Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The best part of this two-hour RIB tour is the way it turns Reykjavik’s bright summer evening into an active ride across Faxaflói Bay. You speed out of the Old Harbour, check the islands for puffins, then search open water for humpback whales and dolphins before returning along the city shoreline.

I like the 12-person limit, which gives you more room to see over the sides and hear the English-speaking guide. I also like the timing: during Iceland’s summer, the evening light lasts well into the night, so you can fit this outing after a day around Reykjavik. The drawback is the ride itself. A fast inflatable boat can be cold and jarring, and this tour is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 10, or people with back, knee, or mobility problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin islands come first: You visit wind-beaten islands in Faxaflói Bay during puffin season, roughly May 15 through August 20.
• The RIB covers ground quickly: Its speed lets the captain search a wider area than a classic whale-watching boat.
• Only 12 people share each boat: That makes it easier to see wildlife and follow the guide’s comments.
• Summer evening light changes the mood: You can cruise during Reykjavik’s golden hours without giving up much daylight.
• Whale sightings are strong but never guaranteed: Summer sightings are reported on more than 95 percent of tours, and a no-whale outing brings a complimentary ticket for a larger boat.
• You need proper clothing: Warm overalls are supplied, but bring layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

Why this evening cruise works in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is an easy city to explore on foot, but the best view of it comes from the water. This tour gives you that view while sending you into the bay in search of wildlife. I like the efficient timing. You do not have to give up a full morning or afternoon, and the bright Icelandic summer night keeps the outing from feeling rushed.

The tour lasts two hours and leaves from the Old Harbour. That is a useful location if you are already exploring the waterfront, visiting Harpa Concert Hall, or eating nearby. You must arrive at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 at least 30 minutes before departure, so allow time to find the office and get dressed in the supplied overalls.

The evening departure also gives the trip a different feel from a standard daytime boat ride. The light can soften the water and outline the mountains and city buildings, while the low sun makes the return along the shoreline especially appealing. The exact amount of golden light depends on the date and conditions, but during Iceland’s summer, darkness is not much of a concern.

Leaving the Old Harbour by RIB

The first minutes are about preparation and speed. You meet the captain and wildlife guide, put on warm overalls, and receive the required safety equipment before boarding the rigid inflatable boat. The boat is small, stable, and built for speed, but it is still an open vessel, so expect wind and spray.

The RIB design matters here. A classic whale-watching boat offers more indoor space and a smoother ride, while this vessel can move quickly across a wide area. That helps the captain search for animals rather than staying close to one part of the bay. It also means the boat can approach suitable viewing areas without spending as much time in transit.

I would treat the first burst out of the harbour as part of the attraction. The boat’s power gives the outing energy right away. At the same time, it is not the best choice for anyone who needs a soft, steady ride. The operator specifically excludes people with back problems, knee problems, mobility impairments, and pregnant women. Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall.

Keep your clothing close to your body. Loose clothing is not allowed, and large bags or luggage cannot come aboard. Bring warm layers under the overalls, along with a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Several people have found the cold easy to underestimate, and you will enjoy the wildlife more if your hands and face stay warm.

Watching puffins around Faxaflói Bay

The captain loops around the small islands in the bay to look for puffins in their natural setting. This is one of the tour’s most appealing details because the bird stop is not simply a quick photo opportunity near the harbour. You are taken toward the islands where puffins gather during the nesting season.

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. If you book outside that window, you should not expect to see them. Even within the season, wildlife is never fully controlled, but the itinerary is designed to give you a chance to see them before the boat heads farther into the bay.

Puffins are small, quick, and easy to miss from a distance. The RIB’s limited capacity can help here because only 12 people are looking for them from the same boat. You should still bring patience. A puffin may appear as a small black-and-white shape on the water before the bright bill becomes clear.

This part also helps break up the trip. You are not asked to stare at open water for two hours hoping for a whale. The islands provide a nearer target early in the ride, then the search expands as the boat heads into deeper water.

Searching for whales and dolphins in open water

After the islands, the captain heads into the open water of Faxaflói Bay. The goal is to find whales, dolphins, and other marine life, with humpback whales among the most exciting possibilities. Sightings have included whales appearing on separate occasions, pods of dolphins, seals, and large groups of puffins.

The supplied summer figure is encouraging: whales are seen on more than 95 percent of tours during the season. Still, that is a long-term rate, not a promise for your particular departure. Wildlife moves, weather changes, and some sightings are distant or brief. I would book this for the chance to see marine life, not as a guaranteed close encounter.

The RIB gives you a useful advantage here. Its speed lets the captain cover more of the bay, and the smaller boat can offer a closer view when conditions allow. You may be able to watch a whale surface, follow a dolphin near the boat, or see a seal in the water. One summer outing included humpback whales and dolphins close enough to create a memorable show, while another included several separate whale appearances.

