Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

A whale watch in Reykjavik can feel like luck, but this one moves fast. I love the RIB boat format, which gets you closer while staying nimble, and I love the comfort setup with shock-suspension seating. The one drawback to plan around is that the route depends on weather, and the ride can feel bouncy if you are sensitive to motion.

After about two hours on the water, you also get a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik’s Grandi harbor district, so the learning does not end when you come back. In summer, you may also stop at Akurey to see puffin nesting areas along the coast, which adds a second wildlife bonus beyond whales.

Key highlights to know before you go

• RIB speed and maneuvering: cruising around 32 knots helps your captain reposition quickly when sightings happen.
• Warm-water gear included: overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles take the edge off the cold.
• Faxaflói Bay feeding grounds: the whole point is searching and spending time where whales feed.
• Summer puffin stop at Akurey: you get a look at nesting grounds during breeding season.
• Museum ticket after the tour: you can connect what you saw with whale biology, migration, and conservation.

A RIB whale hunt in Faxaflói Bay: fast, close, and built for motion

Faxaflói Bay is one of those places where you can go from “What am I looking at?” to “Wait, that is a whale” quickly. The RIB format matters because you are not stuck on a slow, long ship. You travel to whale areas fast, and when the captain spots activity, the boat can react without losing too much time.

I also like that this trip is designed for real sightings, not just sightseeing. The aim is to get you to whale-feeding areas and spend time there, so you have a chance to see behavior like surfacing, feeding, or resting. On good days, people report everything from minke whales and humpbacks to pods of dolphins, plus puffins in summer.

The main thing to consider is the ride itself. RIBs are quick, and they bounce. Most people enjoy it as part of the fun, but if you hate motion, you should take the comfort gear seriously and plan your layers.

Meeting at Aegisgardur 5E, then getting outfitted properly

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik. From there, you get ready as a group before heading out to sea, and the team helps you get kitted up.

What I find valuable is that you are not left to guess how to dress. You get warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles, which are all practical for spray, wind, and cold. A few people recommend adding extra layers under the overalls, which is smart because Iceland wind can cut through even when you are well bundled.

Once you are dressed, you will board the RIB. The seats are described as having shock suspension, so you get a smoother ride than you might expect from a fast inflatable-style craft. That is the difference between tolerable and miserable when the waves pick up.

The 32-knot ride to the whale feeding grounds

Your sailing goal is Faxaflói Bay, with a focus on whale feeding grounds. The boat can cruise at around 32 knots, which is fast enough to cover water and reposition as conditions change. That speed also helps when dolphins or birds show feeding behavior, because it means you can reach the action quickly instead of waiting for a slow ship to turn.

In practice, this kind of trip rewards awareness. Your guide will point out what you are seeing and what to watch for, like surfacing patterns or marine activity near the surface. When people are lucky, they get repeated sightings, not just a single “there it is” moment.

On some departures, the “search” phase can take time, and you might end up with more dolphins than whales, or brief whale glimpses rather than long views. That is not a failure on your part. It is the reality of open-water wildlife watching, and the captain’s experience with wind, waves, and safety is the real deciding factor.

Safety and comfort on a shock-suspension RIB

This is the big reason to pick a RIB if you want close wildlife encounters without feeling reckless. The tour is set up to get you extra close in a way that is safe for passengers and animals. You are still in control of your own comfort, but the boat and crew are built for this kind of work.

Look closely at the gear and use it. The overalls help with wind and spray, and gloves matter more than you think once you are handling zippers, straps, or cameras with cold fingers. Goggles also help when the boat throws water toward the front, which is common on fast rides.

People have noted that the trip can feel like a rollercoaster ride, especially if the water is choppy. The suspension seating helps, and a number of passengers say they felt fine once they accepted the motion. If you are prone to sea sickness, I would treat this as an adrenaline ride, not a calm cruise.

Summer Akurey puffins: nesting grounds you can see from the coast

In summer months, the tour can include a stop by Akurey island to look for puffins. This is not just a quick fly-by. You get a chance to see puffin nesting areas along the coast during breeding season, and that gives the trip a second wildlife focus.

What I like about this add-on is that it gives you something to do even on days when whales are harder to find. Puffins are small, visual birds with clear activity patterns, so it is easier to feel like you are “in it” right away. People also talk about seeing pufflings, tiny chicks, during the summer, which makes the whole stop feel more like wildlife watching than just looking at a distant colony.

One practical note: you will be out on the water and then potentially near the coast in cold sea wind. Even if the day looks mild in Reykjavik, treat it as a wind-chill moment.

