Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

The best part of this tour is the boat itself. You sit low in a rigid inflatable boat, not high above the sea on a large cruiser, so dolphins and whales can feel remarkably close when they surface. I like the 12-person limit, which keeps the outing personal, and the suspension seats, which make the fast ride less punishing than a standard inflatable boat.

I also like the useful mix of wildlife and city views. You cover a large search area, pause near puffin breeding grounds in season, and return past the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. The catch is simple: whale watching is never guaranteed, and the boat can be rough enough that this is a poor choice for anyone with back trouble or anyone who is pregnant.

Key points to know before booking

• A fast, low RIB: The rigid inflatable boat can reach wildlife areas faster than a classic sightseeing boat and gives you a close-to-the-water view.
• Only 12 people per departure: The small group makes it easier to hear the guide and get a clear look at the sea.
• Puffins are seasonal: Look for them near their breeding grounds from early May through the end of August.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive coveralls and safety equipment, but you still need closed-toe shoes.
• The ride is active: The suspension seats improve comfort, yet the tour is not recommended for people with back problems.
• There is a second chance for whales: If no whales are spotted, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride.

Why the RIB makes this Reykjavik whale tour different

At $200 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for wildlife from Reykjavik. You are paying for speed, a small group, and a more active ride rather than simply buying a seat on a large boat.

The RIB matters because it can cover more water in two hours. That gives the captain a wider area in which to search for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. A large boat may offer more room to move around, while this one gets you closer to the surface and makes the ride part of the attraction.

The boat has brand-new suspension seats, often called shock seats. These are designed to absorb some of the jolts as the RIB moves across the North Atlantic. That is a real comfort feature, but it does not turn the ride into a gentle cruise. You should expect speed, spray, turns, and movement beneath you.

I would choose this outing if the boat ride sounds almost as appealing as the wildlife. Past departures have included playful dolphins following the boat, Minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and seabirds. One outing even produced a shark sighting. None of that can be promised, but the fast RIB gives you an entertaining experience even during a quiet wildlife search.

Meeting the captain at Reykjavik Old Harbour

You meet at Reykjavik Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5, and should arrive 30 minutes before departure. The harbor is easy to pair with other central Reykjavik sightseeing because the tour begins and ends in the city.

Do not arrive with a suitcase or large bag. Large luggage is not allowed, and food and drinks are not included. Wear closed-toe shoes. The company supplies warm overalls and safety gear, so you do not need to bring specialist sailing clothing.

After a short safety briefing, you put on the coveralls and take your seat. The English-speaking captain and wildlife guide handle the practical side of the trip, while the guide explains what you are seeing and helps scan the water.

The group limit of 12 is important here. On a crowded boat, you may spend much of the trip trying to find a clear sightline. With fewer people, you have a better chance of hearing the guide and turning quickly when a fin or blow appears.

Leaving the harbor at speed

The departure is not a slow crawl out of Reykjavik. The captain takes the RIB out across the harbor and into open water, giving you an immediate sense of why people choose this format.

The speed makes the first part feel like an adventure, but you should hold on and follow the crew’s instructions. A calm day can produce a thrilling ride, while rougher water may make it more demanding. Weather on land does not tell the whole story. A past departure was canceled even though conditions in Reykjavik looked pleasant, because the sea itself was not suitable.

That is worth keeping in mind when planning a tight schedule. The operator may need to change or cancel a departure for safety. The upside is that the crew’s caution protects the experience rather than forcing you onto unpleasant water. If conditions change, you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund under the stated policy.

The ride itself has become a highlight for many people. Front-row seats are especially appealing if you want the strongest sense of speed and the clearest view, though they may also receive more spray and movement. The supplied suspension seats help, but I would not choose this position if you are uneasy on fast boats.

Searching the water for whales and dolphins

Once the RIB reaches the open water, the guide and captain begin scouting. You may see a whale’s back, a blow, a dorsal fin, or a brief breach. Wildlife does not perform on schedule, so patience matters.

The small boat’s main advantage is the size of its search area. It can move quickly between likely spots instead of spending most of the two hours covering the same stretch of water. That can improve your odds, though it cannot guarantee a sighting.

Minke whales are among the wildlife seen on past trips. Humpback whales have also appeared, including one that breached the surface. Dolphins can be especially entertaining because they may play near the boat, jump, or follow it for a time. Porpoises and seabirds add to the search when the larger animals remain hidden.

You will want to keep scanning in every direction. A whale may surface behind the boat, while dolphins may appear off the side without warning. Bring patience rather than an expectation of a perfect photograph. The guide can point out animals and offer facts, but you still need to watch the water yourself.

The crew also keeps searching when sightings are limited. That is important because one of the weaker outcomes is seeing only a brief glimpse, such as the back of one Minke whale. The experience can still be enjoyable, but you should book with realistic expectations. This is wildlife watching, not a staged show.

If you do not see any whales, the company provides a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave. That policy gives the $200 price more protection, particularly if whales are your main reason for booking. It does not help as much if your schedule allows only one morning in Reykjavik, so leave room for a possible repeat trip if the animals stay away.

Puffin islands from May through August

From early May to the end of August, the tour makes a short stop near puffin breeding grounds. This gives the wildlife search a seasonal bonus that you will not get on every departure of the year.

Puffins are appealing, but they are not the main event for everyone. You may see them around the islands, often among other seabirds, before the boat continues farther out in search of whales and dolphins. The stop is brief, so think of it as a useful extra rather than a dedicated puffin-watching trip.

