From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

Whales, puffins, and a very quick boat ride. This two-hour trip from Reykjavik combines wildlife watching with the thrill of a 12-seat rigid inflatable boat, so the journey itself is part of the attraction. I especially like the small group size and the chance to get close to puffin islands, not just search for whales in open water.

I also like the practical cold-weather setup: warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, life jackets, and a souvenir scarf are provided. The main drawback is the ride itself. A RIB can bounce hard in wind and waves, and this is not a gentle cruise for anyone prone to seasickness or uneasy on fast boats.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• The boat carries only 12 people, giving you a more personal ride and a better chance to hear the guide.
• The trip covers both wildlife and Reykjavik sights, including Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture.
• Dolphins can be as memorable as the whales, with several trips reporting close encounters and playful groups around the boat.
• Puffin viewing is built into the route, with a close approach to nesting islands in Faxaflói Bay.
• The weather matters greatly, so warm clothing and closed shoes are essential even when conditions look mild at the harbor.
• Children under 10 cannot join, and open-toed shoes, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed.

Leaving Reykjavik Harbor by RIB

The meeting point is at Ægisgarður 5G, about a five-minute walk from central Reykjavik. That makes this a handy choice if you are staying downtown and want to reach the harbor on foot rather than arrange a taxi or a separate transfer.

At the harbor, you put on the supplied warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and life jacket. You also receive your own scarf. The gear is not just a nice extra. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and a fast boat creates plenty of wind even on a reasonably calm day.

The boat is a new, state-of-the-art RIB with 12 suspension seats. These seats are designed to soften the impact as the hull crosses waves, but they do not turn the ride into a smooth ferry crossing. I would think of the suspension as protection from the worst jolts, not a promise of complete comfort.

The crew provides guidance in English and Icelandic. The small boat makes it easier to ask questions, hear explanations, and follow the guide’s directions when wildlife appears.

Harpa and Sun Voyager From the Water

The first part of the trip gives you a different view of Reykjavik. The RIB passes Harpa Concert Hall, with its geometric glass exterior, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront.

These sights are familiar from land, but the water changes their scale and setting. You get a quick city panorama before the boat heads away from the harbor. It is also a useful moment to settle into the boat before the faster sections begin.

The city views are brief rather than a full sightseeing tour. If you want detailed architectural commentary or plenty of time for photographs, you will find better options on land. Here, the harbor sights act as a pleasant opening to the wildlife trip.

Searching for Whales in Faxaflói Bay

The boat then heads into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water outside Reykjavik. Up to 23 species of whales may be found in the area, along with dolphins, seals, and many kinds of sea birds.

That number tells you about the bay’s variety, not what you are guaranteed to see on a particular morning or afternoon. Whales move freely, and the crew cannot direct them toward the boat. You might see a humpback whale surface close by, or you might spend time scanning the water for a blow and a dark back.

Humpback whales have been especially memorable on this trip. A typical sighting may involve a whale feeding below the surface, appearing mainly as a back or a burst of air before disappearing again. If you are hoping for dramatic leaps, adjust your expectations. Whale watching in open water is quieter and less predictable than an aquarium display.

The crew’s work matters here. The guide and boat navigator search together, track movement, and adjust the route when an animal appears. The best encounters can be short, so listen carefully and keep your eyes moving across the water.

Dolphins may provide more action. Groups of white-beaked dolphins have approached the boat, circled it, and appeared repeatedly around the hull. Their quick movement makes them easier to spot than a whale that surfaces only briefly. Some trips have also encountered harbor porpoises and pilot whales.

Seals are possible too, though the supplied information does not promise a particular species or number. Sea birds are another constant part of the setting, giving you something to watch while the crew searches for larger animals.

Puffin Islands and Nesting Birds

One of the strongest features of this trip is its approach to the islands in Faxaflói Bay. Puffins come to these islands to lay a single egg, and the boat moves close to the nesting areas.

This is more than a quick bird sighting from far offshore. Puffins may be seen flying, swimming, and gathering near the cliffs and beach areas. Their compact bodies and rapid wingbeats make them entertaining to watch, especially when several are active at once.

The timing of puffin activity is not guaranteed in the same way whale sightings are not. Still, the islands add variety to the trip. You are not spending two hours looking only for a distant whale. If the larger animals stay hidden, the birds and harbor views help keep the outing interesting.

The crew also gives information about the wildlife and the city. Ask questions as you go. This is a better fit for you if you enjoy understanding what you are seeing, rather than simply taking a quick boat ride and hoping for a photograph.

How Rough Is the Ride?

The RIB ride is one of the main reasons to book this experience, but it is also the part that needs the clearest warning.

When the water is calm, the speed and turns can feel exciting without overwhelming you. Several outings have included fast runs across the waves and sharp curves near the end. For some people, the boat ride becomes the highlight even before any whales appear.

Wind and wave direction change the experience. On a very windy day, the ride can be rough, and the boat may land heavily after crossing a wave. The suspension seats help, but you should still expect movement. I would not choose this trip if you want a quiet, floating cruise.

