Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

This RIB whale and puffin tour is interesting because it mixes wildlife safari energy with a real adrenaline boat ride. I love the close-up maneuvering that a smaller craft can pull off, and I also love the human factor, when you get commentary from a marine-biologist style guide who can explain what you are actually seeing.

The biggest drawback to plan for is the reality of rough water. Expect wind, spray, and a bouncy ride, even when the sightings are amazing.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• A small group (up to 12) means more eyes on the water and less waiting around
• Marine-biologist style guidance helps you spot whales and puffins faster, not just hope
• Puffins first, then whales gives you two chances at wildlife within one 2-hour outing
• Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are provided, and they matter on the water
• Harpa Concert Hall and Sun Voyager views from the water add a Reykjavik highlight without extra stops
• Crew photos included so you do not have to gamble with a shaky, wet camera

RIB Speed and Close-Up Wildlife, Why This Tour Feels Different

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. You head out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour aboard a specially engineered RIB, built to ride fast and stay nimble in the areas where whales and seabirds actually show up. That matters because wildlife watching is about location and timing, and on a RIB you can often get nearer than you would on a larger vessel.

The best part is the feeling of being part of the search. When you are moving and scanning, you see how the guides read the water. You also get that sense of scale that is hard to get on shore, especially when whales surface close enough that you can really make out their behavior.

I will be straight with you about what changes the experience. If you want calm, this is not it. If you can handle wind and getting a bit soaked, it can be one of the most memorable wildlife tours you do in Iceland.

Price, Time, and Group Size, Is $200 Good Value?

At about $200 per person for a 2-hour tour, this is a splurge. But value here is not only the wildlife, it is also the equipment and the expertise wrapped into one ticket.

You are paying for a tight time window where the crew actively searches wider areas. The tour does not just head out and wait. It also provides the wet-weather protection you need to stay outside for bouncy, windy conditions. Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are included, plus safety equipment and a fully certified RIB captain.

Group size helps your odds too. With a limit of 12 participants, the crew can manage spotting and repositioning without feeling crowded. In whale watching, crowded boats can mean less flexibility. Here, the setup is built for movement.

A practical note: you do not get food onboard. Plan to eat before you go, and bring water if you normally get thirsty on trips. (The tour is only 2 hours, so this is manageable.)

Old Harbour Start, What You See Before the Wildlife Search Really Begins

Your meeting point is the ticket office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. You need to arrive no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, because once everyone is kitted up, you are off.

The first Reykjavik payoff hits on the return ride. After the wildlife portion, you sail along the city’s shoreline and get water-level skyline views, including the Harpa Concert Hall. You also pass the Sun Voyager sculpture from the water, which is a fun angle because it looks so different when you are moving past it.

This is a good setup for a first day activity too. It gives you Reykjavík context without needing a whole city tour. And it keeps the focus where it should be, on the water and the animals.

Puffin Island Time, What to Expect and How to Spot Them

Puffins are seasonal, and this tour is timed for that window. Puffins can be seen between late April and August. The puffin highlight is built into the schedule early, with the boat heading out to islands first for puffin viewing.

What does that mean for you in real life? You are not stuck waiting for whales to show up. If puffins are present in the islands area that day, you can get a solid start to the trip and settle into the boat rhythm.

Also, puffins can be a “distance game.” When conditions or puffin locations are less favorable, you may find them farther out. Even when they are closer, wind and chop can make it hard to frame a perfect photo. One theme from the experience is simple: if your goal is puffins, go for the moment, not only the camera shot.

How to improve your odds of actually seeing them:

• Keep your eyes up and scanning for movement against the rock lines and sea surface
• Listen to the guide’s prompts, they can point out where activity is most likely
• Be ready to look quickly, puffins pop into view and then vanish again

Whale and Dolphin Searching, How the Crew Uses the RIB Advantage

After puffin time, the boat heads out further in search of whales and dolphins. The crew’s approach is key: the RIB can maneuver closer and cover a larger area than you might expect, which increases your likelihood of sightings.

You are also getting trained interpretation. The tour uses specially trained guides, including marine-biology trained guides in many departures. That makes a difference because spotting is not only about luck. It is about knowing what you are scanning for and what behavior signals a coming surfacing.

Some nights are better than others, and you should keep your expectations realistic. Whale watching is still the ocean, and whales do not schedule themselves for your itinerary. But the tour format is designed to actively search, not just hope.

One of the coolest things reported on this kind of safari is how close whales can get when conditions line up. People describe whales surfacing near the boat, sometimes with dramatic behavior like breaching or tail slaps. There is also mention of feeding behavior close to the RIB on certain days. That is never guaranteed, but the point is: the format supports these moments.

