2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

A RIB boat whale watch in Reykjavik is interesting because you are not sitting around hoping. You are using a fast, small boat to reach whale habitat quickly, then staying alert for the real action in Faxaflói Bay. I love the 12m custom-built RIB and the suspension seats that help when the sea gets choppy. I also like that you have an expert guide in English helping you interpret what you are seeing, so the whole trip feels less like random luck.

One consideration, and it matters, is the ride can be bouncy. This is an open-sea experience, and a few folks note it is intense, fast, and not ideal for people with back issues or certain health concerns.

If you want a hands-on wildlife trip with maximum time on the water and a chance to see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, this is a strong fit.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Small-group cap of 12 keeps the experience personal and easier to manage on the boat
• Warm waterproof overalls, lifevests, gloves, and goggles take the stress out of dressing for Icelandic wind
• Brand-new 12m RIB with shock-absorbing seats makes a big difference when the sea is active
• Akurey puffin island stop in summer adds a second wildlife target beyond whales
• Free follow-up option if you do not spot wildlife, with tickets for Classic or Express tours

Entering the Old Harbour: check-in, gear, and the safety speech

Your day starts at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. If you choose hotel pickup, you will transfer to the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour. If you do not, you just meet at the ticket office there. Either way, plan to arrive early. You should show up at least 30 minutes before departure so they can get you checked in, geared up, and briefed.

This is one of the tours where the first 20 minutes set the tone. You will be handed warm overalls, plus a lifevest, gloves, and goggles. It is not just for comfort. It is so you can focus on scanning the water instead of shivering through the pre-boat chaos.

Then comes the safety talk. You will listen to your guide explain what to expect on the water, how to behave on the RIB, and the basics for a safe ride. The boat is custom-built for speed, and that means safety is part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Your fast RIB ride plan: from Reykjavik to Faxaflói Bay feeding grounds

Once you board, the whole trip shifts gears. This is a RIB, so you get out to whale country fast, without a long slow cruise. That speed is a real advantage for your odds, because whales are not stuck in one place. They move, feed, and surface unpredictably. Getting to multiple areas quickly gives the guide more chances to match you with activity.

On the way out you will get views around Faxaflói Bay, including Esja mountain, which is a nice visual anchor while you are getting into the rhythm of the ride. Expect the pace to feel energetic. RIBs can feel like they are bouncing over the sea, especially when the wind is up.

The target is the whale feeding grounds in the bay. Your guide is looking for a mix of species, with a focus on:

• humpback whales
• minke whales
• white-beaked dolphins
• harbour porpoises

The species list is important, because it affects what you might actually see. Humpbacks can be dramatic when they surface and move through the water column. Minke whales can be quicker and easier to miss, while dolphins and porpoises often show up as repeated sightings if you are in the right place at the right moment.

How the guide boosts your chances when whales are hard to spot

Whale watching is always a game of odds. Weather matters. Wind matters. Water conditions matter. But what you are paying for here is the guide skill and the boat performance together.

The expert guide helps you read the sea the way a local would. They keep you scanning in the right direction and timing your attention to where whales and dolphins tend to appear. That is why so many standout moments in this kind of trip feel specific, like following a whale for a long stretch rather than catching one brief glimpse and moving on.

You might even get the feeling that the crew is actively hunting, in a professional way. Captains and guides can only do so much with nature, but the RIB format helps because it lets them react quickly when something surfaces.

In the guide department, names from past departures show up in the feedback. You may meet Blanca and Jonathan, and the captain is often cited as Yoda. It is not guaranteed, but it gives you a sense that the crews here take their job seriously and communicate well when you are out on the water.

Akurey puffin island stop in summer: a second wildlife hit

If you are traveling during the summer months when puffins are nesting, you will stop at Akurey, one of the most popular puffin nesting islands. This is a big deal for a couple reasons.

First, it diversifies the day. Even if whale sightings are slower, you still have another wildlife moment built in. Second, puffins are easier for non-experts to appreciate. You do not need to know whale behavior to enjoy this stop.

Do not expect a miracle view from every angle. Puffins can be small and spread out, especially when conditions are windy and you are viewing them from a boat or from a short stop. But if you enjoy birds, this add-on makes the tour feel more complete.

Reykjavík coastline on the way back: the part you should not rush

Before you head back, you also get to see the Reykjavík coastline again. That return view is a nice reset. You go from the focused scanning of feeding grounds back to a calmer moment, where you can take photos and catch your breath.

It is also when the tour feels real as a Reykjavík activity, not just an ocean excursion. The city sits close to the water, and the contrast between urban life and open sea wildlife is part of the charm.

When you return to the Old Harbour, a drop-off bus can be waiting if you selected hotel transfer. Otherwise, your activity ends back at the meeting point.

Comfort, speed, and safety: what to think about before you book

This is where you should be honest with yourself. RIBs are exciting, but they are not the smoothest ride in Iceland.

Your tour includes gear that helps a lot: warm overalls, gloves, lifevest, and goggles. But the physics still apply. Some people find the ride exhilarating. Others find it too jarring, especially when the sea is rough.

A few helpful reality checks from the experience itself:

• The boat can be fast, and the ride can feel intense when conditions are active
• If you have a bad back, this may not be a great match
• If you have a heart condition, you should think twice
• If mobility is limited, boarding a RIB can be difficult
• The operator also advises that people who are pregnant or under certain height ranges should not join

On age and height, the guidance is clear: this tour is not recommended for children under 10, or under 145 cm. That is practical, because the boat experience is hands-on, and the safety setup plus movement on board needs a certain body size and maturity.

If you are unsure, a quick call with the operator can save a lot of pain. This is one of those Iceland tours where comfort is not guaranteed, even when the crew is excellent.

Price and value: why $189.87 can make sense

The price is $189.87 per person, for an approximate 2-hour trip. That number can look steep until you break down what you get.

You are paying for:

• a high-performance RIB that can move quickly between search areas
• included cold-weather clothing and safety equipment
• an English-speaking expert guide
• a small group size, capped at 12 travelers
• a custom-built boat experience with suspension seats for extra comfort

You are also buying time. In whale watching, minutes on the water matter. The RIB format keeps you out searching instead of waiting. And the gear matters because the bay can feel colder than the city, especially with wind.

One more value point, tied to peace of mind: wildlife is never guaranteed. If you have no sightings on your tour, you are offered a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours. That is a meaningful safety net if you are visiting during a short Iceland window.

And yes, the tour is popular. On average, it is booked about 49 days in advance, which is a good hint that if you want a specific date, you should not leave it to the last minute.

What a good day looks like: the sightings that make this trip click

When this tour goes well, it is memorable fast. Many departures include multiple species, and the RIB format can put you close enough to feel the scale of the animals.

Here is what tends to turn a good outing into a great one:

• following a whale for a long stretch rather than one brief surface
• seeing whales and dolphins in the same session, which suggests you are in active feeding zones
• getting repeated dolphin sightings, because dolphins often show up more often than whales
• spotting humpbacks doing more than a quick look, like tail displays or active surfacing

Not every trip hits the jackpot. There is at least one story of a canceled tour due to bad weather, and some days produce only limited wildlife. But even then, the boat ride and the guiding can still make it worth it for many people.

The best strategy for you is to go in with flexible expectations. You want whales, yes. But you also want the experience of searching and learning in real time, and the RIB gives you that.

Should you book this RIB whale watching tour from Reykjavik?

I would book it if you match the vibe: you want a small-group whale watch, you like speed and adventure, and you are comfortable with a ride that can feel bouncy. I also think the summer Akurey puffin stop makes it a stronger pick than a whale-only outing, because you get a second wildlife moment built in.

I would hesitate if you have a significant back problem, you struggle with mobility, or you are worried about rough water. The gear helps, but it does not change the fact that you are on the open sea in a fast RIB.

If your top priority is comfort and a calm ride, you might prefer a different style of whale watching. But if your priority is maximizing time on the water and improving your odds with expert searching, this one fits well.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

The meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour in Reykjavik, at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at this point.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is available if you select that option. If not, you meet at the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour.

What is included for cold weather and safety?

Warm overalls, lifevests, gloves, and goggles are included. Safety equipment is also provided, and the boat uses suspension seats for extra comfort.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

Yes. The tour includes an expert guide who provides guidance in English.

How long is the whale watching tour?

The duration is approximately 2 hours.

Which wildlife might you see?

The tour goes to whale feeding grounds looking for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.

Is there a stop to see puffins?

Yes, during summer months there is a stop at Akurey, a popular puffin nesting island.

If there are no wildlife sightings, what happens?

Sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you do not see wildlife on your tour, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours.

How many people are on the boat?

This tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Who should not join this tour?

It is not recommended for children under age 10 or under 145 cm. The tour also advises that children under 130 cm and people who are pregnant or have back problems should not join.

What if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.