Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

Whales are only minutes from Reykjavik. This small-group RIB tour gives you a fast, lively way to reach Faxaflói Bay, with room for no more than 12 people and a guide who can focus on your questions. I like the close-to-the-water seating and the fact that warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear are supplied. I also like the chance to see minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins in one short outing.

The trade-off is the ride itself. A RIB speedboat can be wet, cold, and bumpy once it reaches open water, even with the supplied suit. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and two-hour tours can produce anything from an unforgettable show to a quiet trip across the bay.

Key points before you book

• A 12-seat RIB keeps the group small, so your guide can answer questions and help everyone get a clear view.
• The boat is fast and close to the water, making the ride more exciting and helping it reach sightings quickly.
• Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are included, but you should still bring a hat and dress warmly.
• Faxaflói Bay can produce a full wildlife mix, including humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins.
• The tour lasts about two hours, starting and ending at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður.
• Weather matters greatly, both for safety and comfort. Wind can lead to cancellation, and rough seas can make the boat very wet.

Leaving downtown Reykjavik for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2. This is a convenient downtown starting point, and the tour returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a hotel transfer or find your way back from another harbor.

The first part gives you a quick waterside look at Reykjavik. Harpa Concert Hall is easy to recognize, with its colorful glass facade inspired by Iceland’s basalt formations. From the water, the building looks particularly striking, especially beside the city’s low waterfront and open bay.

You also get views of the Sun Voyager sculpture. The boat’s position gives you a different angle from the usual harbor walk, and this short city segment helps you settle into the ride before heading farther out.

The group limit matters here. Twelve people is small enough that you are not packed shoulder to shoulder on a large sightseeing vessel. It also means the captain and guide can keep an eye on the group and respond to questions without shouting across several decks.

What the RIB ride feels like

This is not a gentle harbor cruise. You straddle your seat and hold on while the RIB moves quickly over the water. The speed is part of the appeal, since the boat can cover more ground than a larger vessel and reach a sighting without taking as long to reposition.

It is also the main comfort issue. On a calm day, the ride can feel exciting rather than harsh. On a windy day, the boat may slap across waves, and spray can reach your face, clothes, shoes, and hands. One particularly unhappy family found its footwear soaked and its outer clothing damp despite using the supplied suit.

That experience is not universal. Another party reported staying warm and dry, while several others described the boat as thrilling and comfortable. The sensible approach is to expect spray, not rely on luck, and use every piece of equipment you receive.

Wear warm layers beneath the overalls. Bring a hat even in summer, and avoid clothing that becomes unpleasant when damp. You may also want to protect your phone in a waterproof pouch, since taking photographs in wind and spray can be difficult.

Searching the bay for whales and dolphins

Faxaflói Bay is the main stage for the wildlife search. From Reykjavik, you may see Akranes to the northeast and, in clear conditions, the distant Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano about 120 kilometers away. The open setting gives the tour scenic value even during a quiet wildlife period.

The area is known for several marine mammals. Possible sightings include:

• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• Killer whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Harbour porpoises

The warm season is described as the peak period, but the tour operates throughout the year. That makes it useful for a winter city break, though shorter daylight and colder conditions can affect comfort and visibility.

The best trips combine several species. A strong outing has included dolphins swimming close to the boat, minke whales, several humpback whales, puffins, and sightings of four different whale species. Humpbacks can spout, surface, slap the water with a fin, and remain in the area long enough for repeated looks.

You should keep expectations realistic. One trip produced only a single humpback, while another found no whales at all. The crew can search carefully, but it cannot control animal behavior. If seeing whales is the central purpose of your Iceland visit, leave room in your schedule for a second attempt or consider a larger boat option as a backup.

Engey, Viðey, and the islands near Reykjavik

The route may take you past Engey and Viðey, two islands in the waters near the capital. Engey is the second largest island in Kollafjörður, while Viðey is the largest island in that bay. Their low, open shapes add context to the setting and make it clear how quickly the city gives way to sea.

Viðey is close to Reykjavik but feels separate from the urban waterfront. Engey is also part of the island group that helps shape the inner waters of Faxa Bay. You are not booking a landing or island walk, but seeing these places from a fast boat gives the outing more variety than a simple back-and-forth wildlife search.

Lundey, known as Puffin Island, is another memorable point along the route. It is a small, uninhabited island off the western coast of Reykjavik. Puffins have been spotted nearby, and several strong outings included views of puffins on the return journey.

Do not expect the boat to stop for a long sightseeing session at every island. The main goal remains marine wildlife. These landmarks are best understood as scenic reference points and possible bird-watching locations.

