2 hour Round Trip in Vestmannaeyjar on a RIB Boat

Vestmannaeyjar is best seen from the water, where black cliffs drop into the sea and a small RIB can slip into caves that larger boats cannot reach. You’ll look for puffins, eider, kittiwakes, gannets, seals, and possibly whales, with a captain and guide explaining the islands as you go.

I like the small maximum group of 12, which keeps the ride personal, and I like the practical warm gear provided. The chief consideration is the meeting point: despite the tour being marketed in connection with Reykjavik, you must make your own way to Tangagata 7 in Vestmannaeyjabær.

• Sea caves and Elephant Rock: The RIB gets close to formations a larger vessel cannot approach.
• Súlnasker: The trip can reach the striking gannet island farther out in the archipelago.
• Wildlife watching: Look for puffins, eider, kittiwakes, gannets, seals, and perhaps whales.
• Warm equipment included: You receive a float suit and life jacket, but bring a hat and gloves.
• Compact boat, small group: The maximum is 12 people, with a minimum of six required to sail.
• Weather matters: Wind can cancel or alter the trip, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Why a RIB is the right boat for Vestmannaeyjar

The Westman Islands are a group of steep volcanic islands off Iceland’s south coast. From land, you can see dramatic cliffs and isolated rocks. From a RIB boat, you get the missing angle: the cliffs rise directly from the water, sea caves open at their base, and seabirds fill the ledges above.

The boat is also the main reason this outing feels different from a standard sightseeing cruise. A RIB is compact and nimble, so it can approach narrow cave entrances and rock formations that would be off-limits to a larger boat. You should expect an active ride rather than a quiet harbor cruise, especially when the boat heads beyond the closer islands.

The trip lasts about two hours, which is a useful length. You get enough time to reach several parts of the archipelago without giving up most of your day. It is also short enough for you to fit around other plans in Vestmannaeyjar.

The group size helps. With no more than 12 people, you should have a clear view of the cliffs and a better chance to hear the guide than you would on a large sightseeing vessel. Six people are needed for the boat to operate, so a very small booking may be moved or canceled if the minimum is not reached.

Checking in at Tangagata 7

You need to arrive at the Ribsafari office at Tangagata 7 in Vestmannaeyjabær 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is not part of the two-hour ride. Use it to check in, receive your protective clothing, and get ready for the boat.

The practical detail here is easy to miss: the meeting point is in Vestmannaeyjar, not in central Reykjavik. The experience information gives Reykjavik as the broader location, but the actual start and finish are both at Tangagata 7. You should plan your transportation to the Westman Islands separately.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but this is not a good choice if you have back problems or are pregnant because the RIB can be a lively ride.

The company supplies a warm float suit and life jacket. Wear clothing beneath the suit that you can move in, and bring a hat and gloves as advised. Even on a pleasant Icelandic day, wind on open water can make the ride feel cold.

From the harbor to the sea caves

Once you leave the meeting point, the boat heads toward the smaller islands and rock formations around Vestmannaeyjar. The first part of the ride gives you a sense of how exposed this island group is. Water surrounds every cliff, and the view changes as the boat moves around each headland.

The sea caves are an early highlight. The RIB can enter several of them, bringing you close to dark openings, carved rock walls, and the sound of water moving inside the cliffs. The exact route depends on conditions, so you should see the caves as an opportunity rather than a fixed checklist.

This is where the boat earns its price. A larger vessel may give you a broader view, but it cannot offer the same close approach. The smaller craft lets you examine the edges of the islands from water level, where the rock formations feel much larger than they do from shore.

The ride can also be bumpy. If you prefer a calm boat trip, this may not suit you. Keep your hands and personal items secure, follow the crew’s instructions, and expect the boat to adjust its speed and route according to wind and sea conditions.

Elephant Rock and the island cliffs

Elephant Rock is one of the memorable formations along the route. Its profile resembles an elephant reaching into the sea, though the shape depends on your angle and the light. The guide can point out the formation and help you understand how the cliffs and sea stacks fit into the island scenery.

The value of this stop is not only the photograph. You are seeing the rock from the water, with no road or trail between you and the formation. The changing viewpoint makes the shape easier to appreciate than it can be from a single lookout on land.

The clifftop formations are also important for the seabirds. Vertical faces give birds places to nest, while the surrounding water provides food. As the RIB moves along the rocks, you may see birds above you, beside you, and on the water.

The guide adds useful context to what might otherwise be a fast boat ride. The crew shares information about the islands and local traditions, and the captain and guide are part of the experience rather than simply people operating the boat. One guide identified in the tour feedback is B, who was singled out for making the ride especially memorable.

Puffins, gannets, and the search for whales

Wildlife is a major reason to book this trip, but you should approach it with the right expectations. Puffins, eider, kittiwakes, gannets, and other seabirds live around the islands, yet no wild animal follows a schedule.

