From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

A humpback whale surfacing beside a fast RIB is the prize here, but the boat ride itself is a major part of the fun. You cruise out of Reykjavik’s Old Harbor in a 12-seat rigid inflatable boat, then search Faxaflói Bay for whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Past trips have included humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, pilot whales, harbour porpoises, and busy puffin colonies.

I like two things in particular: the small boat gets you close to the water and gives the guide a nimble way to follow wildlife, and the full cold-weather kit makes a wet Icelandic day much easier. You also get fine views of Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager before leaving the city behind. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild, and the speedboat can bounce hard when the wind rises.

Key points to know before you book

• A true small-boat whale search: The 12-seat RIB feels more like an active sea outing than a standard sightseeing cruise.
• Wildlife can be varied: Faxaflói Bay may produce humpback or minke whales, dolphins, seals, porpoises, pilot whales, and seabirds.
• Puffin islands are part of the route: You cruise close to nesting areas where puffins lay a single egg.
• Warm equipment is supplied: Expect a waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket, and a scarf.
• The sea can be rough: Wind and waves affect comfort, so this suits you best if you enjoy a lively ride.
• The age limit matters: Children under 10 cannot join this experience.

Leaving Reykjavik from Ægisgarður 5G

The tour begins at Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, about a five-minute walk from the city center. That is a handy meeting point if you are staying in central Reykjavik, and it lets you reach the boat without arranging a separate transfer.

The harbor departure gives the trip a pleasant opening. You pass the Harpa Concert Hall, with its glass facade catching the changing Icelandic light, and the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront. These city views are brief, but they help you see Reykjavik from the water before the focus shifts to the bay.

Allow time to arrive, get fitted with the supplied gear, and listen to the safety guidance. You will receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket. The activity information also refers to your own whale-watching scarf, so you have a small souvenir as well as useful protection from the wind.

Wear warm layers under the overall. Do not turn up in sandals or flip-flops, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. Sturdy closed shoes are the sensible choice, since you are stepping into a small boat and dealing with spray, cold, and movement.

What a 12-seat RIB changes

A rigid inflatable boat is not simply a smaller version of a large whale-watching vessel. This one has 12 suspension seats, which help soften the jolts as the boat moves over the waves. You sit low and close to the sea, and the boat can turn quickly when the crew spots activity.

That design creates a more personal outing. The guide can speak to a small group rather than address a crowd, and you have a better chance of hearing explanations and asking questions. The guide provides information about whales, other wildlife, and Reykjavik throughout the trip, in English or Icelandic.

There is a trade-off. The RIB is fast and exciting, but it is also more exposed to wind and wave movement than a larger vessel. One particularly windy outing was described as rough despite the protection of the waterproof coveralls. Another was compared to a speedboat ride with rapid movement and sharp turns.

I would choose this boat if you want the ride to be part of the attraction. If you prefer a calm, steady platform, a larger boat may suit you better, though that option is not the experience described here. The minimum age of 10 also tells you something about the pace and physical nature of the trip.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

Once the boat reaches Faxaflói Bay, the crew begins the real search. You are looking across open water for a blow, a dark back, a fin, or a sudden change in the surface. The guide helps you understand what to watch for, but you still need patience and a willingness to scan the sea.

The bay can hold up to 23 species of whales, along with dolphins and seals. That does not mean you will see all, or even any, of them on a two-hour trip. Whale sightings cannot be guaranteed, and animals are harder to spot in open sea than in an aquarium.

That uncertainty is important when you decide how to value the tour. The experience is not a wildlife performance with a fixed schedule. A whale may surface only briefly, and a minke whale can show little more than a back before vanishing again. A humpback may give you a more obvious blow or rise higher from the water, but even that depends on the animal’s behavior.

The strongest wildlife outings can be remarkable. The boat has followed a feeding humpback that surfaced to breathe, while another trip found several humpbacks and minke whales. A separate outing encountered a large group of pilot whales, plus harbour porpoises and dolphins.

Still, you should not book this expecting a guaranteed close-up whale encounter. Book it because you like the idea of searching for animals in their own environment, with the speed, cold, and surprise that come with that choice.

Dolphins can turn the ride into a show

Dolphins are often the most active animals you may see. They can move quickly around the boat, and their behavior is easier to follow than that of a whale that surfaces for a few seconds at a time.

One particularly strong outing included a pod of dolphins circling under and around the boat for a long stretch. White-beaked dolphins have also approached very close, and other trips saw friendly dolphins near the RIB while the boat was moving through the bay.

You should keep your eyes on the water in every direction. The small boat gives you a good viewing position, but wildlife does not follow a script. A dolphin may appear beside one passenger and disappear before someone on the other side has turned around.

The guide’s role matters here. The crew searches for signs of activity, follows animals carefully, and explains what you are seeing without treating the wildlife as a prop. That respectful approach is part of the value of a guided trip, especially when the animals appear for only a few seconds.

Puffin islands and the quieter part of the route

The tour also takes you close to islands in Faxaflói Bay where puffins nest and lay their single egg. This part of the trip adds variety, since you are not spending the whole two hours looking for distant whale blows.

