Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The midnight sun gives whale watching extra hours. I like the 12-person RIB boat, which lets you cover more of Faxaflói Bay than a standard vessel, and I like the way the evening schedule fits neatly into a full day in Reykjavík. The ride also includes city views of the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall, giving you more than a wildlife search.

The main trade-off is comfort. The boat can move quickly across open water, and even Iceland’s summer nights feel cold at sea, so warm layers are essential. At $200 per person, this is a premium outing, though the small group, powerful boat, and strong summer wildlife record help explain the price.

Key points to know before you go

• Small boat, maximum 12 people: You get a more personal ride and a better chance of seeing the guide’s wildlife finds without a crowd around you.
• Evening departures use the midnight sun: You can spend the day exploring Reykjavík and still head out on the bay in bright summer light.
• Whales are seen on over 95 percent of summer tours: Sightings are never guaranteed, but the odds are unusually strong in the warm season.
• Puffins have a short viewing season: Look for them from about May 15 to August 20, with some late-season trips seeing hundreds.
• The ride is active, not gentle: Warm overalls and safety gear are provided, but you need warm clothing, gloves, a hat, and closed-toe shoes.
• No whale means a second chance: If you do not see whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for a ride on the larger boats.

Why an evening whale tour works so well in Reykjavík

I like this departure time because it solves a common Reykjavík problem: fitting everything into the day. During Iceland’s bright summer season, the evening does not feel like the end of the day. It feels like extra daylight that you can use for the sea.

You might spend the morning on city sights, visit museums or pools in the afternoon, and still reach the Old Harbour in time for this two-hour trip. The bright conditions also make the ride feel less like a night excursion and more like a late-day adventure with soft light over the water.

The timing is especially useful if you are staying in central Reykjavík. The meeting point is the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in the Old Harbour, so you arrange your own way there rather than waiting for hotel transport. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure, which gives you time to check in, get suited up, and listen to the safety instructions without rushing.

Leaving Ægisgarður in a 12-person RIB

The first part of the experience is the ride itself. This is a rigid inflatable boat, built for speed and stability rather than for a quiet, lounge-style cruise. Once the captain leaves the harbor, the boat can move quickly across a wider section of Faxaflói Bay.

That speed matters. A whale watching boat cannot simply wait in one place and hope wildlife appears. The captain needs to search across open water, and a fast boat can cover more ground during the two-hour window. It also allows the group to reach the islands near Reykjavík before heading farther out to look for whales and dolphins.

The small capacity is another real advantage. With only 12 people per boat, you are not sharing the trip with a large crowd. That can make it easier to hear the guide, shift your attention when an animal appears, and find a clear view around the sides of the boat.

The RIB format also means you should think carefully about comfort. This is not the place for loose coats, large bags, or a relaxed stroll around the deck. You stay alert, hold on when the boat picks up speed, and keep your clothing secure. Warm overalls and safety equipment are included, but you still need to dress well underneath.

Searching for puffins around Reykjavík’s islands

The tour first loops around the wind-beaten islands in the bay, where puffins can be seen in their natural setting. These birds are small, quick, and easy to miss, so the boat’s maneuverability is useful when the guide spots activity near the water.

Puffins are not available all year. The stated season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. If seeing puffins is high on your list, schedule the trip within those dates rather than assuming any summer departure will work.

The timing within that season may also affect what you see. One late July outing included hundreds of puffins, while an August 26 trip still found some birds before they left for the season. That does not promise the same result on your date, but it shows why the final weeks of August can be less certain.

Puffins are a fine bonus even if whales are your main goal. They give you something to watch early in the trip, while the captain and guide continue toward deeper water. Just keep your expectations sensible: these are wild birds, not trained performers, and their small size means you may want to pay close attention when the boat slows.

Whale and dolphin watching in Faxaflói Bay

After the island loop, the boat heads into open water to search for whales and dolphins. The exact encounter depends on the animals, the conditions, and the captain’s search, but the summer sighting rate is reported at more than 95 percent.

That figure is encouraging, not a guarantee. Wildlife can change course, stay underwater, or appear farther away than you hoped. The good news is that whales do not follow a human timetable, and the evening departure does not put you at a disadvantage. The tour information notes that whales never fully sleep, so the same kinds of wildlife can be seen on evening trips as on daytime departures.

The strongest encounters can be remarkable. Recent outings included humpback whales seen on separate occasions, dolphins swimming close to the boat, seals, and puffins. One trip had several whales under the sunset, while another brought the boat close to humpbacks and dolphins.

The best approach is to enjoy the search as well as the sighting. You may spend part of the time scanning the water, listening for instructions, and trying to judge where an animal might surface. Then the mood changes quickly when the guide points out movement nearby.

I also appreciate that the aim is not to hound the animals. One particularly positive account described being almost alone at sea, with no crowd of boats pressing too close. That matters. A good wildlife trip should give you a clear look while leaving the animals room to move.

