Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

A fast RIB carries you from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour toward puffin islands and the whale-rich waters of Faxaflói Bay. The two-hour evening trip pairs a small group with a captain and wildlife guide, then returns along the city shoreline, with views of Harpa and the Sun Voyager.

I like two things in particular: only 12 people share each boat, and the speedy route can cover more water than a larger vessel. I also like that the captain gives you another ride on a larger boat if you do not see whales.

The trade-off is the ride itself: open-water speed and Icelandic chill are not for everyone. You need to be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall, and the tour is not recommended for pregnant people or those with back or knee problems.

• Small boat, small group: The RIB holds up to 12 people, so wildlife watching feels less like a crowd scene.
• A route with two aims: Circle islands for puffins, then search Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins.
• Best in puffin season: Puffins are usually present from about May 15 to August 20.
• A summer-evening outing: Long daylight lets you fit the cruise into a Reykjavík day without rushing to catch an early departure.
• A second chance if whales stay away: No whale sighting means a complimentary trip on a larger boat.
• Come prepared for the cold: Warm overalls are provided, but bring layers, a hat, gloves and closed-toe shoes.

A quick departure from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

The tour begins at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in the Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, leaving time to check in and get ready before the boat heads out. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own route to the meeting point.

This is an evening cruise designed for the bright Icelandic summer, when daylight lingers late into the night. That timing makes it a useful way to fill a Reykjavík evening without giving up the main part of your day. You get the sense of being out at sea while still setting off from the city.

At about two hours, the outing is short enough to fit around other plans, but long enough to visit both island habitat and open water. Starting times vary, so check the available departures for your date rather than assuming every evening has the same schedule.

The RIB ride changes the feel of whale watching

A rigid inflatable boat is smaller and faster than a classic whale-watching boat. This one holds no more than 12 people, and its speed lets the captain cover a wider area of Faxaflói Bay. That can bring you nearer to wildlife than a larger vessel might, though no boat can promise an animal will appear on cue.

The ride is part of the appeal. You leave the harbour at speed, loop around the bay’s wind-beaten islands, then head into open water to look for whales and dolphins. The boat is described as stable, but speed and sea conditions still mean this is an active outing, not a sheltered cruise. If you prefer a slower ride or have back or knee concerns, a larger boat may suit you better.

Warm overalls and safety equipment are included. Still, pack warm clothing, a hat, gloves and closed-toe shoes. The summer sun can make the evening feel gentle, but the boat ride and open water can feel cold. Loose clothing and large bags are not allowed, so keep your kit compact and close-fitting.

Puffin islands first, then the search for whales

The route first takes you around islands where puffins live in their natural habitat. They are small birds, and seeing them among the coastal scenery adds a different kind of wildlife moment to a trip focused on large marine mammals. If puffins are a priority, plan for their usual season, roughly May 15 to August 20. Outside those dates, the tour may still run, but puffins should not be your expectation.

From the islands, the captain heads farther out into Faxaflói Bay to scout for whales and dolphins. Humpback whales have been seen on this tour, alongside dolphins and seals. Summer whale sightings are reported on more than 95 percent of tours, an encouraging figure, but it is not a guarantee for your particular departure.

When whales do appear, the small boat can offer strikingly close views. A good encounter may include a whale surfacing more than once, as happened on some trips, but wildlife controls the schedule. The captain’s job is to find animals without turning the outing into a chase. One account of the trip described being nearly alone at sea and appreciated that the animals were not hounded by a crowd of boats. That balance matters: a close view is memorable, but respectful space makes for a better encounter.

You may also see dolphins, and occasionally seals. The range of possible sightings helps make the trip worthwhile even if whales are elusive. Still, if your main goal is a guaranteed wildlife sighting of a particular kind, this is not the right purchase. The complimentary larger-boat ticket if no whales are spotted gives you another chance, but it cannot make wild animals appear.

Why the evening light is part of the outing

In Iceland’s summer, the late evening can still be bright. That gives this cruise a distinctive rhythm: you head out after much of the day’s sightseeing, then watch the coast and bay in the long, low light. The experience is less about rushing to a sunset deadline and more about making use of a generous summer evening.

The route back is part of the trip, not just a return transfer. From the water, you pass Reykjavík’s shoreline and see the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall, along with fishing huts and harbour-side restaurants. The city looks different from the bay, and those views give the cruise a satisfying finish even after the wildlife search.

The tour is seasonal in character. The midnight sun is a summer feature, and puffins are present only during a limited part of the year. If you are visiting in summer, an evening departure can make good use of the long daylight. If you are travelling outside puffin season, focus your expectations on whales and dolphins rather than the full set of wildlife named for the trip.

What the $200 price buys you

At $200 per person, this is a premium-priced two-hour excursion. You are paying for the small RIB, a maximum group of 12, a captain and wildlife guide, warm overalls, and a route intended to reach wildlife efficiently. The fee also includes a second chance on a larger boat if your trip does not encounter whales.

The value depends on what matters to you. If you want a small-group ride with the potential for close animal sightings, the price may feel fair, especially when humpbacks, dolphins or puffins appear. Recent trips have included several whales, dolphins and large numbers of puffins, and some have seen whales under evening light. Those are vivid possibilities, not promises.

If your priority is the lowest-cost way to get out on the water, compare this with larger-boat options. The RIB’s main advantage is its size and speed, not a longer cruise or included food and drink. Neither food nor drinks are provided, and you arrange your own transport to the harbour. Think of the extra cost as paying for a more compact, high-energy wildlife search rather than a full-service boat outing.

The tour is rated 4.9 from 28 reviews, and the supplied feedback particularly praises close whale encounters and the guides. Maria and Miquel were named as guides on one recent outing, where their explanations and manner helped make the trip. Guide assignments can change, so take those names as examples, not a promise for your departure.

Who should book this boat trip

This outing suits you if you enjoy a fast boat ride, want a small group, and are happy to spend two hours scanning the sea for wildlife. It also works well if your Reykjavík schedule is full during the day and you want to use a bright summer evening for something beyond the city streets.

It is less suitable if you are pregnant, have back problems, have mobility impairments, or are travelling with a child under 10. Children must be at least 145 centimeters tall. The tour is also not recommended for people with a history of knee problems. These are important limits for a speedboat trip, not minor fine print.

You need at least two passengers for the tour to operate. If that minimum is not met, you will be offered a reschedule or full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is offered. The guide speaks English.

Make the call before you book

I would choose this tour for the small boat, fast access to Faxaflói Bay and the chance to see whales at close range, with puffins in season as a welcome extra. The city views on the return add a useful second act, and the whale re-ride offer softens the risk of an empty search.

Book it if you are comfortable with a brisk ride, prepared for cold air and willing to accept that wildlife is never guaranteed. If you want a calm, sheltered cruise, need a more accessible boat or dislike the idea of speed on open water, choose a larger vessel instead. For a summer evening in Reykjavík, though, this is a compact way to trade city streets for seabirds, open water and the possibility of a very close whale encounter.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour leave from?

Meet at the ticket office at the Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Are puffins seen throughout the year?

No. Puffin season is approximately May 15 to August 20.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

The captain will give you a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is suitable for children aged 10 and over who are at least 145 centimeters tall.