Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

Cold sea wind, warm suit, whales nearby. That mix is what makes this Reykjavík whale watching trip feel different from the usual long, crowded cruises.

I especially love the small 12-seater RIB setup—it keeps the experience tight and lets the captain reposition quickly when wildlife shows up. I also like that you get Reykjavík views from the water, including Harpa, instead of staring at open sea the whole time. The trade-off? The ride can be bumpy and chilly, and a few people felt seasick even with gear and careful driving.

There’s also a nice safety net: if you don’t see any wildlife on your departure, you get a complimentary ticket to try again another day. And the best part is that you’re hunting in a productive stretch of water just off the city, where Faxaflói Bay repeatedly delivers action.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Small 12-seater RIB means a more agile, intimate ride when animals surface.
• Wildlife isn’t guaranteed, but you get a complimentary ticket if your trip is wildlife-free.
• You’ll cruise past islands like Engey and Lundey (Puffin Island) in Faxaflói Bay.
• Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are included, which matters a lot in Iceland.
• Captain-driven routing based on conditions keeps safety and comfort first.
• Most departures run best from April to September, Iceland’s prime whale season.

Where You Start: Old Harbor House and Getting Properly Suited

Your tour starts at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, at Old Harbour House (Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík). Check in about 30 minutes before departure so you can get through the self-service scan at the kiosk without stress.

The big practical win here is the included cold-weather kit. You’ll get warm overalls, gloves, and goggles, plus safety equipment. That’s not just a nice add-on. In my book, it’s the difference between tolerating the water and actually enjoying the experience—because the wind off Faxaflói Bay can cut fast, even when the air isn’t freezing.

You’ll also want your basics ready: comfortable shoes (not slippery slick-soled shoes), warm layers under the suit, and your camera. A face covering can help if you’re sensitive to wind chill; in cold gusts, people report it can make a big difference in comfort.

One more logistics detail I appreciate: there’s no hotel pickup, so you’re on your own to get to the harbor. That’s usually faster and less chaotic than waiting on a van route, but it does mean you should plan arrival time carefully.

The RIB Speedboat Ride: Fast Water, Real Close Encounters

This is a 2-hour outing aboard a 12-seater RIB speedboat, which is exactly what you want for whale watching near a city. The point of a RIB isn’t comfort. It’s reach and responsiveness. When the captain spots blow patterns, surface activity, or a cluster of birds, the boat can reposition quickly.

What that feels like, in plain terms: you’re riding in a compact craft with less distance between you and the water. That matters when whales surface unpredictably. In the best moments, you’re not just seeing spouts in the far distance—you’re watching animals working just offshore.

A few practical reality checks:

• The ride can be bumpy. If you’re sensitive to rough water, bring your “cold + chop” mindset.
• Even with gear, some people can feel seasick depending on day conditions and how they sit or brace.
• Because the boat moves fast, listening for instructions matters. If wind noise makes it hard, keep your eyes on the crew signals and turn your head when they point.

The payoff is that the boat’s speed can put you on the right line of action. One of the strongest themes from the experience is that the vessel can make “go now” decisions instead of waiting for a larger ship to slow down and search the same grid for ages.

Reykjavík From the Water: Harpa, the Coast, and Bay Views

You’re not only looking outward for wildlife—you’re also glancing back at Reykjavík itself. The tour runs along the coast and includes sightseeing from the water, with Harpa called out as a landmark you may spot during the cruise.

That’s a smart mix, because it gives you something to enjoy even on the quieter stretches before animals show up. Reykjavík’s shoreline is compact, and you can watch the city slide by while still keeping an eye on the sea surface for signs of movement.

You pass nearby islands in Faxaflói Bay, and those detours keep the scenery changing. Engey (the second-largest island in the bay) and Lundey, known as Puffin Island, are both part of the route when conditions allow. Even when you’re focused on whales, it’s the kind of ride where you catch small moments: a bird wheel over the water, foam lines where currents meet, or sudden stillness when wildlife is close.

Engey and Lundey: Why These Islands Matter for Bird and Whale Activity

Two island stops help make this trip feel like more than one long chase.

Engey

Engey is the second-largest island in the Kollafjörður (Faxa Bay) area, and it’s a common reference point during Reykjavík wildlife routes. When the boat cruises past, you’re often working in productive water nearby—exactly where whales and dolphins can move through and where seabirds can cluster.

Lundey (Puffin Island)

Lundey means Puffin Island, and it’s an uninhabited island off Reykjavík’s western coast. Depending on the day, you may see puffins and other seabirds during the route. Even if you came only for whales, puffins are a great bonus because you get that “I’m in Iceland” feeling right away—tiny, lively, and very photogenic.

One of the best ways to think about these island pass-bys is this: they give your captain a set of logical waypoints where wildlife sightings often become more likely. You’re not trapped in one direction for the full 2 hours.

