Fast RIBs make Iceland’s whales easier to reach. This 2-hour Reykjavik tour takes you out over Faxaflói Bay in a small group, aiming for humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises—then (in summer) it adds a stop at Akurey for puffins.

I love that you’re kitted up before you even step onto the boat: warm overalls, lifevest, gloves, and goggles are included, which turns a cold ocean outing into something you can actually enjoy. I also like the expert guide element—the people pointing you where to look make a big difference when you’re scanning a moving seascape.

One thing to factor in: this is a RIB, so it can feel bouncy and fast. If you have back issues, heart problems, or limited mobility, you’ll want to think carefully, and it’s not recommended for children under 10 or under 145 cm.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• 12 travelers max: small-group pace and more personal attention when spotting wildlife
• New 12m custom-built RIB with shock-absorbing seats: faster travel, less pounding than you might expect
• Winter-proof gear included: overalls, lifevest, gloves, and goggles mean less hassle packing
• Summer Akurey stop: a real chance to see puffins when they’re nesting
• Wildlife isn’t guaranteed: if you miss sightings, you get a complimentary ticket to try again

Why This RIB Whale Tour Works Better Than Slow Boats

Reykjavik’s whale watching scene has a lot of options, but the core advantage here is simple: a RIB express boat can get you between spots quickly. That matters because wildlife in Faxaflói Bay doesn’t sit still on your schedule. The faster you can reposition, the more time you spend scanning with intent instead of burning minutes cruising in place.

The tour is designed around exactly that reality. You head toward feeding grounds in the bay, you follow movement when the guide and captain find activity, and you keep your time on the water efficient. In a 2-hour window, that speed-to-time ratio is a real quality-of-experience factor.

The other big win is the guide team. You’re not just handed binoculars and sent out. You’re in a boat with an experienced crew focused on spotting, reading the water, and adjusting your route based on what they’re seeing. In practical terms, it gives you better odds of catching the action—whether that’s humpbacks surfacing, minke whales passing through, or dolphins moving close.

Getting Suited Up at the Old Harbour: Fast Check-In, Real Prep

Your tour starts at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area (Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík). If you chose hotel pickup, a shuttle takes you there; otherwise you’ll meet at the office. Either way, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. That’s not just for formality. It gives you time to check in, go through safety info, and get your gear on without feeling rushed.

Here’s what you’ll get: warm overalls, lifevest, gloves, and goggles—all included. The big practical benefit is that you don’t need to guess what Icelandic wind will do to you. If you’ve ever done the wrong clothing combo in Reykjavik, you know how fast things get unpleasant. This setup is a straightforward fix.

Then comes the safety speech before you board the RIB. It’s brief, but it’s worth listening. When the boat is moving at speed and water is choppy, your body position and how you hold onto yourself can be the difference between tolerating the ride and feeling miserable.

One small “life” tip: check the change area experience before you assume it’ll be roomy. A few past customers noted the space can feel tight during setup. Arriving early helps you avoid the last-minute scramble.

The 2-Hour Plan: From Reykjavik Bay to Whale Search Grounds

This is a 2-hour excursion on the water, and the timing matters. You’re not going to get a long scenic cruise. You’re going out to look for whales in Faxaflói Bay, then you’re heading back when your window is done.

Leaving port with a view of Esja and Faxaflói Bay

As you speed out, you’ll take in the scenery around you, including the Esja mountain view and the wider bay setting. Even if whales were to be quiet that day, you still get a genuinely Icelandic ocean experience: wind, open water, and the coastline coming into view as you run along the bay.

The search for whales (and why the guide’s job is different on a RIB)

The tour aims for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. On a RIB, the guide and captain can reposition quickly when sightings pop up.

That’s not just convenience—it changes what you experience. You can go from scanning to following a moving group, and you can do it in a way that fits the tour length. Past guests have described tracking humpbacks and spending focused time with the pod, which is exactly what this speed-focused approach is built for.

Also, the crew operates with wildlife rules in mind. One response mentioned following the IceWhale code of conduct, which is a good sign that the goal is to observe without turning wildlife into a show you can overrun.

Akurey Puffin Island: The Summer Bonus Stop

If you’re traveling in summer, you get an extra stop at Akurey, one of the popular puffin nesting islands. This only happens in the season when puffins are in Iceland for nesting, so it’s not a year-round promise.

What I like about this add-on is that it’s not a random detour. It adds a different kind of wildlife encounter to the day. If the whales are far apart or quiet, puffins give you another shot at seeing wildlife up close—plus they’re often active and visually obvious once you spot them from the boat area.

From a practical standpoint, bring your camera. Reykjavik coastline shots also come up on the way back, and if you’re aiming to document the puffin stop, you’ll want gear that’s easy to handle while your gloves and overalls are already on.

Who’s on the Boat: Small Group Dynamics That Actually Matter

This is a maximum of 12 travelers. That’s a sweet spot for a winter-bay wildlife trip. Large boats can be a circus—noise, long lines to move around, and less direct communication. Here, you feel more like you’re part of a group working with the captain and guide rather than passengers floating through someone else’s workflow.

It also helps with safety management. You suit up with everyone nearby, you listen to safety instructions, and you board in a way that stays organized. Less crowding typically means you spend more time watching and less time waiting.

