2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

A fast boat, big chances, wild views. I really like the RIB ride here because it helps you get between whale hotspots quickly, and you spend more time searching the water instead of idling in port. I also love the expert guide team and small-group setup, which makes spotting and interpreting sea life feel more like fieldwork than sightseeing. The main thing to weigh is comfort: this is an open, quick-moving boat, and if the sea turns rough, the ride can be bouncy.

You’ll start in the Old Harbour area, get suited up in warm waterproof overalls, and head out into Faxaflói Bay for a focused run at humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. On summer dates, the tour adds Akurey, a famous puffin nesting island, so you’re not only chasing whales.

One more consideration, plain and simple: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The good news is that if you come back without a sighting, you’re offered a complimentary ticket to try again on other whale-watching tours.

Key things I’d watch for before you go

• RIB speed matters: you’re traveling fast to reach feeding grounds and active pods.
• Whale spotting is guided: the crew actively tracks and follows sightings when conditions allow.
• You get fully kitted: warm overalls, life jacket, gloves, and goggles are included.
• Seasonal puffins at Akurey: in summer, you stop at a nesting island when puffins are around.
• Small group, max 12: you get a more personal experience and quicker communication on board.
• This boat can feel intense: shock-moderating seats help, but rough water can still rattle you.

Reykjavik Whale Watching by RIB: what you’re really buying

Reykjavik’s whale-watching scene is competitive because the sea life is real and timing matters. This tour is built around one idea: a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) lets you move fast and adjust course quickly when whales or dolphins show up. That translates into practical value. You’re not just taking a cruise, you’re joining a hunt with a crew that’s trying to make the most of the day.

The second big value piece is the “gear plus guidance” combo. You’ll be handed warm overalls, lifevest, gloves, and goggles, and you’ll get a safety talk before boarding. That sounds basic, but it matters in Iceland. Wind off the water can cut through regular layers fast. The included kit helps you stay warm enough to actually enjoy the ride and keep your attention on spotting.

The price is around $189.87 per person for about 2 hours, which is not cheap. The “why” is straightforward: you’re paying for speed, a small group, and staff on the water working to increase your chances. If you want a low-effort, comfortable boat where you can mostly sit and watch, you’ll probably feel like you paid extra for motion. If you want action and close-to-the-water viewing, it’s easier to justify.

From the Old Harbour check-in to the brand-new RIB

Your tour starts at the Special Tours meeting point in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area. The address given is Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. If you select hotel pickup, a van brings you to the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour; otherwise you meet there directly.

Before you step onto the boat, plan on time to check in. You should arrive at least 30 minutes early so the team can fit you into the waterproof gear and go over safety information. Then comes the fun part: warm overalls, life jacket, gloves, goggles, and a short safety briefing from your guide before boarding.

Boarding a 12 m custom-built RIB express boat is part of the experience. One detail I’m glad they call out is comfort and stability. The boat uses special shock-absorbing or suspension-style seats, which helps take the edge off the bouncy ride. Still, this is an open boat that can feel fast. In the right conditions it’s exciting, and in rougher water it can feel like a roller coaster.

The ride out across Faxaflói Bay, plus the Esja views

Once you leave the harbour, you’re quickly out into Faxaflói Bay. The tour route is designed to look for feeding grounds, so you’ll travel with a purpose. Along the way, you get scenic breaks you might not expect on a whale hunt, including views of the Esja mountain and the wide Reykjavik shoreline on the way back.

This matters because Iceland weather can change fast. When the wind is holding and skies are clear, you’ll get those postcard moments from the moving boat. When it turns gray and gusty, you’ll still have something to do: spot movement on the surface, watch for spouts or fins, and listen to what the guide says about what to look for in that moment.

Wildlife targets: what you might see in the 2-hour search

This tour focuses on a short list of common species in the Reykjavik area. You’re hunting for:

• Humpback whales
• Minke whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Harbour porpoises

In practical terms, that means the crew isn’t trying to cover every possible species. They concentrate on what’s most likely and what they can actively track during your time window.

You can also get a sense of how it plays out from guide and captain routines. People specifically mention captains handling maneuvering well, and guides giving clear explanations. Names you might hear include captain Yoda and guides such as Blanca and Jonathan. Even if you never hear the same names, the pattern holds: the crew is working constantly to translate what they see into what you should look for next.

One more expectation reset, important for value: whales are wild animals, and they don’t show up on a schedule. Some trips end with multiple sightings and long follows; other trips come down to quick glimpses or just one. If you end up with no sightings, you’ll receive a complimentary ticket to try again on other whale-watching tours.

The seasonal Akurey stop: puffins instead of Plan B

Here’s a smart twist that changes the whole feel of the tour in summer. During the months when puffins are in Iceland for nesting, the boat makes a stop at Akurey, one of the most popular puffin nesting islands.

This is not a full birding expedition, and you shouldn’t expect a long land visit. But it does two useful things:

1. It gives you a second wildlife target even if whales are quiet.
2. It adds variety to the 2-hour experience so you’re not only focused on one kind of animal.