Wear the warm waterproof gear provided, but also dress in warm layers underneath. Keep your feet protected with closed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and open-toed shoes are specifically excluded. The goggles are useful when speed and spray combine, while the overall helps keep you dry.

The trip is not suitable for children under 10. The age rule, combined with the bumpy ride, makes this a better option for older children and adults who are comfortable with an active outing.

What the Two Hours Feel Like

Two hours is a useful length for this type of trip. It gives the crew time to leave the harbor, search the bay, visit the puffin areas, and return without taking up an entire day in Reykjavik.

The schedule can feel full because the boat serves several purposes. You get a short waterfront sightseeing segment, a fast ride, wildlife searching, bird watching, and commentary. The tradeoff is that no single part receives unlimited time.

If a whale is found, the boat may spend more time following its movement. That means the balance between whale watching and the return ride can vary. The crew’s priority is finding wildlife and respecting the animals, not keeping every moment identical.

Bring patience. You may see only one whale but still have an excellent outing if dolphins approach, puffins gather near the islands, or the ride itself proves memorable. You may also see several species in one trip, including humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, pilot whales, and harbor porpoises.

The Guide and Crew Make a Difference

The crew does more than steer the boat. The guide explains the whales, birds, and other wildlife, answers questions, and helps you know where to look. The navigator searches for animals and positions the boat for a better view.

That teamwork is important on a small RIB. A large vessel can feel more anonymous, while this 12-seat setup allows the guide to speak directly to the group. The company, Katla Whale Watching, has also been praised for friendly service and careful attention to safety.

The available information does not give the guides’ personal names. It does describe a warm father-and-son operation in earlier outings, with a personal style and strong attention to equipment. The boat and safety gear were described as new at that time, while the current tour is presented as using a new state-of-the-art RIB.

The tone appears to be friendly rather than formal. You can expect useful facts, practical safety instructions, and some humor along with the wildlife information.

Is $192 a Fair Price?

At $192 per person, this is not the budget choice for whale watching in Reykjavik. The price makes more sense if you want a small boat, a fast ride, provided cold-weather gear, and a two-hour outing that includes both wildlife and city views.

You are paying for more than a basic seat on a harbor cruise. The boat carries only 12 people, and the RIB gives you access to a more active style of sightseeing. The overalls, gloves, goggles, scarf, and life jacket rental also reduce the amount of specialized gear you need to bring.

The value depends on your priorities. If your only goal is to spend as much time as possible searching for whales, a longer standard boat trip may offer more time on the water. If you want the speed, small group, and close approach to puffin islands, this format gives you more variety in a short period.

I would also factor in the risk of limited sightings. Whales are wild animals, and the crew cannot guarantee them. The price is easier to justify if you would still enjoy the RIB ride, city views, birds, and dolphins even if the whale search is quiet.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most?

This experience suits you if you:

• Like fast boat rides and do not mind a bumpy crossing
• Want a small group rather than a large sightseeing vessel
• Are interested in whales, dolphins, puffins, and sea birds
• Have only a short window in Reykjavik
• Enjoy asking questions and learning from a live guide
• Are at least 10 years old and can handle changing weather

You may want another type of boat trip if you suffer badly from seasickness, prefer a calm ride, or need a fully sheltered cabin. The RIB is built for speed and close contact with the water, not for a quiet cruise.

The trip also requires some flexibility. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the sea may be calm one day and rough the next. Check the forecast, wear warm layers, and avoid scheduling this as the one activity you cannot bear to miss if the weather turns poor.

Booking Details That Matter

The tour begins at Ægisgarður 5G in the old harbor, within walking distance of central Reykjavik. The experience lasts two hours, with starting times shown according to availability.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if you are arranging several Iceland activities around uncertain weather.

The tour is conducted in English and Icelandic. Warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, life jackets, and a scarf are supplied. You still need to bring warm clothing underneath and closed-toe shoes.

Should You Book the Katla RIB Tour?

I would book this trip if you want wildlife watching with a real sense of motion. The strongest reasons are the 12-seat boat, the excellent chance of close dolphin encounters, the puffin islands, and the fact that the ride itself can be memorable even before an animal appears.

I would hesitate only if you need a calm boat, have a low tolerance for rough water, or are choosing strictly on price. At $192, the experience needs to deliver more than a simple whale search, and it does so through the speedboat, gear, city views, and small-group format.

For an active two hours from Reykjavik, this is a strong choice. Go prepared for cold, wind, and uncertainty, and judge success by the whole outing rather than by a single whale sighting.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour leave from?

The meeting point is Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s old harbor, about a five-minute walk from the city center.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts two hours.

What type of boat is used?

The tour uses a 12-seat luxury RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, with suspension seats.

Can I definitely see whales?

No. Whales are wild animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The crew also looks for dolphins, seals, puffins, and sea birds.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and other sea birds. The bay can have up to 23 whale species, and past outings have included humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, pilot whales, and harbor porpoises.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

A warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf are provided. You should still wear warm clothes underneath.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under 10 are not allowed to join this experience.

Can I wear sandals or flip-flops?

No. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and you must wear closed-toe shoes.

What languages are available?

The live guide provides the tour in English and Icelandic.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.