What the guides and captain add

A professional captain and an English-speaking wildlife guide are included. Maria and Miquel were singled out for being warm and well informed, and another guide was praised for adding greatly to the experience.

You are not simply buying transport to a patch of ocean. The guide helps you understand what to watch for and where to look, while the captain handles the route and the fast-moving boat. In a small group, that guidance should feel more direct than it would on a very large vessel.

The guide’s role is particularly important when wildlife appears only briefly. A whale’s back, a dolphin’s fin, or a puffin near the surface can vanish in seconds. Clear directions save you from staring at the wrong part of the bay.

The 4.9 rating from 28 ratings reflects the strongest part of this outing: the combination of close wildlife encounters, skilled staff, and an exciting boat ride. Still, a high rating should not make you forget that this is a weather-exposed activity. Your enjoyment will depend partly on how well you handle cold, wind, and motion.

The shoreline ride back to Reykjavík

The return is not just a straight run to the harbor. The route ends along Reykjavík’s shoreline, with views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and the glittering Harpa Concert Hall.

This closing stretch gives the trip a pleasant change of pace. You begin with the harbor and city behind you, spend the middle of the tour on open water, and finish with Reykjavík coming back into view. The colorful fishing huts, restaurants, and waterfront attractions make the city look different from the perspective of the bay.

If the whales do not appear, the operator provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats. That is a useful safeguard, though you should understand what it means. It is not a refund of the $200 price, and the replacement ride is on a larger vessel rather than this same small RIB. Still, it gives you a second opportunity to look for whales before leaving Reykjavík.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this belongs in the premium part of Reykjavík’s whale watching market. You are paying for a two-hour trip, a small group of up to 12 people, a high-performance RIB, warm overalls, safety equipment, a captain, and a wildlife guide.

The value is strongest if you care about the boat experience as much as the animals. A larger boat may offer more room and a steadier, less exposed ride. This RIB is better suited to you if you want speed, a smaller group, and the possibility of reaching more of the bay during the available time.

The cost also makes more sense during a short Reykjavík stay. You get a compact excursion that fits around a full day in the city, and the evening light adds a special quality without taking a separate day from your schedule.

The price is harder to justify if you are mainly looking for the cheapest possible way to see whales. It is also less appealing if you dislike fast boat rides or are worried about cold and motion. In that case, the larger-boat replacement option may sound more comfortable, but it is only offered if whales are not spotted.

Clothing, age rules, and comfort limits

Take the clothing instructions seriously. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. The operator supplies warm overalls, but those are an outer layer, not a substitute for proper clothing beneath them.

Loose clothing is not allowed, and large bags or luggage cannot come aboard. Pack lightly and keep anything you bring secure. You should also expect wind and spray, even on a bright summer evening.

The tour is for children over 10 who are at least 145 centimeters tall. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or those with a history of knee problems.

Those limits are practical rather than fussy. A fast RIB can be demanding on your body, and boarding, sitting, and holding on may be uncomfortable if your back or knees are sensitive. If you are unsure, choose a larger boat instead of treating this as a gentle sightseeing cruise.

How to plan the rest of your day

Because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, leave enough time to reach the Old Harbour on your own. Arriving 30 minutes early is required, not just a suggestion, so do not schedule a museum visit or meal right up against departure.

Food and drinks are also not included. Eat before you arrive or plan a meal near the harbor after the tour. The waterfront has restaurants and colorful fishing huts, and the shoreline return puts you in a convenient part of Reykjavík once you finish.

The tour requires at least two passengers to operate. If that minimum is not met, the provider offers a rescheduled departure or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps keep your plans flexible.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this trip for an active visitor who wants wildlife and a boat ride in equal measure. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who prefer a more personal outing than a large harbor cruise.

It is also a good fit if your Reykjavík schedule is packed. The evening departure lets you use the daylight hours for other plans, while the bright summer sky keeps the trip feeling open and scenic.

I would hesitate if you need a calm, spacious vessel, have back or knee trouble, are pregnant, or strongly dislike cold wind. The boat’s strength is its speed and size, and those same qualities can make it less comfortable for some people.

Should you book the evening whale and puffin tour?

Book it if you want a compact, high-energy wildlife trip with strong summer sighting odds, a maximum of 12 people, and a memorable ride across Faxaflói Bay. The humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, seals, and glowing Reykjavík shoreline can make this one of the most striking outings in the capital.

Before booking, check the date against puffin season, pack warmer clothing than you think you need, and be honest about your comfort on a fast open-water boat. At $200, it is not a budget excursion, but for the right person, the small group, evening timing, and chance to get close to wildlife make the cost reasonable.

FAQ

How long is the whale and puffin tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the ticket office at the Old Harbour of Reykjavík, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

What time does the tour leave?

Starting times vary. You need to check availability for the departure time that fits your schedule.

How many people are on each boat?

Each RIB boat carries a maximum of 12 people.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20.

What clothing should I bring?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children must be over 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

You receive a complimentary ticket for a ride on the larger boats before you leave.