RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

A small RIB brings you close to the water, where a humpback’s back or a puffin’s quick flight feels far more immediate than it does from a large boat. This roughly two-hour trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour combines a fast search for whales in Faxafloi Bay with a seasonal stop at nearby puffin islands.

I like the group limit of 12, which gives you room to watch without a crowd pressing for the same view, and the marine biologist guide, who can add context while you search. The trade-off is the ride: a RIB can be exhilarating, but open-water chop and sudden bumps may be hard on your back or knees.

• Small boat, low viewpoint: The RIB puts you close to the sea and wildlife, with a maximum group size of 12.
• Puffin season runs from early May to late August: The tour visits Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, depending on the outing.
• Most of the time is spent searching Faxafloi Bay: About 90 minutes of the planned tour is set aside for whale watching.
• Coveralls and safety equipment are included: Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear.
• No wildlife is guaranteed: If you see nothing, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour.
• A rough ride is part of the bargain: The suspension seats help, but this is not the gentlest boat trip.

A RIB puts you at sea level

This Whale Safari trip leaves from Ægisgarður 5d at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and uses a small, fast boat to search a wide stretch of water. That speed matters: the crew can cover more ground while looking for whales, dolphins, and seabirds than a slower boat might manage. It does not make sightings certain, but it gives the search a lively, purposeful feel.

The low viewpoint is the main reason to choose a RIB over a larger whale-watching boat. When a whale surfaces nearby, you are close to the water rather than looking down from a tall deck. That proximity can make a sighting feel strikingly immediate. It also means you should be ready for spray, wind, and more movement.

The boat carries no more than 12 people, so the experience is more personal than a large-group cruise. You will have fewer people competing for a view, and the guide can speak to a smaller circle. The flip side is that there is less room to shift about than on a big vessel, and you need to be comfortable following safety instructions and staying seated when asked.

From the Old Harbour to the puffin islands

The trip begins at Ægisgarður 5d, where you meet the crew and get ready for the boat. The listed stop here is brief, but the Old Harbour is the practical starting point for a trip that soon leaves the city behind. Wear your warm layers before you put on the provided coveralls, and arrive prepared for outdoor conditions.

During puffin season, from early May to the end of August, the boat makes a short run to one of the islands just outside Reykjavik: Akurey, Engey, or Lundey. The exact island can vary. You spend around five to ten minutes near the birds, which is enough for a close look but not a long shore visit.

Puffins are the headline, but they are not the only birds in the air. Auks, gannets, and other seabirds also use the islands and sea cliffs. Since the RIB is small and fast, it can reach the islands quickly and get closer to the action than a larger boat might. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole stop peering through a screen. The birds move, and the scene is brief.

Outside puffin season, this part of the experience is not offered as described. The main focus remains the whale search, so consider your dates carefully if puffins are high on your list. Even in season, the stop is short and sightings depend on the birds being present.

Searching Faxafloi Bay for whales

After the island visit, the tour heads into Faxafloi Bay for the main event. The schedule allows about an hour and a half in the bay, though the time spent moving and searching depends on conditions and where wildlife is found. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, not a timed performance. Some outings produce several sightings; others may be quieter.

The search can bring you near humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, or dolphins. Humpbacks may surface repeatedly or, on a lucky day, breach. Several people have seen multiple humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, or porpoises on one outing, while others have had to work harder for sightings. Those examples show what is possible, not what is promised.

The guide is a marine biologist, which gives the time between sightings a useful purpose. Rather than simply racing from one point to another, you can learn about the wildlife and understand what the crew is watching for. Guides and crew names vary by departure. Maria, Emily, Sam, Ann, Milan, Pedro, and Lefterius are among the names associated with past trips, but you should not book expecting a particular person.

The RIB’s speed helps the crew cover a broad search area, but the boat’s motion is the cost of that mobility. The trip can be choppy, especially farther offshore, and the ride back may feel rough. High-performance suspension seats absorb some of the jolts and are designed to improve comfort and safety. They cannot make rough water smooth.

If you are prone to seasickness, experiences differ. Some people with a history of motion sickness have felt fine; others may find the conditions challenging. The operator recommends a moderate level of physical fitness and does not recommend the trip for people with knee problems. The boat ride is also specifically described as unsuitable for young children. Take the warning seriously if you have back or joint concerns, or if a bumpy ride would spoil your day.

Returning along Reykjavik’s waterfront

On the way back, the boat follows Reykjavik’s shoreline for a different view of the city. From the water, you pass the Sun Voyager sculpture and the harbour side of Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass exterior is one of the city’s most recognizable sights. This is a useful final change of pace after the open-water search, and a good chance to take photos.

The tour ends back at the Old Harbour about two hours after its start. The schedule gives you a compact outing rather than a half-day commitment, which can work well if you are fitting a wildlife trip into a short Reykjavik stay. Still, weather and sea conditions can affect the experience, so do not plan a tight, must-make appointment immediately afterward.

What the $208.09 price buys

At $208.09 per person, this is a premium-priced whale-watching trip. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, a close-to-the-water viewpoint, and the ability to cover a wide search area. A marine biologist guide, coveralls, and safety equipment are included. For someone who values a more active, intimate outing over the space and steadier ride of a larger boat, those features can justify the extra cost.

The price is harder to defend if your main aim is simply to spend time on the water at the lowest possible cost. This trip is not a guaranteed whale encounter, and the short puffin stop is seasonal. There is no food or drink included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. You meet at the harbour and return there.

The value also depends on how you feel about speed and exposure. Some people regard the RIB ride as part of the fun, and the ride itself can be a highlight. If you want a calm, sheltered viewing platform, this is likely the wrong format, even if the wildlife is appealing.

Dress for the North Atlantic, not the harbour

Coveralls and necessary safety equipment are supplied, and the coveralls are intended to keep you warmer and drier. They are an extra layer, not a substitute for dressing well underneath. Wool or fleece, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear are recommended. Rain and wind can make a pleasant day on land feel very different on open water.

Children must be over 10 years old and taller than 145 centimeters. The tour is not recommended for young children, and the minimum height and age rules are firm planning details for families. Anyone with knee problems should choose another outing. Even if you have no known mobility concerns, think honestly about whether you can manage a fast, bumpy boat ride.

The tour is generally booked about 46 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your dates are fixed. The operator requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the boat goes out but no wildlife is spotted, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour. That is a useful safeguard, though it is not the same as a guaranteed sighting.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale tour?

Book this trip if you want an active wildlife outing, value a small group, and are comfortable with a brisk ride in open water. It suits adults and older children who can handle the boat’s movement and who would rather get close to the sea than watch from a larger vessel. During puffin season, the island stop adds a welcome second wildlife focus.

Choose a larger boat or a different activity if you have knee problems, are uneasy in rough water, or need a steadier ride. At this price, the RIB is best for people who see the boat, the close viewpoint, and the search itself as part of the experience, not just a way to reach a guaranteed whale. If that sounds like your kind of outing, this is a memorable way to meet the wildlife around Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The trip takes about two hours, returning to the Old Harbour roughly two hours after departure.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Ægisgarður 5d in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffins are included during the season from early May to the end of August. The boat visits Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, and spends about five to ten minutes near the birds.

What should I wear?

Wear warm layers such as wool or fleece, plus a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Coveralls and safety equipment are provided.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be over 10 years old and taller than 145 centimeters. The tour is not recommended for young children.

What happens if there are no whale sightings or the weather is poor?

If there are no sightings, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour. If poor weather causes the trip to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.