From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

The best part of this Reykjavik speedboat whale watching tour is the mix of wildlife search and fast, open-water riding. You are not sitting on a large sightseeing ship. You are in a compact 12-seat RIB with suspension seats, close to the water and able to reach the islands where puffins nest.

I like two things in particular: the crew works hard to find wildlife without treating the animals like a stage show, and the trip includes both Faxaflói Bay and Reykjavik’s harbor sights. The chance to see dolphins close to the boat can be thrilling, even on a day when whales keep their distance.

The trade-off is a rough ride in wind and larger waves. The waterproof gear helps, but this is not a gentle cruise, and children under 10 cannot join.

Key things to know before you book

• A 12-seat RIB keeps the group small: The boat carries 12 passengers and uses suspension seats to soften the ride and improve comfort.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You might see humpback or minke whales, dolphins, seals, harbor porpoises, pilot whales, and many sea birds, but the animals are wild.
• Puffin islands are part of the route: The boat travels close to nesting areas in Faxaflói Bay during the season when puffins return to lay their single egg.
• The speed is part of the attraction: Fast runs and sharp turns make the boat ride an activity in its own right, though rough water can be tiring.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive a waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf. Wear warm clothes underneath.
• The old harbor meeting point is easy to reach: Ægisgarður 5G is about a five-minute walk from central Reykjavik.

A small boat with a very different feel

This is a whale watching trip for people who want more energy than a standard harbor cruise. The RIB is a rigid inflatable boat, built with an inflatable outer tube and a firm central hull. Its 12 suspension seats are designed to absorb some of the jolts as the boat moves over the bay.

That setup gives you a close-to-the-water view and a small group atmosphere. You are not looking over several rows of heads, and the guide can speak directly with everyone. The boat can also change position quickly when wildlife appears.

The same features that make the trip exciting create its main drawback. A RIB responds quickly to wind and waves, so the ride can become bumpy. One August trip had strong wind and rough water, while another outing in calmer conditions felt much easier. You cannot control the sea, but you can choose warm layers and avoid sandals or open-toed shoes.

The suspension seats help, but they do not turn this into a smooth ferry crossing. If you enjoy speed, turns, and a bit of spray, that is part of the fun. If you want a quiet, steady boat, a larger whale watching vessel may suit you better.

From Ægisgarður to Faxaflói Bay

You meet at Ægisgarður 5G, in Reykjavik’s old harbor, about five minutes on foot from the city center. Before boarding, you put on the supplied warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and life jacket. Your scarf is also provided, giving you one more useful layer against the wind.

The tour lasts two hours, so the time is used efficiently. There is no long road transfer to a distant port. You go from the harbor straight onto the water, which makes this a practical choice if you have only a short stay in Reykjavik or want to fit the trip around other city plans.

The opening stretch gives you a pleasant introduction to the capital from the sea. You pass the Harpa Concert Hall, with its geometric glass exterior, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront. These views are brief but worthwhile, especially if you have not yet seen Reykjavik from the bay.

Soon the city begins to feel smaller as the boat heads toward Faxaflói Bay. The guide provides information in English or Icelandic about the city, whales, and other wildlife. You can ask questions throughout the trip rather than waiting for a formal talk at one fixed stop.

Searching for whales in Faxaflói

Faxaflói Bay can hold up to 23 whale species, along with dolphins and seals. That number tells you about the variety of life that may pass through the area, not what you are guaranteed to see on a particular two-hour outing.

The crew searches for signs such as blows, backs, fins, and groups of birds. The boat may change direction as the guide and navigator work together to locate an animal and approach it carefully. This teamwork matters. A whale can surface for only a short time, and even a large animal can be surprisingly hard to spot across open water.

Humpback whales have been seen on this trip, including a feeding whale that surfaced to breathe. Minke whales have also appeared, though you may see only a curved back or a brief blow. That is normal whale watching. These are wild animals, not trained performers, and they do not follow a schedule.

The best possible encounter is not necessarily a dramatic leap. A humpback surfacing near the boat, or a clean blow followed by the slow rise of its back, can be a memorable sight. You need to keep watching and listen closely to the guide, since the next appearance may happen in a different direction.

Dolphins can provide a more active show. White-beaked dolphins have swum close to the boat, circling beneath it and moving in and out of the water. A large pod of dolphins has also followed the RIB for a while. If whales are quiet on your outing, dolphins may supply the quick movement and close views that many people hope for.

Past sightings have also included pilot whales, known locally as grind whales, and harbor porpoises. Seals and several kinds of sea birds are possible as well. The point is not to collect a fixed checklist. It is to watch a living bay and let the guide explain what appears.

Puffins and the nesting islands

The boat also heads close to islands where puffins nest and lay their single egg. This part gives the trip a different rhythm. Whales can be distant and hard to predict, while puffins may be seen flying low over the water, swimming, or gathering around cliffs and beaches.

You may see birds in the air and on the nesting areas. One especially strong sighting included many puffins flying and swimming near the boat, with more birds on the cliff and beach. The RIB’s low profile helps you view the birds from near water level, though you should still bring realistic expectations about distance and weather.

Puffins return to land to breed, so sightings depend on the season. The provided information does not set a specific puffin date range, but the tour is built around visiting their nesting areas when they are present. Ask the guide what you are seeing and how the birds use the islands.

This stop adds welcome variety to the whale search. You are not spending the whole trip staring at a blank patch of sea. Even so, bird activity can change quickly, and a windy day may make it harder to keep your eyes on small birds.

