are leaving Iceland soon.

Akurey and the summer puffins

During the summer nesting season, the RIB stops near Akurey. This small island is one of the popular puffin-nesting sites near Reykjavik.

Puffins are entertaining to watch, especially when they fly low over the water or appear to run across the surface before taking off. You may see many birds, but you should not expect to step onto the island. The boat views the nesting area from the water, and puffins can be difficult to see clearly from a distance.

Some people wished the boat could get closer. That is understandable, but the distance helps protect the birds and keeps the visit brief. Bring binoculars if you have them. A camera with a strong zoom will also be more useful than a standard phone camera.

The puffin stop adds value in summer because it gives you a second type of wildlife encounter. If whales are scarce, the island and seabirds help make the outing feel less one-note. Outside the nesting season, Akurey is not part of the trip.

Returning along the Reykjavik coastline

After the wildlife search, the boat turns back toward the Old Harbour. The return route offers another look at Reykjavik’s shoreline, with the city appearing gradually across the bay.

This final stretch is a good time to enjoy the scenery and take photographs, but keep your camera protected. Spray and wind are part of the ride, even when the weather feels pleasant on land. Waterproof storage is sensible, since the supplied gear does not protect your personal electronics.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. If hotel return transport was selected, a drop-off bus waits at the harbour. Without that option, you make your own way back into the city.

Is $189.87 a fair price?

At $189.87 per person, this is a costly two-hour activity. You are paying for more than a basic boat ticket, though. The price includes a small group, a fast custom RIB, safety equipment, warm outerwear, an English-speaking guide, and the chance to cover more bay during the available time.

The small group is important. With a maximum of 12 people, you avoid the crowding common on larger whale boats. You can usually see the guide’s direction and hear the explanations without fighting for a place at the rail.

The price also reflects the boat’s special design and crew. If you mainly want a quiet ride with indoor shelter and plenty of space, a less expensive standard boat may suit you better. If you want speed, close water-level views, and a more active outing, the RIB makes a stronger case.

The complimentary return ticket matters when wildlife does not appear. It cannot replace a missed whale sighting during a short Iceland visit, but it does give you another chance if your schedule allows. Since the tour is often booked about 49 days ahead, planning early is wise during busy periods.

What to wear and what to bring

The company provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests. You still need to dress for Icelandic weather.

Wear warm layers, thick socks, and good shoes. Avoid loose items that can blow away. Keep phones and cameras in a waterproof pouch or sealed bag, and use a wrist strap if you plan to photograph from the boat.

The goggles are useful because speed creates wind even when there is little spray. They also make it easier to keep watching the water without squinting. If you get cold easily, add a hat that fits comfortably beneath the supplied gear.

Do not plan a demanding activity immediately afterward if you are unsure how you will react to the motion. A rough ride can leave you tired, and the outing involves getting into and out of the RIB rather than simply stepping onto a large ferry.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want whale watching with a strong dose of adventure. It suits active adults, older children who meet the height and age requirements, and anyone who likes fast boats as much as wildlife.

It is also a good pick for a small group of friends or a couple who values personal attention. The guide can spend more time explaining sightings, and the captain can reposition the boat without handling a large crowd.

I would choose another style of boat if you want a smooth, quiet cruise. I would also avoid this RIB if you have back or joint problems, a heart condition, mobility limitations, or a strong fear of rough water. One 80-year-old participant enjoyed the ride, but that does not make it suitable for every older person. Your own condition matters more than age alone.

Book with realistic expectations. You may see a humpback and calf, a large dolphin pod, or several minke whales. You may also see one whale briefly, or none at all. The best reason to book is that the boat ride, scenery, guide, and puffin stop still offer a worthwhile outing even when nature refuses to perform.

Cancellation and timing details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the company offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

Since the tour is offered in English, you should be comfortable following English safety instructions and commentary.

Final booking advice

Book the 2-hour RIB whale-watching tour if you want the best mix of speed, small-group access, and close views of wildlife around Reykjavik. The warm gear and suspension seats are practical additions, and the free retry helps when the bay is quiet.

Skip it if your priority is comfort, stillness, or protection from rough seas. This boat can be thrilling, but it can also be physically demanding. For the right person, the chance to follow a humpback, watch dolphins beside the boat, and see puffins near Akurey makes the high price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

The tour starts at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, at the Special Tours ticket office.

How long does the RIB whale-watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and ends back at the Old Harbour meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic tour price. They can be added for an extra fee.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. During the summer nesting season, it also includes a visit near Akurey, a puffin island.

Is wildlife guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no sightings occur, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on a Classic or Express whale-watching tour.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, goggles, and access to the RIB’s suspension seats.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old or under 145 centimeters tall. Participants should also have a moderate level of physical fitness.