RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

Whales and puffins, right from Reykjavik’s harbor. This small-group RIB tour is built for close-up, sea-level wildlife with a professional marine biologist guide. I also like the added comfort and safety details, like warm coveralls and suspension seats made for a choppy North Atlantic.

You’ll get a fast boat ride plus short island stops during puffin season, when you can see puffins where they actually live near the city. The timing is tight but focused, so you’re not just touring around, you’re searching.

One thing to plan for: the water can turn rough. The tour is not recommended for travelers with knee problems, and some rides can feel bumpy depending on conditions and wind.

Key highlights you will feel on day one

• Max 12 travelers on a small RIB: less crowding, easier spotting, more back-and-forth with the guide
• Puffins in season (early May to late August): quick, real island viewing at Akurey, Engey, or Lundey
• A broad whale search in Faxafloi Bay: more water covered means a better chance for whales and dolphins
• Coveralls and safety gear included: you show up dressed for Iceland, and they handle the rest
• Suspension seats for comfort: shock-absorbing seating helps with safety and reduced injury risk
• Alternative tour if there are no sightings: you are not left with a blank trip

A RIB whale safari starts with the Old Harbour spot

This tour begins at Ægisgarður 5d in Reykjavik and returns to the same meeting point. That matters because you avoid long bus rides, and you get to spend your time doing the one thing you came for, being out on the water.

You also keep things simple with a mobile ticket and English offered. The group is kept small, with a maximum of 12 people, so you are not stuck behind a wall of coats and phones. Instead, the guide can actually steer the group to where the action is, without turning the experience into a slow shuffle.

The crew provides coveralls and safety equipment. That is a big deal in Iceland, where wind and spray can make you feel colder than you expect. Even if you pack well, having proper gear helps you stay focused on wildlife instead of dealing with comfort issues.

Price and value: what your $208.09 is really buying

At about $208.09 per person for roughly a two-hour experience, this is not the cheapest option in Reykjavik. But it is not just paying for a boat ride either.

Here is what you are effectively buying:

• A professional marine biologist guide who can help you understand what you are seeing
• A small RIB speedboat that can get you closer and cover more water
• Coveralls plus safety equipment so you are not guessing what to wear
• Suspension seats designed to absorb shocks and reduce injury risk

In other words, the value comes from the format. Big “look from afar” boats are fun, but a RIB changes the game. When whales surface, you can watch them at sea level, not from a distance and not from inside a crowded deck.

You should still expect the ocean to be the ocean. Some people get smoother conditions, others get a rougher ride. That is not a deal-breaker, but it is part of the bargain for being close to wildlife.

Puffin season adds a whole extra layer to the trip

If you travel in the window from early May to the end of August, you may get a puffin stop. The operator plans it as part of the same outing, so you can combine land-based birds with true open-water whale watching.

The puffin viewing is not a long bus tour or a distant viewpoint. You typically head out to nearby islands such as Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, just outside Reykjavik, and spend around 5 to 10 minutes there. That short time can sound quick, until you remember you are trying to see seabirds that move fast and do not hold still for long.

This is also where small-group format shows up again. With fewer people, the guide can adjust quickly when birds pop up. You are more likely to get a good look in the time you have, rather than having everyone drift into the background.

Stop by stop: from quick island puffins to a whale hunt

1) Ægisgarður 5d and the first search zone

You start at the Old Harbour area and the plan is simple. During puffin season, you first do puffins. Then you head out in search of whales and dolphins.

The key detail here is mindset. This is not a “guaranteed whales only” route. It is a search. The fast, stable RIB format helps the crew cover more area, which increases your chances of spotting wildlife.

2) Akurey, Engey, or Lundey: puffins in their real habitat

The puffin stop is brief but purposeful. Expect to see seabirds dominating the skies and cliffs around the islands, and you may also spot other species in the mix.

What I like about this stop is that it keeps your time well used. You do not waste the day waiting. You get your birds, then you switch into whale mode.

A possible downside is that the time on the island can be short. If you are the type who wants long, slow bird watching, you might wish it ran longer. But as a bonus add-on inside a whale safari, this stop is a smart way to double your wildlife odds in a single trip.

3) Faxafloi Bay for the main whale safari

Next is the big stretch, usually about 1 hour 30 minutes searching in Faxafloi Bay. This is where the tour earns its reputation.