The boat’s small size also supports a quieter approach. One particularly appealing feature is the effort to avoid hounding the animals. You are not promised a private bay, but the experience is designed around respectful wildlife watching rather than a crowd of boats pressing in from every direction.

That balance matters. A fast boat is exciting, but the best wildlife tour is not simply the one that gets closest. The captain must read the animals and the sea. The information provided describes a tour where the animals are watched without being chased aggressively, which is an important point for anyone who cares about responsible encounters.

Your guide will explain what you are seeing and help you watch the water. Guides named Maria and Miquel have led departures, and the English-language commentary adds useful context while the captain handles the boat. The guide’s role is especially important on a small RIB, where you have no indoor viewing lounge or large display area to fall back on.

Returning beside Harpa and the Sun Voyager

The ride home is not dead time. The boat follows Reykjavik’s shoreline, giving you a different view of the city than you get from land. The Sun Voyager sculpture and the glassy Harpa Concert Hall are the main visual markers, with colorful fishing huts and waterfront restaurants filling in the scene.

I like this ending because it connects the wildlife outing back to Reykjavik. You begin among the harbour buildings, head into the bay, and return with the city ahead of you. The shoreline ride can be especially attractive in the evening light, when Harpa begins to glitter and the waterfront takes on a calmer look.

This final stretch also makes the tour useful for first-time visitors. You get a quick orientation to the Old Harbour and nearby attractions without adding another sightseeing commitment. If you have dinner plans, check the scheduled return time carefully, since you will need time to leave the boat, remove the overalls, and walk from the harbour.

What the $200 price really buys

At $200 per person, this is not the budget choice for whale watching in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small boat, a two-hour outing, a professional captain, a wildlife guide, warm overalls, and safety equipment. The main value comes from the 12-person capacity and the RIB’s ability to move quickly across the bay.

A larger boat may offer more shelter and a lower price, but it will not provide the same compact, fast-moving ride. If your priority is comfort, indoor space, and a gentler pace, the larger option may suit you better. If you want a more active trip and prefer a smaller group, the premium can make sense.

The no-whale backup improves the value. If your outing does not produce a whale sighting, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave. That does not solve every issue, since you may not have another free time slot in Reykjavik, but it does give you a second chance without paying again.

The tour has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 28 recorded bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the wildlife encounters, the guides, and the small-group setting. Several outings included humpback whales and dolphins, while another had hundreds of puffins before the birds left for the season. Those results show the tour can deliver a memorable ride, but they should be read as examples, not guarantees.

The evening timing and the weather tradeoff

I would choose this tour when your daytime schedule is full. You can spend the day visiting Reykjavik or taking another excursion, then head to the harbour for an evening on the water. In summer, the near-endless daylight makes this timing practical rather than merely scenic.

The tradeoff is weather exposure. Iceland’s summer can still feel cold at sea, and wind becomes more noticeable in an open RIB. Warm overalls are included, but they are not a complete substitute for your own layers. Hat and gloves are not optional extras for this outing.

The tour also depends on a minimum of two passengers. If that number is not reached, the operator offers a rescheduled departure or a full refund. That policy gives you protection, but a change could affect a tightly planned itinerary.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Iceland plans are still moving around, especially during a busy summer trip.

Who will enjoy this boat most

I would recommend this RIB tour to you if you want wildlife watching with some speed and motion. It suits people who enjoy being outside, prefer a small group, and want to use a summer evening efficiently. It is also a good match if seeing puffins matters to you and your visit falls between mid-May and August 20.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike cold wind, rough movement, or open boats. It is not available to children under 10, and the height minimum of 145 centimeters is important for older children who are small for their age. People with back or knee issues should choose a larger, steadier boat instead.

Bring only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and loose clothing is prohibited. Closed-toe shoes, warm layers, a hat, and gloves are the practical basics.

Should you book the Reykjavik evening RIB tour?

Book it if you want a fast, small-group wildlife outing and can handle cold conditions. The 12-person boat, evening light, puffin islands, and strong summer whale-sighting record make it a special use of two hours in Reykjavik.

Skip it if comfort is your first concern or if you have physical limitations that make a fast open boat uncomfortable. At $200, the price is fair only when you value the smaller group and lively ride. For the right person, the chance to see humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins in one short trip can justify the cost.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour leave from?

The tour departs from the ticket office at the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB tour lasts two hours.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, puffins, seals, and other wildlife in Faxaflói Bay. Humpback whales have been seen on the tour.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20.

How many people fit on each boat?

Each RIB carries a maximum of 12 people.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and safety equipment are provided.

Can I bring luggage or loose clothing?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and loose clothing is not permitted on the boat.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If you do not see any whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave.