Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

A RIB boat gives this whale tour a very different feel from a large sightseeing vessel. You race out from Reykjavik harbor at up to 32 knots, then slow down in Faxaflói Bay to search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. The low boat and small group make it easier to see the water, while the suspension seats soften the ride.

I like the quick, lively boat ride and the chance to reach feeding areas fast. I also like the included Whales of Iceland Museum ticket, which gives you a useful land-based look at the animals after the sea trip. The trade-off is simple: this is a fast, open-water ride, not a calm cruise, and sightings can never be promised.

Key points to know before booking

• The RIB reaches 32 knots, so the trip feels part wildlife search and part small roller coaster.
• Shock-absorbing seats make the ride easier, but you should still expect bumps and spray.
• Minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins have all been seen, though wildlife follows its own schedule.
• Akurey island is a summer stop for puffins and their nesting grounds.
• Warm flotation suits, gloves, life vests, and goggles are supplied, but extra layers still make sense.
• The Whales of Iceland Museum is included, adding context to the two-hour boat trip.

Racing from Reykjavik harbor into Faxaflói Bay

You meet the operator at the ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik, in the harbor area. There is no hotel pickup, so plan to reach the meeting point on your own and allow time to check in, change into the supplied gear, and receive the safety briefing.

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, built for speed and maneuverability. Unlike a large whale-watching ship, it sits low on the water and can turn more quickly when the crew spots birds or marine life. That makes the search feel active. You are not simply sitting on a deck waiting for the captain to reach a distant point.

At cruising speed, the trip across the bay can be thrilling. The boat throws spray, and the ride may bounce over waves. Several guests have described the motion as a roller coaster, while others found the suspension seats surprisingly comfortable. I would not book this expecting a smooth ferry ride. You will enjoy it most if you like a little motion and do not mind wind in your face.

The suspension seats are one of the boat’s best practical features. You sit astride a seat with a handle in front of you, rather than on a flat bench. This helps absorb some of the shock as the RIB moves over the water. It does not remove every bump, but it makes a real difference on a fast boat.

What the safety gear really means

The operator supplies warm overalls, flotation vests, gloves, and goggles. The overalls help protect you from cold air and sea spray, while the goggles are especially useful during the fast outward run. You should still wear warm layers underneath. One recent trip was comfortable on the surface but cold at sea, even with the supplied suit.

Your guide and captain decide if the boat will sail based on weather and sea conditions. That decision is made with passenger safety and comfort in mind. Bad weather can lead to a change of day, as happened to one party that went out successfully after rescheduling.

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone shorter than 140 centimeters, or 4 feet 6 inches. Those limits matter here because the ride is active and the seating position requires you to hold on. If you are prone to motion sickness or dislike fast boat rides, consider that carefully before paying.

Searching the whale feeding grounds

Once the boat reaches the open part of Faxaflói Bay, the pace changes. The captain searches for signs of activity, while the guide explains the animals and the bay. Feeding birds can help point the crew toward fish, which may in turn attract whales and dolphins.

The most common sightings reported on this trip include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. The size and behavior of the animals can vary greatly. A humpback might surface several times, slap its tail, or breach. A minke whale may appear only briefly before vanishing below the water.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. One outing produced several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins. Another found dolphins but no whales. A separate trip took time to locate a whale, then produced only distant glimpses. You should book this for the chance to see wild animals, not for a guaranteed checklist.

The small boat helps once the crew finds something. The guide can point out a surfacing animal without a crowd gathered around one rail. The captain can adjust position quickly, although the boat may still need to keep a respectful distance. The goal is to watch animals in their own environment, not force an encounter.

Past guides on the operation have included Rebecca, Rebekka, Patrick, Joel, Daniel, Alice, and Eva. The guide is an important part of the outing because the animals may appear for only a few seconds. A good guide helps you understand where to look, explains behavior, and fills the quiet stretches with facts about whales, birds, and the bay.

Guides have also helped make the trip feel personal. Rebecca has been praised for her energy, while Joel was noted for spotting unusual birds and explaining local wildlife. Patrick was described as funny as well as well informed. You should not assume a particular guide will lead your departure, but the team’s role is more than pointing at a fin. They shape how much you get from the time between sightings.

Akurey island and summer puffins

During the summer months, the RIB stops near Akurey island to look for puffins and their nesting grounds. This adds a second kind of wildlife encounter to the trip. Whales are the headline attraction, but puffins are often easier to spot because they gather around the island and water.

The timing matters. Puffins are seasonal visitors here, so you should not expect this part of the tour outside the summer period. In summer, you might see birds near their nests, pufflings, or puffins hunting around the boat. The stop can be brief, since the main outing is built around the bay and its whales.

One practical point: do not expect a long landing or a walk on the island. The experience is a boat-based look at the nesting grounds. If you want extended bird photography, the short stop may feel limited. If you simply want to add puffins to a whale trip without giving up much time in the bay, it is a useful bonus.

