RIB boat express: Whales, Eyjafjord and Akureyri

The main draw here is the small RIB boat, which gets you out into Eyjafjord quickly and keeps the search for whales lively. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, or North Atlantic bottlenose whales, with guides explaining what you are seeing as you go.

I like the 12-person limit and the serious cold-weather gear. I also like the whale guarantee: if conditions or luck let you down, you can try again on the company’s larger boat for free. The main catch is that this is an active ride, not a gentle cruise, and poor weather can cancel it.

Key points before you book

• Only 12 passengers per RIB: The small group makes it easier to hear the guide and move with the captain’s search.
• Two hours from Akureyri: This fits neatly around a day of sightseeing, a useful feature in a compact Iceland itinerary.
• Humpbacks are the main hope: Minke whales and North Atlantic bottlenose whales may also appear.
• Cold-weather gear is supplied: You receive overalls, a life vest, goggles, and neoprene gloves.
• Whale guarantee included: If you do not see a whale, you can try again for free on the larger boat.
• Minimum age and size rules apply: You must be at least 10 years old or 145 centimeters tall, fit the supplied overalls, and sit comfortably on the saddle-like seat.

Racing out from Akureyri into Eyjafjord

Your trip starts at Elding Whale Watching Akureyri, at Oddeyrarbót 2 in central Akureyri. There is no pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in town without a car.

Once everyone is suited up, you board the RIB and head into Eyjafjord. The boat is built for speed, so this feels more like an active wildlife search than a slow sightseeing cruise. You sit on a saddle-like seat, hold your position, and watch the water for the guide’s signal.

That seating style matters. You are not settling into a padded excursion boat with room to wander around. You are sitting securely and facing the action, which helps the captain move quickly when a whale is reported. It also means you should be comfortable with motion and have a moderate level of physical fitness.

The fjord gives the trip its setting, but the whales are the real reason to come. Humpbacks are the local stars, and the best moments may be brief: a back rolling through the water, a tail lifting, or a whale surfacing close enough to make the search worthwhile. You could also encounter a minke whale or North Atlantic bottlenose whales.

The crew keeps up live commentary throughout the ride. This is important on a wildlife trip, since an empty patch of water can be hard to read without help. A good guide tells you where to look, explains animal behavior, and fills the quiet stretches with useful information rather than leaving you to guess.

What the two-hour ride feels like

The RIB gives this tour its personality. You will feel the boat move briskly across the water, with the possibility of bouncing through rougher sections of the fjord. One person described the ride as exhilarating and felt safe during the search, which captures the appeal for active passengers.

That same energy will not suit everyone. If you want a calm boat ride with easy movement, a larger vessel may be more comfortable. The RIB is better for people who enjoy speed, sea air, and a more physical outing.

The supplied equipment helps with Iceland’s cold conditions. You receive a full overall, life vest, goggles, and neoprene gloves. Still, dress sensibly underneath. The gear is there to protect you, but the ride remains outdoors on open water, and weather can change quickly.

You also need to fit into one of the supplied overalls, up to size 3-XL. This is not a minor footnote. If you are unsure about the fit or about sitting on a saddle-like seat for two hours, contact the operator before booking.

The minimum requirement is age 10 or a height of at least 145 centimeters. This rule gives the operator a clear safety standard, but it also means younger children cannot join simply because they are accompanied by an adult.

Whale watching in Eyjafjord

Eyjafjord is the setting for a real wildlife search, not a guaranteed animal show. You may see several humpbacks, but you may also have a quieter outing. One especially fortunate trip produced five humpbacks and a minke whale, while another included several humpbacks and a minke.

Other encounters can be unusual. A report from the tour described North Atlantic bottlenose whales, along with a humpback that appeared to be resting and another that seemed to wave. These moments show why patience matters. Whale watching is not only about counting animals. Behavior can make one sighting far more memorable than several distant ones.

The crew’s role is central. David received special praise for sharing information from years of research, while other passengers highlighted guides who were enthusiastic, clear, and fun. Guide assignments can change, so you should not book expecting a particular person, but the tour places clear emphasis on live interpretation and animal knowledge.

You will probably spend part of the trip scanning the fjord. That is normal. The boat moves in search of wildlife, and sightings depend on nature, weather, and timing. The whale guarantee softens the risk: if you do not see a whale, you can try again for free on the large boat.