And if you’re wondering about the guide style: past trips named specific people. For example, guides called out include Blanca and Jonathan, and one captain mentioned by name is Yoda. When crew members have a personal reputation for clear spotting and calm handling, you’re more likely to feel confident in the ride.

The Ride Reality Check: Speed, Bumps, and Seat Comfort

Let’s be honest about the main sensory experience: this boat is fast. A review noted it can run close to 30 knots, and that’s consistent with why this RIB is built for quick repositioning.

You get shock-absorbing seats designed to make things more stable and comfortable than you’d expect in a small speedboat. That said, it’s still open water in Iceland. If conditions are rough, you’ll feel it.

Here’s how to think about it:

• If you enjoy motion and don’t mind a bouncy ride, the intensity can feel like part of the adventure.
• If you’re sensitive to impacts or you have back issues, the combination of speed and chop can be rough even with the provided gear.

Special Tours also flagged that people with back problems and pregnant people shouldn’t join, and some guidance in the same spirit mentioned avoiding this if you have heart conditions or significant back pain concerns. If that’s you, I’d treat those warnings as the deciding factor, not a footnote.

Getting on and where you sit

Mobility can be a factor. Some guests mentioned it may be difficult to get in the boat if you have limited movement. If you’re unsure, ask before booking. It’s better to know how the boarding process works for your body than to gamble on a worst-case day.

Wildlife Chances: What You Can Control and What You Can’t

Here’s the truth that keeps this tour honest: wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed. That’s not a cop-out; it’s the nature of watching whales in an environment that’s always changing.

The good news is that this operator builds the trip around maximizing opportunities. The RIB format helps you reach feeding grounds and reposition fast when the crew finds activity. The guide’s job is to make sure you’re looking the right places at the right times instead of just hoping.

If you don’t see whales during your tour, you’re not left hanging. You’ll get a complimentary ticket to try again on their Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours. One response also stated that this free offer never expires, which is helpful if your Iceland plans are tight.

What sightings might look like

When it goes well, the experience can feel very close. Past guests described humpback whales and dolphins swimming near the boat, including intimate moments like a whale and calf interacting with pods. Even when sightings are brief, you can still get the kind of “I can’t believe we’re here” memories that make this trip worth the upfront cost.

Price and Value: Is This $189.87 Worth It?

At $189.87 per person for a 2-hour outing, this isn’t the cheapest way to do whale watching from Reykjavik. So I’d frame the value like this: you’re paying for three things that are hard to replicate elsewhere—speed, guidance, and included safety comfort.

1) Speed

A RIB boat gets you closer to the action faster. In whale watching, speed means more chances for active encounters inside a short time.

2) Expert guide + small group

You’re not just onboard; you’re guided. With up to 12 people, it’s easier to manage spotting and keep the group together.

3) Included waterproof gear

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and lifevest reduce the cost and hassle of packing the right layers. And since the North Atlantic breeze can be brutal, gear that’s actually designed for the conditions is a real value point.

If you can handle a bouncy ride and you’re serious about maximizing your odds in a short Reykjavik stay, I think this price is easier to justify. If you’re looking for a gentle boat tour only, or you know you’ll be uncomfortable in rougher water, you may find better fit with a different style of cruise.

Practical Tips Before You Go (So You Enjoy the Water, Not Fight It)

A few things will make your day smoother:

• Dress warmly anyway. You’ll get overalls, but you still need layers under them.
• Wear good shoes with solid grip. You don’t want cold, wet feet, and you want safe footing during boarding.
• Bring your camera, since you’ll see Reykjavik coastline on the way back and you may get a puffin stop in summer.
• Plan for check-in time. Arrive early to suit up without rushing.
• Manage expectations about sea conditions. The forecast can say rough, and you should believe it. If you’re prone to seasickness or have physical limits, consider that before you book.

Should You Book This RIB Whale Watching Tour?

Book it if you want the best shot at wildlife in a short time from Reykjavik, and you’re comfortable with a fast, open-water ride. The small-group feel, the speed of the RIB, and the fact that the crew is focused on spotting and repositioning are the big reasons to choose this over slower cruises.

Skip (or at least ask extra questions before booking) if you know you can’t handle bumpy motion, you have back or heart concerns, or you have limited mobility getting aboard. This is thrilling for many people, but it’s not a calm sightseeing boat.

If your main goal is a gentle day on the water, you might be happier with a less intense option. But if you want energy, quick movement, and the chance to see whales and dolphins up close—plus a summer puffin island stop—this tour is one of the more compelling choices from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (Old Harbour ticket office area).

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup is offered if you select that option. If you don’t choose pickup, you’ll meet at the ticket office.

What’s included in the ticket?

Warm overalls, lifevests, gloves, and goggles are included, plus an expert guide in English and suspension seats for comfort.

What wildlife are you looking for?

The tour searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.

Do you stop at Akurey for puffins?

During summer months, you’ll visit Akurey, a puffin nesting island.

Is a whale sighting guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed.

What happens if there are no sightings on your tour?

If you don’t see wildlife on your tour, you’ll 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/activity has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What’s the minimum age or height for this tour?

It is not recommended for children under 10 years old, or under 145 cm.

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