Timing matters. If puffins are high on your list, book between May and August. Outside that period, you should not expect this part of the experience. In season, bring binoculars only if they are compact and easy to manage, since large bags are not allowed and the boat is built for movement rather than storing gear.

The puffin stop also adds variety to the two-hour route. Instead of spending every minute looking for large marine animals, you get a quick look at Iceland’s coastal bird life and the islands close to Reykjavik.

Returning past the Sun Voyager and Harpa

The ride back is not simply a return to the dock. The RIB follows Reykjavik’s shoreline, giving you a different view of the city from the water.

You pass the Sun Voyager, the striking steel sculpture shaped like a dream boat, and Harpa Concert Hall, with its geometric glass facade. From the sea, these familiar city sights feel less like stops on a checklist and more like part of the harbor setting.

You also see colorful fishing huts and waterfront restaurants along this section of Reykjavik. The harbor is a working part of the city, not just a departure point, and the shoreline view helps connect the wildlife trip to Iceland’s maritime life.

Some captains add a playful spin in the harbor on the way back. That is not the reason to book, but it can be a fun final flourish after the open-water ride. The boat returns to the same Old Harbour meeting point after roughly two hours.

The guide and captain make a real difference

The guide does more than point toward a whale. A good guide helps you understand the animals, keeps the group focused, and explains why the captain is changing direction or slowing down.

Past outings have included guides named Elsa and Raoul. Elsa was praised for her warmth and conservation-focused explanations, while Raoul was noted for his friendly manner. Guide assignments can change, so do not book expecting one particular person, but the role itself matters a great deal on a wildlife tour.

The captain has two jobs: operate the RIB safely and position it well for sightings. A fast boat is only useful if it is handled with care. Reports from the water have included captains who continued searching when the boat had moved well away from the harbor, then brought everyone back safely.

That balance of excitement and control is what you want. The RIB should feel lively, not reckless. Listen to the safety briefing, stay seated as instructed, and tell the crew if you are uncomfortable.

Is $200 good value for two hours?

The price is high for a two-hour activity, especially if your main aim is a guaranteed whale sighting. You are not paying only for time on the water. The fee covers a professional captain, a wildlife guide, warm overalls, safety equipment, a small group, and a boat that can cover a broad search area.

I think the value is strongest for people who want three experiences in one: a fast RIB ride, wildlife watching, and a harbor-level view of Reykjavik. The return ticket if no whales appear also reduces the risk, provided your schedule allows another outing.

The value is weaker if you dislike speed, want a quiet cruise, or are satisfied with a city boat trip. A larger vessel may suit you better if comfort and room to move matter more than closeness to the water.

The perfect rating from 96 percent of participants suggests the format works well for its intended audience. Still, the lower-scoring experiences point to the central issue: you can have a terrific ride and see dolphins, yet feel disappointed if whales never appear. Go for the full experience, not only a whale photograph.

Who should book this speedboat safari?

I would recommend it to active visitors aged 10 and up who are at least 145 centimeters tall and enjoy boats, wind, and a little bouncing. It also suits anyone with limited time in Reykjavik because the tour lasts about two hours and begins in the central Old Harbour.

Families should check the height and age rules carefully. Children under 10 cannot join, and anyone shorter than 145 centimeters is not permitted. Pregnant women and people with a history of back problems should choose another activity.

This is also a good fit for photography-minded visitors who prefer close water-level views, though the movement makes steady shots difficult. You may get a wonderful wildlife image, but you should not expect a calm platform for a long lens.

The best time for puffins is early May through the end of August. For whales and dolphins, the information provided does not promise a particular month, so choose based on your wider Iceland schedule and leave room for weather changes.

Practical details for a smoother outing

Arrive 30 minutes early at Ægisgarður 5. That gives you time for check-in, the briefing, and getting into the provided coveralls without rushing.

Wear closed-toe shoes and avoid bringing large bags. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand or plan something for after the trip in the Old Harbour area.

Keep your itinerary flexible. Sea conditions can cancel a departure even when Reykjavik itself looks calm. The flexible booking option lets you reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure under the stated terms.

If you are unsure about the motion, be honest with yourself before booking. The suspension seats improve the ride, but they do not remove the physical demands of a fast boat in open water.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, small-group wildlife trip and would enjoy the RIB ride even on a quiet animal day. The speed, low viewpoint, puffin stop in season, and return past the Sun Voyager and Harpa make it more varied than a basic whale search.

Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, dislike rough water, have back problems, or prefer a slow and spacious boat. At $200, the cost makes sense when you value the boat, the guide, and the chance to return for free if whales do not appear. It makes less sense if you are buying only a guaranteed whale encounter, because no responsible operator can promise that.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching speedboat tour leave from?

It leaves from Reykjavik Old Harbour at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours on the water.

What type of boat is used?

The tour uses a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, with suspension seats designed to improve comfort and safety during the fast ride.

How many people can join the tour?

Numbers are limited to 12 people on each small-group departure.

Are puffins seen on every tour?

Puffins can be seen near their breeding grounds from early May through the end of August. They are seasonal and are not expected outside that period.

What wildlife might I see?

The tour searches for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Possible whale sightings include Minke whales and humpback whales, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a complimentary ticket for another ride if no whales are seen.

What should I bring?

Bring closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and necessary safety equipment are provided.

Are children allowed to join?

Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems?

No. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with a history of back problems.