Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

A RIB puts you low on the water and close to the action in Faxaflói Bay, with the speed to move between wildlife sightings. On a good trip, you might watch humpback or minke whales surface, see dolphins alongside the boat, and spot puffins near Akurey in summer.

I like two things in particular: the small, maneuverable boat can reach feeding areas quickly, and the shock-suspension seats and warm gear make the brisk ride more manageable. Your English-speaking guide also shares information about whales and local marine life, with guides such as Rebecca, Joel, Daniel, and Patrik praised for making the trip lively and informative.

The trade-off is that this is still an open-water wildlife search, not a guaranteed whale encounter. The RIB can bounce and spray, and the captain may cancel or change plans if conditions are unsuitable. At $194 per person, you are paying for a thrilling boat ride and a chance to see wildlife, not a promise of a particular species.

Key points

• A fast ride to whale-feeding areas: The RIB can cruise at up to 32 knots, giving you time in Faxaflói Bay to look for wildlife.
• Seats designed for the ride: Shock suspension helps soften the bumps, though the boat can still feel brisk and lively.
• Puffins are a summer bonus: The route stops by Akurey during the summer breeding season to look for puffins and their nests.
• Sightings vary: Humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been seen, but wildlife is never assured.
• Museum entry is included: Use the ticket at the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district.
• Plan for the sea, not just the air: Warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles are provided, but extra layers underneath are a sensible choice.

Leaving Reykjavik harbor for Faxaflói Bay

The tour starts at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik. From there, you board a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, and head out from the harbor toward Faxaflói Bay, a feeding area for whales and other marine life.

The two-hour format gives you a compact outing without turning whale watching into a full-day commitment. The boat can travel at a cruising speed of up to 32 knots, which helps the crew cover ground and respond when wildlife is spotted. That speed is part of the fun, but it also means you should expect movement, wind, and possible spray rather than a quiet cruise.

You will receive warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles before setting out. The flotation suit is useful protection, but it does not replace warm clothing underneath. One passenger specifically recommended extra layers, and that is practical advice for a boat ride where the wind can make conditions feel colder than they do on shore.

The ride is supported by shock-suspension seating, a feature that matters on a small, fast boat. It helps absorb some of the motion, though it cannot smooth out every bump. If you enjoy a lively ride, the RIB can feel like part of the attraction. If you prefer a steady, spacious vessel, a larger whale-watching boat may suit you better.

Watching whales in their natural feeding grounds

The heart of the trip is time spent searching Faxaflói Bay for whales. The guide shares information about whales and other marine species as you look for signs of activity. Once the crew locates an animal, the RIB’s size and maneuverability can help it approach in a way that is safe for both passengers and wildlife.

Sightings reported on this route include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Some trips have brought several whales into view; on others, a whale may appear only briefly or at a distance. One outing described a minke whale circling the boat for an extended period, while another person recalled watching a humpback feed for about an hour. Such encounters are memorable, but they are not a schedule the captain can promise.

The best way to approach the outing is to treat it as a search, not a performance. You may see a whale’s back or blow, or get a closer look at feeding behavior. You might also spend time looking for signs of wildlife before anything appears. A captain’s skill and a guide’s enthusiasm improve the experience, but neither can control where wild animals surface.

The small boat makes the encounter feel more immediate than it would from a large vessel. You sit closer to the water, and the crew can react quickly to possible sightings. That closeness is a real strength, but it does not mean the boat will chase or crowd an animal. The tour’s stated aim is to get close safely, with the captain balancing viewing opportunities against passenger comfort and animal welfare.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

In summer, the tour visits Akurey, an island known for puffin nesting grounds. During breeding season, you may see puffins near their nests along the coast. Some trips have also spotted pufflings, and the island adds a different kind of wildlife encounter to the search for whales.

Puffins are a seasonal benefit, not a year-round feature. The included visit applies during summer, so do not build your expectations around seeing them outside that period. Even in summer, the time at the island can be brief. If puffins are a particular priority, remember that this is a whale-watching trip with a puffin stop, not a dedicated bird-watching excursion.

The island visit also breaks up the open-water search. You get a chance to look for birds close to shore and see another side of the bay’s wildlife. The RIB can make it easier to reach and leave the area quickly, but the boat’s pace means the stop may not feel leisurely.