What the ride feels like in real conditions

The speedboat ride is not just transportation to the wildlife area. The RIB can move quickly over the waves, and the fast sections and turns are a major part of the experience. Several outings have described the ride as exhilarating, while also warning that it can be bumpy.

Your comfort will depend heavily on the wind and wave direction. One calm, overcast trip with light drizzle remained comfortable in the supplied gear. On a very windy day, the ride was rough enough to deserve a clear warning. Iceland’s weather can change, so do not judge the trip only by conditions at breakfast.

Wear warm layers beneath the waterproof overall. Choose sturdy closed shoes, since sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. The goggles are useful when spray and wind pick up, and the gloves add protection during the faster parts of the ride.

The supplied life jacket is part of the safety setup. The details describe life jackets as available for rent, while the tour also includes life jacket use, so confirm the local arrangement when booking if that matters to you. The crew is described as serious about safety and attentive with equipment, which is important on a small boat moving at speed.

This is not an ideal choice if you are nervous about fast boats, dislike bumpy motion, or want to stay dry without much effort. It can suit an active family with older children, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants the ride itself to be a highlight. Children under 10 are not accepted.

A closer look at the guide service

The guide handles more than animal identification. You receive information about whales, other wildlife, and Reykjavik, with time to ask questions as the boat moves around the bay.

The guide and navigator need to coordinate closely. On one outing, they worked as a team to first spot and then follow a feeding humpback. That is the kind of behind-the-scenes effort you want from a small wildlife tour, since finding a whale in open water takes patience and quick decisions.

The company, Katla Whale Watching, has also been praised for friendly and personal service. Earlier trips were run by a father and son team, and the small-company feel has been part of the appeal. The current information confirms English and Icelandic guidance, but it does not provide the names of the current guides, so do not book expecting a named host.

The overall approach is respectful of the animals. The boat aims to get a good view without turning the encounter into a chase. Still, wildlife behavior and sea conditions always set the limits.

Is $192 a fair price?

At $192 per person, this is a premium whale watching option in Reykjavik. You are paying for a two-hour trip, a small 12-seat boat, suspension seating, warm protective gear, and live guidance rather than simply paying for a basic harbor outing.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your priority is the greatest possible comfort, a larger boat may offer more space and a steadier ride. If you want a fast boat, a small group, direct access to the guide, and the chance to get close to dolphins and puffin islands, the price becomes easier to justify.

You should also count the harbor location as a practical advantage. There is no separate transfer from Reykjavik, and the activity takes only two hours. That leaves time for museums, food, or other city sights.

The price does not buy a guaranteed whale sighting. It buys the search, the boat experience, the guide’s work, and the possibility of seeing whales in their natural setting. For some people, a pod of dolphins or a close humpback makes the cost worthwhile. For others, the uncertainty will feel too high.

Planning the day wisely

This tour works best when you keep the rest of your schedule flexible. The bay is exposed to changing weather, and you will enjoy the ride more if you are not rushing straight into another fixed appointment.

Check the available departure times when booking. The tour runs for two hours, but the supplied information does not list fixed daily start times. Arrive ready to walk from central Reykjavik to Ægisgarður 5G and allow time to put on the safety gear before departure.

Dress for the sea, not the harbor. A mild temperature beside the buildings can feel very different once the RIB is moving. Wear warm clothing under the waterproof overall, closed shoes, and layers you can manage comfortably.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when Iceland’s weather forecast is still uncertain.

Who should choose this RIB tour?

I would point this trip toward you if you want three experiences in one: Reykjavik from the water, a genuine wildlife search, and a fast ride across the bay. It suits people who like outdoor activity and do not need every moment to be calm or predictable.

It is especially appealing if you are hoping to see dolphins. The dolphins have sometimes come close, followed the boat, and moved around it in groups. You may also see humpback whales, minke whales, puffins, seals, porpoises, pilot whales, and other sea birds.

I would think twice if you are looking for a guaranteed whale encounter, a gentle cruise, or a boat with lots of room to move around. You also need to be at least 10 years old, wear proper footwear, and accept that Icelandic weather can change the feel of the trip.

Should you book the Reykjavik speedboat whale watching tour?

Book it if the RIB ride matters almost as much as the wildlife. The small 12-seat boat, suspension seats, harbor views, puffin islands, and chance of close dolphins give the tour a clear personality. It is more active than a standard whale cruise and can deliver a memorable encounter with a humpback or a lively pod.

Skip it if rough water worries you or if a whale sighting is essential to your plans. No operator can control the bay, and even a well-run trip may produce only distant blows or backs.

For an active two-hour outing from central Reykjavik, this is a strong choice. Go dressed for cold weather, keep your eyes moving, and treat every whale, dolphin, puffin, or sea bird as a welcome wild moment rather than a promised performance.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching speedboat tour leave from?

The meeting point is Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s old harbor, about a five-minute walk from the city center.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts two hours.

How many people can the boat carry?

The RIB has 12 suspension seats and carries up to 12 passengers.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include up to 23 whale species, dolphins, seals, puffins, harbor porpoises, pilot whales, and other sea birds.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Whales are wild animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Are puffins part of the tour?

Yes. The boat travels close to islands in Faxaflói Bay where puffins nest and lay their single egg.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

You receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and your own scarf. You should still wear warm clothing underneath.

What shoes can I wear?

Sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed. Wear closed shoes.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 are not permitted.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guidance is available in English and Icelandic.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.