Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

The best thing about this Reykjavik whale tour is the boat itself. The 12-seat RIB can cover water quickly, turn with a moving whale pod, and bring you close to the sea at eye level. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and puffins are all possible sightings, but no crew can promise wildlife.

I like the small group, since every seat gives you a fair chance at a view and the guide can speak without a microphone. I also like the speed: the boat can reach distant sightings faster than a large vessel. The trade-off is comfort. Expect a lively, bouncy ride, and think twice if you have back or knee trouble.

Quick reasons to consider this RIB tour

• A 12-person boat: The small group feels personal, and the guide can answer questions without shouting across a crowded deck.
• Fast access to Faxaflói Bay: The RIB can move quickly to reported whale sightings and keep up when animals change direction.
• Wildlife at close range: Humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, seals, and other sea birds may appear.
• Views from the water: You see Reykjavik from a fresh angle, including the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall.
• Warm gear supplied: A waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and life jacket are included.
• A genuine weather gamble: Sightings are never guaranteed, and rough conditions can lead to cancellation.

Why the small RIB changes the whale-watching experience

At $164 per person, this is not the budget choice for seeing Faxaflói Bay. You are paying for a very small group and a boat that can travel faster and maneuver more easily than a large whale-watching vessel.

That difference matters most when whales are spread across the bay. A big boat may take longer to reach a sighting and may need to make wider turns. The RIB can get to an area quickly, then adjust its position as whales, dolphins, or porpoises move.

The seating also helps. The boat has two seats per row, so you are not packed behind a large crowd. You still need to look around and share views, but the layout gives you a much better chance of seeing animals on either side.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. The RIB is quick and energetic, and the seats have suspension to soften the impact. It is still a bouncy trip, especially in rough water. If you enjoy fast rides, that adds fun. If you prefer a calm, steady boat, the larger vessels may suit you better.

Leaving Reykjavik for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the harbour. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the tour finishes back there.

Pay close attention to the arrival time. The published tour time is not the moment to stroll in casually. A practical warning from the experience is that the real check-in may begin about 30 minutes before departure, and arriving late can mean missing the boat.

Once fitted with gear, you board the 12-seat RIB. The crew provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. Wear warm layers underneath, and choose waterproof shoes. One person found the provided clothing less waterproof than expected, so I would treat your own footwear and base layers as important protection rather than relying on the supplied suit alone.

The bay is Faxaflói, the broad body of water on Reykjavik’s southern shore. It supports several whale and dolphin species, along with a large number of sea birds. The crew keeps watch for movement on the water and communicates with other boats when animals are spotted.

The wildlife you might see

The possible sightings are varied. Humpback whales are the most dramatic prize, especially when one surfaces close to the boat, breaches, or slaps a fin. Several outings have included more than one humpback, including a mother and calf and groups feeding together.

Minke whales are another regular possibility. They are smaller and can appear more briefly, so you need to stay alert. Harbour porpoises and dolphins may move quickly around the boat, sometimes zigzagging or leaping near the RIB. That can make the ride feel like a wildlife show even when the whales stay quiet.

Puffins and other sea birds are also part of the setting. The boat may make a short stop near Puffin Island, although the birds may remain too far away for a close look. You can still enjoy the sight of them gathered on the water and connect the trip to Iceland’s wider bird life.

Seals are possible as well, though sightings vary. The important point is that this is a wild encounter, not a staged performance. Some outings see several whale species and dolphins. Others see only dolphins or porpoises, and some see no whales at all.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the crew’s effort. It is the basic risk of whale watching. One canceled departure was attributed to weather, while another outing went ahead in very poor conditions and produced humpbacks leaping and slapping the water. Conditions can change quickly, and safety has to come first.

Seeing Reykjavik from the water

The tour is about wildlife, but it also gives you a different view of the capital. The stated sightseeing points are the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre.

The Sun Voyager is the sleek steel sculpture near Reykjavik’s waterfront. From the water, you see it in the context of the shore rather than as a sculpture you approach on foot. It is a quick but useful city orientation point, especially early in your visit.

Harpa is Reykjavik’s glass concert hall, known for its geometric facade and harbour position. Seeing it from the bay gives you a sense of how closely the city is tied to the water. These are not long sightseeing stops, so do not book the tour expecting a formal city tour. Think of them as attractive views woven into the boat ride.

The water also lets you see Reykjavik from a less familiar angle. On a clear day, the city and coast provide a strong backdrop. On a cold or cloudy day, the mood is more stark and nautical, which fits Iceland well.

The guides and the style of interpretation

The tour includes full guidance in English. The guide explains the animals, the bay, and the city, and the small boat makes conversation easy.

Guides named Rebekah, Rebecca, Anika, Joel, and Joe have led outings described in the supplied feedback. Anika is a marine biologist, while Rebekah was praised for explaining the animals clearly and helping the group understand what it was seeing. Joe and Joel were also described as engaging and well informed.

