2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The main attraction here is not only the whales. It is the ride. You leave Reykjavik’s Old Harbour in a 12-meter custom-built RIB, skim across Faxaflói Bay at high speed, and reach the feeding grounds faster than a standard whale-watching boat. If a humpback or pod of dolphins is nearby, that speed gives your captain more time to search.

I like the small maximum group of 12 and the way the boat’s suspension seats soften the pounding. I also like the thoughtful cold-weather kit: thermal overalls, gloves, goggles, and life vests are supplied. The main caution is simple: this can be a rough, bouncy ride. It is exciting for some people and uncomfortable for others, especially anyone with back or joint problems.

• Fast access to Faxaflói Bay: The RIB spends less time getting to the feeding grounds and more time looking for wildlife.
• A close-up wildlife search: Humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises are the main targets.
• Summer puffin stop: The boat pauses near Akurey, a nesting island, when puffins are in Iceland.
• Suspension seating: Shock-absorbing seats make the boat more comfortable, though they cannot remove every jolt in rough seas.
• Free second chance if sightings fail: If no wildlife appears, you receive a complimentary ticket for another eligible whale-watching trip.
• A proper open-sea adventure: You get speed, wind, spray, and wide views of Esja and the Reykjavik coastline.

Leaving Reykjavik from the Old Harbour

Your outing begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you add hotel pickup, a bus takes you there. Without pickup, plan to reach the ticket office at least 30 minutes before departure.

That extra time matters. You need to check in, find the changing area, put on the supplied overalls, collect gloves and goggles, and listen to the safety instructions. The changing setup can feel cramped, and finding the correct preparation area may not be obvious if several tour operators are working around the harbour. Give yourself time rather than arriving at the last minute.

After gearing up, you board the new RIB. It is 12 meters long and fitted with special suspension seats. You sit astride or against the seat supports, depending on the boat’s arrangement, and hold on as the captain accelerates out of the harbour.

The departure itself is part of the experience. You get changing views of Reykjavik, the water opens up, and Esja becomes a striking reference point across the bay. This is not a slow, quiet cruise. Even before you see a whale, the journey feels like an outing.

Why the RIB Reaches the Whales Faster

A standard whale-watching boat can offer more room and a steadier ride. The RIB makes a different promise: speed and maneuverability. It can cover the distance to likely feeding areas quickly, then reposition when a whale surfaces or dolphins change direction.

That matters because whales do not wait beside a marked viewing platform. A humpback may surface once, show its back, and disappear for several minutes. A minke whale can appear for only a short moment. Dolphins may race alongside the boat, then turn away just as quickly.

The captain and guide work together during this search. The guide watches for blows, fins, and movement on the water while explaining what you are seeing. Captains and guides named by past passengers include Yoda, Blanca, and Jonathan, though you should not assume a particular person will lead your departure.

The small boat also gives you a more personal setting. With a maximum of 12 people, it is easier to hear the guide and move your attention toward the same patch of water. You are not looking over a large crowd or waiting for a distant screen to show where something surfaced.

Searching for Humpbacks, Minkes, Dolphins, and Porpoises

The main search area is Faxaflói Bay, where the possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. The experience changes greatly from day to day because wild animals decide the schedule.

Humpback whales provide the most dramatic possibility. You might see a broad back, a blow, a raised tail, or repeated surfacing from one animal. On a particularly good outing, the boat may follow a humpback for an extended period, giving you several chances to watch its movement rather than relying on one quick glimpse.

Minke whales are smaller and can be harder to track. They often surface quickly, so you need to keep scanning and listen closely to the guide. A sighting may be brief, but the RIB’s maneuverability can help the captain reposition without wasting much time.

White-beaked dolphins can be more active. A pod may travel beside the boat, cross in front of it, or appear and vanish in a matter of seconds. Harbour porpoises are another possibility, though they are less showy and often harder to spot.

The guide’s role is important here. A good guide helps you understand the difference between a whale blow, a bird, a wave, and a fin. You also learn to watch the water rather than stare only at the place where an animal appeared a moment ago.

There is no guarantee of a sighting. That is not a minor footnote. A wildlife tour can produce a memorable encounter, a few quick glimpses, or no whales at all. If your trip has no sightings, Special Tours provides a complimentary ticket to try again on its Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours. The offer helps soften the risk, though it may not help if you are leaving Reykjavik immediately.

Akurey and the Summer Puffin Stop

During the summer nesting season, the boat stops near Akurey, one of the popular puffin islands. This adds a second type of wildlife to the outing and breaks up the open-water search.

Puffins are small, quick, and often farther away than you expect. You may see birds on the water, in flight, or gathered around the island, but do not expect the same close approach as you might get with a passing dolphin. Bring binoculars if you have them, though the supplied details do not promise any onboard viewing equipment.

This stop is seasonal. Puffins are in Iceland during their nesting period, so the island visit is not part of every departure throughout the year. If puffins matter to you, confirm that your date falls within the summer season.

The island also gives you a welcome pause from the RIB’s speed. You can take in the seabirds and the open bay before the boat turns back toward Reykjavik.