Puffins are a key attraction. Seeing them in their natural setting, rather than in a display or on a crowded viewing platform, gives the encounter its appeal. You may see them near the cliffs or on the water, depending on the day and the season.

Gannets are another highlight, especially as the boat heads toward Súlnasker. This magnificent gannet island lies farther out, and reaching it gives the trip a sense of scale. The route is not limited to the rocks closest to the harbor.

You may also spot seals and whales. These sightings are possible, not guaranteed, so book the tour for the boat route, caves, cliffs, and birdlife as a whole. If a whale does appear, it is a welcome bonus rather than the central promise of the outing.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let it take over. The boat’s movement, the changing light, and quick wildlife sightings mean you may have only a moment to look before the RIB moves on.

What the two-hour route gives you

The route combines several different experiences in a short period:

• Close approaches to sea caves
• Views of Elephant Rock and other sea formations
• Seabird watching near the cliffs
• A run toward the more distant islands
• A possible visit near Súlnasker
• A chance to see seals or whales
• Local stories and information from the captain and guide

That variety is the strongest part of the schedule. You are not spending two hours looking at one stretch of coastline. The ride moves between caves, cliffs, islands, and open water, so the scenery keeps changing.

The tradeoff is that two hours passes quickly. You will not have long, quiet stops at each location. The boat may pause for viewing and explanation, but this is a moving sightseeing experience rather than a series of shore visits.

The tour ends back at the same Tangagata 7 meeting point. That makes it easy to continue your plans in Vestmannaeyjar afterward, though you should allow a little time to remove the float suit and gather your belongings.

Warm clothing, safety, and comfort

The included float suit is more than a nice extra. It helps protect you from cold spray and wind, and it provides buoyancy along with the life jacket. You do not need to rent these items separately, which makes preparation easier.

Still, the suit does not replace warm accessories. Bring a hat and gloves, and dress for Icelandic weather. Alcohol and RIB trips do not mix, so do not treat this as a boat ride for drinks.

The tour does not operate in really windy conditions. That is sensible for both safety and comfort. If poor weather cancels your departure, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

The same applies if the minimum group of six is not reached. You may be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund. Since the tour is often booked well ahead, with bookings averaging 109 days in advance, it is wise to reserve early but keep your schedule flexible around the boat trip.

Is $247.39 a fair price?

At $247.39 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on how much you want a close, active view of Vestmannaeyjar rather than a simple ride around the harbor.

The price includes the boat activity, captain or driver-guide, local guide, taxes, fees, handling charges, float suit, and life jacket. There is no extra charge listed for the standard experience. That makes the cost easier to assess because you are not building the final price from separate equipment or guide fees.

I see the strongest value in the route itself. You are paying for a small boat that can enter sea caves and approach rock formations inaccessible to larger vessels. You are also getting a guided trip toward Súlnasker and the more distant islands, not just a short coastal spin.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a calm wildlife cruise or have little interest in going out in open water. In that case, the speed, wind, and weather limits may not feel worth the expense.

Who should book this RIB trip?

I would point this experience toward you if you want:

• A close look at the sea caves and cliffs
• A small-group boat ride rather than a large cruise
• A good chance to see puffins and other seabirds
• A lively, hands-on way to see the islands
• An English-speaking guide who adds local information
• A two-hour activity that leaves most of the day free

It is less suitable if you have back problems, are pregnant, dislike bumpy boat rides, or need a guaranteed wildlife sighting. Children can join, but an adult must accompany them.

You should also think carefully about timing. Since strong wind can stop the boat from operating, avoid placing this tour immediately before a flight or another booking you cannot change. The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Vestmannaeyjar RIB boat?

Book it if you want the most direct way to see the Westman Islands from the sea. The combination of narrow caves, Elephant Rock, seabird cliffs, distant Súlnasker, and a boat limited to 12 people gives you more access than a larger vessel.

I would especially choose it for a day in Vestmannaeyjar when you want something active and focused. Bring gloves and a hat, arrive 30 minutes early at Tangagata 7, and leave room in your schedule for wind-related changes.

Skip it if you need a smooth ride, guaranteed whales, or transport from Reykjavik included. For the right person, though, this is a strong use of two hours and a memorable way to see the islands from their most dramatic side.

FAQ

Where does the RIB boat tour start?

The tour starts at the Ribsafari office at Tangagata 7, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær, Iceland.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at the office 30 minutes before the trip begins.

How long does the boat ride last?

The boat activity lasts about two hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Tangagata 7 meeting point.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see puffins, eider, kittiwakes, gannets, seals, and possibly whales.

Does the tour reach Súlnasker?

The route heads toward the distant gannet island of Súlnasker, although the precise route can depend on conditions.

Is protective clothing provided?

Yes. A float suit and life jacket are provided. You are advised to bring your own hat and gloves.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people. At least six people are required for each trip to operate.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If bad weather or an insufficient group cancels the trip, you can receive a refund or choose another date or experience.