Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

A fast RIB boat gets you into Faxaflói Bay quickly, then puts you low on the water with a better angle on whales, dolphins, and puffins. I like the small-boat feel and the suspension seats, which take some sting out of the ride. I also like that the ticket includes the Whales of Iceland Museum, a useful indoor follow-up.

The tradeoff is simple: this is not a calm sightseeing cruise. The boat can bounce, spray can reach you, and wildlife never follows a timetable. You must be at least 140 centimeters tall and 10 years old, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

At a Glance: What Makes This RIB Trip Different

• Fast access to Faxaflói Bay: The boat reaches a cruising speed of about 32 knots, giving you more time in the feeding grounds during the two-hour outing.
• Suspension seating: Each seat is designed to soften the bumps, though the ride still feels active and can resemble a small rollercoaster.
• Summer puffin stop: The boat visits Akurey island during the breeding season, when puffins gather near their nesting grounds.
• Small-group wildlife viewing: A RIB can turn and reposition more quickly than a large whale-watching ship.
• Warm protective gear included: You receive flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles, but extra layers remain a good idea.
• Museum entry included: Your ticket also covers the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district.

Leaving Reykjavik Marina for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at the operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, near Reykjavik’s harbor. There is no hotel pickup, so plan to reach the marina on your own and allow enough time to check in and get suited up.

The crew provides warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles. The flotation suit is more than a safety item. Out on the bay, wind and spray can make the air feel much colder than it does on shore. I would still wear warm layers underneath, as the suit does not turn an Icelandic sea crossing into a mild afternoon.

The boat uses shock suspension seats with a handle in front of you. This matters. A rigid inflatable boat moves with the waves, and passengers sit close to the water, so the ride is more physical than on a large enclosed vessel. The seats help absorb the sharper impacts, but you should still expect bouncing and spray.

Once clear of the harbor, the captain opens the throttle. At around 32 knots, the ride itself becomes part of the outing. You get broad views of Reykjavik’s coast, and the fast run out to the feeding grounds leaves more of the two-hour tour for searching in the bay.

Why a RIB Can Improve Whale Watching

Large whale-watching ships offer more room and a steadier ride. A RIB gives you a different advantage: it is low, quick, and easy to maneuver. The captain can react when the guide spots a blow, a flock of seabirds, or a pod of dolphins in the distance.

That does not guarantee better sightings. It does give the group a strong chance to get into position without waiting for a large vessel to turn. Several trips have included minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. One outing reached a group of about 15 dolphins quickly enough for the boat to travel alongside them.

The small format also helps with sight lines. You are not looking over several rows of passengers or competing with a large crowd for a place at the rail. The boat carries a smaller group, though the exact number can vary. One particularly quiet trip had only six people aboard.

The downside is comfort. The RIB is faster and more exposed, so it is not the best choice if you want a quiet, sheltered cruise. One rider described the motion as a fast, bumpy ride, while another compared it to a rollercoaster combined with nature. That is a fair way to picture it.

Searching the Whale Feeding Grounds

Faxaflói Bay is the main wildlife portion of the tour. Your guide explains the whales and other marine life while the captain searches for activity. The guide watches for signs such as seabirds, splashes, blows, and movement on the surface.

Sightings vary. You might see a minke whale at a distance, then lose it after a few breaths. You might also get a longer encounter. One group watched a humpback feed for about an hour, while another saw a young minke whale circle the boat for roughly 15 minutes.

Humpback whales can be especially dramatic. Sightings have included several humpbacks together, a mother and calf, tail slaps, flipper slaps, and even a full breach. Those moments are never promised, so you should treat them as good fortune rather than part of the standard schedule.

Minke whales are smaller and often harder to spot. You may see only a back or a blow before the animal disappears. That can feel underwhelming if you arrive expecting a close view of a giant whale, but it is still a real encounter with a wild animal in its own setting.

Dolphins can make the day even if the whales keep their distance. White-beaked dolphins have been seen leaping, swimming against the boat, and staying with it for several minutes. Porpoises are also possible. The wildlife list is not fixed, and that uncertainty is part of the bargain.

The crew cannot control the animals or the weather. On some trips, it takes a long time to find a whale. On others, the group sees dolphins and only brief glimpses of a minke or humpback. I appreciate that this tour is best approached as a search for marine life, not as a guaranteed whale performance.

Akurey Island and Summer Puffins

During the summer breeding season, the boat stops near Akurey island to look for puffins. You may see birds flying close to the boat, hunting, or gathering around nests along the coast. Puffin chicks, sometimes called pufflings, have also been spotted.

This stop adds variety to the trip. Instead of spending the full two hours scanning open water, you get a closer look at one of Iceland’s best-known seabirds. The island itself is viewed from the boat, not visited on foot.

The length of the stop can vary. One person wished for more time near the puffins, so do not expect a long bird-watching session. The boat may need to balance the island visit with the search for whales and dolphins.

The puffin stop is seasonal. If you take the tour outside the summer breeding period, this part is not available. Spring and early summer trips can still produce wildlife sightings, but the island visit is specifically tied to the season.

The Guides and What They Add

The guide is not simply there to point at a fin. The best part of the commentary is the connection between what you see and the bay around you. Guides have explained whale behavior, local marine species, seabirds, and the area’s wildlife.

Several guides have been singled out for their energy and clear explanations, including Rebekka, Rebecca, Patrik, Daniel, Alice, Joel, Eva, and Ivan. The guide names can vary by departure, but the pattern is consistent: you get a live English-language guide rather than a recorded narration.

That personal approach matters on a wildlife trip. If the boat is searching for a while, good commentary keeps the outing from becoming a silent wait. A guide may also spot a small movement before the rest of the group does, then help you understand what to watch for.

The crew also pays attention to passenger comfort and safety. Captains decide if the boat should sail based on weather and sea conditions. A departure can be rescheduled if conditions are poor. That is frustrating when you have a tight Iceland itinerary, but it is the right call for an exposed, high-speed boat.

What the $194 Price Really Buys You

At $194 per person, this is a premium Reykjavik activity. You are paying for a two-hour guided boat tour, a fast RIB, safety gear, and entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum. The price is harder to justify if you want the cheapest possible way to get on the bay.

The value improves if you care about the boat itself. The RIB reaches the feeding grounds quickly and can reposition faster than a large ship. You also get a smaller setting and a more active ride, rather than a standard harbor cruise.

The museum ticket adds practical value, especially if weather changes your plans or the animals stay distant. It gives you a second way to learn about Atlantic whale species, migration, anatomy, and conservation. The museum is in the Grandi harbor district, so it fits naturally into a day around Reykjavik’s waterfront.

Still, do not judge the price by the number of whales you see. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and one trip may produce several humpbacks and dolphins while another produces only distant minke whales or no whales at all. You are buying access, expertise, speed, and a chance to see wild animals. You are not buying a show.

Staying Warm, Dry, and Comfortable

The operator supplies flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles. The goggles are useful because the RIB can throw spray, especially at speed. The protective suit also helps with wind and cold, but you should wear warm clothing beneath it.

A hat or extra thermal layer may be useful, though the provided gear is the main protection described for the trip. Keep your expectations realistic: even in good summer weather, the open bay can feel cold.

The suspension seats reduce the force of the ride, but they do not make it smooth in the way a large ship might be. If you have back problems, this tour is not suitable. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, children under 10, or anyone under 140 centimeters tall.

If you are prone to seasickness, the RIB may be easier for you than expected because of the suspension seats and the shorter two-hour duration. But the fast, bouncing motion can still be uncomfortable. I would choose this tour for someone who enjoys an active ride, not for someone seeking a quiet boat trip.

Best Time to Go

The experience operates in changing Icelandic weather, and the captain decides if conditions are safe and comfortable enough to sail. The season also affects the wildlife mix. Summer adds the Akurey puffin stop, while other months may focus more heavily on whales, dolphins, and seabirds.

Sightings have been strong in spring, summer, and autumn. Trips in April and May have produced minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins. October outings have included several humpbacks and dolphins. But no month removes the basic uncertainty of wildlife watching.

Choose a time that leaves some flexibility in your schedule. The tour lasts two hours, but a weather-related change can affect your plans. The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help keep your itinerary flexible.

Pairing the Boat Trip With the Museum

The Whales of Iceland Museum is included and located in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. It is a useful companion to the boat trip because it lets you see the scale and variety of whale species in a controlled indoor setting.

The exhibits cover whale biology, migration, and conservation. That gives context to the animals you may see in the bay. After watching a whale surface for only a few seconds, a museum visit helps fill in the details that are impossible to absorb from a moving boat.

I would plan the museum for before or after the outing, depending on the opening schedule and your wider plans. It is especially worthwhile if the sea is rough or the wildlife is distant. The museum cannot replace seeing an animal in the wild, but it makes the $194 package feel more complete.

Who Should Book This Reykjavik Whale Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want wildlife plus speed, not just a boat ride. It suits active adults, older children who meet the height and age limits, and anyone who likes small-group outings with a bit of adrenaline.

It is also a good fit if you have already taken a large-ship whale tour and want a different angle. The RIB sits lower, moves faster, and can react quickly to sightings. The tradeoff is less shelter and a bumpier ride.

You should think twice if you have back problems, dislike speed, are pregnant, or want a guaranteed whale sighting. You should also leave room in your schedule for weather changes and accept that a successful trip might feature dolphins or puffins instead of humpbacks.

Final Verdict: A Strong Pick for Active Wildlife Fans

Book this RIB tour if the thought of racing across Faxaflói Bay sounds as appealing as seeing a whale. The suspension seats, protective gear, small boat, fast cruising speed, summer puffin stop, and museum entry give you more than a basic wildlife cruise.

I would not book it solely because you expect a close humpback encounter. Nature may offer a minke whale, dolphins, puffins, or only brief sightings. But if you value the search, the open-water setting, and a guide who can turn quiet moments into useful wildlife lessons, this is a well-rounded Reykjavik choice at a premium price.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the puffin island stop available all year?

No. The visit near Akurey island’s puffin nesting grounds is available during the summer breeding season.

What equipment is provided?

The tour includes warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles.

Who cannot take this tour?

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