2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Fast boats make whale watching more exciting. This two-hour trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour uses a 12-meter RIB boat to reach Faxaflói Bay’s feeding grounds quickly, with a maximum of 12 people aboard. I like the small group and the excellent cold-weather gear, including thermal overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests.

I also like that the boat has suspension seats, a welcome touch on a ride that can get rough. The main drawback is clear: this is not a gentle harbor cruise. The RIB can bounce hard in choppy water, so anyone with back or joint trouble, or anyone who dislikes fast boat rides, should think twice.

The wildlife is never guaranteed, but this tour gives you a strong chance to see humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. If nothing appears, Special Tours provides a complimentary chance to try again on a Classic or Express whale-watching trip.

Key points to know before booking

• A small 12-person boat reaches the feeding grounds quickly, giving you more time near the wildlife instead of spending the whole tour getting there.
• The suspension seats matter, especially on a fast ride across open water, though they cannot remove every jolt in rough seas.
• Akurey puffin island is included in summer, but puffins can be difficult to see from the boat and the stop is brief.
• The full cold-weather kit is supplied, including warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests.
• Whale sightings are not promised, but you receive a free return option if the trip produces no sightings.
• This suits active adults and older children, but it is not recommended for children under 10 or under 145 centimeters.

Leaving Reykjavik from the Old Harbour

Your tour begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is not wasted. You need to check in, find the changing area, put on the supplied gear, and hear the safety information before boarding.

If you pay for hotel pickup, a bus brings you to the harbor and later returns you to your hotel. Without pickup, you make your own way to the meeting point. The harbor is near public transportation, but allow time to find the right building. One useful practical detail from the experience is that the changing area may not be immediately obvious, and signage to the correct hut could be clearer.

The tour operates in English. The boat carries no more than 12 people, which gives the guide room to speak with you and helps everyone get a reasonable view. That small capacity is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip instead of a larger whale-watching vessel.

Getting suited up for Faxaflói Bay

The crew supplies warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and a life vest. Wear warm clothes underneath and choose sturdy shoes. Iceland’s air can feel cold even when the weather looks harmless from shore, and the boat’s speed creates a strong wind.

The guide gives a safety briefing before you board the 12-meter custom-built RIB. The boat has shock-absorbing suspension seats, designed to soften the ride and make the trip more stable. That is a real comfort feature, not just a bit of marketing language. Several people found the seats surprisingly comfortable during a long period of whale watching.

Still, you should understand the ride. The boat can travel close to 30 knots, and open-water conditions can turn the trip into something like a roller coaster. Some people consider the bouncy ride the best part. Others find it too intense, especially when swells build. The boat may be safe and well equipped, but safety gear does not make rough water smooth.

The ride out, with Esja in view

Once you leave the Old Harbour, the RIB heads across Faxaflói Bay. The ride itself is part of the attraction. You get wide views of the water and the Reykjavik coast, with Mount Esja often providing the dramatic backdrop.

This first section shows why the RIB costs more than a standard whale-watching boat. The boat gets across the bay quickly and can cover more water in the search for wildlife. A larger, slower vessel may offer a calmer ride, but the RIB gives the guide more flexibility when animals are spotted in another part of the bay.

The tradeoff is comfort. In calm conditions, the speed can feel exhilarating without being too punishing. In rough conditions, the same speed can jar your body. One person reported serious back pain after a hard landing on the seat, while another older passenger in her 80s enjoyed the ride. That contrast tells you what matters most: your own back, balance, and tolerance for motion.

If you have a bad back, heart condition, joint problems, or limited mobility, ask yourself whether a fast, bouncy open-water trip is sensible. The tour also requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and stepping into the RIB may be difficult for some people.

Searching for whales in the feeding grounds

The main goal is the whale search. The guide watches the water, studies animal behavior, and works with the captain to position the boat without breaking the rules of responsible wildlife viewing.

The usual target species are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Humpbacks provide the most memorable moments when they surface repeatedly, lift their flukes, or travel with a calf. Minke whales are smaller and can appear only briefly, so you need to keep your eyes on the water and listen closely to the guide.

Dolphins can make the trip especially lively. They may travel near the boat or appear in large pods, and their movement is often easier to follow than a single whale surfacing at random. Harbour porpoises are also possible, though they can be harder to spot.

You may see only a few quick glimpses. That is not a failure of the crew. Wild animals decide the schedule, not the boat. Some trips produce several humpbacks and dolphins, including a mother and calf. Others produce one minke whale or no whales at all. The viewing conditions can change from one departure to the next.

