Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

The thrill starts before you see a whale. This 32-knot RIB ride skims out from Reykjavik, giving you a low seat, open views, and a much livelier trip than a large whale-watching ship. The boat’s shock-suspension seats soften the bumps, while warm flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and life vests help keep the North Atlantic at bay.

I like the small-boat access and the guides’ obvious passion, with names such as Rebecca, Joel, Daniel, Patrik, and Alice praised for lively explanations and sharp eyes. I also like the useful museum ticket and the summer stop at Akurey for puffins. The trade-off is simple: this is a fast, bouncy ride, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Some trips find several whales and dolphins; others spend more time searching.

Key points at a glance

• 32-knot speed: The RIB reaches the feeding grounds quickly, leaving more of the two-hour tour for wildlife watching.
• Suspension seating: Each seat has shock absorption and a forward handle, making the ride less punishing than a basic inflatable boat.
• Whales, dolphins, and porpoises: Minke and humpback whales are possible, along with white-beaked dolphins and other marine life.
• Akurey in summer: The boat stops near the puffin nesting island during breeding season, when you may see adults and pufflings.
• Warm gear supplied: Overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles are included, though extra layers are still sensible.
• Museum visit included: The Whales of Iceland Museum adds scale and context after your time at sea.

A fast start from Reykjavik harbor

You meet the operator at the ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, in Reykjavik’s harbor area. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there. Arrive ready for the sea rather than the city: even when Reykjavik feels mild, the bay can be cold and windy.

Before boarding, the crew provides warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. I would still wear warm layers underneath. One rider found the suit helpful on a clear August day, while another noted that the open water felt cold even with the supplied clothing.

The RIB is not a flat-bottomed sightseeing boat. You sit astride a suspension seat with a handle in front of you. That design gives you support as the boat moves over the waves, but you should still expect motion. The ride has been compared to a small rollercoaster, with spray from the bow and an initial period of getting used to the rhythm.

This matters if you are prone to motion sickness or simply prefer calm water. The boat’s smaller size can help it move quickly and turn easily, but it cannot remove the ocean’s movement. People with back problems, pregnant women, children under 10, and anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters, should not book this trip.

The run across Faxaflói Bay

Once clear of the harbor, the captain opens the throttle. At a cruising speed of about 32 knots, the boat covers ground far faster than a large vessel. That is the main practical reason to choose the RIB: you spend less time getting to the feeding grounds and more time looking for animals.

You will see Reykjavik’s coastline from a fresh angle as the city falls behind. The trip is not just a wildlife search. The ride itself is part of the attraction, especially if you enjoy speed and sea spray. If you want a quiet cruise with room to walk around, this is the wrong format.

The guide explains what to watch for, from blows on the horizon to seabirds gathered over feeding areas. Good guiding matters here because whales can surface briefly and disappear into a broad bay. Guides such as Rebecca, Joel, Daniel, Alice, and Patrik have been praised for keeping the mood upbeat while sharing facts about whales, dolphins, birds, and the local waters.

The small boat also gives the guide a better chance to reposition when activity appears. A large ship may have more stability and indoor space, but the RIB can react quickly to a distant splash or a group of dolphins. That does not guarantee a sighting, yet it can make the search feel active rather than passive.

What you might see in the feeding grounds

Faxaflói Bay can produce a varied wildlife show. Minke whales and humpback whales are the main possibilities, with dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds adding interest when the larger animals stay below the surface.

Some outings have produced several minke whales, multiple humpbacks, and pods of white-beaked dolphins. A few especially fortunate trips have included a humpback breach, tail slaps, flipper slaps, or a mother and calf. Dolphins may swim alongside the boat for several minutes, jump clear of the water, or appear suddenly while the captain is following bird activity.

You should treat these as possible moments, not promises. One trip took a long time to locate a whale and saw only brief glimpses. Another did not find whales but still had a good dolphin encounter. A separate outing found a curious young minke whale circling the boat for roughly 15 minutes.

That uncertainty is part of the deal with wild animals. The captain decides whether to sail based on weather, passenger comfort, and safety. Once at sea, the crew cannot order a whale to surface. I appreciate that the tour makes the search itself part of the experience rather than presenting a sighting as guaranteed.

The RIB does let you get closer than you might on a high-sided ship, while still keeping a proper distance from the animals. The lower seating position can also give you a clearer view of the water. The downside is that everyone must stay alert. A whale may surface on the opposite side of the boat, and the best moment may last only seconds.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer breeding season, the boat heads toward Akurey, one of the islands used by nesting puffins. This stop adds a different kind of wildlife to the outing and breaks up the open-water search.

Puffins can be seen around the island and along the coast near their nests. On good days, you might see adults hunting, birds flying low over the water, or pufflings near the nesting area. The boat does not necessarily linger for a long time, so set your expectations accordingly. One person wished for more time around the puffins, while another described seeing many birds close to the boat.

This is a seasonal feature. If you take the tour outside the summer breeding period, do not expect the same puffin stop. The whale search remains the main reason to book, but the island makes the trip more rewarding when the birds are present.