What the RIB ride feels like

This is not a sit-back-and-sip-coffee kind of boat tour. The RIB is quick, low, and responsive, and passengers describe its motion as bumpy at first, with a roller-coaster feel. The suspension seats help, but you should still be comfortable with a brisk ride and the possibility of spray.

The provided overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests are part of the experience, not extra frills. They help make the outing workable in changeable conditions, while the goggles are especially useful when wind and water are in the mix. Wear warm layers under the suit, and be ready to follow the crew’s instructions as you board and move around.

A few conditions make this a poor fit. The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches (140 cm). The motion and seating are important considerations, especially if you have a physical condition that makes a bumpy ride uncomfortable.

Weather matters, too. The captain decides whether to sail based on conditions, with passenger safety and comfort in mind. A postponement or cancellation can disrupt a tight schedule, so avoid placing this tour at the last possible moment if your Iceland plans leave no room to adjust.

Guides make the wildlife easier to appreciate

A guide does more than point toward a whale. You receive explanations about whales and other marine life in the area, helping you understand what you are looking at and why a sighting matters. The trip is offered in English, and guides including Rebecca, Rebekka, Joel, Daniel, Alice, and Patrik have been named for their enthusiasm, humor, and ability to share useful facts.

The guide and captain work as a team. One watches and interprets the wildlife; the other handles the boat and makes decisions about where to go. A lively guide can make waiting more interesting, but the captain’s judgment is just as important, particularly when wind and sea conditions are changing.

That mix of information and action is a strong point for anyone curious about wildlife but new to whale watching. You are not just hoping for a dramatic breach. Even a brief glimpse can be more meaningful when you know which animal you are seeing and what it is doing.

The museum ticket adds useful context

The tour includes a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum, located in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. Its exhibits cover whale biology, migration, and conservation, giving you a way to learn more about Atlantic whale species after the boat trip.

The museum is a practical bonus because seeing a whale at sea can be fleeting. Exhibits on scale and biology can help put that encounter into perspective, especially if you saw an animal only from a distance. It also gives the day a second part that does not depend on weather or wildlife sightings.

Meals, drinks, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to make your own way to the meeting point and plan food separately. The tour’s $194 price is easier to justify if you value the fast RIB ride, the guide, the warm gear, and the museum ticket together. If your only goal is the cheapest possible chance of seeing a whale, compare the overall experience and boat style before booking.

Who should choose this trip?

This tour suits you if you want a short, high-energy outing from Reykjavik and like the idea of being on a small boat close to the water. It is especially appealing if the ride itself sounds fun, you are curious about whales and dolphins, or you are visiting during summer and want a chance to see puffins as well.

It may not suit you if you want a calm, sheltered ride or need a guaranteed sighting. The fast boat and open-water conditions are central to the experience, not minor details. If you are prone to discomfort from a bumpy ride, have back problems, or fall into one of the listed age or height restrictions, choose another activity.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 393 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the guides, the speed and maneuverability of the RIB, and memorable wildlife encounters. The less spectacular outings are part of the bargain: nature does not follow a timetable, and sometimes the boat finds dolphins or puffins but only a distant whale.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want the boat ride and wildlife search together, and can accept that the animals set the terms. The small RIB, suspension seats, warm equipment, English-speaking guide, summer puffin stop, and museum ticket make this a substantial two-hour outing rather than a simple transfer into the bay.

Skip it if you need calm seas, a guaranteed whale encounter, or a tour suitable for a young child or someone with back problems. If you are flexible, dress warmly, and see the outing as an adventure with wildlife as the prize, it is a strong choice from Reykjavik. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help keep plans flexible.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The boat tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $194 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the local tour operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

What equipment is included?

Warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles are provided.

Is the Whales of Iceland Museum ticket included?

Yes. The tour includes a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district.

Does the tour visit a puffin island?

It visits Akurey to look for puffins during the summer breeding season.

Which wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for whales and other marine life. Sightings have included humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins, but no particular sighting is guaranteed.

Does the tour sail in all weather?

No. The captain decides whether to sail based on weather conditions, passenger safety, and comfort.

Who cannot take this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 4 feet 6 inches (140 cm).