2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The thrill begins before any whale appears. This 12-meter RIB boat can reach the feeding grounds faster than a larger vessel, then turn and reposition quickly when a whale surfaces. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and summer puffins, all against the sharp outline of Mount Esja.

I like the small group, capped at 12 people, and the thoughtful gear: thermal overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests. I also like the replacement-ticket policy if wildlife stays hidden. The trade-off is clear: this is a fast, bouncy ride, not a gentle cruise. Rough water can be hard on your back, and getting aboard takes moderate physical fitness.

Key points to know before you book

• The RIB saves time on the bay: You spend less of the two-hour trip simply traveling out to the whale-feeding grounds.
• Suspension seats soften the ride: They add comfort, but they do not remove the jolts when the sea gets rough.
• Small groups improve the view: With a maximum of 12 people, you have a better chance of seeing the water from the side of the boat.
• Akurey adds a summer wildlife stop: The puffin island visit is included when puffins are nesting in Iceland.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary chance to try again on a Classic or Express whale-watching trip.
• The cold is taken seriously: Warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles are supplied, but you should still wear warm layers and sturdy shoes.

Why this RIB tour feels different from a standard whale cruise

A conventional whale-watching boat gives you more room to move and usually a calmer ride. This RIB offers a different bargain: less comfort and more speed in exchange for a close-to-the-water, high-energy outing.

The boat is a brand-new, custom-built 12-meter RIB with shock-absorbing suspension seats. Those seats matter. The boat can travel at close to 30 knots, according to one detailed account of the ride, and the water can turn rough quickly in Faxaflói Bay. The seats help absorb some impact, but you will still feel the motion.

I would think of this as two experiences joined together. One is wildlife watching. The other is a brisk open-water ride that can feel like a small roller coaster. Some people find the bouncing half the fun. If you want a quiet boat with room to stroll, this is the wrong format.

The group size is another strong point. A maximum of 12 people feels much more personal than a large harbor boat. Your guide can explain what you are seeing, and the captain can move the RIB into a better position when whales or dolphins appear. It does not guarantee a perfect view, but it gives the outing a more focused feel.

Checking in at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The tour begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is not wasted time: you need to check in, receive safety instructions, and put on your protective gear before boarding.

If you add hotel pickup, a bus takes you from your hotel to the harbor. The transfer costs extra. Without it, you go directly to the Old Harbour meeting point. After the trip, the drop-off bus waits for those who selected return transport.

The changing arrangements deserve a little attention. The equipment area can feel cramped when several departures are preparing at once, and the correct hut may not be obvious because the harbor has several tour operators. Give yourself the full half hour rather than arriving at the last minute.

You receive warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. The goggles are useful on a fast boat, especially when wind and spray pick up. Wear warm clothing underneath anyway, along with shoes that stay secure on a moving deck.

The guide gives a safety talk before you leave. The instructions are important, not ceremonial. Pay attention to how to sit, hold yourself, and respond during the ride. The boat’s speed and the open water make this more demanding than a slow harbor cruise.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay toward the feeding grounds

Once underway, the RIB quickly leaves the harbor behind. You get open views across Faxaflói Bay, with Mount Esja providing one of the most memorable backdrops. The ride itself becomes part of the sightseeing, with the coastline and wide water opening around you.

The fast boat has a practical purpose. Whales and dolphins are not fixed at one viewing point, so reaching likely feeding areas quickly gives the crew more time to search. A small RIB can also change direction promptly when a guide spots activity.

The ride can be smooth in calm conditions and sharply bouncy in rougher seas. One account describes a forecast calling for very rough water that felt manageable once underway, though still bouncy. Another describes the ride as intensely fun but warns that larger swells can jar your back and joints.

Take those warnings seriously. The supplied information advises against the tour for children under 10 or under 145 centimeters, and you should have moderate physical fitness. The boat is not presented as suitable for people with back problems, and the ride may be difficult if you have mobility concerns. Pregnant people and those with back problems were also specifically discouraged by the operator in additional guidance.

Searching for humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins

The main search focuses on humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Humpbacks tend to provide the most dramatic moments, especially when one raises its tail or surfaces repeatedly. Minke whales can appear more briefly, so you need to keep watching the water rather than waiting for a long performance.

Dolphins may be the most active animals on the trip. A pod can travel beside the RIB, giving you quick, lively sightings close to the boat. Some outings have included dolphins near humpback whales, including a mother and calf interacting with a pod. That kind of encounter is possible, but it is not something anyone can promise.

Your guide does more than point toward a fin. A good guide helps you understand the animal’s behavior, explains what to watch for, and gives the captain useful information about where to steer. Guide names associated with particularly praised departures include Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan. The crew can change, but these examples show the sort of role you should expect: one person driving and one person helping you read the bay.