Bring your attention, not just your camera. Puffins are small, and the boat may be moving or rocking. Goggles help with spray, and keeping your hands warm makes it easier to use a phone or camera when an animal appears.

Why the suspension seats matter

The seating is one of the most useful details of this tour. You sit on an individual shock-absorbing seat rather than a fixed bench. A handle in front gives you something to hold as the RIB crosses the waves.

That does not make the trip smooth in the way a large ferry is smooth. It does reduce the sharpness of the impacts, and several people found the arrangement comfortable even at speed. One rider compared it to riding a horse, while another described the movement as a fun little rollercoaster.

Your comfort will depend on the sea and your tolerance for motion. If you enjoy active boat rides, the bumps may be part of the fun. If you dislike bouncing, you may find the crossing tiring, especially if the weather turns rough. The crew can postpone or cancel a departure when conditions are unsuitable, with the captain making the final call for safety and comfort.

The guides make the difference

The guide does more than point toward a whale. During the search, you receive an explanation of the animals, the bay, and the other species you may spot. That commentary gives shape to quiet periods when the sea shows no obvious activity.

The strongest guiding examples are personal and energetic. Rebecca has been praised for keeping everyone involved and sharing facts with warmth. Joel was noted for identifying rare birds and getting the boat to whale sightings quickly. Daniel’s enthusiasm helped turn a whale breach into a memorable moment, while Patrik was described as both funny and well informed.

Names and crews can change, so you should not book on the assumption that a specific guide will lead your trip. The useful point is the level of engagement expected from the guiding team. A good guide helps you understand why the crew is watching certain birds, where whales may feed, and how to tell a blow from a wave.

The captain also plays a major role. Driving a fast RIB through open water while keeping passengers safe takes skill. The crew’s willingness to slow down, reposition, or spend extra time when conditions allow can shape the day as much as the wildlife itself.

The Whales of Iceland Museum afterward

Your ticket includes entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. You can visit after the boat tour, making it a useful second part of the experience rather than an unrelated add-on.

The museum focuses on Atlantic whale species, whale biology, migration, and conservation. Its full-size models help you understand the scale of the animals you were trying to spot from water level. A distant humpback can look like a small dark shape when it surfaces. Seeing a life-size model afterward gives that moment a stronger sense of proportion.

I would plan the museum for after the boat trip, when the animals and terms from the guide are still fresh. It also gives you something worthwhile to do if your wildlife sightings are limited. The museum cannot replace a close encounter at sea, but it adds educational value to a tour that otherwise depends heavily on luck.

Is $194 a fair price?

At $194 per person for two hours, this is not a cheap Reykjavik activity. You are paying for a small, fast boat, specialist safety gear, a live English guide, and the chance to reach wildlife areas quickly. The museum ticket adds value, but the boat trip remains the main purchase.

The price makes the most sense if you want the RIB format rather than simply any whale-watching trip. A large boat may offer more indoor space and a steadier ride, but the RIB gives you a smaller group feel, quick handling, and a lower position close to the water. Several trips have had only a small number of people aboard, though group size can vary.

Value depends heavily on what you expect. If you need a guaranteed whale sighting, no wildlife tour can meet that standard. If you would enjoy the ride, coastal views, seabirds, dolphins, and puffins even when whales stay hidden, the cost is easier to justify.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some useful flexibility, especially in Iceland’s changeable weather. Check the available departure time when booking, since the tour lasts two hours and does not include food, drinks, or hotel transport.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this trip if you want an active outing close to Reykjavik and like the idea of combining wildlife with speed. It suits confident boat riders, couples, solo visitors, and small groups who would rather sit close to the water than spend the day on a large ship.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in the capital. The meeting point is in Reykjavik, the tour lasts two hours, and the boat reaches the bay’s feeding areas quickly. One person even noted that the crew kept the trip punctual enough to catch a flight, though you should never build a tight airport connection around a weather-dependent excursion.

I would think twice if you have back problems, dislike bumpy rides, are pregnant, or are traveling with a child under 10. You should also reconsider if your main goal is a long, quiet look at puffins, since the island visit is seasonal and relatively brief.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the RIB ride is part of the appeal, not just a means to find whales. The suspension seats, supplied clothing, fast handling, and small-boat position create a more exciting experience than a standard harbor cruise.

You should also be comfortable with uncertainty. Some outings produce humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins in one memorable run. Others find only a few distant animals or spend much of the time searching. If you can enjoy the speed, the bay, the guide’s stories, and the museum even without a dramatic breach, $194 can be reasonable. If you need calm water or guaranteed wildlife, choose a larger, steadier boat or skip the booking.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour leave from?

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik, in the harbor area.

How long does the tour last?

The boat tour lasts two hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide conducts the tour in English.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other marine birds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are puffins included on every departure?

No. The visit to the puffin nesting grounds on Akurey takes place during the summer breeding season.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

The tour supplies warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. Extra warm layers underneath are still recommended.

Is the RIB boat ride suitable for everyone?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 140 centimeters, or 4 feet 6 inches.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour depends on weather conditions. The captain decides whether to sail, based on passenger safety and comfort.

Is entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum included?

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