Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

The main draw is the boat itself: this small, fast RIB can cover more water than a standard whale-watching vessel, giving you a lively ride and a chance to get close to marine wildlife. The group is capped at 12, so you’re not trying to spot a whale over a crowd of heads.

I like two things in particular: the chance to see puffins at their breeding grounds in season, and the return along Reykjavik’s shore, where the Sun Voyager and Harpa look different from the water. The captain and guide also make a real difference: past trips have praised their care, explanations and good humour.

The trade-off is the open sea. Conditions can change, and seeing whales is never guaranteed. The boat ride can be rough enough to rule this out for anyone with back problems or anyone who is pregnant.

At a glance

• A fast, small RIB: The boat carries no more than 12 people and can cover a wider search area than a classic whale-watching boat.
• Puffins in season: From early May to late August, the tour makes a short stop near puffin breeding grounds.
• Wildlife is not guaranteed: You may see whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds or puffins, but sightings depend on conditions and luck.
• A lively ride, not just a wildlife search: The boat’s speed and low position on the water are part of the appeal.
• Reykjavik from the sea: The return route includes views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall.
• A whale-free trip has a fallback: If you do not see whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride.

Leaving Old Harbour on a small, fast boat

The tour begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, giving yourself time to meet the crew, hear the safety briefing and put on the supplied warm overalls. Closed-toe shoes are required, and large bags or luggage are not allowed aboard.

With no more than 12 people, this is a more personal outing than a large boat tour. You can ask the guide questions and have a better chance of finding a clear view, though a good spot is never guaranteed. The RIB is low on the water, which can make marine life feel close when animals come near.

The captain takes you out of the harbour at speed. That quick run is part of the experience, not simply a way to get to the whale-search area. The boat has suspension seats designed to soften the impact as it moves over the water, but this is still a brisk ride in the North Atlantic, not a calm cruise.

The crew provides the necessary safety equipment, and the captain gives a briefing before departure. Warm overalls help protect you from the cold and spray, but you should still dress with the open-water conditions in mind. The operator does not provide food or drinks, so plan accordingly before you meet the boat.

Searching for whales, dolphins and seabirds

Once you reach open water, the captain and guide search for wildlife across a broad area. The RIB’s speed gives the crew more range than a slower, larger boat might have, and the small group makes it easier to turn your attention to the guide’s directions. You could see whales, dolphins, porpoises or seabirds, but no particular sighting is assured.

Past trips have included minke whales, humpback whales and dolphins. One outing even spotted a shark, but that is an unusual possibility, not something to count on. The best approach is to keep watching the water and enjoy the search itself. Wildlife can surface briefly, so you may have only a short moment to catch a view.

A good guide adds context to those moments. Guides on earlier trips, including Elsa and Raoul, were praised for clear explanations and a friendly manner. Names and staff can change, so don’t expect a particular guide, but an English-speaking wildlife guide is included.

Whale watching is an activity with an unavoidable element of chance. The crew may travel farther from the harbour to look for animals, and sometimes the sightings are brief or limited to a whale’s back. If no whales appear, the operator provides a complimentary ticket for another ride. That is a helpful safety net, though it does not guarantee you’ll have another chance to go if your schedule is tight.

Puffins near their breeding grounds

From early May to the end of August, the tour makes a short stop near puffin breeding grounds near the start of the trip. This gives you a chance to see the birds before the boat heads farther out to search for whales and dolphins.

Puffins are a seasonal bonus, not a year-round feature. If seeing them is high on your list, choose a departure during that May-to-August window, while keeping in mind that the tour does not promise a sighting. Even when puffins are present, the stop is brief; the main focus remains the broader wildlife search.

For many people, the chance to see a puffin is a special part of an Iceland trip. Still, it helps to set expectations: this is not a dedicated puffin tour, and the boat does not linger at the breeding grounds for an extended visit. Bring your attention, not a guarantee of a close-up bird portrait.

Returning past the Sun Voyager and Harpa

After the wildlife search, the boat heads back along Reykjavik’s shoreline. From the water, you get a different angle on the city, including the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall. The tour makes quick stops to admire these sights, rather than offering a long, land-based visit.

That change of pace is useful. The open-water portion is about scanning for animals and riding the RIB; the return gives you a chance to take in the harbour and the city’s edge. You may also see colourful fishing huts and restaurants along this part of town.

The shoreline views are a complement to the wildlife, not a substitute for it. If you want time to explore Harpa or see the Sun Voyager up close on foot, plan a separate visit. Here, the value is the contrast: Reykjavik’s familiar waterfront viewed from the sea, after an outing that has taken you beyond the harbour.

The full trip lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a serious search and a shoreline return, but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing. Choose a start time that leaves room for possible weather changes or a second outing if you need to use the complimentary whale-watching ticket.

What the $200 fare gets you

At $200 per person, this is a high-cost two-hour activity. You’re paying for the small, fast boat, the limited group size, a captain and wildlife guide, warm overalls, safety equipment and a wider search area than a slower vessel can cover. The RIB itself is a big part of the outing, so the price may feel more worthwhile if you enjoy speed and an active ride as well as wildlife watching.

The cost is harder to justify if your only goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No operator can promise that, and some trips may see only a little marine life. The complimentary return ticket if no whales are spotted helps, but you still need time in your itinerary to make use of it.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and food and drinks are not included. You make your own way to Old Harbour. The booking can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those flexible terms can help if you are arranging a weather-sensitive activity.

Is the RIB right for you?

Choose this tour if you want a compact group, a fast ride and the chance to see wildlife from a low position on the water. It suits people who are happy with a little uncertainty and see the boat trip itself as part of the fun. Families can bring children aged 10 or older, provided they are at least 145 centimetres tall.

Skip it if you need a gentle ride, are pregnant, have a history of back problems, or fall below the age or height limits. The boat is designed for speed, and the tour is not recommended for those groups. If you prefer a more sedate outing, consider another kind of whale-watching vessel.

The weather matters more at sea than it may seem from Reykjavik’s streets. A clear day on land does not prove conditions are safe offshore. Trips have been cancelled when the sea is unsuitable, so take the captain’s safety call seriously and leave some flexibility in your schedule.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale tour?

Book it if you want more than a standard boat ride and are comfortable with a brisk trip in open water. The small group, suspension seats, seasonal puffin stop and shoreline views give the two hours several points of interest, even before you count the possibility of whales or dolphins.

Think twice if you are mainly paying for a guaranteed close-up whale encounter or if a rough ride would spoil your day. At $200, the tour is best value for someone who enjoys the speed and sea time as much as the wildlife. Bring closed-toe shoes, arrive early, and keep your expectations flexible. If whales appear, you may have a memorable view; if not, the RIB ride and city return still make up much of the experience.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour start?

Meet at Reykjavik Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

What is included?

A professional captain and wildlife guide, warm overalls and the necessary safety equipment are included. Food, drinks and hotel transport are not.

Can I see puffins on the tour?

The tour visits puffin breeding grounds from early May to the end of August. Puffin sightings are not guaranteed.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. If you do not see any whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride.

Who is the tour suitable for?

It is suitable for children aged 10 and older who are at least 145 centimetres tall. It is not recommended for pregnant women or people with a history of back problems.

What should I bring?

Bring closed-toe shoes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.