If you’re traveling in summer, Akurey is a strong reason to choose this RIB option versus a whale-only cruise, because you’re getting both “sea giants” and “small island characters” in one outing.

On-board comfort and the real talk about rough water

The tour includes warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. That kit is a big deal, because most of the cold comes from wind and spray, not just air temperature. It also helps you focus on the water instead of constantly adjusting clothes.

Now the caution. This is a fast boat and can get bouncy. Some people love that intensity. Others get thrown around more than they expected. The seating helps, and the boat design is meant to handle motion, but the experience can still be intense when conditions are rough.

A good rule for deciding if you’re a match: if you have a heart condition, significant back problems, or mobility limitations, you should treat the RIB ride as a serious factor. One operator note included in the tour information says it is not recommended for children under age 10, or under 145 cm, and the tour team also flags that people who are pregnant or have back problems should not join. If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Ask directly before you pay.

Safety and how the crew sets the tone

The tour runs with a clear safety rhythm. You’ll have a safety briefing before boarding, and you’ll wear life jackets and the waterproof layers from check-in. In general, people describe feeling safe on board, and the captain maneuvering often gets praise when they are tracking whales closely.

Even when conditions are exciting, the best crews keep the focus on calm procedure, timing, and respect for wildlife. If the guide is doing their job well, you’ll feel it in small things, like how they slow down for good viewing opportunities and how they quickly explain what you’re looking at.

The group size advantage: why 12 people feels different

This tour limits to a maximum of 12 travelers. That small group size has a real impact on your experience.

On a small boat, the guide can keep the group together and give clearer, faster direction. You also get a better view of the water surfaces where whales and dolphins tend to appear. When the crew spots something and needs you to focus, there’s less scrambling and more listening to one set of instructions.

It also makes the timing feel tighter. You don’t wait on a big group shuffle. You get geared up, board, and go.

Getting your money’s worth if the whales are shy

Here’s how to think about the value, especially if you’re worried about not seeing animals. The tour is designed to increase the odds by using a fast boat and expert spotting. Still, the sea is unpredictable.

The offer that matters most for peace of mind is the complimentary ticket if there are no sightings on your tour. That doesn’t guarantee results, but it does reduce the risk of your Iceland itinerary turning into a wasted afternoon. If you’re flexible with your schedule, that backup option is a big practical advantage.

If you do see wildlife, the value becomes very easy to understand. People often describe being close to whales and dolphins, with guided tracking that can last a while when animals are active. Those are the moments that make you remember the ride, not just the fact that you went.

Who this RIB whale watching tour fits best

This experience is a strong match if you want:

• A high-energy boat ride and quicker movement between possible sightings
• A guided search for humpbacks, minke whales, and dolphins
• Warm included gear so you can stay outside longer
• Summer add-ons like a stop at Akurey for puffins
• A small-group format where you actually feel connected to the action

It may be a weaker fit if you want a calm, low-motion cruise, or if you have significant mobility, pregnancy, or back issues. In those cases, you can still enjoy whale watching in Iceland, but you’ll likely want to choose a style of tour that’s built for comfort first.

Quick tips to make your trip smoother

Bring your best weather attitude and your best layers. Even with overalls and gloves provided, you’ll want to wear warm under-layers you can move in.

Good shoes matter because you’ll be suited up and moving around during check-in. Also, arrive early so you’re not stressed when the gear fitting and safety briefing happen. If you’re the type who gets cold fast, you’ll love that the tour supplies kit that’s made for Iceland wind and spray, but you still want to dress smart.

Finally, treat the ride like part of the adventure, not just transportation. If you’re prone to seasickness, this boat’s speed and motion could be a problem. If you handle it well, the quick pace can make the experience feel like you’re in the middle of the action.

Should you book the RIB whale watching tour from Reykjavik?

Book it if you want the most action-focused whale watching option from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area, and you’re excited by the idea of a fast RIB ride plus a guided hunt. The combination of expert tracking, included waterproof gear, and the possibility of seeing humpbacks, minke whales, and dolphins makes it a strong choice for a short Iceland trip.

Don’t book it if you need a very calm ride or if you have concerns about motion and rough water. This tour is best as an outdoor adventure, not a sit-and-glance experience.

If your biggest priority is maximizing chances and you’re okay with a little intensity, this is one of the most practical ways to spend a couple hours in Reykjavik looking for whales and, in summer, puffins at Akurey.

FAQ

How long is the 2-hour RIB boat whale watching tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Hotel pickup can be added as an option. If you do not select pickup, you meet at the ticket office in the Old Harbour.

What wildlife are they looking for during the trip?

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

Is Akurey included?

Yes, the tour includes a visit to Akurey, the puffin nesting island, during summer months.

What gear is provided?

Warm overalls, lifevests, gloves, and goggles are included. The boat also has suspension-style seats for extra comfort.

What if we do not see whales or dolphins?

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If there are no sightings on your tour, you will receive a complimentary ticket to try again on other whale watching tours.

Who is this tour not recommended for?

It is not recommended for children under age 10 or under 145 cm. The tour also advises travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

What is the cancellation policy if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.