Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

Wildlife can make a city day unforgettable. This fast RIB trip combines whales, dolphins, and puffins with fine views of Reykjavik from the water, and I especially like the small group size of no more than 12 people. I also like that a marine biologist or specially trained guide provides the commentary, rather than leaving you to guess at every fin and feather.

The main catch is the price, about $191 per person, for only two hours. You are paying for a speedy, highly maneuverable boat, warm gear, a small group, and the chance to get close to wildlife, but no ocean tour can promise a whale on schedule. The ride can also be brisk and bumpy, so this is not the best pick if you dislike fast boats or have mobility concerns.

Key points before you book

• Puffins are seasonal: You can see them from about April 20 to August 20, with the best fit for this combined tour generally running from late April through August.
• The RIB covers more water: Its speed and maneuverability let the crew search a wider area than a large sightseeing boat can cover in the same two-hour window.
• The trip starts with Reykjavik views: You leave from the Old Harbour, pass Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture, then head toward the offshore islands.
• The wildlife can be varied: Sightings have included humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.
• The boat is small and fast: The group limit is 12, and the ride is part wildlife search, part open-water thrill.
• Come prepared for cold: Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are supplied, but you should still wear layers, sturdy shoes, and weatherproof clothing.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is a handy starting point if you are already exploring the city center, and the harbor setting gives the trip an immediate sense of place. You are not being driven out to a distant marina. The city is part of the experience from the first minute.

Before boarding, you need to sign a waiver and get fitted with the supplied safety gear. The outfit includes warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and the other equipment needed for the ride. Bring hiking shoes, warm layers, and clothing suited to Icelandic weather. High heels are not allowed, which makes sense on a small boat where secure footing matters.

The RIB carries a maximum of 12 people. That matters more than it might seem. You have less crowding around the viewing areas, and the guide can give more direct help with spotting animals and explaining what you see. The tradeoff is that a small boat exposes you more to the motion of the sea than a large whale-watching vessel would.

Several people praised the supplied clothing, though one person found an already-wet suit a little musty. I would still use the operator’s gear, but wear your own warm base layers and bring personal gloves if you have good ones. The boat provides eye protection, yet sunglasses can also help when the boat is moving at speed.

Harpa and the Sun Voyager from the water

The first portion is not simply a race toward the wildlife grounds. As you leave the harbor, you get a different angle on Reykjavik’s waterfront, including Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture.

Harpa’s glass facade looks especially striking from the sea because you see the building as part of the shoreline rather than as a structure in front of you. The Sun Voyager, Reykjavik’s famous steel ship sculpture, also takes on a new shape when viewed from the water. This short city segment gives the tour a useful second purpose: even if the animals keep their distance, you still get a memorable view of the capital.

The return journey follows the shore again, so the city views are not just a quick glimpse at departure. I like this balance. You get wildlife in open water, but you also get a compact sightseeing cruise around Reykjavik without booking a separate harbor trip.

Puffin islands between April and August

The boat heads toward the islands where puffins gather in their natural setting. Puffin season is listed as April 20 through August 20, so check the date carefully before paying for the combined whale and puffin experience. The overall boat season runs from April 1 through October 31, but a later autumn departure is not a puffin trip.

The puffin stop is valuable because you are seeing seabirds where they live, not in a display or rescue center. The guide explains the birds and their nesting areas while the boat keeps a respectful distance. You might see a few birds, or, on a strong outing, hundreds gathered around the island. One especially successful trip included hundreds of puffins along with whales, dolphins, and other birds.

Puffins are small. That is worth remembering. They can be harder to spot than a whale’s back or a dolphin moving through the water, especially if the sea is rough. The guide’s trained eye helps, and the RIB’s low position near the water can give you a fine view when the birds are close.

This is one reason I would not treat the puffin portion as a minor extra. If seeing puffins in the wild is your main aim, book inside the stated season and keep your expectations flexible. The birds are a natural encounter, not a scheduled performance.

Searching the open water for whales and dolphins

After visiting the island area, the crew heads farther out to look for whales and dolphins. The RIB’s main advantage is its range. Because it is light and fast, the captain can cover a wider search area during the two-hour outing. That does not guarantee a sighting, but it gives the crew more options when animals are spread out.

The smaller boat also lets you get closer without disturbing the animals. You may hear a whale exhale as it surfaces, a detail one person singled out as especially memorable. Dolphins and porpoises can be even more playful, sometimes racing beside or around the RIB.

Recorded sightings on this tour have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and many seabirds. One very lucky trip counted more than 60 whales. Another saw two humpbacks breaching repeatedly, while other outings found only one whale. That wide range is normal for any wildlife trip, and the tour cannot control the sea, weather, or animals.

I appreciate the honest lesson here: summer is not a guarantee of a crowded ocean. One outing saw just a single whale, but still found puffins, white dolphins, and beautiful coastal scenery. You should book this as a search for wildlife, not as a fixed whale show.

