Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Whale watching out of Reykjavik gets interesting fast when you trade a big boat for a RIB. You move quicker, you can chase feeding activity, and you get close enough to really read what the animals are doing in Faxaflói Bay. I like that this trip is built for action, not long drifting.

Two things I really like: you get serious comfort for the cold with warm flotation suits, gloves, and goggles, and the tour extends your learning with a Whales of Iceland Museum ticket right after you’re back on land. The main drawback to consider is that the ride is fast and can feel bouncy, so it is not ideal if you dislike speed, have back issues, or are prone to sea sickness.

Key Things You’ll Like About This RIB Whale Tour

• RIB speed and maneuvering let you reach whale areas quickly and stay on the good sightings
• Shock-suspension seating plus warm gear help you enjoy the ride even when the wind bites
• Faxaflói Bay focus means your time is spent in whale feeding grounds, not just heading out and hoping
• Akurey puffins in summer gives you a second wildlife highlight beyond whales
• A guided museum visit ticket helps you turn a great sighting into real understanding

Meeting Aegisgardur 5E: Gearing Up Before the Wind Hits

This tour starts in central Reykjavik at the operator’s ticket office, Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik. No hotel pickup is included, so you’ll want to plan to arrive on time and not cut it close. The good news is that once you’re checked in, the tour flow is straightforward: you get suited up, then you go.

Gear is a big part of why this tour works. You’re provided warm overalls, warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles, which is exactly what you need for a windy bay ride. A practical tip from real-world experience: even with provided gear, wear extra layers under the overalls so you can adjust to changing wind and spray.

Why This RIB Boat Feels Different From a Big Whale Ship

A rigid inflatable boat is a clever choice for Reykjavik waters. The ride is smaller and more responsive, which makes a difference when the guide spots signs of whales or dolphins and you need to adjust quickly. Many people also find a RIB feels more fun than huge-boat whale watching, because you feel the motion and speed, almost like a fast ocean rollercoaster.

You’ll cruise at a comfortable but exciting pace, with the tour description calling out a cruising speed around 32 knots. That speed is part of the value: it can get you to promising areas faster than slower boats, and it helps the crew spend more of the two hours looking for wildlife instead of just traveling.

Comfort matters too. Reviews highlight the RIB’s shock suspension style seating, which can reduce the jolts compared to older zodiac-style boats. You still get spray and motion, so if your body hates choppy water, go in prepared. This is why the tour is clearly not for everyone, and it is not listed as suitable for people with back problems.

Faxaflói Bay Whale Feeding Grounds: What You’re Really Waiting For

The heart of the trip is the search in Faxaflói Bay, where whales come to feed. The tour is designed to give you time in the feeding grounds, not only a quick look from a distance and then back to the dock. Your guide will also point things out as you go, helping you understand what you’re seeing rather than just hoping for a luck-of-the-day blow.

In the waters around Reykjavik, you may spot species like minke whales and humpback whales, and you can also encounter pods of dolphins. Some of the most memorable moments people describe include whales surfacing close enough to see details like flipper movement, blowing, and sometimes breaching. Even when sightings are slower, you’ll usually get plenty to watch, because the guide is actively scanning for signs of feeding and marine activity.

One thing to accept up front: you are in the North Atlantic, and wildlife doesn’t follow a schedule. You might have a day with multiple whale encounters, or a day that’s more dolphin and bird focused. Either way, the RIB format is useful because it gives the crew a chance to react quickly when the ocean changes.

Akurey Puffins in Summer: A Second Wildlife Stop That’s Worth It

If you’re traveling in the summer months, you get an extra wildlife bonus: a stop by the island of Akurey to look for puffins. The tour description frames it around puffin nesting grounds, and you may even see pufflings and activity around nests along the coast during breeding season.

This is a smart add-on because it lowers the odds of having a bland day. Even if whales are distant or slow to surface, you’re still getting real wildlife viewing, not just an extended boat ride. And puffins are easier to experience up close in a short stop than many whales, because their presence is tied to nesting areas rather than moving feeding patterns.