The downside is also simple: if weather limits how far out you can go, the route may shift. The captain makes the call based on years of experience and keeps safety and comfort first.

Wildlife You Might See: Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, and Puffins

This trip is built for multiple species, not just one. You’re in the right zone for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and puffins can show up too.

From real on-the-water outcomes shared by guests, sightings can include:

• Humpback whales (often the crowd favorite, with impressive surface behavior)
• Minke whales (smaller, but still a major thrill when you spot one)
• Dolphins, including white-beaked dolphins in some cases
• Harbour porpoises in some sightings
• Puffins and other sea birds at or near Puffin Island

The big thing to understand is probability. Wildlife is wild. Some days deliver “fantastic close encounters” and multiple species. Other days give fewer sightings—or only seabirds. That’s why the free return ticket matters. If you don’t see any wildlife at all on your departure, you’ll receive a complimentary ticket for another day.

If you want to maximize your odds, treat the departure time like part of the planning. Iceland’s best whale watching stretch is April through September. Outside that window, you might still have luck, but conditions and animal activity are less predictable.

Guides and Crew: Small-Team Energy Makes a Difference

The human factor matters on a RIB, because fast, short encounters happen fast. You’ll have a live English-speaking guide, and the crew’s job is to spot activity early, interpret what’s happening in the water, and communicate clearly.

In the experience, names like Claudia, Julien, Bianca, and Julian show up as guides people remember—often for being patient, enthusiastic, and quick to answer questions. One guest described Julian as a French marine biologist, which hints at the kind of science-minded explanations you may get when the guide has a strong marine background.

What you should look for, practically:

• Do they explain what to watch for (blows, behavior, bird patterns)?
• Do they stay calm and organized when everyone is scanning the water?
• Do they answer follow-up questions without rushing you?

On this kind of tour, that guidance helps you turn a brief sighting into a real moment, because you know what you’re looking at and what it likely means.

Weather and Comfort: When the Captain Adjusts the Plan

Weather is Iceland’s rulebook. This tour is dependent on suitable conditions, and the captain decides whether to sail based on safety and passenger comfort.

Here’s what that means for you on the ground:

• If wind or waves are too rough, the plan can change.
• If a departure is rescheduled, it’s usually because conditions won’t meet a safe ride threshold.
• You might still get an alternate experience if something changes last-minute, but you should be mentally flexible.

Comfort tip: wear warm layers under the suit, keep your hair and ears protected from wind, and assume you’ll feel the cold more than you expect. Some people report staying fairly dry, while others feel wind-chill instantly in open water.

Also note who this isn’t for. The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm). That’s not nitpicking—that’s about comfort and safety in bumpy conditions and how the ride dynamics work for different body types.

Price and Value: Is $200 Worth It?

At around $200 per person for a 2-hour RIB tour, the price isn’t low. But it can make sense if you care about two things: chance of close encounters and time efficiency.

This is why value is strong here:

• The boat’s small size and speed can reduce the “search time” when whales surface.
• The tour uses a nearby area (Reykjavík’s offshore waters in Faxaflói Bay), so you’re not spending half the trip getting to a distant region.
• You get gear included, which lowers the cost of buying cold-weather equipment for one activity.
• The free return ticket if no wildlife is spotted is a meaningful hedge.

If you’re the type of traveler who wants a quiet, scenic, no-chop ride, a slower boat might fit you better. But if you want the energy of a fast craft and the possibility of close, short-term action, this RIB format is the right tool.

Should You Book This Reykjavík Whale Watching RIB Tour?

Book it if:

• You want a close-to-the-action Reykjavík whale watching experience from Old Harbor.
• You’re comfortable with cold wind and don’t mind a ride that can be bumpy.
• You want a mix of whales/dolphins/porpoises and a chance at puffins and bird life near Engey and Lundey.
• You value an included warm-suit setup instead of trying to source Iceland gear at the last minute.

Skip it if:

• Rough water can mess with your health or comfort, or you have back problems.
• You’re traveling with children under 10, or you’re under 145 cm.
• You need a gentle ride or a very quiet experience.

If the goal is to see marine wildlife in the Reykjavík area with the mobility of a small boat, this tour is a strong match. And if you’re unlucky with sightings on day one, the complimentary return ticket makes it easier to justify trying again.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík. You should check in about 30 minutes before departure.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes the RIB speedboat ride on a 12-seater boat, Reykjavík sightseeing from the water, and warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment.

Do they pick you up from your hotel?

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

How long is the experience?

The duration is 2 hours.

What wildlife can you see?

The tour searches for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and you may also see puffins and other sea birds depending on the day and conditions.

Is wildlife guaranteed?

No. Sightings can’t be guaranteed. If you don’t see any wildlife on your tour, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again another day.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, or people under 4 ft 8 in (145 cm).