A guide who can explain what you are seeing

The guide is a major part of the value. The tour is in English, and the guide is specially trained in whale watching. Some outings have been led by marine biologists, including guides named Matt, Kylie, Emily, and Max. Marie and Mike have also received praise for their friendly and engaging approach.

A marine biology background is useful here because the guide can explain animal behavior, not just identify species. You may learn why a whale surfaces in a certain pattern, how puffins use the island habitat, or how to tell a porpoise from a dolphin. The guide also works with the captain to improve the chance of finding wildlife.

The best guide-led moments are often the quiet ones, when everyone waits and watches the water for a sign. A good guide helps you scan the right stretch of sea and prepares you for what may happen next. That can turn a distant fin into a clear sighting.

The crew also takes photographs when possible and shares them afterward. Some photos have been sent within a few hours, while another report says they arrived the following day. This is a useful bonus because taking your own pictures from a moving RIB is difficult. You can concentrate on the water instead of trying to keep a camera steady in cold wind.

The RIB ride: comfortable, but not gentle

The boat itself is part of the attraction. The RIB is stable compared with what its size might suggest, and one boat was praised for comfortable seats with a spring mechanism that softened the impact of waves. Still, this is a fast open-water ride, not a calm ferry crossing.

Several outings describe the ride as thrilling, with the captain adding extra speed near the end. You may feel as if the boat is flying over the water, particularly when the sea is calm enough for a quick run. On the other hand, you should be ready to hold on and accept some movement.

The supplied overalls help with spray and cold, but you can still feel the Icelandic air. One person noted that it was possible to see your breath even after arriving in warm clothing. Wear a fleece or puffy layer underneath, along with warm footwear. Avoid cotton if you have better insulating layers available.

The RIB’s low seating position brings you close to the water and can make animals feel surprisingly near. It also means less shelter from wind than you would get on a large boat. I would choose this tour for the combination of wildlife and excitement, not just for comfort.

Is $191 a good value?

At $191, this is one of the pricier short activities in Reykjavik. The two-hour duration may initially seem brief, especially when a large boat trip can sometimes last longer. The price makes more sense once you consider what you are getting: a 12-person maximum, a fast boat, warm protective gear, a trained guide, a certified captain, and access to crew photographs.

The RIB also changes the nature of the outing. A larger vessel may offer more indoor space and a smoother ride, but this boat can search a broader area and bring you closer to the water. If you see whales, dolphins, and puffins in one trip, the price can feel justified. Several people described the experience as one of the most memorable parts of an Iceland visit.

Still, value depends on your priorities. If you mainly want a cheap look at Reykjavik from the sea, choose another harbor experience. If you want the best chance of combining puffins with whale watching in a small group, the premium is easier to defend.

Timing, weather, and who should go

The tour operates from April 1 through October 31, with puffins present from April 20 through August 20. For puffins specifically, the date is more important than the general operating season.

Weather can affect departures. One trip had to be rearranged because of conditions, and the communication about the change was praised. Keep your schedule flexible enough to handle a weather adjustment, especially if this outing is planned close to your flight or another fixed activity.

The tour has a minimum age of 10 and a minimum height of 145 centimeters. It is not suitable for children under 10, people under that height, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people over 75, or anyone over 140 kilograms. These limits reflect the physical demands of climbing into a small boat and handling a fast ride.

I would choose this for an active family with older children, couples, solo visitors who enjoy nature, and anyone who wants a more personal wildlife trip. It is less suitable if you need easy boarding, a toilet nearby during the outing, or a sheltered ride.

There are no toilets on the boat, and food is not provided. Use the facilities before leaving the Old Harbour and bring any snack you need for before or after the tour. The meeting point and return point are both at the Old Harbour.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB tour?

Book it if you want a small-group wildlife search with a real sense of speed and closeness. The strongest reasons are the agile boat, direct guide commentary, supplied cold-weather gear, Reykjavik waterfront views, and the chance to see several kinds of marine life in one outing.

I would book between late April and mid-August if puffins matter to you. I would also leave room in your schedule in case weather affects the departure. Bring serious warm layers, secure footwear, eye protection, and a willingness to accept that nature sets the timetable.

Skip it if you need a calm, fully sheltered boat, cannot meet the age, height, weight, or mobility requirements, or would be unhappy after paying $191 without a guaranteed whale sighting. For the right person, though, the combination of puffin islands, open-water wildlife, and a quick ride back past Reykjavik can make this a standout day on an Iceland itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The whale and puffin watching trip lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

When can I see puffins?

Puffin season is listed as April 20 through August 20. The overall tour season runs from April 1 through October 31, but puffins are seasonal.

What wildlife might I see?

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

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a specially trained whale-watching guide, a certified RIB captain, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment. Crew photographs are also made available when taken.

Is food or a toilet available on the boat?

No. Food is not provided, and there are no toilets on board.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and warm layers. You must also sign a waiver before taking part.

What are the age and height requirements?

The minimum age is 10, and the minimum height is 145 centimeters. The tour is not suitable for children below those limits.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.