Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

A RIB boat gives you a very different whale-watching outing from a large ship. You sit low over the water, ride at up to 32 knots, and can move quickly when a guide spots feeding birds or a whale blow. The suspension seats soften the jolts, but this is still an active ride, not a quiet cruise.

I like the small-boat feel and the way the trip leaves plenty of time in Faxaflói Bay rather than simply racing out and back. I also like the useful extras: warm flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum. The main drawback is simple: wild animals set the schedule, so you may see dolphins and puffins but no whale, or only a distant minke.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours from central Reykjavik: Meet at the Special Tours Iceland ticket office at Ægisgarður 5E in the harbor district.
• A fast, spring-supported ride: The RIB reaches about 32 knots, with individual shock-absorbing seats and handles.
• Common sightings: Minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and puffins have all appeared on trips.
• Summer adds Akurey: The boat stops near the puffin nesting island during the breeding season.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles, but extra layers still make sense.
• Not for everyone: Children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, and anyone under 140 centimeters cannot join.

Why a RIB changes whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói Bay is the broad stretch of water outside Reykjavik, framed by the city’s coast and the wider Icelandic shoreline. Its feeding grounds attract several marine species, but there is no fixed route to a whale. The captain and guide follow signs of activity, such as feeding birds, splashes, fins, and blows.

The RIB matters because it is quick and easy to maneuver. At a comfortable cruising speed of about 32 knots, the boat can cover ground faster than a larger vessel. That gives your guide a better chance of reaching a whale or dolphin pod while it is still nearby.

You also sit much closer to the water. On a big whale-watching ship, you may have more room to walk around and shelter indoors, but the animal can feel far away. On this boat, a minke surfacing beside the RIB feels immediate. You may see a tail slap, flipper slap, or blow at eye level.

That closeness comes with tradeoffs. The ride can bounce, particularly when the sea is unsettled. One person described it as a small rollercoaster, while another found the speed less comfortable than expected. The shock-supported seats help, but they do not turn the trip into a smooth ferry crossing.

From Ægisgarður 5E to open water

You meet at the operator’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5E, 101 Reykjavik, in the harbor area. There is no hotel pickup, so leave time to reach the meeting point on foot or by local transport.

The first part of the outing combines harbor views with a fast run toward Faxaflói Bay. You will be fitted with warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles before boarding. The goggles are worth using because the RIB can throw spray over the bow, even on a pleasant day.

The supplied suit is an important part of the experience, not a minor extra. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and open water feels colder than the city. Still, wear warm layers underneath. A May trip, for example, can feel cold at sea even when Reykjavik seems comfortable, and one recent passenger specifically recommended extra clothing under the overalls.

The seating uses individual shock suspension. You sit astride a saddle-style seat with a handle in front, rather than on a flat bench. This setup lets you absorb movement with your legs and gives you something solid to hold during the faster sections.

Searching the feeding grounds for whales

Once the boat reaches the bay, the pace changes. The captain slows or stops while the guide watches the water and scans the activity around the boat. Your guide explains the species you might see, how whales feed, and why bird activity can point toward fish below.

Sightings vary sharply. Some outings have produced several humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins. One trip included roughly eight separate minke sightings, two resting humpbacks, and a dolphin pod that stayed near the boat for about ten minutes. Another group saw a mother and young humpback, a rare and memorable sight.

You should not treat those best-case sightings as a promise. On another trip, the boat took a long time to find a whale. A different outing produced only brief views of distant minke whales, while one group saw no whales at all but still enjoyed the dolphins and ride.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain with wildlife. The tour does not use captive animals or a fixed performance. You are searching a real bay, and the captain decides how to operate based on weather, sea conditions, passenger comfort, and safety.

The most rewarding moments often come from patience. A whale may surface once and vanish, then return several minutes later. One group spent about an hour watching a feeding humpback. Another saw a curious young minke circle the boat for 15 minutes. Those encounters are far more meaningful than ticking a species off a list, but they cannot be scheduled.

Minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises

Minke whales are among the sightings most often described on this outing. They are smaller than humpbacks and may surface quickly, so you need to keep your eyes on the water. A minke might show only its back and blow before disappearing.

Humpback whales create the bigger visual moments. Their size is hard to grasp from a distance, which is one reason the Whales of Iceland Museum works well after the trip. In the bay, you might see a blow, rolling back, tail, or feeding action. Breaching is possible but not routine. One group saw a humpback breach twice, an extraordinary stroke of luck.

Dolphins can be just as entertaining. White-beaked dolphins have appeared in pods, sometimes jumping beside the RIB or swimming against it. One outing reached a group of at least 15 dolphins after the guide spotted them in the distance. Porpoises have also been seen, though they are less showy and easier to miss.

Your guide’s role makes a real difference. Guides such as Rebecca, Joel, Patrik, Daniel, Alice, Eva, and others have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and enthusiasm for marine life. The quality of the trip is not only about spotting an animal. A guide who explains what you are seeing helps you understand the behavior rather than simply pointing toward a fin.

A summer stop near Akurey puffin island

During the summer breeding season, the RIB stops near Akurey, one of the puffin nesting islands outside Reykjavik. You can look for birds around the rocky coast and see the nesting grounds from the water.