Puffins may be seen on the cliffs and beach areas, in the water, or flying low around the nesting sites. Their quick movements make them fun to watch from the RIB, and the boat can approach the islands without the scale of a large cruise vessel dominating the view.

The puffin season and weather will affect what you see. The supplied information does not promise a specific number of birds or a particular nesting condition, so keep your expectations flexible. You might find the islands crowded with seabirds, or you might catch only a few birds moving between land and water.

This stop also gives you a useful change of pace. After the excitement of a fast crossing and the concentration required for whale spotting, watching puffins near the islands can feel more relaxed. You still remain outdoors in the wind, so keep your layers on even when the boat slows.

Warm gear helps, but it does not make the sea gentle

I like that the operator supplies more than a life jacket. The warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and scarf deal with the main problems of an open RIB: cold air, sea spray, and wind in your face.

The goggles are especially useful when the boat is moving quickly. The waterproof overall helps keep you dry, but you should still dress warmly underneath. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and cloud, drizzle, wind, and calm conditions can all affect the feel of the trip.

The suspension seats improve comfort, but do not mistake them for a smooth ride. On calm water, the RIB can feel fast and playful. On a windy day, it may bounce and place more demands on your balance and stomach. The boat ride has been a highlight for many people, but it has also been described as rough.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider that carefully before booking. The supplied information does not list a motion-sickness policy or provide medication, so bring only what you know you can use safely. The crew takes safety seriously and supplies life jackets, but the experience remains an active sea ride.

The guide makes the difference

The guide is not just there to point toward a whale. You receive commentary about the animals, birdlife, and Reykjavik, and you can ask questions during the trip.

Past outings have been led by friendly, attentive guides who worked closely with the boat navigator. That teamwork is useful: one person can watch the sea and handle the boat while the other helps the group understand what is happening.

The small group size makes the interaction easier. With only 12 seats, you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide can respond to individual questions. The tour runs in English and Icelandic.

You should expect practical wildlife information rather than a formal lecture. The guide may explain how whales surface, identify dolphins, point out seabirds, or share details about puffins laying one egg. The city commentary during the harbor departure adds context without taking over the main event.

Is $192 a fair price?

At $192 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Reykjavik. The price needs to be judged against the type of outing you want.

You are paying for a two-hour guided trip in a 12-seat luxury RIB, not simply a seat on a harbor boat. The included waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, life jacket rental, scarf, and live guidance reduce the amount of gear you need to arrange yourself. The small group and fast boat also provide a more active experience than a basic sightseeing cruise.

The value is strongest if you care about the boat itself and want a close-to-the-water search for wildlife. A single whale sighting can make the trip feel worthwhile, especially if it is a humpback surfacing near the boat. Dolphins, puffins, and city views add backup highlights when whales stay hidden.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to see a whale. No wildlife encounter is guaranteed, and two hours can pass with limited sightings. That is not a fault unique to this operator, but it is a real part of nature-based tourism and should be included in your calculation.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option make it easier to fit the tour around changeable Iceland plans. Check the available starting times when booking, since the activity runs for two hours but no single departure time is specified here.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would recommend it to adults, older children aged 10 and above, and anyone who wants a lively outing rather than a quiet boat cruise. It works well for you if the chance to see whales matters, but you also see the RIB ride, harbor views, dolphins, puffin islands, and seabirds as worthwhile parts of the day.

It is a good match for people who enjoy small groups and direct contact with a guide. The boat’s 12 seats create a more personal feel, and the supplied clothing removes some of the worry about Icelandic weather.

Think twice if you dislike bumpy rides, feel uneasy on open water, or need a fully calm and predictable schedule. The weather can change, whales may remain out of sight, and the boat can move sharply in wind and waves.

Plan to take the tour early enough in your Reykjavik stay that you have room to adjust if weather affects your plans. Since the sea conditions matter so much, flexibility is useful, and the 24-hour cancellation rule gives you some protection.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour depart from?

Meet at Ægisgarður 5G in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. The meeting point is about a five-minute walk from the city center.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts two hours.

What animals might I see?

You may see whales, dolphins, seals, and several types of seabirds. Possible whale species include humpback whales, minke whales, and pilot whales. Harbour porpoises and white-beaked dolphins have also been seen.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Whales are wild animals and cannot be guaranteed. They are also harder to spot in the open sea than in an oceanarium.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

You receive a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, a life jacket, and a scarf. You should still wear warm clothes underneath.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 10 are not permitted to join this activity.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guidance is available in English and Icelandic.

What should I avoid wearing?

Sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed. Wear warm clothing and closed shoes.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the RIB ride and wildlife search together. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of a small boat, close water-level views, supplied cold-weather gear, and the chance of seeing dolphins, puffins, or whales in Faxaflói Bay.

Do not book it as a guaranteed whale encounter. Choose it for the full two-hour experience, then treat a humpback beside the boat, a playful dolphin pod, or a busy puffin island as the rewards. At $192, it asks a fair amount, but the price makes sense for a small, active outing with equipment and a guide included.