Why the small boat can improve wildlife viewing

The RIB’s main advantage is access. A boat carrying 12 people can move quickly between sightings and place you close to the water, where a surfacing whale can feel much more immediate than it does from a high observation deck.

That closeness has produced some remarkable encounters. A humpback has reportedly come within roughly 15 feet of the RIB, and dolphins have swum directly beneath or alongside the boat. Those moments explain why this tour earns strong praise when conditions and wildlife cooperate.

The lower seating position also helps you feel part of the action. You are not looking down from a tall ship. You are at water level, watching for a back, blow, fin, or tail among the waves.

There is a price for that advantage. You have less protection from spray, and the ride can feel more intense than a standard whale-watching vessel. If you dislike fast boats, have a low tolerance for rough water, or want to stay dry for the rest of your day, choose carefully.

The guide and captain make a real difference

The quality of the crew matters on a short wildlife tour. You have limited time, so a guide who can explain what you are seeing and a captain who can position the boat well can change the whole experience.

A marine biologist has led one highly praised outing, answering questions while helping the group understand the animals. Claudia has also received warm praise for taking good care of the group, while Julien and a captain were credited with finding multiple species and giving the boat time near the whales.

The strongest accounts describe captains who stayed with whales long enough for them to resurface more than once, rather than racing away after a single glimpse. That patience is important. A whale may appear for only a few seconds, and a steady boat position gives you a better chance to see the next surface.

The guide’s commentary may vary. One person felt the wildlife explanations could have been stronger, while others found the crew friendly and well-informed. If you want a formal natural-history lecture throughout the ride, ask questions as you go. The small group makes that easier.

Is $145 a fair price for two hours?

At $145 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Reykjavik. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, supplied protective clothing, downtown departure, and the possibility of closer sightings than a large boat can provide.

The value is strongest if you care about the ride as much as the wildlife. The speed, low seating, and small group create an active outing rather than a passive cruise. When dolphins ride the wake or humpbacks remain beside the boat, the price can feel justified.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a guaranteed whale sighting. No wildlife operator can promise that, and a quiet sea can leave you with scenery but no major animal encounter. A large boat may offer more room to move around and better protection from spray, though it will not provide the same small-group feel.

For a family, the decision depends on the children. Young people who enjoy speed and a little adventure may love it. An 11-year-old has taken part, but the rough-water issue is real, so you should explain that this is a bumpy sea ride, not a calm sightseeing boat.

Weather, cancellations, and planning around the tour

The operator requires suitable weather and may cancel because of wind or rough sea conditions. That is a reasonable safety rule for a small RIB, even if another company chooses to operate on the same day. Conditions can differ across the bay, and a boat that is safe for one design may not be right for another.

The weak point is communication when plans change. A cancellation has sometimes been reported on short notice or at the meeting point, leaving little time to arrange another activity. If this tour matters to your schedule, keep a flexible block around it and check your messages before leaving for the harbor.

If the RIB is canceled because of weather or because the minimum number is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

The activity is offered in English. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give a detailed accessibility description. Ask the operator directly if you have mobility, medical, or seating concerns.

Who should book the RIB?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, exciting wildlife trip from central Reykjavik and you like the idea of being close to the water. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who prefer a more personal outing to a large vessel.

It is also a good fit if your schedule is tight. The tour takes about two hours and returns to the same downtown meeting point, leaving room for lunch, museums, or another city activity.

I would think twice if you dislike spray, get uncomfortable on bumpy rides, or need a reliable wildlife sighting at a fixed time. In those cases, a larger boat may be easier, and you should avoid placing this tour immediately before an important reservation.

Should you book it?

Book this RIB tour if the combination of speed, small-group attention, and close wildlife viewing sounds better to you than a dry, steady cruise. The best outings have produced dolphins, puffins, minke whales, and several humpbacks, including whales close enough to make everyone hold their breath.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed show. Bring a hat, warm layers, and waterproof protection for your phone, then treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise. For the right person, this is one of the most exciting short trips you can add to a Reykjavik stay. For anyone who wants calm seas and certainty, it may be the wrong boat.

FAQ

How long does the whale-watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours, including the trip out into Faxaflói Bay and the return to the downtown meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How many people can join the RIB boat?

The boat holds a maximum of 12 travelers, creating a small-group experience.

What equipment is provided?

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment are provided.

Should I bring extra warm clothing?

Yes. You should bring warm layers and a hat, even in summer. Sea spray can make shoes and clothing wet, especially in rougher conditions.

Which animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, killer whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and puffins near Lundey.

Is a whale sighting guaranteed?

No. The crew searches for marine mammals, but sightings depend on animal behavior and sea conditions.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants.