Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Wildlife and speed make a fine Iceland mix. This two-hour trip across Faxaflói Bay combines a fast RIB ride with a real search for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins. I like the small boat because it can move quickly between sightings, and I like the suspension seats, which make the ride more manageable than a standard rigid-hull speedboat.

You also get warm flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum. The main drawback is simple: nature sets the schedule. You may see several humpback whales and dolphins, or you may spend much of the tour searching. The ride can also feel bumpy and intense if you prefer calm water.

Key points before you book

• The boat reaches about 32 knots, giving you a fast ride from Reykjavik harbor to the feeding grounds.
• Suspension seats soften the bumps, though this remains an active boat trip rather than a gentle cruise.
• Sightings can be excellent, including humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins.
• Akurey puffin island is a summer stop, with nesting birds and, at times, pufflings near the island.
• Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests are provided, but extra layers still matter at sea.
• The $194 price includes the boat tour and museum entry, making the value better if you plan to visit the Whales of Iceland Museum.

Leaving Reykjavik harbor for Faxaflói Bay

You meet the operator at the ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. This is a useful location for a sightseeing day in the city, since the harbor area is easy to pair with other central attractions.

Before boarding, the crew supplies warm flotation overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. The clothing is practical rather than stylish, but this is not the place to worry about fashion. The wind can feel sharp once the boat leaves shelter, and the protective gear helps keep the spray and cold under control.

I would still wear warm layers beneath the suit. One passenger found the provided clothing useful but advised adding extra layers, and that is sound advice. The bay can look bright and mild from shore while feeling much colder at speed.

The boat uses individual shock-suspension seats. You sit astride a padded seat with a handle in front, a position that gives you something firm to hold during acceleration and turns. The suspension helps reduce the force traveling up through your back, but it does not remove every bump.

The crew makes the final call about sailing based on weather, passenger comfort, and safety. A postponement can happen if conditions are poor. That may disrupt your plans, but it is the correct decision for a small, fast boat operating in open water.

The RIB ride is part of the attraction

The first major difference from a standard whale-watching ship is the ride itself. At a cruising speed of about 32 knots, the RIB gets across the bay quickly and gives you a low, open view of the sea. You feel the wind, hear the engine, and may get spray over the bow.

Some people describe the ride as a small rollercoaster. That comparison is useful. It is fun for anyone who enjoys motion and speed, but it can be tiring for someone who wants a quiet nature cruise. One passenger who does not usually enjoy adrenaline still rated the outing highly, thanks in part to the careful captain and guide.

The suspension seats are a major help. They make the boat more comfortable than you might expect, especially when crossing choppy water. Still, I would not call this a smooth ride in the cruise-ship sense. The boat bounces, and you need to hold the front handle and follow the crew’s instructions.

The small group format also matters. With fewer people aboard, you have less competition for views and a better chance of seeing what the guide points out. A small RIB can turn and reposition more easily than a large ship, which is valuable when a whale surfaces for only a few seconds.

That advantage should not be overstated. The crew cannot make whales appear, and a fast boat does not guarantee close sightings. It does give the captain more options when birds, blows, or fins appear in the distance.

Searching Faxaflói Bay’s feeding grounds

Once the boat reaches the feeding grounds, the tone changes. The captain slows down, and the guide begins reading the water for signs of marine life. Birds feeding on the surface can help point toward activity below, while a distant blow may signal a whale.

Your guide provides information about whales, dolphins, porpoises, birds, and the surrounding bay. The strongest guides make the waiting useful. Rebekka, Rebecca, Joel, Patrik, Daniel, Alice, and others have been praised for their enthusiasm, humor, and clear explanations. Joel, in particular, was noted for pointing out less common birds as well as helping the boat reach whales quickly.

The sightings reported on these trips vary widely, which is exactly what you should expect from an outing based on wild animals. Some departures have included around eight minke whales, two humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins. Another outing found four humpbacks together, then two more with a dolphin pod.

There have also been remarkable moments. A humpback mother and calf were seen together, and one passenger watched a whale breach twice. A young minke whale once circled the boat for around 15 minutes. Dolphins have swum beside the RIB, jumped near the boat, and stayed with it for roughly ten minutes.

Other trips have been quieter. A passenger saw dolphins but only brief glimpses of a humpback. Another did not see whales at all, though the fast ride and friendly crew still made the trip worthwhile. That is the honest bargain here: you are paying for a well-run search in a productive bay, not a guaranteed animal performance.

What you might see: humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises

Humpback whales are the sightings most likely to create a story you tell for years. Their size, blows, tail movements, and occasional breaches are easy to notice from a low boat. Seeing several together can make the two-hour trip feel very short.

Minke whales are also common in the reports from this experience. They are smaller and can surface quickly, so you may catch only a back, fin, or blow. A curious minke that stays near the boat is a special bonus, but you should be ready for brief appearances.

Dolphins can provide some of the most active encounters. White-beaked dolphins have been seen leaping and swimming against the boat, sometimes remaining nearby for several minutes. Porpoises have also appeared, though they are generally less dramatic and easier to miss.

The guide helps you know where to look, but you still need to pay attention. Keep scanning rather than staring at one fixed spot. The person beside you may see a fin or bird that disappears before you turn around.

The boat’s low seating position helps you feel close to the water. That can make an encounter more immediate than it feels from a high viewing deck. It also means you should use the goggles when the boat is moving quickly, especially if spray starts blowing across the seats.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer breeding season, the boat makes a stop near Akurey, one of the islands used by nesting puffins. You can see birds around the island and along the rocky coast, with nests nearby. Some departures have included pufflings, and puffins have been seen hunting close to the boat.

This stop adds variety to the trip. If whales take time to locate, the puffin colony gives you another reason to keep watching the water and shore. The birds are small, quick, and entertaining, especially when they skim low over the surface or return from feeding.

Do not expect a long land visit. This is a boat-based viewing stop, and one passenger wished there had been more time around the puffins. The purpose is to observe the nesting area without turning the tour into a shore excursion.

The puffin stop is seasonal. If you travel outside the summer months, you should not count on seeing puffins or visiting the nesting grounds. Whale and dolphin sightings can also change with the season and daily conditions.

Coastline views and the value of the small boat

The outing is not only about animals. From the water, you get a different view of Reykjavik and the nearby coast. The city becomes a backdrop rather than the main subject, and the open bay gives you a broad sense of the setting.

I like this balance. You are not spending two hours staring only at a featureless horizon. The coast, seabirds, and changing position of the RIB help break up the search time.

The small boat also keeps the group involved. The guide can point toward a distant blow, explain what you are seeing, and move the boat into a better position. A large vessel may offer more room and a steadier platform, but the RIB gives you a closer-to-the-water view and quicker movement.

That trade-off is important. If you get motion sick, have back problems, or dislike bouncing over waves, a larger boat may suit you better. The RIB’s suspension seats help, but the experience remains physical.

The guide and captain shape the day

A good captain gets you to the feeding grounds safely and reacts quickly when animals appear. A good guide turns a wait into part of the experience. This tour has earned strong praise for both roles.

Rebekka has been described as lively and well informed, with a clear affection for the animals. Patrik was praised for combining humor with useful facts. Joel was especially good at spotting birds and keeping the excitement going. Daniel and Alice were also singled out for making the trip feel personal and fun.

These details matter because whale watching involves waiting. You may travel for some time before the first sighting, and you need a guide who can explain what is happening rather than simply announcing that nothing has appeared yet.

The guide also helps with practical matters. The crew gets everyone into protective clothing, explains the boat setup, and keeps an eye on passenger comfort. One passenger had a flight to catch afterward and appreciated that the crew kept the outing punctual. You should still leave a sensible buffer around the tour, since weather or wildlife can affect the day.

Is $194 a fair price?

At $194 per person, this is not a budget harbor cruise. The price reflects the smaller RIB, the specialized suspension seats, safety clothing, a live English-speaking guide, and the chance to reach the feeding areas quickly.

The museum ticket adds real value if you have time to use it. The Whales of Iceland Museum is in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district, and its exhibits cover whale biology, migration, and conservation. Life-sized displays help you understand the scale of the animals you may have seen from the boat.

I would judge the price in two parts. For a calm boat ride with guaranteed whale sightings, it is expensive. For a two-hour wildlife search combined with a fast, small-group ride and museum entry, it is more reasonable, particularly if you value the boat experience itself.

The price feels strongest on a day with several species or a close encounter. It feels harder to justify if the water is rough and sightings are distant. That is not a fault unique to this company, but it is a risk you should accept before booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the financial side less rigid. The tour is conducted in English, and hotel transportation, food, and drinks are not included.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a small boat, a fast ride, and a more active way to search for marine life. It suits adults and older children who can handle motion, cold, spray, and open water.

You should be at least 140 centimeters tall and at least 10 years old. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Those restrictions make sense given the bouncing motion and the way you sit on the suspension seat.

This is also a good fit if you have already taken a large-ship whale tour and want a different view. The RIB is lower, quicker, and more maneuverable. If you prefer a stable deck, indoor shelter, and a gentler pace, choose a larger vessel instead.

Plan your clothing with care. Use the provided overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vest, then add warm layers underneath. You may find the speed thrilling, but you should not confuse protective gear with complete comfort in Icelandic weather.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching RIB tour meet?

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the boat tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Departure times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

The tour includes warm flotation overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. Extra layers underneath the overalls are still recommended because it can feel very cold on the bay.

Are whales guaranteed on the tour?

No. The captain decides whether to sail based on weather, safety, and passenger comfort, but wild whale sightings are not guaranteed. Past trips have seen humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins, while some outings had limited whale sightings.

Can I see puffins during the trip?

You can visit the puffin nesting grounds near Akurey during the summer breeding season. Puffins and pufflings have been seen there, but the stop is seasonal.

Who cannot take this RIB tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 140 centimeters tall.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the RIB ride sounds almost as appealing as the whales. You get a quick, low-to-the-water trip, useful cold-weather gear, a small-group feel, and access to Faxaflói Bay’s feeding grounds. The museum ticket makes the $194 cost easier to defend, especially if you are building a full Reykjavik harbor day.

Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, dislike bumpy speedboats, or have back concerns. Nature may give you humpbacks breaching beside the boat, or it may give you dolphins, puffins, and a long search. For the right passenger, that uncertainty is part of the adventure, not a flaw.