The captain matters just as much. On a RIB, the driving is not a background task. Good positioning gives people on both sides a chance to see the animals, and quick movement helps when whales surface in a new place.

One outing had a less helpful guide and poor control over passengers who blocked views. That is worth noting because the small boat works best when everyone stays considerate. If someone stands in the wrong place, a guide may need to manage the group actively. Most of the feedback praises the crew, but the experience depends on both staff and passenger behavior.

What the two-hour duration really gives you

The advertised duration is about two hours. That is long enough to make the trip worthwhile without taking over your entire day in Reykjavik.

The speed of the RIB helps you spend more of that time in the bay rather than simply traveling toward it. It also gives the crew more flexibility when sightings shift. Several outings included extended viewing of humpbacks, dolphins, or minke whales, while other trips had shorter encounters.

Still, two hours does not guarantee a full catalogue of species. Wildlife may stay underwater, move away, or never appear. You should treat the time as a focused nature outing, not a fixed sequence of animal sightings.

The tour can work well for a limited schedule. If you have only a short window in Reykjavik, it combines a fast boat ride, coastal views, and a chance to see marine life. If you have several days, you have more flexibility to reschedule after bad weather.

Comfort, safety, and who should skip it

The supplied gear is useful, but you should dress for Icelandic conditions. Wear warm layers, cover your hands, and use waterproof footwear. Goggles help with spray, and the life jacket is required safety equipment.

The RIB is not a sit-back-and-relax cruise. You may bounce up and down for much of the trip, and one person described the ride as partly standing for two hours. The suspension seats reduce the shock, but they cannot remove the motion.

I would avoid this tour if you have serious back or knee problems. The boat’s speed and movement are central to the experience, not an occasional feature. People who enjoy roller-coaster-style rides are more likely to appreciate it.

Most people can participate, and at least one adult is required per booking. The small boat also appealed to a parent who was nervous about bringing a daughter, but the supplied information does not provide a specific child age limit. If you are booking for a child, confirm the operator’s current requirements before paying.

Is $164 a fair price?

The price is high compared with a large-boat whale tour. The value comes from three things: a maximum of 12 people, a fast RIB, and a closer-to-the-water viewpoint.

You are not paying for a guaranteed whale sighting. You are paying for a better chance to reach wildlife quickly and for a more personal ride when sightings happen. When humpbacks, dolphins, and minke whales appear close to the boat, the premium can feel justified.

If your main goal is simply to get out on the water at the lowest cost, choose a larger vessel. If you care about small groups, quick movement, and a more exciting ride, the extra cost makes more sense.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 223 ratings, with many top marks for the boat, crew, and close wildlife encounters. There are also low ratings tied to canceled trips, poor communication through a booking intermediary, a rough ride, and outings without whales. That mix reflects the real risk of the activity rather than a guaranteed result.

Weather, cancellations, and backup planning

This experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund.

That policy is sensible for a small, fast boat. Rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable or unsafe, and the crew cannot control wind, visibility, or animal behavior. One cancellation came only about an hour before departure, which can disrupt a tightly planned day.

I suggest scheduling this tour early in your Reykjavik stay if you can. That leaves room for another attempt if weather stops the first trip. It also gives you a chance to use the included option of a larger boat on a later day when such an alternative is offered after a trip without whale sightings.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would pick this tour for you if you want wildlife and a boat ride in equal measure. It suits people who enjoy speed, do not mind spray or bouncing, and value a small group more than a low price.

It is also a good choice for photographers who want a close-to-water viewpoint, though fast movement and changing light can make photography difficult. Keep your equipment protected from spray and be ready to put the camera away when the boat moves.

Choose a larger boat instead if you want a gentler ride, more indoor space, or a lower price. Also think carefully before booking the RIB if you have back or knee problems, or if you find rough water unpleasant.

Should you book the Katla RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want the most energetic whale-watching option in Reykjavik and accept that wildlife is never guaranteed. The small group, fast boat, useful guides, and chance to see humpbacks close to the RIB are the strongest reasons to pay more.

Do not book it solely because you expect a whale on cue. Go for the full package: Faxaflói Bay, city views, puffins and sea birds, a thrilling ride, and the possibility of dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, or humpbacks.

Arrive early, dress warmly, bring waterproof shoes, and leave room in your schedule for weather changes. With those expectations, this is a strong choice for an active two-hour outing from Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

The tour begins at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The RIB has a maximum capacity of 12 travelers.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, puffins, and other sea birds. Whale sightings are not guaranteed.

Is equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. You should still dress warmly and wear waterproof shoes.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What language is the tour operated in?

The tour is offered in English, with guidance about the whales, other wildlife, and Reykjavik.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.