Read that guarantee carefully as a practical benefit, not a promise that the original RIB trip will be repeated. The free return is on the larger boat, and you still need enough time in Akureyri for another departure.

Why the 12-person limit matters

A maximum of 12 passengers is one of the strongest features here. On a crowded boat, you can lose time and sightlines while people shift around or ask questions from every direction. This smaller group should make it easier to hear the guide and follow instructions when the boat changes course.

The arrangement also gives the captain more freedom to search. The boat is not carrying a large crowd, and the trip can feel more direct. You are still sharing the experience with others, but it has a personal-service feel rather than the scale of a mass excursion.

There is a tradeoff. A small fast boat has less space than a large whale-watching vessel. You will not have the same freedom to walk around, and the ride may feel more exposed. For many people, that is the point. For others, the larger boat will offer an easier day on the water.

Price and practical value at $192.66

At $192.66 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price makes more sense if you specifically want the RIB experience, a small group, supplied protective gear, and a two-hour wildlife outing with a whale guarantee.

You are paying for more than a boat seat. The package includes a specially trained captain, live commentary, safety equipment, and the possibility of a free attempt on the larger boat if no whale appears. The 12-person limit also adds value, especially if you care about hearing the guide and avoiding a packed vessel.

The short duration helps. Two hours is long enough to give the crew time to search Eyjafjord, yet short enough to fit around other plans in Akureyri. With several departure times offered during the day, you have some flexibility when arranging your schedule.

The price is harder to justify if you are mainly looking for a quiet cruise or a guaranteed wildlife count. Nature sets the terms, and the tour can be cancelled for poor weather or insufficient bookings. One cancellation was handled with a full refund, which is the right outcome when sea conditions are unsafe, but it can still disrupt a tightly planned day.

This experience is booked far in advance on average, around 71 days. That does not guarantee every departure will sell out, but it is a useful warning for summer planning. If the RIB format is important to you, reserve early and keep some flexibility around your date.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The tour runs only in favorable weather. If conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy protects safety, though it may be inconvenient if you are visiting Akureyri for only one night.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff follows local Icelandic time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another time zone.

There is no food included, and no pickup is available. Plan a snack before or after the trip rather than expecting refreshments on board. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easy to continue sightseeing in Akureyri afterward.

Who will enjoy this RIB boat trip

I would choose this for active adults, older children who meet the age or height rule, and anyone who wants wildlife viewing with a bit of speed. It suits people who would rather bounce across a fjord than sit quietly on a large vessel.

It is also a strong choice if you have only a short window in Akureyri. The two-hour format leaves room for other sights, and the several departure times make planning easier.

I would think twice if you dislike motion, have difficulty sitting in a fixed saddle-like seat, or need a spacious boat. The operator requires moderate physical fitness and a comfortable fit in the supplied overalls. Those requirements are practical, not decorative.

Cruise passengers should also plan carefully. The tour can work well as an independent shore activity, but you are responsible for reaching the meeting point and returning to your ship on time. Since weather can alter plans, leave a sensible buffer rather than scheduling the boat right before departure.

Should you book the Akureyri RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want a fast, small-group whale search and value close guidance over a leisurely cruise. The RIB, 12-person limit, strong cold-weather kit, and whale guarantee give this outing a clear purpose.

Skip it if you want guaranteed whales, a smooth ride, or a fully catered excursion with pickup. The wildlife is unpredictable, the sea can be rough, and bad weather can cancel the trip.

For the right person, this is a memorable way to use two hours in Akureyri. You might see several humpbacks, a minke, or the less common North Atlantic bottlenose whales. Even with fewer sightings, the speed, fjord setting, and expert commentary give the outing more character than a simple boat transfer.

FAQ

Where does the RIB whale tour start and end?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching Akureyri, Oddeyrarbót 2, 600 Akureyri, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The RIB boat tour lasts approximately two hours.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the two-hour RIB ride, whale guarantee, overalls, life vest, goggles, neoprene gloves, live commentary, and a specially trained captain. The boat carries a maximum of 12 passengers.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

You can try again for free on the company’s larger boat. The guarantee does not promise a whale sighting on the first trip.

Is there a minimum age or height?

You must be at least 10 years old or at least 145 centimeters, or 4 feet 7 inches, tall. You must also fit into the supplied overalls and sit comfortably on the saddle-like seat.

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The tour requires favorable weather. If it is cancelled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.