The crew looks for whales, dolphins, and bird life, and the boat setup helps. RIBs are small and fast, which means you can get to sightings quickly and adjust when the animals change position.

Comfort matters here too. The boats have high performance suspension seats designed to absorb shocks. That is meant to improve comfort and reduce injury risk, and it shows up as you spend more time moving through waves and swells.

4) Back along Reykjavik’s shoreline: Harpa and Sun Voyager views

After the whale safari, you head back to Reykjavik. There is time for a sea-level viewpoint along the shoreline, including passing the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Harpa Concert Hall area.

A quick harbor pass sounds like a small add-on, but it is a nice bookend. When your brain is still buzzing from whales, it helps to switch scenes into city views you can actually photograph.

What “close-up at sea level” feels like in practice

The tour format is designed for moments where animals show up fast and right near the boat. People have described humpbacks surfacing close to the RIB, with some sightings featuring breaching. Dolphins have also been spotted close enough to feel like they are part of the ride.

Because you are riding a small speedboat, the crew can sometimes reposition quickly when whales surface. That improves the odds of multiple sightings during the same trip, instead of one brief spout and then waiting.

You might even see other wildlife beyond whales and dolphins, including sea birds during the puffin portion. And in at least one case, a passenger reported a basking shark sighting. That is not something you should count on, but it’s a reminder that the North Atlantic has surprises.

The ride comfort reality: warm gear helps, weather decides the texture

This tour runs on the North Atlantic, so you are trading comfort for access. Still, the operator tries to make it manageable.

You get coveralls plus safety equipment. Expect the crew to help you get set up before you head out. Many passengers highlight that the gear is warm and waterproof, and that it makes a big difference when spray and wind hit.

Also, you are on suspension seats, which can help when the water gets bumpy. One of the most practical points is that rough conditions can vary. Some people said it was not rough for them. Others mentioned a choppy ride, especially later on the route, and they advised older travelers to pay attention to how their group handles waves.

If you are sensitive to motion or sea sickness, take that seriously. This tour includes guidance for handling people who feel queasy, and the crew is used to working with different comfort levels. Still, the ocean conditions will always be the final boss.

Who this tour is best for, and who should skip it

This is a moderate-activity experience because you are on a small boat and you need to stay balanced while the RIB moves over waves. The operator also notes that the tour is not recommended for travelers with knee problems.

Children must be over age 10 and over 145 cm tall. If you are traveling with kids who are shorter, this one may not work.

This tour is a great fit if:

• You want a small-group wildlife experience without feeling packed in
• You are traveling in puffin season and want puffins plus whales in one outing
• You like active tours where the crew searches and reacts quickly

It may be a poor fit if:

• You have knee issues or mobility constraints
• Your group cannot handle cold wind and a possible bumpy ride
• You are traveling with young children who do not meet the height and age rules

Weather, sightings, and what happens when the sea is uncooperative

Good weather is required. The North Atlantic can shut plans down fast when winds are too high. On rough days, you may be offered a different date or a refund, depending on the situation.

Sightings are also wildlife-dependent. In the case of no sightings, you should receive a ticket for an alternative tour. That at least gives you a second chance rather than a total loss.

The best approach is to book this when you have a little flexibility in your Reykjavik schedule. If you are only in town for a single day with no wiggle room, consider building in a backup plan or pairing your whale watch with a flexible day trip instead of something fixed and tight.

Should you book this RIB tour from Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a small-group, sea-level experience that prioritizes getting close to wildlife. The mix of a marine biologist guide, warm gear, and the RIB’s ability to cover more water is exactly what makes this kind of outing feel worth the price.

Skip it if your group cannot handle a boat that may be bumpy, or if you are in the knee-problems category. Also, only choose this with puffin season in mind if seabirds are a must for your trip, since the puffin stop is tied to that May to August window.

If you do book, dress for wind, plan for real ocean movement, and go into it with a search mindset. This tour is at its best when you treat it as a wildlife chase with a great crew, not as a guaranteed “whales every time” production.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB whale watching tour?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What should I wear?

Dress warmly with wool or fleece layers, plus a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. The tour also provides coveralls.

What are the child age and height requirements?

Children must be over age 10 and over 145 centimeters tall.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What if there are no whale sightings or the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. If there are no sightings, you will receive a ticket for an alternative tour.