Whales of Iceland Museum in Grandi harbor after your trip

This tour includes a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum in the Grandi harbor district of Reykjavik. That is a smart pairing because it helps you put names to what you might have seen on the boat.

Instead of relying on memory alone, you can learn about whale biology, migration, and conservation right after your experience. It is also a good way to process different sightings, even if you only saw a couple species or mostly dolphins. The museum can fill in the gaps between what you observed and what it means in the bigger ecosystem.

It also makes timing easier. You do not have to turn your whale watch into a full day of driving and separate ticket hunting. You come back, then head to the museum while the experience is still fresh.

Price and value at $194 for two hours on the water

At $194 per person for a roughly two-hour outing, you are paying for three things: a fast RIB experience, professional guiding, and included cold-weather gear. You are also getting museum entry bundled in, which changes the math compared to boat-only options.

This price makes the most sense if you want an active trip. The RIB format is not about comfort-only. It is about reaching feeding areas quickly, making safer close approaches, and giving you a better chance at repeat wildlife moments during the time you are out.

It is also worth thinking about what you would pay if you had to cover gear and museum separately. Since you already get warm overalls, gloves, and goggles plus the museum ticket, the cost feels more like a package than a la carte tourism.

If your number one goal is maximum calm, you may feel the RIB ride is not your style. But if your goal is wildlife, speed to sightings, and learning right after, this price is easier to justify.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This outing is a strong match for people who want close marine viewing and do not mind a fast, sometimes bouncy ride. It also tends to work well for animal lovers who enjoy learning in real time, because the guide explains whales and other marine species as you look.

The age and health limits are important. The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 140 cm tall. If any of these apply, it is better to choose a different format rather than force it.

As for who will enjoy it most, think about your own comfort with motion and cold. Many passengers say the provided overalls make a big difference, and some even felt the RIB motion was more fun than scary. If sea sickness is a regular issue for you, consider whether the bouncy, fast nature of a RIB aligns with how you feel on boats.

Weather reality in Reykjavik: plan for flexibility

Even with strong captains and smart search routes, whales are wild animals. The tour is explicitly dependent on weather conditions, and the captains decide whether to sail based on years of experience, with safety and comfort first.

That means your best strategy is flexibility. If you are visiting during a short Reykjavik window, build in buffer time rather than scheduling this as the one activity that must happen no matter what. When weather is not ideal, the priority is not forcing a risky run.

It also means expectations should be practical. Some trips may focus on dolphins, while others include multiple whale species and long viewing time. You might not get every species, but you can still have a memorable outing because the RIB ride and the wildlife searching are part of the experience.

Tour personality: guides, pace, and what to pay attention to

The tone of this trip is built around active guiding and quick movement. English-speaking guides lead the way and share facts about whales and other marine species, plus they keep everyone oriented as the captain searches.

Guide names you may see associated with the experience include Joel, Rebekka/Rebecca, Daniel, Iris, Eva, and Patrik. Different guides bring different energy, but the common thread is that they watch closely for wildlife cues and answer questions as they come up.

I also like the pace because it stays focused on getting you into the right area. The RIB boat is maneuverable enough to react, which is why you can sometimes get multiple whale encounters instead of one distant sighting.

Should you book this Reykjavik RIB whale watching tour?

Book it if you want the closest, most hands-on whale watching option that Reykjavik has to offer, and you are okay with a fast RIB ride. I would especially recommend it if you like two-part value: wildlife on the water plus learning at the Whales of Iceland Museum right afterward.

Consider skipping or swapping formats if you are in the “calm and steady” camp, since the ride can be fast and bouncy. Also skip if the tour’s limits apply to you, including back issues, pregnancy, or height requirements.

If you do book, wear your cold-weather setup seriously. Add extra layers under the overalls if you run cold, keep your goggles handy for spray, and treat the trip like wildlife hunting with a plan, not a guaranteed whale buffet. With that mindset, this tour often feels like a top Reykjavik day, because it mixes speed, safety, and real animal time.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the RIB whale watching tour?

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

How long is the whale watching tour?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

What cold-weather gear is included?

Warm overalls are included, along with a life vest, gloves, and goggles.

Is the Whales of Iceland Museum ticket included?

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

Is there a puffin stop on this tour?

In the summer months, the tour may stop at Akurey to look for puffins and their nesting grounds along the coast.

Does the weather affect whether the tour sails?

Yes. The tour is dependent on weather conditions, and the captains decide based on safety and comfort.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What are the cancellation and pay-later options?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 140 cm tall.