Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The midnight sun makes whale watching wonderfully flexible. This two-hour trip leaves Reykjavík’s Old Harbour in a fast, custom-made RIB boat, giving you a compact way to see Faxaflói Bay after a full day in the city. I especially like the small 12-person group and the chance to see whales, dolphins, and puffins from a boat that can cover water quickly. The main drawback is comfort: the ride can be cold and bumpy, and the boat is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or knee trouble, or anyone with limited mobility.

I also like the evening timing. In Iceland’s bright summer nights, you are not giving up darkness or sightseeing time by going out late. The return run along the shoreline adds views of the Sun Voyager sculpture, Harpa Concert Hall, fishing huts, and harbor restaurants. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes, because the supplied overalls help, but they do not make the North Atlantic feel like a swimming pool.

Key points at a glance

• Small RIB boat: Each boat carries only 12 people, so you get a more open view and less crowding around the guide.
• Evening departure: The tour fits neatly after daytime sightseeing and takes advantage of Iceland’s long summer light.
• Wildlife range: The usual targets are whales, dolphins, and puffins, with seals also possible.
• Fast coverage: The powerful RIB can move across more of Faxaflói Bay than a slower classic boat.
• Seasonal puffins: Puffins are generally present from about May 15 through August 20.
• Whale guarantee of sorts: If you see no whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat.

Why the evening timing works so well in Reykjavik

A whale tour can take a large bite from a Reykjavík day. This one does not. The cruise lasts two hours and runs during the bright Icelandic summer evening, so you can spend the morning and afternoon on museums, pools, cafés, or a drive outside the city before heading to the harbor.

The midnight sun changes the mood. You are not watching the clock for sunset, and the bay can still be bright when the boat returns. That makes this a useful choice if you want a wildlife outing without sacrificing prime daytime hours.

The evening also gives the tour a pleasant city connection. You begin among Reykjavík’s working harbor sights, head into open water, then finish with a shoreline ride past the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. It is not just a trip out and back. The final stretch gives you a fresh view of the city you may have already explored on foot.

I would still check the exact departure time when booking. The activity lasts two hours, but the available start times can vary. Arrive at least 30 minutes early at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in the Old Harbour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the harbor on your own.

From Ægisgarður 5 to open water

The meeting point is easy to identify: the ticket office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, postal code 101. You need to arrive ready for the boat, not merely ready for a walk along the waterfront.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Loose clothing is also forbidden, which makes sense on a high-performance RIB. Wear close-fitting layers and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and all necessary safety equipment are supplied, while your own hat and gloves remain important additions.

Once aboard, the captain takes the boat away from the harbor and toward the islands and open bay. The RIB is described as extremely stable, but stable does not mean still. You should expect movement and speed. Hold on, keep your clothing secure, and do not treat this like a slow sightseeing ferry.

That speed is part of the appeal. A classic boat may offer more room and a gentler ride, but the RIB can cover more water during the two-hour window. In whale watching, reaching the right area matters. You are not promised a sighting, but a boat that can scout a wider section of Faxaflói Bay has a practical advantage.

Puffin islands before the whale search

The first wildlife focus is the wind-beaten islands in the bay, where you may see puffins in their natural setting. Their season is short, roughly May 15 to August 20, so timing matters if puffins are high on your list.

Puffins are small birds. From a moving boat, they may appear as quick flashes of black, white, and orange rather than as large, close subjects for a photograph. The experience is still valuable because you are seeing them at sea, where they belong, rather than only in a display or from a distant coastal viewpoint.

Recent summer outings have included very large groups of puffins, with one report noting hundreds in July. Another August trip still caught puffins shortly before they left for the season. That gives you a useful rule: late spring through mid-August is the period to target, but the exact number of birds can change.

If you book outside that window, do not expect puffins to be part of the trip. The whale and dolphin search remains the main reason to go, while the birds are a seasonal bonus.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

After looping around the islands, the captain heads toward open water. The goal is to find whales and dolphins, and the tour can encounter the same wildlife seen on regular daytime departures. Whales do not follow a human timetable, so an evening outing is not automatically a weaker option.

The stated summer whale sighting rate is over 95 percent, which is very encouraging, though it is not a promise that every person will get a dramatic close-up. Wildlife remains wild. Conditions, animal movement, and visibility all matter.

The most praised sightings include humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins. Several outings produced humpback whales on more than one occasion, while another saw multiple whales beneath the evening light. The most exciting reports describe whales and dolphins coming close to the boat, but you should keep your expectations sensible. A good wildlife tour searches respectfully rather than staging a performance on demand.

That respectful approach is one of the strongest reasons to consider this operator. One account specifically appreciated that the animals were not hounded and that a crowd of boats did not press in too closely. The small boat and limited group can help the outing feel calmer, even when the captain is moving quickly between possible sightings.

The guide also matters. Maria and Miquel were singled out for making one outing both informative and enjoyable. The tour is conducted in English, with a professional captain and wildlife guide on board. The information provided does not promise a particular guide on your departure, but those names offer a useful sense of the human side of the experience.

What the RIB boat means for your comfort

The RIB is the defining feature of this tour. It is small, fast, and designed to get close to the bay’s wildlife. With only 12 people aboard, you are less likely to fight for a view than on a large sightseeing vessel.

That format comes with tradeoffs. You sit closer to the water and feel more of the boat’s movement. The supplied warm overalls are a real benefit, but you still need warm clothing underneath. One summer outing specifically noted that the cold could distract from the wildlife without a hat, gloves, and layers.

I would not choose this boat if you want a soft, quiet ride. I would choose it if you value speed, a small group, and the feeling of being out on the water rather than watching the bay from a large enclosed deck.

The restrictions are important, not decorative fine print. The experience is suitable only for children over 10 who are at least 145 centimeters tall. It is not recommended for people with a history of back or knee problems, and it is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. If you are unsure about your physical comfort, the larger boat option may be a better match, especially if you need a more forgiving ride.

The shoreline return through Reykjavík

The final part of the tour brings you back along Reykjavík’s shoreline. This is when the outing shifts from open-water wildlife search to city views.

The Sun Voyager sculpture is one of Reykjavík’s best-known waterfront sights, and it looks different from the sea than it does from land. Harpa Concert Hall provides another strong focal point, with its glass façade catching the lingering light. Fishing huts, restaurants, and other harbor attractions fill out the view.

This return route is a smart touch. If the whales are elusive, you still receive a short coastal sightseeing ride. If the wildlife viewing is excellent, the city finale gives you time to settle back into Reykjavík without ending abruptly at the dock.

The tour provider also offers a practical fallback. If you do not see any whales, the captain gives you a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave. That does not erase the disappointment of a quiet sea, but it lowers the risk of paying for a wildlife search that produces no whale sighting at all.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is not a cheap harbor excursion. You are paying for a specialized RIB, a small group, professional crew, safety equipment, warm overalls, and the ability to cover more bay during a two-hour trip.

The value improves if you have limited time in Reykjavík. You get a wildlife outing and a waterfront city view without committing most of a day. The evening departure can also protect your daytime plans, which may be worth a lot in a short Iceland visit.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a calm boat ride or a guaranteed puffin experience. The puffins are seasonal, and even the strong summer whale odds do not guarantee a particular species or close encounter. A larger boat may suit you better if comfort and lower cost matter more than speed and group size.

I see the strongest value for people who want a focused, active outing and who would happily pay more for a smaller boat. The perfect 5 out of 5 score from all 28 ratings supports the idea that the format delivers for its intended audience, but you should still match the boat to your comfort level.

What to pack for the two-hour trip

Pack for wind, not just the temperature shown in Reykjavík’s weather forecast. The boat moves quickly across exposed water, and the cold can feel sharper than it does on the waterfront.

Wear warm layers beneath the provided overalls. Add a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Avoid loose clothing, and leave luggage and large bags at your accommodation.

Food and drinks are not included. Since the trip lasts two hours, you may not need a full meal aboard, but plan around the departure time because you cannot rely on onboard refreshments.

Photography is tempting, especially when whales or dolphins appear close. Keep your own safety first. A secure grip, warm hands, and clothing that does not flap around matter more than getting one perfect photograph.

Who should book this evening whale tour?

I would point this tour toward adults, older children, couples, and small groups who want an active sea experience close to Reykjavík. It also suits anyone with a packed daytime schedule, since the evening timing leaves room for other plans.

The tour is especially appealing if you want:

• A small group rather than a crowded large boat
• A faster ride that can cover more of Faxaflói Bay
• A chance to see whales, dolphins, seals, and seasonal puffins
• A city shoreline view at the end
• A whale-search backup ticket if no whales appear

I would steer you elsewhere if you have back or knee problems, limited mobility, or a strong need for a smooth ride. The same applies if you are pregnant or traveling with a child under 10 or shorter than 145 centimeters.

The experience is also weather dependent in the everyday sense, even though the tour information does not specify a weather cancellation rule. You should be ready for cold conditions and boat movement. Iceland rewards sturdy clothing and flexible expectations.

Final verdict: book it for the boat, timing, and wildlife range

This is a strong choice for a Reykjavík summer itinerary. The small RIB, evening light, and mix of whales, dolphins, puffins, and city views give the two-hour trip more variety than a basic harbor cruise.

I like the balance between speed and restraint. The boat can move quickly to search the bay, yet the outing is not built around chasing animals from a noisy crowd. The complimentary larger-boat ticket also gives you some protection if the whales stay out of sight.

Book it if you can handle a cold, active ride and want to make your time in Reykjavík count. Skip it if you need a gentle boat, guaranteed puffins, or a low-cost excursion. For the right person, the chance to watch humpback whales and dolphins under Iceland’s lingering evening light makes the $200 price easier to defend.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour meet?

The meeting point is the ticket office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide operates in English.

How many people are on each RIB boat?

Each boat carries up to 12 people.

What wildlife might I see?

You may see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals. Puffins are seasonal and are generally present from about May 15 to August 20.

What should I bring?

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

Are children allowed on the tour?

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

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales are spotted, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats.