From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

Fast boats meet real whales.

This 2-hour RIB cruise from Reykjavik’s old harbor turns Faxaflói Bay into a close-up wildlife search—plus you ride past famous city sights like Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture on the way out.

I like the practical comfort here: you’re riding in a new-style inflatable with suspension seats (so the bumps aren’t pure torture), and you get full, live guidance on whales and local wildlife while you’re out on the water. It also helps that the crew focuses on safety gear and keeping the experience respectful.

One thing to think about before you book: if the wind is up, the ride can get bumpy. It’s exciting, but it’s not calm-lake cruising—choose your day wisely if you’re sensitive to rough water.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• New 12-seat RIB with suspension seats makes the speed and spray more tolerable
• Faxaflói Bay whale chances include up to 23 whale species, plus dolphins and seals
• Puffins near nesting islands with chances to see birds flying and swimming close to the boat
• Warm waterproof overall, gloves, and goggles keep you comfortable in Icelandic weather
• City sights on the route out: Harpa and Sun Voyager are right there before the wildlife hunt starts
• A good guide makes the difference with facts and spotting tips while you’re scanning the sea

Reykjavik’s Old Harbor to the Open Water in 2 Hours

This is a straightforward outing: you start in the old harbor area of Reykjavik and head into Faxaflói Bay for a focused wildlife window. The whole thing clocks in at 2 hours, which is long enough to get out, look hard, and still come back before you feel like you’ve been out in the elements forever.

Your meeting point is Ægisgarður 5G, about a 5-minute walk from the city center. Once you arrive, you’ll be set up with the Iceland essentials for cold, spray, and wind: a warm waterproof overall, life jacket rental, gloves, goggles, and your own whale scarf (the tour asks you to bring it).

What makes this trip feel special is the speedboat format. You’re not stuck watching from a distant deck. A rigid inflatable (a RIB) is built for getting out there and closing the distance when conditions allow.

Passing Harpa and Sun Voyager Before You Hunt Whales

Before you ever aim your eyes at the sea, you get Reykjavik built into the start of the experience. The route takes you past Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture, so your first views are city views—clean, graphic, and easy to appreciate even if the weather changes fast.

This matters more than it sounds. Many tours start with immediate “go go go” and you miss the chance to orient yourself in Reykjavik. Here, you get that early landmark moment first, then you switch gears to scanning for spouts and surface movement in the bay.

It also helps with pacing. If you’re the type who likes a warm-up moment (or you’re traveling with people who get restless), the quick sightseeing out of the harbor keeps things moving but not rushed.

Faxaflói Bay: Your Best Shot at Whales, Dolphins, and Seals

Faxaflói Bay is the point. This cruise heads into waters where up to 23 species of whales can show up, and where dolphins and seals are often in the mix. That’s a big wildlife menu for a short trip, but the important reality is also simple: seeing whales isn’t guaranteed.

Why? Iceland’s coastline and open sea make spotting harder than an aquarium. From a boat, you’re looking at a moving horizon, often in wind and changing light. A whale’s blow and body can be visible briefly, then gone. The good news is that the boat format helps you keep searching rather than waiting around.

A couple of practical tips I’d bring to your eyes:

• Keep your attention wide, not tunnel vision on one spot. The guide will direct you, but wildlife can shift locations fast.
• Watch for movement patterns: spouts, quick surface changes, or “breaks” in the water where the animals are coming up to breathe.

If you’re lucky (and you might be), you’ll see a humpback feeding behavior from the waterline, or dolphins circling and diving close enough that you feel like you’re watching them perform for your boat—without anyone forcing it.

And even when whales are quieter, the bay can still deliver dolphins and seals. So you’re not betting your whole trip on one dramatic moment.

Puffins on the Islands: Close Bird Encounters (When Conditions Cooperate)

After the whale search, you cruise toward islands in Faxaflói Bay where puffins nest. The tour focuses on getting up close to the islands so you can see seabirds doing seabird things—flying, swimming, and working their nesting areas.

Puffins are a perfect target for a speedboat tour because they’re active. If you spot the right areas, you can catch birds moving in and out of view. When conditions are good, this part of the cruise can feel like the birds are everywhere: on cliffs, around the water, and sometimes in the air above you.

One useful mindset: puffins are not guaranteed like a photo pose. You’re looking for a natural scene where birds come and go with wind and waves. But the cruise is designed around this habitat, so you’re not just passing by—you’re aiming at the nesting zone and using the guide’s local knowledge and spotting.

The Ride Itself: Speed, Spray, and Suspension Seats

This is a RIB, which means you’ll feel the boat do what it’s made for: accelerate, turn, and ride over wave action. The tour includes a brand new RIB with 12 suspension seats, and multiple passengers describe the ride as fun and thrilling—almost like the boat is part of the entertainment.

But let’s be honest about the trade-off. On windy days, the ride can get rough. You might feel your stomach on the turns and bumps, especially when waves line up against your direction of travel. It’s exhilarating, yet it’s not the choice for people who hate rocking water.

