Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

A fast RIB makes whale time count. This Reykjavik outing turns the wild water of Faxaflói Bay into a close-up nature sprint, with smart stops like Sun Voyager and Harpa.

I especially like the warm waterproof gear included, because Iceland wind has a way of finding weak spots. The crew is also set up to give real-time info on whales, wildlife, and the city.

I also love the small-group size, capped at 12 travelers, which keeps things personal and makes the guide easier to hear. On a larger boat you can get lost in the crowd, but here you’re right there at the action.

One possible drawback: the ride is fast and can feel bouncy, and while the kit helps, at least one guest noted the clothing provided was not fully waterproof. If you have back or knee issues, consider that before you choose the RIB.

Key things I’d plan for before you go

• Small group (max 12) means you can actually see and ask questions, not just listen from far away
• Included waterproof layers (overall, gloves, goggles) help you handle spray and cold
• RIB speed matters for whale spotting, because the captain can chase sightings quickly
• City views from the water at Sun Voyager and Harpa add extra Reykjavik value
• Weather is the deal-breaker, and rough conditions can affect what happens that day

Speedboat Whale Watching in Reykjavik, the practical way

Reykjavik whale watching works best when you treat it like hunting, not sightseeing. Fish, birds, and whales are moving around, so your odds improve when you can reach the right patch of water fast. This is exactly what the RIB style tour is built for, a compact boat that stays maneuverable and can react quickly when wildlife shows up.

The big theme here is efficient time. In about two hours, you get to enjoy the Bay, pass key waterfront sights, and still have meaningful minutes where whales, dolphins, seals, or sea birds might be right near the boat. If you only have a short window in Iceland, this format helps you squeeze value out of limited time.

Where you meet and how to avoid missing the boat

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not stuck figuring out where to go next.

A small but important tip from real-world experience: arrive early. One review noted that the stated start time felt about 30 minutes earlier in practice, and that arriving late can make you miss departure. If you are coming by bus or taxi, I’d still treat this as a show-up-early situation and plan buffer time.

Also, there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. The plus is that you can be in control of your own schedule. The tradeoff is simple: you have to get yourself to the meeting point.

Sun Voyager and Harpa, seeing Reykjavik from the water

This is not a pure “stand in line, go look at sea” tour. The route is paced so you pick up memorable city views early, then switch gears to the wildlife run.

You start with a stop by Sun Voyager. It is one of the most photographed spots in Reykjavik, and seeing it from the water gives you a new angle, plus a sense of how compact the city is compared with the open bay. Even if you have already seen photos, the waterfront scale feels different when you are moving.

Then you head past Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. Harpa is all about glass, geometry, and light, and it looks especially sharp from the sea. The ride gives you a moving perspective, which is hard to replicate from land unless you walk to multiple viewpoints.

The value here is that you get Reykjavik context before the wildlife part. You spend less time wondering where you are, and more time focusing on what the crew is pointing out.

The RIB ride itself: fast, close, and bouncy in a fun way

A RIB is built to be quick. That shows in how rapidly you cover water and how easily you can follow animal movement. Reviews repeatedly mention that this speed is the main reason this tour feels worth the extra cost compared with bigger boats.

Expect motion. You will be on a speedboat that handles waves, and you will bounce up and down at times. The seats reportedly have shock-absorber style suspension, which helps, but physics is still physics. If you get motion-sick easily, plan accordingly, and if you have mobility limitations, consider whether this style is a good match for your body.

The upside of the motion is visibility. On a large boat, the distance can keep whales feeling small. Here, you are closer to the waterline, and that changes everything when a whale surfaces or dolphins ride alongside. People also noted that the seating setup gives good sightlines, not back-row-only views.

What wildlife you’re actually hoping to see

Faxaflói Bay is a serious feeding and resting zone, which is why this area keeps showing up in Iceland wildlife stories. The tour is aimed at spotting whales, dolphins, and seals, with sea birds adding constant action overhead. Puffins are specifically called out as a possibility in the wider bay ecosystem.

When the boat spots something, the crew does not just “look.” They react. One guest mentioned how the boats communicate when there is a sighting, and that this rapid coordination is part of why the RIB tour can get you to the right place sooner than larger vessels. In practice, that means more chances to see extended behavior, not just a quick spout and gone.

A few notable species that guests reported seeing include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Some tours also connected sightings with extra moments, like birds flying close or whales surfacing again after repositioning.

Meet the guides, and why the small boat helps

This kind of tour rises and falls on the guide, and the crew here seems to know how to work a small vessel. Several reviews call out guides such as Anika, Rebecca, Rebekah, Joel, Joe, and Otto. One passenger specifically noted a guide who was a marine biologist, and the point was simple: information was clear and easy to hear without a loudspeaker.