The best sightings can last for an hour if a whale stays in the area. Other trips produce only a quick glimpse. You might see one whale, several whales, dolphins, or nothing at all. Wildlife follows its own schedule, and even a fast boat cannot manufacture a sighting.

That uncertainty is the central issue with any whale tour. Here, the free return option makes the risk easier to accept. If no wildlife appears, you receive a complimentary ticket for another attempt on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour. The replacement may not be on another RIB, so ask the staff about the available option when you return.

Stopping at Akurey, Reykjavik’s puffin island

During the summer nesting season, the RIB stops near Akurey, one of the area’s popular puffin islands. This gives the trip a second wildlife focus and breaks up the search for whales.

Puffins can be surprisingly difficult to see from the water. They are small, and the boat must keep a respectful distance from the nesting island. Bring binoculars if you have them, though the supplied information does not promise that equipment. You may see many birds, or you may find the distance frustrating if you hoped for a close portrait.

The stop still adds value. Even if the whales stay hidden, you have a chance to see puffins and other seabirds in their nesting area. The island visit is seasonal, so do not expect it outside the period when puffins are in Iceland to nest.

Returning along the Reykjavik coast

Before heading back to the Old Harbour, the RIB follows the Reykjavik coastline. This final stretch gives you a different view of the city than you get from the streets. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and cold.

The boat returns to the same Old Harbour meeting point where the tour began. If hotel transfers are part of your booking, the return bus is waiting. Without the transfer option, you are free to continue exploring the harbor on foot.

At about two hours, the outing fits neatly into a busy Reykjavik schedule. Still, leave extra time around it. Check-in begins 30 minutes before departure, and weather can affect the sailing plan. The tour requires suitable conditions and a minimum number of bookings. If the operator cancels, you receive the option of another date or a full refund.

Is $189.87 a fair price?

At $189.87 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Reykjavik. You are paying for the small group, fast boat, supplied cold-weather gear, English-speaking guide, and the chance to spend more of the tour near the feeding grounds rather than slowly reaching them.

The price makes the most sense if you value the boat ride itself. Even when sightings are brief, the RIB offers an active open-water experience with views of Esja and the Reykjavik coast. If you only care about seeing a whale and would rather save money, a larger standard boat may be a better match.

The replacement-ticket policy improves the value. A no-sighting trip is disappointing, but you are not simply left with an empty outing. You receive another opportunity on a Classic or Express whale-watching trip. That policy cannot guarantee better luck, but it reduces the gamble.

I would also compare the price with your schedule. If you have only one free morning in Reykjavik, the RIB’s speed gives you a practical advantage. If you can stay several days and have room to try again, the wildlife risk feels less serious.

Who should book this boat?

I would recommend it to you if you want a small group, an active ride, and a better chance of reaching distant wildlife quickly. It suits people who enjoy speed, can handle a bumpy sea, and see the boat trip as part of the reward.

It also works well for older children who meet the stated age and height restrictions. Children have enjoyed the mix of speed, dolphins, whales, and puffins, but the rough water can be intense. Do not book it simply because a child likes boats. Make sure the child can sit safely through a fast, moving ride.

I would choose another option if you have a bad back, heart concerns, joint problems, limited mobility, or a strong dislike of jolting motion. Getting into the boat can be difficult, and rough water may be painful. A larger vessel may give you more space and a steadier ride.

Dress for cold wind even though the company supplies overalls and gloves. Wear warm layers and good shoes. The gear protects you from the elements, but it does not turn an open-water ride into an indoor activity.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Bad weather can cancel the trip. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. Weather cancellations are not a flaw in the experience, but they can disrupt a tight Iceland itinerary, so avoid placing this tour immediately before an important flight or long drive.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. It operates near public transportation, with the starting and ending point at the Old Harbour.

Should you book the 2-hour RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want wildlife watching with a strong dose of speed. The small group, suspension seats, warm gear, and quick boat make this a lively way to search Faxaflói Bay. The chance to see humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, and summer puffins gives the trip plenty of range.

Skip it if you need a smooth ride or have back and mobility concerns. You should also accept the possibility of seeing only a brief glimpse, or no whales at all. For the right person, the RIB is worth the extra cost because the ride itself remains memorable, and the free return option softens the wildlife gamble.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours, including the trip out into Faxaflói Bay, the wildlife search, and the return to Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, in the Old Harbour. Hotel pickup and return transport can be added for an extra fee.

What equipment is included?

The company provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, goggles, and access to the RIB’s suspension seats. You should still dress warmly and wear good shoes.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. During the summer nesting season, it also visits Akurey, a puffin island.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no wildlife is seen, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on a Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not recommended for children under 10 years old or under 145 centimeters tall. The RIB ride can be fast and bumpy, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness to take part.