If you’re planning around Icelandic weather, prioritize what you can:

• Try to choose a day that looks steadier on the water.
• Dress as if you’ll be wet, because you probably will get spray.

The comfort comes from the gear and the seat design, not from the sea being gentle. If you’re expecting calm, you’ll be happier with a different style of tour. If you’re expecting an active, outdoorsy outing, this one fits.

What You Wear in Iceland: Waterproof Gear and Shoe Rules

The tour handles the big cold-weather items for you. You’ll be provided with:

• a warm waterproof overall
• gloves and goggles
• a life jacket rental
• and you bring your own whale watching scarf

That’s a smart setup because it means you don’t have to guess whether you packed the right outer layer. The overall is especially helpful when you’re dealing with spray and wind chill.

Still, you need to wear appropriate clothing underneath. The tour specifically warns that the weather can be unpredictable, and whales are harder to spot than in an oceanarium—so you’ll want to stay warm so you can keep looking.

Also follow the shoe rule. No sandals or flip flops, and no open-toed shoes are allowed. Wear closed-toe shoes that won’t slide around in wet gear. It keeps you safer on a moving boat.

Price and Value: What $192 Gets You in Real Terms

At $192 per person for a 2-hour cruise, this isn’t a budget add-on. The value comes from what’s bundled into that price and why it matters for whale watching.

You’re paying for:

• a small, purpose-built RIB experience (close to the action when conditions allow)
• full live guidance with information about whales and wildlife
• warm waterproof clothing coverage (overall, plus gloves and goggles)
• life jacket rental
• and time in a prime local area (Faxaflói Bay), not a long drive that eats the day

If you compare this to tours that are mostly “watch from far away,” the RIB format can make your searching more effective. It’s the difference between scanning a distant horizon and actually getting positioned for a closer encounter.

It also helps that the price includes a lot of the cold-weather friction. You don’t have to spend extra money on gear that you’ll only use once.

When this feels like the right value: if you care about wildlife, you like speed and movement, and you want to maximize your chance of seeing whales or dolphins in a short window from Reykjavik.

Comfort and Safety: How the Crew Makes the Difference

This tour is built around safety gear and active guiding, not just “good luck, see whales.” Everyone gets a life jacket and warm waterproof coveralls, and you’re also given goggles and gloves—small details that matter when you’re out there in wind and water.

In the reviews behind the scenes of this tour, people repeatedly mention how professional and safety-focused the crew is. You’ll often hear that the guides are friendly and fun, but also serious about doing things right—like positioning the boat for spotting and moving carefully around wildlife.

That blend matters. Whale watching can get emotional fast when you spot something huge. A good crew helps you stay calm, look in the right direction, and give animals space while still making sure you get a view.

If you’re sensitive to motion, remember: the boat is exciting by design. The safety and comfort systems are there to help you handle it, not to remove every bump.

Who Should Book This Speedboat Whale Trip?

This is best for adults and older kids who want an active outing and don’t mind a bit of spray and wind.

It’s not suitable for children under 10. Also, if you’re anxious about rougher water, take extra care. People do describe the ride as bumpy on windy days, and the tour is built to run in Iceland conditions rather than only in perfect weather.

Book it if:

• you want a close encounter style of whale watching from Reykjavik
• you like seeing puffins around islands rather than waiting for them to appear randomly
• you’re okay with the reality that whale sightings can’t be guaranteed

Skip it if:

• you need a very calm ride
• you’re unwilling to dress for cold, wet weather
• you want a guaranteed animal experience

Should You Book This Tour?

I think this is a strong choice if your goal is real-world wildlife watching—fast enough to get closer, guided enough to help you spot what matters, and comfortable enough to handle Iceland’s weather.

Book it if you’re the type who enjoys being on the water, keeping your eyes open, and chasing those short bursts of whale behavior. The best-case scenario is a proper whale encounter plus dolphins and puffins in the same outing. The okay-case scenario still usually includes seabirds and marine animals, because the bay often has life even when a specific whale is harder to find.

Just be honest with yourself about one thing: the sea can be rough. If you’re choosing between tours and you know you get motion sick or hate bumpy water, you’ll want to factor that into your decision.

If you want, tell me your travel month and whether you’re prone to motion sickness. I can help you decide if the timing and conditions are likely to suit you.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whale watching speedboat tour?

The cruise lasts 2 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Ægisgarður 5G, which is about a 5-minute walk from the city center.

What wildlife will I have a chance to see?

The tour focuses on whales in Faxaflói Bay, and you may also see dolphins and seals, along with sea birds and puffins near island nesting areas.

Are whales guaranteed on this tour?

No. Seeing whales cannot be guaranteed, and whales are harder to spot in the sea than in an oceanarium.

What safety gear and clothing are included?

You get a warm waterproof overall, plus gloves and goggles, and you’ll have a life jacket rental. You also bring your own whale watching scarf.

What shoes are allowed?

Sandals/flip flops and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for children?

No. It is not suitable for children under 10.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English and Icelandic.

What if the weather is bad? Can I cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Iceland weather can be unpredictable, so it’s smart to dress for changing conditions.