Small-group setup matters. When everyone is close to the front of the action, the guide can talk like a person, not like a megaphone. You can ask questions, and you do not lose the moment while you wait for someone to repeat it.

That said, a small group also means crowd behavior can still happen. One review complained about people blocking views by standing in front of others and about the guide not controlling that well enough. Your best move is to choose your spot early and stay mindful of sightlines, because the best whales deserve the full view, not a shoulder parked in front of you.

Gear and clothing, what’s included and what I’d add

The tour includes safety and warmth items: a lifejacket plus a warm waterproof overall with gloves and goggles. That kit is a big deal on a fast boat. The goggles help with wind and spray, and the gloves keep your hands functional when you need to adjust your position to spot wildlife.

Dress warmly anyway. The tour data says to dress warmly, and that matches what you can feel the moment you step out into Reykjavik weather. Also, one guest noted the provided clothes were not fully waterproof. So I’d treat the included kit as helpful insulation and splash protection, not a guarantee against soaking through.

If you want to be practical, add your own layers that you trust. Waterproof shoes can be a smart call, because getting wet feet in cold wind is not a fun souvenir. If you have sensitive knees or back issues, factor in that you may be semi-standing or bracing during the ride, not just sitting comfortably the whole time.

The itinerary flow, how the time gets used

This is an approximately two-hour tour that runs as a sequence: city stops, then the wildlife hunt, then back to the meeting point. The short duration is part of the design. You get just enough Reykjavik scenery to feel you did more than chase whales blindly, and then you focus on wildlife where the RIB speed actually pays off.

You should also know that animal behavior is not scheduled. You can do everything right and still have a day where whales do not show. The upside is that the crew can keep moving and chasing the best leads because the boat is fast and maneuverable.

In at least one review, the tour included a brief puffin-related stop, described as a quick look at puffin island. That is not guaranteed in the basic stop list you are given, so think of it as a nice bonus when it happens, not the reason you should book.

Price and value, why $164 can make sense

At $164 per person for about two hours, this is not the cheapest way to do whale watching. But the price buys something real: speed, closeness, and a smaller group.

Compared with larger boats, the RIB’s main advantage is how quickly it can reach a sighting. Reviews repeatedly frame the extra cost as worth it because you are able to get to whales sooner, and you can follow their movement more effectively. That matters because the most memorable wildlife moments last longer than a single spout, and speed helps you stay in range.

The group size also improves value. When you have a max of 12 travelers, you spend more time seeing and less time waiting for your turn at the rail. You also tend to get a more conversational guide experience, including names like Anika and Rebecca being called out by guests for how they explain what you are looking at.

So here’s how I’d weigh it: if you care about maximizing your chance of close-up encounters and you want the boat ride to be exciting, the higher price can feel justified. If you mainly want calm and comfort, you might prefer a larger boat format.

Who this tour is best for

This tour is a strong fit if:

• you want close wildlife viewing in a short window
• you like boats that feel like an adventure, not a floating waiting room
• you appreciate small-group guides who can talk directly
• you plan to dress warm and accept that weather can change the vibe fast

It might not be the best fit if:

• you are sensitive to bouncy motion and rougher seas
• you have back or knee concerns and know that semi-standing or bracing is hard for you
• you need a guaranteed calm, slow experience

If you travel as a family, it can still work. One review even described taking a daughter and calling it a great experience, with the ride judged safe and exciting.

Should you book Katla Whale Watching’s RIB tour?

Yes, I’d book it if your priority is whale watching with the best shot at closeness and you want a small-group experience in Reykjavik. The included gear, the speed, and the city views make it feel like you get two parts of Iceland in one outing: classic Reykjavik waterfront sights and the wildlife that feeds in the bay.

Book with eyes open. The tour depends on weather, and you should dress for cold spray even when the city looks mild. Also, consider your comfort with a fast, bouncy ride and the possibility that a few people can block sightlines in a small group if they are not careful.

If you want a calm, slow ride where comfort comes first, you might choose a bigger boat option instead. If you want the moments that happen when whales surface nearby, the RIB is built for that chase.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What does the tour cost?

The price is $164 per person.

Where do I meet the tour in Reykjavik?

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What wildlife might I see in Faxaflói Bay?

The tour focuses on whales, dolphins, seals, and sea birds, with puffins mentioned as part of the bay’s life.

What gear is included for the ride?

The tour includes a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a lifejacket.

How many people are in the small group?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What if the weather is bad and the tour gets canceled?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.