Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

The best part of this tour is the boat itself. Instead of sitting high on a large whale-watching ship, you ride low in a rigid inflatable boat that can reach 32 knots and turn quickly when the guide spots feeding birds, dolphins, or whales. The sea ride feels part wildlife trip, part gentle rollercoaster.

I like the small-boat setting, which gives you a better view of the water and makes it easier for the captain to respond to sightings. I also like the practical gear: warm flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and suspension seats make a cold, brisk ride much more manageable. The main drawback is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule, and some departures see only distant whales or dolphins.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast RIB ride: Cruise at up to 32 knots across Faxaflói Bay, with shock-suspension seats to soften the bumps.
• Wildlife in the open sea: Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds.
• Summer puffin stop: The boat visits Akurey island during the breeding season to see puffin nesting areas.
• Warm gear included: You receive flotation overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles, but extra layers remain a good idea.
• Two-hour format: The tour packs a lot into a short outing from Reykjavik’s harbor area.
• Museum ticket included: Visit the Whales of Iceland Museum in Grandi after the boat trip.

Why the RIB changes the whale-watching experience

A large whale-watching ship gives you more room to walk around, but a RIB gives you a closer-to-the-water view. You sit in individual shock-absorbing seats, usually holding a handle in front of you. The arrangement feels secure, though the ride can still bounce when the sea gets rough.

The boat reaches a cruising speed of 32 knots, so getting out toward Faxaflói Bay is part of the fun. You will feel wind, spray, and the sharp chill of Icelandic water. The supplied goggles are not just a novelty. They help when the boat is moving quickly and spray blows across the passengers.

I would describe the ride as exciting rather than restful. Some people compare it to a rollercoaster, while others find the motion tiring or too sporty. The suspension seating helps, but it does not turn the RIB into a smooth glass-bottom boat. If you dislike speed, sudden turns, or a bumpy sea, a larger vessel may suit you better.

The smaller boat also helps with wildlife viewing. You are closer to the waterline, and there are fewer people competing for the best view. The captain can react quickly when a whale surfaces or dolphins appear nearby. That advantage does not guarantee sightings, but it can make the search more active and personal.

Leaving Reykjavik for Faxaflói Bay

You meet the operator at the ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, in the 101 Reykjavik harbor area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the meeting point. Check the exact departure time when booking, since the tour runs at different times depending on availability.

Before boarding, you put on the warm flotation suit, life vest, gloves, and goggles. Wear warm clothing underneath. A suit protects you from much of the wind and spray, but the open-water air can still feel cold, even on a clear summer day.

The captain decides if the boat will sail based on weather, sea conditions, passenger comfort, and safety. This matters in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly. A postponement is frustrating if your schedule is tight, but it is the right call for a small, fast boat.

Once clear of the harbor, the captain increases speed. The ride itself gives you broad views back toward Reykjavik and the coastline. This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise, so you will not spend long periods slowly drifting past shore. Instead, you get a brisk run toward the bay and the feeding grounds.

Searching the feeding grounds for whales

The heart of the tour is the search across Faxaflói Bay. Your guide watches for signs of marine life and explains what you are seeing, from whale blows to seabird activity on the water. The search may take time. One departure found whales only after about an hour, while another saw dolphins quickly and later caught glimpses of a minke whale.

This is the part where expectations matter most. Whales are wild animals, not scheduled performers. You may see several species close to the boat, or you may get brief sightings at a distance. Some outings have included minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. Other outings have produced dolphins and puffins but no clear whale encounter.

The best sightings can be remarkable. A humpback may surface repeatedly while feeding, slap its tail or flippers, or appear beside a smaller whale. One reported outing included a mother and calf, while another saw a whale breach twice. Those moments are possible, but they are not something a responsible operator can promise.

The guide helps turn uncertain searching into a useful experience. Guides such as Rebecca, Joel, Patrik, Daniel, Alice, and Rebekka have been praised for their energy, humor, and clear explanations. The guide’s role is not just to point and shout whale. You learn about the animals, the bay, local birds, and the behavior that helps the crew find them.

The captain also matters. A RIB needs careful handling around wildlife and in changing sea conditions. The crew aims to get close enough for good viewing while keeping the boat safe for both passengers and animals. The speed is exciting, but the wildlife encounter should remain controlled rather than reckless.

Dolphins, minke whales, and the luck factor

Dolphins can be especially fun from a RIB because they may swim alongside the boat or cross in front of it. Some outings have included a pod staying near the boat for around ten minutes, jumping and swimming against the current created by the vessel. Those encounters can feel more active than watching a whale surface once in the distance.

Minke whales are another common possibility in the supplied trip accounts. They are smaller and often harder to spot than humpbacks, so you may see only a back, blow, or quick movement. One curious young minke reportedly circled the boat for more than 15 minutes, but that kind of close behavior is never guaranteed.

Humpback whales create the biggest visual moments when they appear. Their size, blows, and occasional tail displays are easy to appreciate from a low boat. Still, you should not book this trip solely for humpbacks. The bay may offer minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, or birds instead.

