Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

A pod of dolphins beside a fast-moving RIB boat is the sort of Iceland memory that sticks. This two-hour trip takes you from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor toward the open water, where humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and seabirds may appear.

I like the small 12-seat boat, which gives you a clear view and lets the captain move quickly when a whale surfaces. I also like the supplied warm overalls, gloves, and goggles, a practical touch in Iceland’s cold wind. The catch is the ride itself: it can be bumpy, chilly, and hard on anyone with a bad back.

• Fast route to wildlife: The RIB covers a wide stretch of Faxaflói Bay and can respond quickly to distant whale blows.
• Small group setting: With only 12 seats, you are not packed onto a large viewing deck.
• Wildlife variety: Sightings can include humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.
• Two islands add interest: The route passes Engey and Lundey, known as Puffin Island.
• Weather matters: Wind and waves can cancel the RIB departure or lead to a transfer to a larger boat.
• Free second chance: If no wildlife appears, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.

A RIB ride with whales as the main event

This is not a quiet cruise around Reykjavík’s harbor. The RIB is built for speed, so the first part of the trip may feel more like a brisk ocean ride than a sightseeing boat. You sit or half-stand with bent knees to soften the impact as the boat skips across the water.

That motion is part of the fun for some people. It is also the main reason this trip is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone shorter than 145 centimeters. If you would avoid a rough amusement-park ride, think carefully before booking.

The reward is reach. A smaller, quicker boat can cover a large area of Faxaflói Bay and head toward a whale blow or a busy pod of dolphins. The captain still keeps a safe distance from the animals, but the RIB can often reposition faster than a large vessel.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

You check in at the Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, arriving 30 minutes before departure. The self-service kiosk accepts the bar or QR code on your ticket. If you drive, check the supplied parking information in advance, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The staff provide warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing underneath. The suit helps with the cold, but it cannot remove the wind completely. A face covering and extra ear protection are sensible additions if cold air bothers you.

Once aboard, Reykjavík opens up behind you. From the water, you get a different view of Harpa concert hall and the city shoreline. On a clear day, the mountains around the bay add a fine backdrop, although the main purpose of the trip is the wildlife, not city sightseeing.

Engey and the islands of Faxaflói Bay

The boat cruises among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay, including Engey, the second-largest island in Kollafjörður. Engey is uninhabited, and its low profile gives the route a sense of open space soon after you leave the harbor.

Lundey is another notable stop in the route. Its Icelandic name means Puffin Island, and the island is a useful place to look for puffins and other seabirds, especially during the warmer months. You may see birds on the way back toward Reykjavík, after the boat has spent time farther out searching for whales.

The island visits are not long shore stops. You remain on the boat, watching the coast and water around you. That is worth knowing if you want a full bird-watching outing. Here, the islands form part of a moving sea route rather than a separate landing.

The search for humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins

Wildlife sightings cannot be promised. That is true of any responsible whale-watching trip, since the animals are free-ranging and the weather controls how far the boat can go. The operators offer a complimentary return ticket if you see no wildlife, which gives the booking better protection than a tour with no second chance.

The most exciting sightings on this route have included humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and puffins. Some departures have produced several species in one outing. On especially lucky trips, you might see humpbacks surfacing, blowing, breaching, or slapping the water with a tail.

Humpbacks are often the stars because of their size and visible surface behavior. They may surface repeatedly, allowing the captain time to position the boat. Minke whales can be more fleeting, and porpoises may appear briefly before vanishing again. Dolphins are often easier to spot when they travel in groups near the boat.

You should bring a camera, but do not spend the whole trip staring through it. The boat can move suddenly toward an animal, and sightings may last only a few seconds. Keep your camera secure and watch the water first. You can take photographs once you have seen the animal with your own eyes.

Why the 12-seat boat changes the experience

The boat holds 12 people, creating a more personal setup than a large whale-watching vessel. You are closer to the captain and guide, and there is less chance of losing your view behind a crowd. The small capacity also helps the crew point out animals and answer questions.

Guides including Claudia, Klaudia, Julian, Julien, and Bianca have been praised for explaining whale behavior and marine life in clear, friendly terms. The exact guide depends on your departure, but English is the tour language. A strong guide matters here because finding a whale is only half the experience. Knowing what you are seeing makes a brief surfacing more meaningful.

