Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

Reykjavik’s summer evening light makes this two-hour RIB boat trip a smart way to add wildlife to a full day in the city. The sun barely seems to leave, so you can race from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay without giving up valuable sightseeing time.

I like the small 12-person group, which gives you more room to watch and ask questions than a large sightseeing boat. I also like the fast route across the bay, plus the scenic return along Reykjavik’s waterfront past the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. The trade-off is a bumpy, cold ride that is not suitable for pregnant people, children under 10, or anyone with back or knee problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Whales are seen on more than 95% of summer departures, though wildlife can never be guaranteed.
• The RIB carries only 12 people, letting you cover more water and get closer to wildlife than on a standard boat.
• Puffins are seasonal, with sightings most likely from about May 15 through August 20.
• The evening timing works well in June and July, when Iceland’s midnight sun keeps the bay bright late into the day.
• Warm overalls and safety gear are provided, but you still need layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
• A no-whale outcome includes a complimentary ride on a larger boat, giving you another chance before you leave Reykjavik.

Why the evening departure works so well

This is not a sunrise outing or an early morning commitment. The boat leaves in the evening, when you have already had time to walk Reykjavik, visit a museum, or take a day trip outside the capital.

In summer, Iceland’s daylight stretches late into the night. The word evening can feel misleading here. You may return with the sky still bright, and the long light gives the water a calm, unusual look. It also lets you fit wildlife watching into a packed sightseeing day without sacrificing the morning.

The timing is especially useful if you are spending only a short time in Reykjavik. You can explore the city first, eat before departure, then head to the harbour for your boat trip. Food and drinks are not included, so plan around the two-hour outing.

The bay is not guaranteed to be calm, though. Bright skies do not mean warm conditions, and the speedboat creates a strong wind chill even on a pleasant day in town. Bring more clothing than you think you need.

Meeting your boat at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik, in the Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because the crew needs to check you in, fit your warm overalls, and prepare everyone for the boat.

The Old Harbour is a useful starting point. It is close to the city center and surrounded by restaurants, fishing huts, and waterfront attractions. You can arrange a meal before or after the trip, but do not count on buying food aboard.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to the harbour, so check your route in advance if you are staying outside central Reykjavik. Keep large luggage at your accommodation. Bags and loose clothing are not allowed on the boat.

The crew provides safety equipment and warm overalls. Wear close-fitting layers under them, along with a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Even with the protective gear, your hands and face can feel the cold when the boat gathers speed.

What the RIB ride feels like

A rigid inflatable boat is smaller and quicker than the classic whale-watching boats used in the bay. This vessel can reach higher speeds, which allows the captain to search a wider area during the short tour.

That speed is part of the fun. You leave the harbour quickly, and the ride itself becomes part of the experience rather than a slow transfer to the wildlife area. The boat’s design is described as stable, but stable does not mean smooth. You should expect movement, spray, and sudden changes in speed as the captain searches for animals.

The smaller boat also changes the feel of the outing. With a maximum of 12 people, you are not packed into a large crowd. You can shift your view more easily, hear the guide, and get a better chance at a clear sightline when an animal appears.

The captain and English-speaking wildlife guide handle the trip together. Recent departures have included Maria and Miquel, who were praised for their guiding. The guide’s role is not just to point out animals. You also get help understanding where to look and how to watch without crowding the wildlife.

That last point is important. Whale watching involves patience and luck. A fast boat improves your reach, but it cannot order a whale to surface beside you.

First stop, the puffin islands of Faxaflói Bay

The route loops around wind-beaten islands near Reykjavik, where puffins can be seen in their natural setting. These small seabirds are one of Iceland’s most appealing summer sights, but they are not present all year.

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. If you book outside those dates, you should not expect puffins even if the whale portion operates normally. Near the end of the season, sightings can also be less certain as the birds leave the area.

When puffins are present, the small boat gives you a useful viewpoint close to the water. You may see a few birds or large groups. One recent outing included hundreds of puffins, while another combined puffins with humpback whales and dolphins.

Puffins are easy to underestimate. They are small, and they move quickly across the water. Bring patience and keep your camera ready, but do not expect every bird to sit still for a portrait. The islands and open water are the main attraction here, not a controlled animal encounter.

Searching for whales and dolphins offshore

After the island loop, the boat heads into open water to look for whales and dolphins. In summer, whales are seen on more than 95% of tours, a very strong success rate. Still, that figure is not a promise for your particular departure, and wildlife sightings vary with conditions and animal movement.

The species you might encounter include humpback whales, dolphins, and seals. Recent trips have had humpbacks surfacing on separate occasions, dolphins traveling nearby, and seals in the area. One outing included several whales under the evening light, creating the sort of scene that makes the timing worthwhile.

A RIB can get closer than a larger vessel, but close does not mean guaranteed. You may see a whale near the boat, or you may watch more distant activity across the bay. Your guide and captain will look for signs of wildlife and move the boat toward promising areas while avoiding excessive pressure on the animals.

I like that the experience is built around observation rather than spectacle. One recent trip was described as having very few boats nearby, with the animals not being hounded. That matters. A quiet moment with a whale is more memorable than a crowded race between boats.

The boat may stop, slow down, or change direction without warning. Keep both hands free when you can, and follow the crew’s safety instructions. The best sighting may happen on either side of the boat, so stay alert rather than fixing your attention on one horizon.

The waterfront finale past Sun Voyager and Harpa

The return route adds a pleasant city portion to what could otherwise be a strictly wildlife-focused trip. As you approach Reykjavik, the boat follows the shoreline and passes the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall.

From the water, Reykjavik’s waterfront looks different from its streets. You see the colorful fishing huts, harbour activity, restaurants, and the city’s modern architecture from a lower, wider viewpoint. Harpa’s glass facade can catch the evening light, while the Sun Voyager provides an easy landmark for photographs.

This final stretch is especially welcome if the offshore conditions have been gray or rough. Even without a whale sighting, you still receive a short harbor cruise with recognizable city views. It does not replace a full sightseeing tour, but it rounds out the boat trip nicely.

The evening light can make the return feel longer than the two-hour schedule suggests, in a good way. Iceland’s summer brightness continues late, so you do not finish in darkness during the main midnight sun period.

Is the $200 price fair?

At $200 per person, this is an expensive two-hour activity. You are paying for the small group, the specialized RIB boat, the captain and guide, the safety gear, and the ability to cover more of Faxaflói Bay quickly.

The price makes the most sense if you care about the boat experience itself. A standard whale-watching boat may offer more space and a calmer ride, while this trip gives you speed, a smaller group, and a closer-to-the-water feel. If those details are secondary to you, a larger vessel may offer better value.

The cost also buys convenience in your schedule. You do not need to set aside half a day, and the evening departure leaves the rest of your day open. For a short Reykjavik visit, that can be worth more than the basic ticket comparison suggests.

I would be less enthusiastic about the price if you dislike rough rides or are mainly hoping for puffins outside their season. The tour is strongest from mid-May through about August 20, when puffins can join the whale and dolphin search.

The 4.9 rating from 28 bookings reflects a very strong response, with particular praise for close humpback sightings, dolphins, puffins, the guides, and the feeling of being alone at sea. Those are real strengths, but I would still book with the understanding that nature sets the schedule.

Who should choose this RIB tour?

This trip suits you if you want wildlife and speed in one compact outing. It is a good fit for adults, families with children over 10 who meet the minimum height of 145 centimeters, and anyone with a full day in Reykjavik who wants an evening activity.

It also suits photographers and wildlife fans who prefer a small boat. You have fewer people around you, more direct views, and a better chance of hearing the guide without a large crowd.

You should think twice if you have back or knee problems. The boat can move sharply, and the tour is not recommended for people with a history of those issues. It is also not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with mobility impairments.

Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall. The minimum group size is two passengers. If too few people book, the operator offers a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

For the best chance of puffins, choose a departure between roughly May 15 and August 20. For the best use of your sightseeing day, choose the evening schedule during the bright summer period.

What to wear and what to leave behind

Wear warm layers, even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave your hotel. Add a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. The provided warm overalls help, but they do not replace proper clothing underneath.

Avoid loose garments that can flap in the wind or interfere with the safety setup. Do not bring luggage or large bags. Pack only what you can safely manage on a moving boat, and protect any small camera or phone from spray.

Food and drinks are not included. Eat before departure or after returning to the harbour. Since the outing lasts two hours, planning this small detail will make the evening easier.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the schedule can vary.

What happens if you do not see a whale?

Wildlife tours always carry that risk, even with a high summer sighting rate. If your trip does not produce a whale sighting, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave.

That is a useful safeguard, though it may not help if your Iceland schedule is tightly packed or you are leaving Reykjavik soon. If seeing whales is your top priority, leave enough time in your itinerary to use the replacement ticket.

The complimentary ride is on a larger boat, so it will not repeat the same small RIB experience. It can, however, give you another opportunity to search Faxaflói Bay under different conditions.

Should you book the Reykjavik evening whale tour?

Book it if you want a fast, small-group wildlife trip and like the idea of finishing beside Reykjavik’s best-known waterfront sights. The 12-person limit, evening timing, warm overalls, and strong summer sighting rate make this a well-designed option for a short city stay.

I would choose it during puffin season, especially if you want a chance at puffins, dolphins, seals, and humpback whales in one outing. Bring serious layers and accept that the ride may be rough.

Skip it if you need a smooth boat, have back or knee concerns, or cannot fit a backup outing into your schedule. At $200, the value depends on caring about the small RIB format and the time saved. For the right passenger, that combination can make the price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

The tour departs from the ticket office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Whales are seen on more than 95% of summer tours, but sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see a whale, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and safety equipment are provided.

Who cannot join the tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant people, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. Children who join must be at least 145 centimeters tall.