Puffins are a good addition to the tour because they give you something to watch while the crew searches for whales. You might see adults near the island, birds moving across the water, and, in the right season, pufflings. One group saw puffins hunting, while another found the island packed with birds close to the boat.

The stop is fairly brief. If puffins are your main reason for booking, set your expectations accordingly. One person loved the sighting but wished the boat had stayed longer. The island is best understood as a seasonal bonus, not the central purpose of the trip.

The birdlife also helps your guide read the bay. Concentrated seabirds can suggest fish activity, which may bring whales nearby. You will likely hear about other coastal birds as the boat moves around the island and bay.

Is the speed comfortable?

This is the practical question to ask before booking. The RIB is fun for people who like motion and open-air adventure. The boat moves quickly, bounces over waves, and can send spray toward the passengers. Several people compared the ride to a rollercoaster, while others found the suspension seats surprisingly comfortable and helpful with seasickness.

The boat is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 feet 6 inches, or 140 centimeters. Those rules reflect the motion and seating position rather than the wildlife itself.

If you are unsure about the ride, think about how you handle fast boats and uneven movement. You will need to hold the front handle and remain seated during the active sections. The crew provides protective gear and makes the final call about sailing based on weather and sea conditions.

Bad weather can cause a reschedule. That may disrupt your plans, but it is the correct call for an open-water trip. Keep some flexibility around this activity if you have a flight or a tightly packed day. One passenger appreciated that the crew kept the trip punctual before a flight, but that should not be taken as a guarantee for every departure.

The Whales of Iceland Museum after the boat

Your ticket includes a visit to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. This is a useful follow-up because it gives scale to animals that can be difficult to judge from the water.

The museum covers whale biology, migration, conservation, and Atlantic species. After seeing a humpback roll or a minke surface, you can use the exhibits to understand the animal’s size and life in a broader way.

I would treat the museum as part of the value of the ticket, especially if the weather shortens the boat outing or sightings are limited. It does not replace seeing wildlife in the bay, but it adds context that a two-hour trip cannot provide.

The museum also makes the package more practical for a mixed group. Someone who enjoys the boat may want more marine detail, while someone less keen on speed can still get something from the day. Meals and drinks are not included, so plan those separately around your harbor visit.

What the $194 price gets you

At $194 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales from Reykjavik. You are paying for the RIB, a two-hour guided outing, specialist cold-weather gear, a small-boat format, and museum admission.

The value depends on what you want. If your priority is comfort, indoor shelter, and a stable viewing platform, a larger whale-watching vessel may suit you better. If you want speed, low seating, a smaller group, and the ability to reach moving wildlife quickly, the RIB earns its higher price.

The small boat also gives you a better chance of seeing the guide’s chosen direction without a crowd around you. One outing had only six people, which made it easier to watch the water and move the boat toward sightings. Group size can vary, so do not assume every departure will be that small.

The price feels strongest when the day produces several species. A trip with whales, dolphins, puffins, warm gear, and museum entry is a full half-day-style experience even though the boat itself lasts two hours. It feels less satisfying if the sea is rough and the only clear sighting is a distant minke, though the wildlife risk is unavoidable.

Who should book this Reykjavik whale tour?

I would choose this tour if you like active excursions and want more excitement than a standard sightseeing cruise. It suits older children and adults who are comfortable with speed, spray, and a firm seat.

It is also a good choice for repeat whale-watchers. The RIB offers a different perspective from a large ship, with faster movement and a lower position on the water. Several people who had already taken big-boat whale tours found the smaller craft worth trying.

You should think twice if you have back trouble, dislike bouncing boats, or want a calm morning on the water. The gear keeps you warm and safer, but it does not remove the physical movement.

For the best chance of a satisfying outing, keep your schedule flexible, dress in layers, use the goggles, and watch for birds as well as whales. Go expecting a search, not a guaranteed show. That mindset will make a dolphin pod or a distant minke feel like a real discovery rather than a substitute prize.

Should you book it?

Book this RIB tour if you want close, fast, small-boat wildlife watching and can accept that nature may not cooperate. The strongest days can include humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins just outside Reykjavik, with an enthusiastic guide adding useful detail.

Choose another boat style if comfort matters more than speed, or if your group includes anyone excluded by the safety rules. For everyone else, the combination of a two-hour search, supplied thermal gear, summer puffin viewing, and Whales of Iceland Museum entry makes the $194 easier to justify, especially when you value the ride itself as much as the sightings.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour meet?

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5E, 101 Reykjavik, in the harbor area of Reykjavik.

How long does the RIB boat tour last?

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

What animals might I see?

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

Are puffins included on every departure?

The puffin nesting grounds near Akurey are visited during the summer months and breeding season. They are not a year-round feature of the trip.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

The tour provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. Extra warm layers underneath the overalls are still recommended because it can feel cold at sea.

Is the RIB tour suitable for children?

Children under 10 years old cannot join this activity. Anyone under 140 centimeters is also excluded.

Is the boat suitable for people with back problems or pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems because of the boat’s movement and seating.

Is museum entry included?

Yes. Your tour includes a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district.