2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik whale tour is the boat itself. A fast, 12-meter RIB carries no more than 12 people into Faxaflói Bay, so you can reach feeding areas quickly and get a close view when wildlife appears. I love the small group and the way the suspension seats soften the ride. I also like the chance to stop at Akurey, a puffin-nesting island, in summer.

This is not a gentle harbor cruise. The RIB can be bouncy and intense, especially in rough seas. I would think twice if you have back or joint problems, limited mobility, or a strong dislike of roller-coaster motion. On a good-weather day, though, the combination of speed, open water, and expert guiding makes this one of Reykjavik’s more exciting wildlife outings.

Key points at a glance

• Fast 12-meter RIB: The boat can cover the bay quickly, giving the crew more time to search for whales and dolphins.
• Maximum of 12 people: You get a more personal ride than on a large whale-watching vessel.
• Four likely wildlife targets: The crew searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.
• Summer puffin stop: The tour visits Akurey during the puffins’ nesting season, though the birds may look small from the boat.
• Cold-weather equipment included: Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and life jackets are supplied.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: If you see nothing, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching departure on the Classic or Express boat.

What the two-hour RIB tour is really like

This excursion from Special Tours Iceland is built around motion. You are not simply sitting on a large boat and waiting for the sea to produce a whale. The RIB is designed to move quickly between possible feeding areas, which matters in Faxaflói Bay, where animals can appear in one place and vanish from another.

The trade-off is comfort. The suspension seats help, and the thermal overalls block much of the cold wind, but this remains an open-water speedboat. You may bounce over the waves, and in rough conditions the ride can jar your body. Some people will find that thrilling. Others may wish they had chosen a slower vessel.

At about $189.87 per person, this is a premium whale-watching option. You are paying not only for the wildlife search, but also for the small group, fast boat, supplied gear, and a more active ride. If your priority is the most comfortable possible cruise, the price may be hard to justify. If you want a compact boat and a better chance of reaching distant wildlife during a short visit to Reykjavik, the cost makes more sense.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

If you select hotel pickup, a bus takes you to the Special Tours ticket office at the Old Harbour. Without pickup, go directly to Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, and a return bus is available if you paid for hotel transfers.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is not filler. You need to check in, find the changing area, put on the supplied gear, and listen to the safety briefing. The harbor setup can be a little confusing, particularly if the changing building is not clearly marked, so do not arrive at the last minute.

The Old Harbour is easy to reach by public transport and convenient if you are staying in central Reykjavik. If you are walking from elsewhere in the city, allow time to find the exact office rather than relying on a rushed arrival.

Suiting up for cold wind and sea spray

Before boarding, you receive warm overalls, a life jacket, gloves, and goggles. Wear warm clothes underneath, plus sturdy shoes. The boat’s speed creates a sharp wind even when the air temperature seems manageable, and the goggles are useful for spray as well as cold.

The gear is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You do not need to pack specialist sailing clothing, and the flotation equipment is part of the standard preparation. Still, the supplied clothing is not a substitute for sensible layers. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and your hands and feet may still feel cold during the ride.

The guide gives a safety talk before you board the custom-built RIB. The boat has shock-absorbing suspension seats, a feature that makes a real difference over short, rough stretches. It does not turn the trip into a smooth cruise, but it reduces some of the strain caused by repeated impacts.

Racing across Faxaflói Bay

Once clear of the harbor, the RIB heads toward the bay’s feeding grounds. The ride can approach 30 knots, and the trip out is part of the attraction. You get wide views of the water, Reykjavik’s shore, and Esja mountain rising beyond the city.

The captain’s handling is important here. The crew must balance speed, sea conditions, and the need to approach wildlife responsibly. Past departures have included captains such as Yoda, whose quick maneuvering has helped bring the boat near whales while following the IceWhale code of conduct.

Do not expect the captain to chase an animal aggressively. A responsible wildlife tour keeps a respectful distance and adjusts course when needed. The small boat may feel close to a whale because you are near the water and have no tall ship railing blocking the view, but that does not mean the boat should touch or crowd the animal.

The RIB’s size also gives you a better chance of hearing the guide and seeing in several directions. With only 12 places, you are not competing with a large crowd for every sighting. That said, your position still affects your view, and animals rarely appear exactly where you want them to.

Searching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises

The main search targets are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Humpbacks offer the most dramatic moments. You might see a blow, a back rolling through the water, or a tail lifting before the whale disappears. Breaching is possible but never something a guide can promise.

Minke whales are smaller and can surface quickly, sometimes giving you only a brief glimpse. That makes the guide’s work especially important. An expert eye can spot a blow or movement that you might miss, then help you understand where to look next.

White-beaked dolphins can be more active around the boat. A pod moving alongside the RIB can produce one of the tour’s best moments, especially when the animals surface repeatedly or travel near whales. Harbour porpoises are less showy, so keep watching the water rather than focusing only on the horizon.

The wildlife search can be wonderfully productive. Some departures have followed two humpbacks for close to an hour, while others have seen a mother and calf interacting with dolphins. On less fortunate outings, you might see one whale briefly or no whales at all. That uncertainty is part of any wild-animal tour, not a flaw that a faster boat can remove.

If nothing appears, the company offers a complimentary ticket for another departure on its Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours. This is valuable if your schedule allows a second attempt. It is less useful if you are leaving Reykjavik the same day, so consider booking early in your stay rather than on your final morning.

Akurey and the summer puffins

During summer, the RIB stops near Akurey, one of the nesting islands used by puffins. The island adds variety to a tour that might otherwise focus only on whales and open water.

Puffins are small, and the boat cannot always get as close as you might hope. Bring binoculars if you have them, and keep your camera ready. You may see birds on the island or moving across the water, but this is not a guaranteed close-up puffin encounter.

The stop also gives you a short break from the faster ride and a chance to take in the bay’s birdlife. If you are visiting outside the nesting season, Akurey is not part of the experience, so whale watching remains the central purpose of the trip.

The guides make the difference

The guide is not just there to point at animals. You need someone who can explain whale behavior, identify birds, and keep the search organized when sightings are brief. Guides named on past departures include Blanca and Jonathan, both praised for clear explanations and friendly service, as well as multilingual guiding that can help an international group feel included.

The quality of the experience can also depend on the day’s crew. Most accounts describe the staff as helpful, passionate, and capable of tracking animals well. One departure received criticism for an impatient attitude and an unclear safety demonstration. That appears to be an exception, but it is worth remembering that service can vary.

A good guide also sets realistic expectations. You may spend several minutes scanning empty water before a fin or blow appears. That waiting feels worthwhile when the crew explains what it is watching, but frustrating if you expect constant action.

How rough is the ride?

This is the most important question before booking. The RIB is fast, compact, and built for an active sea experience. In calm conditions, the ride may feel smooth enough, with the suspension seats taking much of the impact. In rougher water, it can become a serious workout.

Several people describe the boat as exhilarating, similar to a roller coaster. Others found the waves too hard, with one passenger reporting a painful back injury after the boat landed heavily on a seat. You should take that warning seriously. A bad back, heart condition, joint problem, or limited physical fitness can turn the same motion that excites one person into a miserable experience for another.

The tour is not recommended for children under 10 or anyone under 145 centimeters tall. You must also be able to board the RIB and remain seated during the ride. If you are unsure about your physical ability, contact the operator before booking and ask about current sea conditions and boarding requirements.

Is $189.87 good value?

The price is high for two hours, but the comparison is not simply two hours versus two hours. The fee covers the RIB ride, small group, English-speaking guide, safety equipment, warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and the summer puffin stop. Hotel transfers cost extra, so add that amount if you want door-to-door transport.

I see the strongest value in the boat’s speed and size. A larger vessel may offer more space and a calmer ride, but the RIB can reach whale areas quickly and puts you close to the water. If you have only a short stay in Reykjavik and want an active outing, that can be worth paying for.

The price is weaker value if you mainly want a quiet, warm platform for photography. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, and a two-hour tour may produce only a few glimpses. The complimentary repeat ticket improves the risk, but only if you have enough time for another trip.

The tour is often booked around 49 days ahead, so reserve well before an Iceland trip during busy periods. Choose a departure early enough in your schedule to allow a second attempt if weather or wildlife does not cooperate.

Weather, cancellations, and planning your day

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You also receive a different date, another experience, or a full refund if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

I would not place this tour immediately before a flight if rough seas would leave you tired or uncomfortable. Give yourself a little breathing room, and keep a flexible plan for the rest of the day. After the ride, you return to the Old Harbour, where the Reykjavik coastline provides a final photo opportunity before any arranged hotel drop-off.

Who should book this RIB experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a fast, outdoor adventure and prefer a small boat to a large sightseeing vessel. It works especially well for a first visit to Reykjavik when you want whales, seabirds, mountain views, and a memorable ride in one compact outing.

Families with children who meet the height and age rules can enjoy it, but do not assume every child will like the motion. The boat’s speed and bouncing are a major part of the experience, not a minor side effect.

I would choose another whale-watching format if you have back trouble, mobility limits, a heart condition, or a low tolerance for cold and rough water. You may also prefer a larger boat if your main goal is comfort, a stable camera platform, or an easy ride for an older family member.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB whale tour?

Book it if you want the most energetic version of whale watching from Reykjavik. The small group, suspension seats, supplied cold-weather gear, and fast access to Faxaflói Bay give you a strong setup for seeing humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The possible Akurey stop adds a welcome puffin bonus in summer.

Do not book it simply because you expect guaranteed whales. Nature sets the schedule, and rough water can make the trip demanding. For the right person, the boat ride alone is memorable. For a visitor who wants calm and predictable comfort, it may be the wrong choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you choose hotel pickup, transport takes you to the Special Tours ticket office before departure.

How long does the whale-watching tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and returns to the Old Harbour.

What wildlife might I see?

The crew searches for humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is puffin island included?

A visit to Akurey is included during the summer months when puffins are in Iceland for nesting season.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides warm overalls, life jackets, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment. You should still dress warmly and wear good shoes.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled. If no wildlife is seen, you receive a complimentary ticket for another Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tour.