There can be one small drawback: the boat’s engine, wind, and movement may make it difficult to hear every instruction. One report noted trouble catching the captain’s directions about where to look. Stay alert, watch the guide’s gestures, and ask for clarification when needed.

The weather decision is part of the deal

The captain decides if the RIB can sail based on wind, waves, passenger comfort, and safety. This is not a minor detail in Iceland. A calm harbor can give way to rougher water outside the bay, and the fast boat is more exposed to wind than a larger yacht.

A RIB departure can be canceled shortly before sailing if conditions are unsuitable. In that situation, you may be offered a trip on a larger vessel instead. That substitute can be slower and less thrilling, but it may still reach the wildlife. On one windy departure, a larger boat eventually produced a close humpback encounter despite the change of plan.

You should accept that weather is part of the experience rather than a service failure. If the RIB operates in cold but manageable conditions, the supplied suit helps. Still, some people can become seasick even on a relatively calm day. Take your usual precautions if you are prone to motion sickness.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is an expensive two-hour outing, even by Iceland standards. You are paying for a small boat, specialist equipment, a live guide, and a captain able to cover a broad section of the bay. The price makes more sense if the RIB format is important to you.

Compared with a large boat, the RIB offers speed, fewer passengers, and a closer connection to the water. You are not paying only to travel from the harbor and back. You are paying for the chance to reach active wildlife areas quickly and watch from a low-sided boat.

That said, the price does not buy a guaranteed whale sighting. The complimentary return trip helps, but it may not help if your schedule allows only one day in Reykjavík. I would consider this good value for a wildlife enthusiast, a photographer, or anyone who wants the ride itself to be part of the fun. If your main goal is a comfortable, sheltered cruise, a larger boat may suit you better.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this tour if you enjoy speed, open water, and a little physical movement. It is particularly well suited to couples, older children who meet the height and age requirements, small groups, and anyone who prefers a quieter boat with fewer people around.

You should think twice if you have back trouble, are pregnant, are under 145 centimeters tall, or dislike bumpy rides. The boat requires you to brace with your legs, and the wind can be sharp even when the day looks pleasant from shore.

Wildlife fans will get the most from it, especially during Iceland’s main whale-watching period from April through September. April departures can offer puffins and dolphins, while summer trips have produced large numbers of humpbacks and mixed sightings. October can still work, but conditions and animal activity are less predictable.

Useful planning details before departure

Allow extra time before sailing. You need to check in 30 minutes early at the Old Harbour House, and there is no hotel transfer included. The harbor is a practical starting point if you are already staying in central Reykjavík.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour lasts two hours, but the wildlife search does not follow a fixed script. Some of that time may be spent reaching the best area, followed by a concentrated period of watching animals before the return trip.

Pack light. The operator provides storage for extra clothing, according to trip details shared by passengers, but keep your camera and essential items easy to reach. Wear layers under the overall, secure loose items, and protect your ears and face from the wind.

Should you book the Reykjavík RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want a lively, small-group trip and understand that nature sets the schedule. The strongest reasons to choose it are the 12-seat boat, fast movement across Faxaflói Bay, capable guides such as Claudia and Julien, and the chance to see several kinds of marine life in one outing.

I would not book it simply because you want a guaranteed photograph of a whale. No operator can promise that. I would book it because the RIB ride, island views, seabirds, and open-water search are worthwhile even before a whale appears.

For the best odds, aim for April through September, check the weather forecast, and keep some flexibility in your Reykjavík plans. If you see nothing, use the free return option when your schedule allows. At $200, it is not a casual add-on, but for the right person, a close humpback sighting or a pod of dolphins beside the boat can make the cost feel well spent.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour depart from?

The tour departs from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Check in at the Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in at the self-service kiosk.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts two hours.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Whale species may include humpback and minke whales.

Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you see no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The captain decides if conditions are suitable for the RIB. The tour may be rescheduled, and the RIB may sometimes be replaced by a larger boat.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The operator provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera.

Who cannot take this tour?

The trip is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 145 centimeters tall.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.