10 Unmissable Zodiac and RIB Whale Watching in Reykjavik

1.Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 621 reviews · 2 hours · from $200Our pick

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, you board a 12-seat RIB with a captain and English-speaking guide such as Claudia, Julian, or Bianca. The fast boat crosses Faxaflói Bay, passes Engey and Puffin Island, and searches for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Warm suits, gloves, and goggles are supplied.

“Very good Whale-Watching tour. Did see Dolphins, Puffins and various Humpback Whales up close. Would definitiely recommend. We were only 4/12 people on the tour but they still went out and didn't cancel. Cudos to that for sure!”

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2.Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 393 reviews · 2 hours · from $194

You’ll spend two hours searching Faxaflói Bay from a fast RIB boat with shock-absorbing seats, warm flotation gear, and an English-speaking guide. The route can include minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins near Akurey. Guides such as Rebekka, Rebecca, Patrick, Joel, and Daniel have made this trip especially engaging.

“The experience was amazing!We knew that the chances to see a whale are small, but we also knew that we going to enjoy the speed boat itself and we will going to see some wildlife. After about an hour we spotted some whales and that was something mind blowing. We saw them swimming along our boat, tale slapping, flipper slapping and blowing. Our amazing guide Eva convinced captain Jens to stay little bit longer and we were able to see the whale breaching!Captain Jens kindness and Eva's energy and knowledge about the whales made this trip so enjoyable. Thank you so much.”

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3.Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 293 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you’ll ride a small RIB with up to 12 people toward puffin islands and whale-feeding waters. A trained guide, sometimes a marine biologist such as Maya or Max, explains the wildlife while the captain covers distance quickly. Warm waterproof gear, gloves, and goggles are provided, and crew photos are shared afterward.

“We were so blessed to be able to see so many whales on this short tour! The weather was beautiful and the tour guide Alex was very informative and engaging!”

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4.RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 241 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $208

Join Whale Safari at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB trip capped at 12 people. Your marine biologist guide takes you past puffin islands, across Faxaflói Bay in search of humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises, then back along the waterfront past Sun Voyager and Harpa. Warm coveralls and safety gear are provided.

“Despite the weather was not the best, the experience itself left me wordless, we saw minke whale and humpback whales, the guide was very professional, explained a lot about them. She knew not only about whales but also how to handle people with a sea sick on the board.”

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5.Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 223 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $164

Join Katla Whale Watching for a two-hour RIB trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. A guide such as Rebekah, Anika, Joel, or Joe explains the wildlife while the captain chases sightings across Faxaflói Bay. Warm waterproof gear, gloves, goggles, and a life jacket are provided, but dress warmly and expect a brisk, bouncy ride.

“Excellent experience- well saw three types of whales very close to the boat, excellent captain and guide, saw puffins and enjoyed every minute. Fun boat ride too!”

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6.Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 119 reviews · 2 hours · from $192

Set out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor on a 12-seat RIB with suspension seats, warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a scarf. Your English- or Icelandic-speaking guide searches Faxaflói Bay for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins, while sharing facts about the wildlife and city. The ride can be thrilling and bumpy.

“We had a great time during this trip, the guides were very friendly and helpful finding whales and dolphins but also respectful with them. We had the great luck to spot a huge pod of pilote whales (grind whales) which was a unique experience, we also saw some harbour porpoises and dolphins. Even if we wouldn't have seen any whales, the rib boat ride would have been a highlight on its own! Especially the high speed phases and the heavy curves at the end of the tour were very entertaining! I would definitely recommend this tour with the Katla team and would do this again the next time I visit…”

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7.2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 96 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $189

Race across Faxaflói Bay in a 12-meter RIB with suspension seats, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and an English-speaking guide. Search for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, then stop at Akurey puffin island in summer. The trip suits active adults who enjoy speed, spray, and a little bounce.

“This was such a great experience for me and my partner! The lead guide Jonathan was super knowledgeable about the animals that we saw on the way, including the puffins "running" across the water and the other sea birds! We managed to see three humpbacks during our tour out and it was AMAZING! We were literally meters away from a humpback and her calf, spraying water and displaying the flukes! The boat experience was one of a kind, such a smooth ride considering! The shock resistant seats really made all the difference. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for something fun to do outside in Iceland in their free…”

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8.Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 77 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join a captain and English-speaking wildlife guide at Reykjavik Old Harbour for a fast, two-hour RIB tour. The small boat reaches whale and dolphin areas quickly, with puffin stops from May through August. Warm overalls and suspension seats help, but the ride is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 10, or anyone with back problems.

“Everything was very very good! Perfect tour and we saw a lot”

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9.Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $145Best value

Set out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour in a 12-seat RIB for a fast, close-to-the-water search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. Guides such as Claudia, Eva, and Julien have led departures. Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear are supplied, but expect spray and a bumpy ride.

“highly recommend this tour operator! They are very professional, friendly, and more affordable than others offering the same service. I went last week on the Amelia boat to see the whales, and today with the speed boat both experiences were amazing! I saw plenty of whales on both trips. Truly unforgettable!”

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10.Whale Watching – RIB Boat Adventure in Kopavogur, Iceland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $202Top rated

Join RIB Adventures in Kópavogur for a two-hour whale-watching trip aboard BLIKI, an 880-horsepower RIB with padded suspension seats. You will reach the search area in 15 to 25 minutes, spend about an hour looking for whales, dolphins, and puffins, then stop at Nauthólsvík Beach for harðfiskur before a lively ride back.

“Absolutely amazing whale watching tour. What's not to like riding in a 880 horsepower boat in perfect competitions on your way to see these humpback whales jumping out of the water”

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