The small RIB improves your odds because it reaches distant areas quickly. It also lets you spend more time near an active animal once the guide locates it. Just keep your expectations in check. You are going to look for whales, not visit a marine park where a sighting is guaranteed.

Why the guides and captain matter

This tour depends heavily on the crew. The captain has to read the water, handle the fast boat, and approach wildlife carefully. The guide has to spot distant blows, explain the animals, and help you know where to look.

Several crew members receive strong praise for making the trip special. Captain Yoda is singled out for smooth, skilled boat handling, while guides Blanca and Jonathan are praised for friendly explanations and sharp wildlife spotting. One guide reportedly spoke several languages, a useful touch for an international group.

The best guides also explain the birds and animals you see along the way, not just the whales. You may learn how to recognize puffins running across the water, identify sea birds, or understand why dolphins and humpbacks often appear in the same area.

There is one less positive point to keep in mind. One person found the crew rude and felt the safety briefing was inadequate. That experience does not match the many comments about helpful and careful staff, but it is a reminder to pay close attention before departure. If the instructions are unclear, ask questions before the boat leaves the dock.

Akurey and the summer puffin stop

During the summer nesting season, the boat makes a stop near Akurey, one of Reykjavik’s well-known puffin islands. This adds a second wildlife experience to the trip and gives you something to watch even if whale sightings are limited.

Puffins are small, and the boat does not necessarily get close enough for a perfect photograph. Bring binoculars if you have them, though they are not listed as supplied equipment. You may see many birds, but the distance can make details hard to pick out.

The stop is best viewed as a bonus, not the main reason to book. It is especially nice for families and bird lovers, and the puffins can be entertaining as they move across the water. But if you are expecting a close-up puffin encounter, you may find the viewing brief.

Returning along the Reykjavik coast

After the search and the puffin stop, the RIB heads back toward the Old Harbour. The return route gives you another look at the Reykjavik coastline and a chance to take photographs.

By this point, you may be cold, wet around the edges, or pleasantly tired from the ride. Keep your goggles on when the wind picks up, and protect your camera. The supplied overalls and gloves help, but they do not replace warm clothing underneath.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. If you selected hotel transfer, a bus waits at the harbor for the ride back. Without that option, you can continue exploring the Old Harbour and central Reykjavik on your own.

Is $189.87 a fair price?

At $189.87 per person, this is a premium whale-watching trip. You are paying for the RIB, the small group, the speed, the suspension seats, the safety equipment, and the chance to get closer to wildlife than you might on a large boat.

The value is strongest if you care about the ride as much as the animals. Even on a trip with limited sightings, the fast journey across Faxaflói Bay and the summer puffin stop provide a worthwhile outing. Several people considered the boat ride itself memorable, even when whales were scarce.

The price is harder to justify if your only goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No operator can promise that in the open sea, and this tour is not cheap. A standard whale-watching trip may suit you better if you prefer a steadier ride and want to spend less.

The complimentary return option improves the value. If you see no wildlife, you can try again on a Classic or Express tour at no extra charge. If you see one quick whale but hoped for more, the policy may not apply in the same way, so check the terms with the operator before assuming a second trip is included.

Who should book this RIB tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active experience, enjoy speed, and like the idea of a small group. It is a good fit for adults, older children who meet the height and age requirements, couples, and families who want something more exciting than a slow sightseeing cruise.

It is also a smart choice if your Reykjavik schedule is tight. The tour lasts about two hours, and the RIB can reach the feeding grounds quickly. You still get open-water scenery, wildlife searching, a summer puffin stop, and a coastal return without giving up half a day.

I would choose another type of boat if you are prone to seasickness, have back or joint concerns, or want a quiet ride. The crew provides good protection from wind and cold, but it cannot control the waves. This is an adventure ride first and a relaxed cruise second.

Book as early as you can if your dates are fixed. The tour is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging about 49 days in advance. Also leave a little flexibility in your Iceland schedule. Bad weather can cancel departures, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best chance of reaching whales quickly and you see the fast RIB ride as part of the fun. The small group, strong equipment, suspension seats, and capable guides give it real advantages, especially when humpbacks or dolphins are active in the bay.

Skip it if comfort matters more than speed. A rough sea can turn the two-hour trip into a hard physical workout, and wildlife remains unpredictable. For the right person, though, following a humpback for an hour, watching dolphins near the boat, or seeing a mother and calf surface in Faxaflói Bay can make this one of Reykjavik’s most memorable outings.

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale-watching tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the base experience. It can be added for an extra fee.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides warm overalls, life vests, gloves, goggles, and access to the boat’s suspension seats.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. During the summer nesting season, the tour also visits Akurey, a puffin island.

Can children join the tour?

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old or children under 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.