The Species You Might See, and the Smart Way to Set Expectations

This is a whale and puffin tour, but it is also a broader seabird and marine-life experience. Based on real sightings from this adventure, you might see:

• Humpback whales and minke whales
• Dolphins and even smaller porpoise-type sightings
• Puffins when the timing and conditions cooperate
• Seabirds that add motion to the sky and water

If you are going in wanting specific species, plan for a flexible outcome. Many departures land on multiple whales, but some end up with fewer whale sightings and stronger dolphin or puffin action, depending on where animals are feeding and moving.

Here is how I think you should judge the trip in the moment. If you see whales, you will feel the value instantly. If you see puffins, you still got a key Iceland wildlife experience. And if the whales do not come, a well-run RIB safari can still be an excellent wildlife and marine-life tour because you are moving and scanning the whole time, not parked in one spot.

Harpa Concert Hall and Sun Voyager Views From the Water

Even if you care only about whales, the Reykjavik scenery is a pleasant bonus. The return ride along Reykjavík’s shores gives you a skyline perspective that feels different from photos taken from streets.

Harpa Concert Hall looks especially sharp from the water. The glass catches light as you pass, and the angle makes it feel more modern and dramatic. The Sun Voyager sculpture also reads differently when you approach it by sea, like you are seeing the city’s art and identity from the outside.

This is not a long city detour. It is the natural payoff of starting and ending at Old Harbour and doing your main wildlife search out at sea.

What the Ride Feels Like, and How to Stay Warm and Steady

This tour can be cold and wet. That is not a complaint, it is the job description. The boat is fast, the wind is real, and the ride can be bouncy.

Good news: the tour provides weather gear. Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are included, which is a big part of why you do not have to pack as heavily as you might for a similar trip elsewhere. You will still want to dress smart under the suit, with weather-appropriate layers.

What to wear and bring:

• Hiking shoes with grip
• Warm clothing you can layer
• Sunglasses if you like them, or rely on provided eye protection
• A signed waiver

From practical tips shared by previous guests, I also recommend:

• Take the seat assignment seriously and listen to the guide when they talk about how to handle the boat
• Expect spray, and plan for the fact that your hair and sleeves might take a hit
• If you get cold easily, bring an extra warm layer for under the provided suit

One more comfort detail that matters: seats can feel better than you expect in a fast RIB. Some guests noted the seating has spring-like cushioning to handle bumps. Even so, your body will feel the water movement, so you want to be dressed for it, not against it.

Photos, Videos, and Why the Camera Plan Can Be Simpler Than You Think

You are on a moving RIB in wind, so taking steady photos can be tough. The good part is that the crew takes pictures during the tour, and you get access to those photos.

That changes what you should do with your own camera. You can enjoy the experience without spending the entire time trying to get a perfect shot. Let the crew handle the record shots, and you handle the memory moments, the ones your brain keeps even when your phone gets wet.

Some people also mention that guides share photo sets and sometimes a quick recap after the trip. So even if you do not nail the wildlife action shot, you are likely to leave with images.

Who This Tour Suits Best, and Who Should Think Twice

This tour is best for people who want wildlife up close and can handle a rough ride. You should also be okay with the cold and spray.

It does not suit everyone. The minimum age is 10 years, with a minimum height of 145 cm. There is also a weight limit of 140 kg. It is not suitable for children under 10, people under 145 cm, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, and people over 75 years.

If you are traveling as a family with older kids, this can be a great “Iceland in one day” highlight because it combines Reykjavík views with a serious wildlife search. If you are older or have mobility limitations, you may want a calmer boat option instead.

And if you are the kind of traveler who wants certainty, set your expectations correctly. There is no guarantee of whales every trip. But the tour structure, with puffins early and then active whale search, is designed to maximize wildlife time.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Whale and Puffin RIB Tour?

Book it if:

• You want the best shot at getting close to wildlife with a RIB’s maneuverability
• You are excited by fast boats and do not mind wind and spray
• You like guided spotting, not just a drive-by tour
• You value included warm gear and crew photos so you can focus on watching

Think twice if:

• You hate bumpy rides or get miserable in wind
• You need a toilet onboard, because there are no toilets on the boat
• You are not comfortable with cold, wet conditions even with provided overalls and gloves
• You fall into the tour’s listed limits around age, height, weight, pregnancy, mobility, or age over 75

If you are choosing between “safe and calm” and “close and adventurous,” this one leans adventurous in the best way. You are paying for proximity, expert guidance, and active searching. When the animals show up, it feels like you are watching wildlife at eye level, not from far away.

FAQ

What months does this tour run?

The tour runs from 1 April to 31 October.

When is puffin season for this tour?

Puffin season is listed as 20 April to 15 August.

How long is the whale and puffin RIB tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the ticket office at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík. Arrive no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Is food included on the boat?

No. Food is not included on board.

Are there toilets on board?

No. There are no toilets on board the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. You also need a signed waiver.

What are the age and height requirements?

The minimum age is 10 years, with a minimum height of 145 cm.

Who should not join?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, and people over 75 years. There is also a weight limit of 140 kg.