Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

Whales are only part of the thrill. This fast, small-boat trip crosses Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, giving you a lively ride, open-water views, and a real chance to see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. I like the 12-seat RIB boat, which feels far more personal than a large sightseeing vessel, and I like the free return ticket if wildlife fails to appear. The main drawback is the ride itself: it can be cold, windy, and bumpy, especially for anyone with back trouble or a tendency toward seasickness.

The tour also gives you a fine view of Reykjavík from the water, including Harpa concert hall and the small islands scattered across the bay. Guides such as Claudia, Julian, and Bianca have been praised for their enthusiasm and clear explanations. Still, you are paying about $200 per person for two hours, so this makes the most sense if seeing marine life is high on your Iceland list and you are comfortable with an exposed, fast-moving boat.

Key points to know before you book

• The small RIB reaches wildlife quickly: With only 12 seats, the boat can move efficiently when the captain spots whales or dolphins.
• The ride is part of the attraction: You travel at speed between the harbor, islands, and whale-watching areas, with a half-standing posture to soften the bumps.
• Sightings can be excellent: Humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds have all been seen.
• Weather matters greatly: Wind and waves can make the journey wet, cold, or uncomfortable, and the captain can cancel or substitute a larger boat for safety.
• You get useful protective gear: Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are supplied, but bring warm layers and something to cover your face.
• The free retry helps: If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket for another attempt, subject to your schedule and available departures.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbor in a 12-seat RIB

You check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, about 30 minutes before departure. The process uses a self-service kiosk: scan the barcode or QR code on your ticket, then collect your gear and prepare for the boat.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to reach the harbor yourself. If you drive, check the suggested free parking location before leaving. Reykjavík’s harbor area is easy to pair with a walk around the waterfront, but allow enough time for check-in rather than arriving at the last minute.

The boat holds 12 people, a useful size for wildlife watching. A small group means fewer heads competing for a view and a guide who can speak to everyone without using a loudspeaker. It also gives the captain more freedom to reposition the boat when an animal surfaces.

That small size does not make the boat gentle. A RIB is built for speed and stability, but it still hits the water firmly in choppy conditions. You may spend much of the ride half-sitting and half-standing, bending your knees to absorb the motion. I would not choose this trip for anyone with a bad back, and the operator does not accept children under 10, pregnant women, or people shorter than 145 centimeters.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay toward the whales

The first part of the trip carries you away from Reykjavík and into Faxaflói Bay. The RIB can cover a large area in a short time, which is one of its main advantages over a slow sightseeing boat.

That speed is useful, but it also means the trip is divided between travel and watching. One detailed account described roughly half an hour reaching the main whale area, about 45 minutes watching animals, and a shorter stop near Puffin Island before returning. Exact timing changes with weather and animal movements, so you should not expect two solid hours parked beside whales.

As you leave the harbor, look back toward Reykjavík. Harpa concert hall is especially striking from the water, and the city takes on a different shape when viewed from the bay. On a clear day, you can also see the surrounding mountains and coastline. This sightseeing element matters if the animals stay elusive, since the boat ride still gives you a fresh view of the capital.

The captain decides how far to go based on weather, sea conditions, and reports of wildlife. That means the route is not a fixed parade of stops. The crew may spend more time in one area if whales are active, or adjust the plan to keep the ride safe and comfortable.

Engey and Lundey, two very different islands

The route passes Engey, the second-largest island in the Kollafjörður area of Faxa Bay. It is a quiet, uninhabited-looking contrast to Reykjavík’s harbor, and passing it helps you understand the broad waters just outside the city.

Lundey is smaller and better known by its Icelandic name, which means Puffin Island. It is an uninhabited island off the western coast of Reykjavík and a useful place to watch seabirds, especially during puffin season.

Puffins are not the main purpose of this trip, and their numbers depend on the time of year. Still, sightings have included large groups of puffins, along with other seabirds. April through September is the strongest general period for whale watching in Iceland, and spring and summer also offer better chances for puffins. In late season, you might see only a few as the birds begin to leave.

Do not expect a long island landing or a walk ashore. These are passing views from the boat, with the focus on wildlife and the coastal setting.

What you might see in the bay

The most frequently celebrated encounters involve humpback whales. They are large, active, and easier to notice when they blow, surface, or raise their tails. Sightings have included several humpbacks at once, with some trips reporting a dozen or more.

Minke whales are another possibility. They can appear more briefly and may be less dramatic than a breaching humpback, but seeing one in the bay is still a worthwhile result. Dolphins and harbour porpoises can add fast-moving action, often surfacing close to the boat.

White-beaked dolphins have been seen in groups beside the RIB, sometimes close enough for a memorable photograph. A calm day can produce several species in one outing, while another departure may bring only a brief whale sighting or none at all. Marine animals choose the schedule, not the captain.

That uncertainty is important. This is not a show with guaranteed appearances or a set number of animals. The operator offers a complimentary return trip if you see no wildlife, which makes the risk easier to accept. The offer is most useful if you have another day in Reykjavík. If this is your final morning in Iceland, the ticket may not help.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire trip staring through a screen. Whales surface quickly, and the best moment may last only a few seconds. The crew will point out animals, although one passenger found it difficult to hear the captain’s directions over the engine and wind. Staying alert and watching the water in several directions is wise.

Why the RIB feels different from a large whale boat

The RIB’s biggest strength is access. A small, quick boat can move toward a distant blow faster than a large vessel, and the captain can alter course with less fuss. You are also closer to the water, which makes a dolphin passing beside the boat feel more immediate.

The tradeoff is comfort. A large boat usually gives you more room to move, more shelter, and a steadier ride. The RIB gives you a more active outing, with spray, wind, engine noise, and repeated bumps when the bay is rough.

The supplied equipment helps. You receive warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and the necessary safety gear. The overalls have kept people warm even on cold-water days, but they are not a magic shield against every condition. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing underneath. A face covering is a smart addition if cold wind bothers you, and sensitive ears need extra protection.

In good weather, you might stay dry. In poor weather, that is not something to count on. One departure was changed from the RIB to the larger Amelie Rose yacht because wind and cold made the speedboat a poor choice. Another RIB departure was cancelled at the last minute and transferred to a larger boat, where a humpback eventually surfaced close to the vessel. A substitute boat can reduce the speed and excitement, but it may be the safer and warmer option.

Guides, safety, and the human side of the trip

The guide is important here because wildlife watching involves long stretches of looking, waiting, and trying to understand what you see. Guides including Claudia, Julian, and Bianca have been singled out for enthusiasm, marine knowledge, and patience with questions.

Julian, described as a French marine biologist, has explained marine life in a way that adds meaning to the sightings. Claudia has been praised for creating a warm atmosphere while keeping explanations clear. Bianca’s excitement at each sighting helped make the trip feel fresh rather than routine.

The captain’s judgment matters just as much. The boat only goes out in suitable weather, and the captain makes the final decision based on experience, passenger safety, and comfort. The operator may also reschedule if too few people book the departure.

One unusual advantage is that the boat can still go out with a small group. A departure with only four of the 12 places filled reportedly continued, which is good news if you dislike the idea of a cancellation caused by low numbers. The stated policy still allows rescheduling when minimum participation is not reached, so this is not a guarantee.

Is $200 good value for two hours?

At around $200 per person, this is an expensive two-hour activity, even by Icelandic standards. The price includes the RIB ride, a live English-speaking guide, Reykjavík views from the water, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment.

I see the value in three areas. First, the small group gives you a more personal experience than a crowded boat. Second, the speed lets the crew search a wider area and react quickly to sightings. Third, the free return option protects you somewhat against a completely empty wildlife trip.

The value drops if you are mainly interested in a comfortable cruise or harbor sightseeing. In that case, the ride may feel too short, too bumpy, or too costly. It also drops if poor weather forces a change to a slower boat and you booked mainly for the speed.

For someone hoping to see whales in a natural setting, the price can feel fair when the bay is active. Trips with humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, puffins, and porpoises deliver a lot in two hours. But no price can guarantee wildlife, so book for the chance and the adventure, not for a promised checklist.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this outing if you are at least 10 years old, physically comfortable on a bumpy boat, and excited by the idea of being close to the sea. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can handle the motion and cold.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in Reykjavík. The departure point is central, the trip lasts two hours, and the boat combines city views with open-water wildlife. You can fit it around other harbor activities without giving up an entire day.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, have back problems, are under 145 centimeters tall, or often become seasick. Even on a day described as good and not very windy, some people still felt sick. The supplied gear helps with cold, but it does not remove the boat’s movement.

Plan your timing carefully if whale watching is a top priority. April through September is the recommended season, but conditions vary within those months. If you cannot return to Reykjavík after an unsuccessful trip, the free retry has little practical value, so consider the wildlife guarantee as a bonus rather than a reason to book.

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the trip from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, wildlife searching, island views, and the return to the harbor.

Where does the tour meet?

Check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Old Harbor meeting point.

What wildlife can I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I see no wildlife?

You receive a complimentary ticket to try again on another day. This is only useful if your schedule allows another departure.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The operator provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment. You should still bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 10 are not permitted. People under 145 centimeters, pregnant women, and people with back problems should not take this tour.

Can weather change the boat or departure?

Yes. The captain may cancel or alter the trip if weather conditions are unsuitable. A departure may also be rescheduled if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book it?

Book this RIB tour if you want a fast, close-to-the-water wildlife outing and accept that nature sets the schedule. The strongest reasons are the 12-person group, responsive boat, excellent chances of seeing several species in the right season, and guides who add useful context rather than simply pointing at the horizon.

Skip it if you need a smooth, sheltered ride or have a tight schedule that cannot absorb a weather change. For everyone else, especially visitors who have never seen whales in the wild, this is one of Reykjavík’s more memorable water experiences. Just dress warmly, protect your face and ears, and keep your expectations realistic: the ride is guaranteed, but the whales are not.