Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

The boat is part of the show. This two-hour whale-watching trip takes you across Faxaflói Bay in a fast, 12-seat RIB, giving you a lively ride and a better chance of reaching wildlife quickly. I like the small group of no more than 12 and the way the boat puts you close to the water, with every seat offering a reasonably clear view. The main drawback is the motion: this is a bouncy ride, and it may not suit anyone with back or knee trouble.

I also like the warm waterproof suit, gloves, goggles, and life jacket included in the price. Guides such as Rebekah, Anika, Joel, Joe, and Otto have been praised for their friendly explanations and sharp eyes on the water. Still, no boat can promise whales, and rough weather can cancel the trip or make the ride less comfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast RIB access: The speedboat can cover more water than a large boat and follow moving whales more easily.
• Small-group format: With a maximum of 12 people, you get a more personal ride and easier access to the guide.
• Wildlife variety: You may see humpback and minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, puffins, and seals in Faxaflói Bay.
• Close-to-the-water views: The low boat gives you an exciting view of animals near the surface, but it also means more spray and bouncing.
• Waterproof gear included: You receive a warm overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket, though waterproof shoes are still a smart choice.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to cancellation, a new date, or a full refund.

Why this RIB tour feels different from a big boat

Whale watching is always a gamble. You can spend two hours on the sea and see only dolphins, porpoises, or distant birds. What you can control is the type of boat you choose, and that choice matters here.

This RIB carries only 12 people. It is much smaller than the large whale-watching boats used around Reykjavik, so the guide can speak without a microphone and answer questions as you go. You are not packed into a crowd, and you do not need to fight for a view from a high outdoor deck.

The boat is also quick. When a whale surfaces in another part of the bay, the captain can move there faster than a slower, heavier vessel. Once the animals change direction, the RIB can keep up more easily. That does not guarantee a sighting, but it improves your ability to search a wide area during a short trip.

I would describe the ride as exciting rather than gentle. The seats have suspension, which helps when the boat hits waves, but you still bounce up and down. One person described the posture as semi-standing for much of the trip. If you enjoy roller coasters and fast boat rides, this is likely part of the appeal. If you want a quiet, steady cruise, choose a larger vessel instead.

Leaving Geirsgata and entering Faxaflói Bay

The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. The tour ends at the same place, and the harbor area is near public transportation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the departure point.

Arrive early. One important timing detail is that the practical start time can be about 30 minutes earlier than the main time shown during booking. Arriving after the safety briefing or boarding period could mean missing the departure. I would treat the stated time as the time the boat leaves, not the time to stroll into the office.

At the harbor, you receive the protective gear before boarding. The warm waterproof overall goes over your clothes, with gloves, goggles, and a life jacket supplied as part of the trip. Wear warm layers underneath anyway. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the open boat exposes you to wind even on a pleasant day.

Bring waterproof footwear if you have it. The supplied clothing helps, but one report found the clothing less waterproof than expected. Your shoes are the part most likely to suffer from spray, so sturdy waterproof boots are more useful than ordinary trainers.

Sun Voyager from the water

The first listed sight is Sun Voyager, the polished steel sculpture along Reykjavik’s waterfront. From land, it is an easy photo stop with views toward the bay. From the RIB, you see it as part of the city’s edge, with the sculpture, shoreline, and open water arranged in one view.

The value here is not a long stop on land. This is a moving city view, folded into the whale search. You get a different angle on a familiar Reykjavik landmark without spending extra time walking to it. The low boat also gives the waterfront a more immediate feel than a view from a road or hotel window.

Keep your camera secure. The boat can move quickly, and wind and spray are part of the ride. You may prefer to take a few pictures, then put your phone away and hold on.

Harpa Concert Hall and the Reykjavik waterfront

The route also includes views of Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. Its glass facade is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable modern sights, and seeing it from Faxaflói Bay gives you a useful sense of how closely the city sits beside the sea.

This portion helps make the trip more than a single-purpose wildlife outing. Even if the whales stay hidden, you still spend time seeing Reykjavik from an unusual angle. The city appears low and coastal, with the harbor and bay opening out beyond it.

Do not expect a full architectural visit to Harpa. You are seeing it from the boat, not going inside. The stop is best understood as a brief sightseeing element along the route.

Searching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises

The main search area is Faxaflói Bay, where several kinds of marine life may appear. Humpback whales and minke whales are the most frequently praised sightings in the available accounts. Dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, and puffins are also possible.

Some outings have produced an extraordinary mix. People have seen two or more humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins in one trip. One especially strong outing included a humpback swimming under the boat and breaching several times. Another included a mother and calf, with the calf repeatedly breaching.

Those are memorable possibilities, not promises. One outing produced dolphins but no whales. That is normal for wildlife watching, and you should book this for the chance to see wild animals, not for a guaranteed performance.

The crew communicates with other boats when a sighting occurs. That can help the captain head toward active wildlife. The RIB’s speed is especially useful when the animals are on the move. You may reach the area faster, spend more time near a pod, and then continue the search if the animals disappear.

The low seating position is a real advantage for close sightings. You are near the water rather than looking down from a tall deck. A whale surfacing beside a small boat feels much more immediate. It also means you should follow the guide’s instructions and keep your hands, phone, and loose items secure.

Puffin Island and the birdlife of the bay

Faxaflói Bay is home to millions of seabirds, and puffins are one of the appealing extras on this trip. The boat may make a brief visit near Puffin Island, where you can see birds gathered on the rocks or water.

Puffins are small, so do not expect the same close view you might get of a whale beside the RIB. One account specifically noted that the boat could not get very close to them. Bring binoculars if you have room, although the speed and movement of the boat may make them awkward to use.

The bird stop still adds character. You are not simply scanning for one large animal. The bay supports a whole web of life, and puffins can be a welcome sight when the whales are being elusive.

Guides, captains, and the human side of the trip

A good guide makes a major difference on a wildlife tour. Rebekah received repeated praise for her enthusiasm and clear explanations. Anika, described as a marine biologist, answered unusual questions with ease and explained the animals without needing a loudspeaker. Joel and Joe were also praised for their wildlife knowledge and friendly manner, while Otto was singled out as fun and full of facts.

The best part of a small group is the chance to ask questions in the moment. You can learn how to identify a minke whale, what to look for before a humpback surfaces, or why dolphins are moving around the boat. The guide also helps you understand what you are seeing instead of treating every fin as the same.

The captain matters just as much. A fast RIB needs a confident driver, especially in rough waves. Several outings praised the captain’s ability to reach wildlife and give people on both sides of the boat a fair view. That last point matters because the animals will not politely surface on your preferred side.

The standard is not perfect every time. One account described a guide as less interactive and said the crew did not manage people who repeatedly blocked views. On a small boat, that problem is more noticeable. The boat’s design gives everyone a good chance at a view, but passengers still need to be considerate.

The $164 price and what you receive

At $164 per person, this is a premium whale-watching option in Reykjavik. You are paying more than you would for a basic large-boat outing, but the extra cost buys a different experience rather than simply a shorter version of the same one.

You receive up to two hours on a 12-seat luxury RIB, English guidance, warm protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. The most important value is the boat itself. Its speed, small size, and low seating can improve your chances of reaching wildlife and seeing it close to the surface.

I think the price makes the most sense if whale watching is high on your Iceland wish list, your schedule is tight, or you dislike crowded excursions. It is also a strong choice if you enjoy a spirited ride and want city views included along the way.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a cheap harbor cruise, have a sensitive back, or would be equally happy seeing seabirds and dolphins. You may pay the premium and still see no whales. The operator has no control over that part of nature.

Who should choose this boat

This trip suits you if you want:

• A small group rather than a large crowd
• A fast, lively ride with real movement
• A chance to see whales from water level
• English guidance and the opportunity to ask questions
• A short excursion that fits into a busy Reykjavik itinerary
• A wildlife trip with possible dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seals as well as whales

Think carefully if you have back or knee problems. The ride can be rough, and you may spend much of the trip bracing yourself. The boat is not the right match for everyone, even though the suspension seats make it more comfortable than a bare inflatable craft.

Most people can participate, and at least one adult is required per booking. A parent was particularly pleased with how well the experience worked for a child, but the supplied information does not give a specific minimum age. Contact the operator before booking if age, mobility, or medical concerns affect your plans.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

This experience is weather dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful, but a late cancellation can disrupt a tightly packed Iceland itinerary.

One outing was canceled about an hour before departure, while other boats were seen operating. That does not prove the decision was wrong, since boat size and route affect safety, but it shows why you should avoid placing this trip immediately before an airport transfer or an important reservation.

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

The tour is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 44 days. I would reserve early if you have only one possible day, then keep some flexibility around the outing.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

I would choose this tour over a large boat if you care about the ride as much as the wildlife. The RIB gets across Faxaflói Bay quickly, carries only 12 people, and puts you close to the water. The strongest outings have included several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins, with guides such as Rebekah and Anika adding useful explanations.

I would skip it if you need a calm, stable platform or cannot handle a bouncy two-hour ride. I would also keep your expectations realistic: the crew can search well, but wild whales set the schedule.

For an active visitor with one free morning or afternoon in Reykjavik, the $164 price is justified by the small group, fast boat, included gear, and unusual waterfront views. Book it for the whole package, not just the promise of a whale.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

It begins at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, puffins, and other seabirds. Whale sightings are not guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.