The Ride: Smooth Seats, Rough Water

The suspension seats are one of the most useful features of this tour. They absorb some of the impact and make the RIB more comfortable than a basic rigid inflatable boat. The boat is new and custom-built, and the supplied gear is designed for cold, windy conditions.

Still, suspension seats do not turn an open-sea speedboat into a calm ferry. The boat can reach close to 30 knots, and rough water may produce hard vertical jolts. Some people describe the ride as a roller coaster or an intense, fun adventure. Others find the bouncing too much, especially when the sea is rough.

I would take the operator’s weather notices seriously. If the forecast says the water will be rough, assume that means genuinely rough. Anyone with a heart condition, back problem, joint trouble, or limited tolerance for sudden movement should consider a slower whale-watching boat instead.

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or under 145 centimeters. The operator also advises a moderate level of physical fitness. You need to climb into the boat, remain seated during the ride, and manage the cold and movement for about two hours.

Dress warmly even though overalls are supplied. Wear good shoes, and use the gloves and goggles provided. The wind can feel sharp once the boat accelerates, and the goggles are useful when spray and cold air hit your face.

How the Wildlife Guarantee Affects the Price

The listed price is about $189.87 per person. That places this tour well above a basic boat excursion, so you are paying for more than the chance to see a whale.

You are paying for the RIB itself, the small group, the fast crossing, the suspension seats, cold-weather gear, an English-speaking guide, and the chance to get closer to wildlife while following responsible viewing practices. The free repeat ticket also gives the purchase some protection if the bay is quiet.

The value depends on what kind of day you want. If you mainly want a gentle boat ride with a warm cabin and plenty of indoor space, this is not the best use of your money. If you want speed, a small group, and a more active search, the higher price makes more sense.

A great sighting can make the cost feel worthwhile. A few distant glimpses may leave you wishing for more, and no tour can control the animals. I would book it for the combination of boat adventure and wildlife, not as a guaranteed whale encounter.

Hotel Pickup, Timing, and Return

Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra. If you choose it, the transfer takes you to the Old Harbour at the start, and a drop-off bus waits after the tour to take you back to your hotel.

Without transfers, the activity starts and ends at the Old Harbour meeting point. This is convenient if you are already staying near central Reykjavik or using public transportation. Leave enough time for check-in, especially if you need to locate the changing area.

The advertised duration is about two hours. That includes the ride out, wildlife search, possible puffin stop, and return along the Reykjavik coastline. The final approach offers good city and harbour views, so keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and cold.

The tour is offered in English. If you need hotel pickup, add it when booking rather than assuming it is included in the base price.

Weather, Cancellations, and Practical Risk

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and this activity requires suitable conditions. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, so do not wait until the morning of the tour if your plans are uncertain.

A weather cancellation is frustrating, especially if you have only one day in Reykjavik. It is still preferable to an unpleasant or unsafe ride. The RIB needs reasonable conditions because the boat is fast, open, and close to the water.

Who Will Enjoy This Reykjavik Whale Tour?

I would recommend it to active adults, older children who meet the height and age limits, and anyone who sees the boat ride as part of the holiday. It is also a strong choice if you dislike large groups and want the guide’s attention nearby.

The tour is especially suited to you if:

• You enjoy speed and do not mind a bouncy ride.
• You want to reach the feeding grounds quickly.
• You like photographing coastlines and wildlife from an open boat.
• You are comfortable spending two hours outdoors in cold, windy conditions.
• You are willing to accept that wildlife sightings are never certain.

I would choose a different boat for anyone with back or joint problems, serious motion concerns, major mobility limits, or a strong preference for a steady, sheltered ride. The small boat also requires more effort when boarding than a large vessel.

Should You Book the RIB Whale Watching Tour?

Book it if you want the most active version of a Reykjavik whale tour. The fast RIB, small group, suspension seats, supplied thermal gear, and possible puffin stop give you more than a simple boat transfer to the bay. The best days can bring close views of humpbacks, dolphins, or a mother and calf, but those moments remain dependent on nature.

Skip it if your priority is comfort, quiet, or guaranteed wildlife. The ride can be hard on your back, rough water may turn excitement into discomfort, and some departures produce only brief sightings.

For the right person, this is a memorable half-day-style outing packed into two hours. You get the thrill of an open-water ride, the drama of searching for large animals, and a close look at Reykjavik from the bay. Just book with realistic expectations, dress for the weather, and treat the speed as a central feature, not a minor detail.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional and cost extra. If you do not select transfers, you meet the group at the Old Harbour ticket office.

What wildlife might I see?

The main possibilities are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. During the summer nesting season, the tour also visits Akurey puffin island.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If there are no sightings, you receive a complimentary ticket for another eligible Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear warm clothing and good shoes. The tour supplies warm overalls, life vests, gloves, and goggles. You may also want to bring a camera for the bay and Reykjavik coastline.

Is the RIB suitable for children or anyone with mobility concerns?

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or under 145 centimeters. You should have moderate physical fitness, and the fast, bumpy ride may not suit anyone with back, joint, or similar physical problems.