I appreciate that the better way to approach the trip is to treat every sighting as a bonus. The crew searches seriously, but the natural world sets the timetable. Even an outing without a strong whale sighting can still give you a fast sea ride, coastline views, puffins in summer, and a guide who explains the local wildlife.

Akurey island and the summer puffins

During the summer breeding season, the RIB stops near Akurey island to look for puffins and their nesting grounds. The island adds variety to the trip. You are not spending the full two hours scanning one stretch of water for a whale.

Puffins are small, quick, and often easier to appreciate when the boat is close to the nesting area. You might see birds along the coast, adults hunting, or young pufflings during the right part of the season. The boat does not stay for a long land visit, so think of this as a brief wildlife stop rather than a full bird-watching excursion.

That short stop is one of the tour’s strengths and one of its limits. It gives you another chance to see Icelandic wildlife if whales are scarce, but anyone hoping for a long puffin session may want a dedicated puffin tour. The visit is seasonal, so do not expect it outside the summer months.

The Whales of Iceland Museum after the boat trip

Your ticket includes entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district. The museum is a useful second act because it lets you see the scale and variety of whale species in a sheltered indoor setting.

Exhibits cover whale biology, migration, and conservation. After seeing a whale surface for a few seconds, it can be hard to grasp its full size. The museum’s displays help put that encounter into perspective and give you more time to learn about Atlantic whale species.

The museum ticket also adds value to the $194 price. A two-hour boat trip is weather-dependent and wildlife sightings are uncertain, but the museum gives you a separate activity that does not depend on sea conditions. You can visit after the tour in the Grandi harbor area, making the package more useful than a boat ride alone.

Is $194 a fair price?

At $194 per person, this is not a budget harbor outing. You are paying for the fast RIB, a smaller passenger group, specialist safety gear, a live English-speaking guide, and the included museum visit.

The value depends on what you want from whale watching. If you mainly want the cheapest possible chance to see a whale, a larger boat may offer a better price. If you care about maneuverability, a low viewpoint, a faster ride, and a more active outing, the RIB justifies more of the cost.

The museum ticket helps soften the risk of an ordinary wildlife day. You are still paying a premium for the boat style, so do not choose this tour if you want a calm, spacious cruise with plenty of indoor shelter. Choose it if the journey matters almost as much as the animals.

The free cancellation option up to 24 hours before departure is useful when Iceland’s weather is uncertain. You can also reserve now and pay later, which gives you more room to adjust a changing Iceland itinerary.

Who should choose this tour?

This tour suits adults and older children who enjoy speed, open water, and active wildlife watching. Children must be at least 10 years old, and passengers must be at least 140 centimeters tall. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

I would choose it for a couple, friends, or a small family group that wants something more lively than a standard boat cruise. It is also a good fit if your Reykjavik schedule is short. Two hours is enough to get out into the bay without giving up most of your day.

You should think twice if you are prone to motion sickness or strongly dislike bouncing. The suspension seats help, and one passenger who worried about seasickness found the ride easier than expected, but the boat still moves like a fast RIB. Extra layers are wise, even with the supplied overalls.

This trip is also a good choice for repeat whale watchers. The low seating, smaller boat, and quick handling create a different experience from a large ship. You may not see more animals, but you can experience the bay in a more direct way.

Practical tips for a better outing

• Wear warm layers beneath the flotation suit.
• Use the provided goggles when the RIB is moving fast.
• Expect spray and bouncing, not a calm cruise.
• Keep your expectations flexible because whale sightings are not guaranteed.
• Remember that puffin viewing at Akurey is a summer feature.
• Leave time to visit the Whales of Iceland Museum after the boat ride.
• Check the weather and departure status before setting out.
• Arrive at Aegisgardur 5E, since transportation from your hotel is not included.

The guide speaks English, and the human side of the trip is a major part of its appeal. Guides named Rebecca and Joel, among others, have been singled out for their enthusiasm and care, while captains have been praised for safe, responsive boat handling. A good guide can make a slow search feel engaging and can explain why a distant blow still matters.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

Book this tour if you want a high-energy wildlife outing with a small boat, fast ride, warm gear, and the chance to see whales, dolphins, and summer puffins close to Reykjavik. The included museum visit gives you a worthwhile indoor follow-up.

Skip it if you want a quiet, low-cost cruise or if a bumpy ride would spoil your day. The strongest reason to book is not a promise of a particular whale. It is the mix of speed, close water-level viewing, expert guiding, and genuine uncertainty that comes with meeting wild animals in Faxaflói Bay.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB whale-watching tour?

The boat tour lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

Where does the tour meet?

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

What wildlife might I see?

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

Does the tour visit puffin nesting grounds?

Yes, the RIB visits Akurey island to look for puffin nesting grounds during the summer breeding season.

Is the whale-watching tour available all year?

The tour is offered at different times depending on availability, but the puffin visit is specifically a summer feature. Sailing also depends on weather conditions.

What clothing and safety equipment are provided?

The tour provides warm flotation overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. You should still wear extra warm layers underneath.

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.

Is entry to the Whales of Iceland Museum included?

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