The birds also give the guide more to discuss. You get a broader picture of Faxaflói as a feeding area, not just a place where large whales happen to pass. That makes the summer trip especially appealing for anyone interested in seabirds as much as marine mammals.

The Whales of Iceland Museum after the boat

Your ticket includes entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. You can visit after the boat trip and see displays covering whale biology, migration, and conservation.

This is a smart pairing. At sea, you may see only a back, blow, fin, or tail before the animal disappears. At the museum, full-size models help you understand the scale of what you were watching. If a humpback surfaced near the RIB, seeing its size represented indoors can make that brief sighting easier to picture.

The museum also helps on a day when sightings are modest. You might see dolphins, puffins, or a distant minke whale but miss a close humpback encounter. The museum does not replace the wild experience, but it gives the $194 price more weight than a boat ride alone.

You should plan the museum visit separately after the two-hour tour rather than treating it as part of the time on the water. The activity includes the ticket, but it does not include meals or drinks.

Is the $194 price good value?

At $194 per person, this is not the budget choice for whale watching in Reykjavik. The price reflects the small RIB, the fast ride, the specialist safety clothing, the live English guide, and the museum entry.

I see the value mainly in the boat itself. If you have already taken a large-ship whale tour, the RIB gives you a different experience. It sits closer to the water, carries a smaller group, and can move quickly between possible sightings. Several outings have produced long encounters, including a humpback feeding for about an hour and a young minke whale circling the boat for roughly 15 minutes.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is a guaranteed close look at a humpback. Nature may offer dolphins and puffins instead, or you may spend a long time searching before seeing a whale at a distance. The crew can work hard and make good decisions, but no operator controls the animals.

The museum ticket improves the overall package, especially if you are interested in whale biology and conservation. The tour also includes equipment that you would otherwise need to rent or bring. For a short Iceland visit, the combination of speed, wildlife, and museum access can make sense. For a family seeking a low-cost activity, it may feel steep.

Who will enjoy this RIB tour most

I would choose this trip if you want an active wildlife outing rather than a quiet cruise. It suits adults and older children who can handle a fast, bumpy ride and who enjoy the possibility of seeing several kinds of animals.

It is also a good match for:

• People who have already taken a large boat whale tour and want a smaller, faster vessel
• Visitors with only a few hours available in Reykjavik
• Wildlife fans who want whales, dolphins, seabirds, and summer puffins in one outing
• Anyone who values a guide who can explain animal behavior as sightings happen
• Visitors who want a museum visit included for more context afterward

I would think twice if you have back trouble, are pregnant, are under 140 centimeters tall, or strongly dislike speed and open-water motion. The operator also does not accept children under 10. If a calm ride matters more than maneuverability, a larger vessel may suit you better.

Planning your two hours on the water

The stated duration is two hours, so expect the boat ride, wildlife search, and summer puffin stop to fit within that window. The exact balance depends on conditions and where animals are found. A whale may appear close to the harbor, or the captain may need time to search the feeding grounds.

Wear warm layers under the supplied overalls and keep your gloves on during the faster sections. The goggles are worth using, particularly if you sit where spray reaches you. The boat provides protection from the cold, but Icelandic weather can shift, and the bay is cooler than the harbor.

Bring realistic expectations. A successful trip might mean a humpback breaching beside the boat, a pod of dolphins swimming alongside for several minutes, or several minke whales appearing at different points. It might also mean puffins and dolphins but no close whale. Both outcomes are possible on a wild-animal tour.

The crew’s experience matters when conditions change. Captains can postpone or alter a departure if weather makes the ride unsafe or uncomfortable. Keep some flexibility in your Reykjavik schedule if this is a high-priority activity.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want speed, a small boat, and a real chance at varied wildlife rather than a guaranteed whale photograph. The shock-absorbing seats make the RIB more comfortable than its lively ride might suggest, and the supplied gear helps with Iceland’s cold sea air.

The strongest case for booking is the combination of a fast bay crossing, close-to-the-water viewing, summer puffins, an active guide, and the Whales of Iceland Museum afterward. The main caution is the cost and the physical nature of the ride. You are paying for access to a more maneuverable boat and a more exciting outing, not certainty.

At $194, I would reserve this for a special Reykjavik day, especially if you enjoy boats and wildlife. If you want a gentle cruise, have mobility or back concerns, or need a guaranteed sighting, choose another plan. If you can accept nature’s uncertainty and enjoy a bit of spray, this RIB tour can turn two hours in Faxaflói Bay into one of the most memorable parts of your Iceland visit.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

Where does the tour leave from?

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

What wildlife might I see?

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

Are puffins included all year?

The boat visits Akurey island and its puffin nesting grounds during the summer months. Puffins are seasonal, so this part of the experience is not available in the same way year-round.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

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

Who cannot take this RIB tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 140 centimeters, or 4 feet 6 inches, tall.