From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

Whales, dolphins, and a fast boat. This two-hour trip from Reykjavik combines wildlife watching with a lively ride aboard a 12-seat RIB. I like the close views of Harpa Concert Hall, the Sun Voyager sculpture, and puffin islands, plus the warm waterproof gear that takes the edge off Iceland’s cold. The main catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and the sea can be rough.

This is not a quiet cruise with a large indoor cabin. You sit in a suspension seat on a small rigid inflatable boat, then speed across Faxaflói Bay in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. I also like the small-group feel and the chance to ask the guide questions as the boat moves between wildlife areas.

Key points at a glance

• Twelve-seat RIB: A small boat gives you a more direct view of the water and wildlife, but the ride can be bumpy.
• Puffin islands: The route brings you close to nesting areas where puffins gather during the breeding season.
• Possible whale sightings: Faxaflói Bay can hold humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, seals, and many seabirds, though no sighting is guaranteed.
• Useful cold-weather gear: You receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and a scarf.
• Reykjavik sights from the water: Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture provide a memorable opening and closing to the trip.
• Best for ages 10 and up: Children under 10 cannot join, and anyone uneasy on fast, choppy water should think carefully before booking.

Starting at Reykjavik’s old harbor

You meet at Ægisgarður 5G, about a five-minute walk from central Reykjavik. That makes this easy to fit into a day of city sightseeing. You do not need a long transfer out to a distant marina, and the harbor itself gives you a quick change of scene from streets and shops to working waterfront.

Before boarding, you put on the provided warm waterproof overall. Gloves and goggles are included, along with a life jacket and your own scarf. The gear matters. Even on a calm day, speed across open water creates a cold wind, and Iceland’s weather can shift quickly.

Wear warm clothes underneath the overall. Closed shoes are required, so leave sandals and flip-flops at your accommodation. The operator specifically excludes open-toed footwear, and sturdy, covered shoes are the sensible choice for stepping into the boat and staying comfortable.

The boat has 12 suspension seats. That is a useful feature, not just a marketing detail. The seats soften the repeated jolts as the RIB crosses waves, though they cannot turn rough water into a smooth ride. You should still expect movement, spray, and a brisk pace.

Harpa, Sun Voyager, and the city from offshore

The first part of the route passes two of Reykjavik’s best-known sights. Harpa Concert Hall catches the light with its patterned glass facade, while the Sun Voyager sculpture points toward the sea along the waterfront.

From the water, these sights look different from their usual street-level view. You get a short city introduction before the boat reaches the open bay, and the guide provides information about the city as well as the wildlife. If you are new to Reykjavik, this is a good way to place the harbor, the waterfront, and the wider bay in relation to one another.

The city views are not the main reason to book this trip, but they add value. A standard whale cruise can feel focused only on the search for animals. Here, the first and last minutes connect the wildlife outing to Reykjavik itself.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The boat then heads into Faxaflói Bay, where up to 23 species of whales may be found, along with dolphins and seals. The guide and navigator work together to search the water, watch for blows, and judge where the boat should go next.

That process requires patience. A whale does not perform on schedule, and a sighting may be no more than a back, a fin, or a burst of air before the animal disappears again. Humpback whales have been spotted on this trip, along with minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and pilot whales.

The most memorable encounters described from this outing involve humpback whales surfacing close to the boat. You might see the animal rise, breathe, and slip below the surface. You should not expect a cinematic leap every time. In fact, most whale sightings are quieter, with a back or blow appearing briefly in the open sea.

Dolphins can bring more action. They may swim alongside the RIB, circle beneath it, or move in and out of the water near the boat. Several sightings have included pods of dolphins staying with the boat for a while, creating the kind of spontaneous moment that no fixed schedule can promise.

The guide gives information during the search and answers questions about whales and other wildlife. This makes the pauses useful rather than empty. You learn what to watch for and why the boat may slow, change direction, or wait in one area.

Puffin islands and nesting birds

The route also brings you close to islands where puffins nest and lay their single egg. Depending on the season and conditions, you might see puffins flying over the water, swimming near the boat, or gathered along cliffs and beaches.

This part of the trip adds variety. Whales can be hard to spot, especially when the sea is unsettled. Puffins and other seabirds give you more chances to see movement close to the boat. A flock lifting from the water can be just as rewarding as a distant whale blow.

The boat approaches the nesting areas for views from the water, rather than turning the trip into a landing excursion. That keeps the outing short and focused, but it also means you should not expect a walk on a puffin island or a long shore visit.

The guide explains the wildlife and points out birds as you go. Bring patience and keep scanning the water and cliffs. Puffins are small compared with whales, and they can disappear into the background when the boat is moving quickly.

The RIB ride is part of the attraction

For many people, the boat itself becomes half the experience. The RIB can move quickly across the bay, and the ride includes the excitement of speed, turns, and open water. Several accounts describe the boat ride as a highlight even when wildlife sightings were limited.

That appeal comes with a clear trade-off. A RIB is more energetic than a large whale-watching vessel. On a windy day, the ride can be rough, and one account specifically advised choosing calmer conditions when possible. You do not control the weather, but checking the forecast before you go can help you set realistic expectations.

This is not the right choice if you want a slow, quiet cruise with lots of room to move around. It is better suited to you if you enjoy a fast boat, do not mind spray, and can handle repeated bumps for two hours.

The suspension seats and protective gear improve comfort and safety, but they do not remove the physical nature of the ride. If you have concerns about motion or rough water, consider that carefully before paying.

What the $192 price gets you

At $192 per person, this is a high-priced two-hour activity. The value depends on what you want from a whale trip.

You are paying for a small 12-seat boat, a faster ride, guided wildlife searching, city commentary, and the included cold-weather equipment. The small capacity gives you a more personal setting than a large vessel, and the RIB can make the journey to the search area part of the fun.

The price feels easier to justify if you want both wildlife and an active boat trip. If your only goal is to see a whale at the lowest possible cost, you may find the fare harder to accept, especially because sightings are never guaranteed.

The equipment also saves you from packing a full set of waterproof outerwear for a short activity. You still need warm layers and proper shoes, but the overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket, and scarf cover the most important needs on the water.

The operator allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful in Iceland, where weather can affect outdoor plans.

How to plan your two hours

Allow time to reach Ægisgarður 5G before the departure time. It is close to central Reykjavik, but you still need time to find the meeting point, change into the protective gear, and listen to the safety instructions.

Dress in layers beneath the supplied overall. A warm base layer and insulating mid-layer are more useful than one bulky garment. Keep your feet covered with closed shoes, and avoid bringing anything that could be lost in the wind or spray.

Your scarf is provided, which is a thoughtful touch for a cold boat ride. The goggles help with wind and spray during faster sections. You should still expect exposed conditions because this is an open RIB, not an enclosed cabin.

The guides speak English and Icelandic. The trip includes information about whales, wildlife, and Reykjavik, so you are not left to guess what you are seeing. The small boat also makes it easier to ask questions directly.

The minimum age is 10. This is important for families planning a Reykjavik day, since younger children cannot join this particular trip. Older children and teenagers may enjoy the speed, but you should consider their comfort with wind, cold, and rough water.

Wildlife is never guaranteed

The operator is clear about the central truth of whale watching: the animals are wild. You may see several species, or you may spend much of the two hours searching.

Whales are harder to spot at sea than in an aquarium. They surface briefly, blend into the water, and can travel beyond the boat before you get a clear look. Even a successful outing may involve seeing mostly backs and blows rather than dramatic jumps.

Dolphins, puffins, seals, and seabirds improve the odds of seeing something interesting, but they cannot be promised either. The sightings reported from this trip range from dolphins and puffins to humpbacks, minke whales, pilot whales, and harbor porpoises.

I would book this with the right goal: not a guaranteed whale performance, but two hours of searching Icelandic waters from a fast, small boat. That mindset protects you from disappointment and lets the city views, sea air, and ride carry some of the value.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to adults, couples, and families with children aged 10 and older who want an active outing. It suits you if a quick RIB ride sounds as appealing as the chance to see marine wildlife.

It is also a good fit if you have limited time in Reykjavik. The meeting point is close to the center, and the two-hour duration leaves room for museums, food, or another city activity before or after.

You may prefer a different type of whale trip if you want a steadier ride, an enclosed cabin, or a larger vessel with more space. The RIB is exciting precisely because it is small and fast, so that same quality can be tiring in rough weather.

The strongest parts of the experience are the personal guide service, the speedboat ride, and the possibility of close encounters with dolphins or whales. The main weakness is outside the operator’s control: weather and wildlife can determine how much you see.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want wildlife watching with real motion and excitement, not just a boat ride around the bay. The 12-seat RIB, included warm gear, puffin islands, and views of Reykjavik’s waterfront make the outing more varied than a simple search for whales.

I would skip it if you dislike bumpy water or need a guaranteed sighting. For everyone else, the $192 price is reasonable when you place equal value on the boat ride, the guide, and the chance to see wild animals in Faxaflói Bay. Keep your expectations open, dress warmly, and treat every whale, dolphin, or puffin as a gift rather than a scheduled event.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching speedboat tour meet?

The meeting point is Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s old harbor, about a five-minute walk from the city center.

How long is the tour?

The cruise lasts two hours.

What kind of boat is used?

You ride aboard a 12-seat luxury RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, fitted with suspension seats.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and other seabirds. Up to 23 whale species may be found in Faxaflói Bay, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I see puffins on the tour?

The route goes close to islands where puffins nest and lay their single egg. You might see puffins flying, swimming, or gathered along cliffs and beaches.

Is whale spotting guaranteed?

No. Whales are wild and can be harder to spot at sea than in an aquarium or oceanarium.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

A warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and a scarf are provided. You should still wear warm clothes underneath.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 are not permitted to join this activity.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guided information is available in English and Icelandic.