The practical part: puffin viewing can be a bit weather-dependent too, since you’re still outside on the water. Dress for wind even in summer, because Reykjavik’s coastal air can feel sharp once you’re out of the harbor.

Your English Guide: How the Best Spotting Turns Into a Better Trip

A big reason people rate this tour highly is the human element. You get a live guide in English, and the guide’s job is more than background facts. They help you read the water: where to look, what behaviors mean, and why the crew is heading in a certain direction.

You’ll also notice that guides bring energy. Some examples from actual guides who have led this trip include Joel, Rebekka, Patrik, Daniel, Iris, and Eva. When a guide is excited and focused, it changes the whole ride, because you start spotting sooner and you understand more while you’re spotting.

Captains matter too. The tour notes that the captain will decide based on many years of experience, balancing safety with passenger comfort. That matters on the day you’re hoping for close sightings, because the crew can’t take risks just to chase a whale. The RIB’s speed helps, but safety decisions come first.

Whales of Iceland Museum After the Tour: Make the Sighting Stick

The tour includes a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum, located in the Grandi harbor district of Reykjavik. This is one of those smart “you’ll be glad you did it” add-ons. On the water, you might see a whale surface, maybe twice, and then it’s gone. The museum helps you connect the dots: which species you likely saw, how Atlantic whales live, and what conservation means in Icelandic waters.

The museum experience is also useful if your trip is dolphin-heavy or you only got fleeting whale views. You can still leave understanding what you were looking at, instead of wondering if you saw the “right” animal. In other words, it turns your two-hour boat moment into a longer-lasting memory.

Price and Value: Is $194 a Fair Deal?

At $194 per person for a two-hour RIB tour, you’re paying for a few things at once: fast boat operations, specialized gear, guided wildlife search, and an included museum ticket. Many tours only cover the ride. Here, the included museum ticket adds value because it extends the experience and helps you make sense of it later.

You’re also getting equipment that reduces friction. Warm gear, life vests, gloves, and goggles are not small extras when the weather is cold and salty. If you had to rent or buy these items yourself, the overall trip cost would climb.

Finally, you’re paying for a format that supports better odds of quality time with wildlife. The RIB can maneuver in ways that large boats often cannot, and multiple people describe how being in a smaller craft helps them react and observe more actively. That is real value, especially if you have limited time in Iceland.

Who Should Book, and Who Should Skip This RIB Ride

This tour is a great fit if you want close-up wildlife action from a fast, smaller boat and you’re comfortable with an outdoor, weather-driven experience. It’s also a strong choice if you like learning while you watch, since the English guide shares what’s happening as you go.

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm). The ride is also not described as gentle, so I’d be cautious if you dislike speed or you know you get knocked around by choppy water.

If you are bringing someone who is nervous about sea sickness, plan to show up prepared. Reviews often describe the RIB as less grim than people expect, but it still bounces, and it still goes fast. Your comfort on a boat is as important as the wildlife.

Final Call: Should You Book Reykjavik RIB Whale Watching?

If whales are a priority and you want the most interactive way to chase them from Reykjavik, I’d book this. The combination of RIB access, warm gear, an active search in Faxaflói Bay, and the included Whales of Iceland Museum ticket makes the whole day feel like more than a standard tour stop.

Just respect the reality of nature and weather. The tour depends on weather conditions, and your animal sightings can vary. If you have flexible timing and you’re okay with a fast, bouncy ride for the chance at real wildlife moments, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whale watching tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the local tour operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik.

What gear is included for the boat ride?

You’ll be provided with warm overalls, warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles.

Is the Whales of Iceland Museum visit included?

Yes. You get a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum after the tour.

Does the tour run in any weather?

The trip is dependent on weather conditions, and the captain makes the decision based on safety and passenger comfort.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm).

Is meals or hotel pickup included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off.