Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

A fast RIB boat carries you from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to puffin islands and open water in search of whales and dolphins. The small craft can cover more ground than a large sightseeing boat, and wildlife may come close enough for you to hear a whale breathe. I like the small group of up to 12 and the chance to learn from a marine biologist, with guides such as Max and Emily praised for their clear, lively commentary.

I also like the thoughtful cold-weather gear, plus the crew’s wildlife photographs sent after the trip when available. The main catch is simple: this is wild nature, not a stage show. You may see humpback or minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and seabirds, but no sighting is guaranteed, and the speedy ride can feel rough or cold.

Key points to know before booking

• Small RIB, wider search area: The lightweight boat can move quickly across a larger stretch of water than a bigger vessel during the two-hour outing.
• Puffins are seasonal: Puffin viewing is generally offered from about April 20 through mid-August, not throughout the full tour season.
• Marine biologist guides: Guides such as Max, Emily, Kylie, Matt, Mike, and Marie have been praised for explaining animal behavior and helping with sightings.
• Warm gear is included: Waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment are supplied, though you should still bring warm layers and sturdy footwear.
• A thrilling ride as well as a wildlife trip: The RIB is stable and comfortable for its type, but it travels fast and can bounce over waves.
• A scenic finish in Reykjavik: The return route passes the Harpa Concert Hall, Sun Voyager sculpture, and the city shoreline from the water.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, a convenient starting point if you are staying near the city center. The tour returns to this same spot after about two hours, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup or worry about finding your way back after the boat ride.

Before setting off, the crew provides safety equipment and weather gear. The supplied clothing includes warm overalls, gloves, and goggles. You should still wear hiking shoes, warm layers, and clothing suited to Iceland’s changeable weather. One useful tip from the trip feedback is to bring your own hat, warm footwear, and extra gloves if you have them. The supplied gear helps, but the sea can feel much colder than the harbor.

The boat holds a maximum of 12 participants, a useful size for a wildlife trip. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide can point out animals without trying to speak over dozens of people. You also have a better chance of seeing where the guide is looking.

You must sign a waiver. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, which makes good sense on a fast boat. The experience is not suitable for children under 10, anyone under 145 centimeters, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people over 75, or anyone over 140 kilograms.

The RIB ride: speed, spray, and open views

The RIB is built for stability and quick movement. Its design lets the captain search a broader area during the two-hour trip, which matters when wildlife is scattered across the bay. A large boat may offer more indoor shelter, but this smaller craft can change direction more easily and get closer without disturbing the animals.

Do not mistake stable for slow. The ride is one of the main attractions. The captain may open the throttle across calm stretches, and the boat can bounce over waves. Several outings included an especially lively ride, with the captain adding extra speed near the end. That can be great fun if you enjoy a little movement, but it is worth choosing another activity if you dislike fast boats or have trouble balancing.

The seating receives unusually strong praise for a RIB. The seats have a suspension-style system that helps soften the bumps, though the ride can still be active. Keep both hands available and follow the captain’s instructions. Sunglasses or the supplied goggles protect your eyes from wind and spray, especially when the boat is moving quickly.

The boat’s low position on the water is another advantage. You are closer to the sea surface than you would be on a large vessel, so a passing dolphin, porpoise, or whale can feel remarkably near. The same feature means there is less separation from wind and spray. Dress for the sea, not just for a mild Reykjavik afternoon.

Puffin islands from April through August

The first wildlife stop is the area around the islands near Reykjavik, where puffins gather during the nesting season. These small seabirds are one of Iceland’s signature sights, and seeing them on the water gives you a different experience from spotting a single bird on a cliff during a land excursion.

The puffin season is listed as roughly April 20 to August 20, with another tour detail giving August 15 as the end date. Treat mid-August as the practical cutoff and check the exact date when booking. The wider boat season runs from April 1 through October 31, but a fall trip should not be booked with puffins in mind.

The guide explains the birds and their nesting area while the captain positions the boat at a respectful distance. You may see large groups of puffins on or around the islands, along with other seabirds. One outing produced hundreds of puffins, while another included many kinds of marine birds.

Puffins are small, quick, and often in motion. Bring a camera if you like, but do not spend the whole visit staring through a screen. The crew may take photographs during the trip and send them to you later, often within a few hours or by the following day. That service is especially useful when the boat is moving too much for easy photography.

Searching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises

After visiting the puffin area, the boat heads farther out to search for whales and dolphins. This is where the RIB’s range and speed matter most. The guide and captain work together, scanning the water and adjusting the route when there is a promising sighting.

Possible animals include humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The strongest outings have included several humpback whales, minke whales surfacing more than once, pods of dolphins, and even more than 60 whales in one particularly lucky trip. Another outing saw two humpbacks repeatedly surfacing and breaching.

Those examples show the possible rewards, not a normal guarantee. You might see one whale, several animals, or none. Ocean conditions, season, food supply, and animal behavior can change quickly. One trip produced a single whale but still included puffins, white-beaked dolphins, and beautiful coastal scenery. That is the right attitude for this activity: the boat and guides improve your chances, but they cannot control the sea.

A close sighting can be dramatic. You may see a whale surface near the RIB or hear the animal exhale before it disappears. Dolphins and porpoises can race alongside the boat or swim around it. The low seats put you close to the water, so even a brief appearance can feel more immediate than a distant view from a large ship.

The guide’s role is important here. Marine biologists and specially trained wildlife guides explain what you are seeing and help you read the water. Max was praised for his grasp of marine life and bird behavior. Emily helped identify dolphins and whales, while Kylie was singled out for finding good viewing spots. Matt and Mike also received strong praise for their commentary and care.

English is the tour language. If you enjoy asking questions about animal behavior, feeding, migration, or identification, the small group makes that easier. You are not simply waiting for a fin to appear. You learn how to watch the surface and understand why the boat changes course.

The return past Harpa and Sun Voyager

The journey back is not just dead time. The boat follows Reykjavik’s shoreline, giving you an unusual view of the capital. Harpa Concert Hall is particularly striking from the water, with its geometric glass front catching the changing Icelandic light.

You also pass the Sun Voyager sculpture, the city’s well-known steel ship form set beside the waterfront. From land, it is a familiar Reykjavik landmark. From the RIB, you see it as part of the shoreline, with the harbor and city behind it.

This final stretch adds value to a short excursion. Even if wildlife is limited, you still get a lively boat ride and a different view of Reykjavik. It also helps place the city in its setting, with open water immediately beyond the harbor.

How the $191 price measures up

At $191 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales from Reykjavik. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, specialist guiding, warm gear, and the ability to cover a wider area in two hours.

The price makes the most sense if you value the boat itself as much as the wildlife. A large vessel may give you more room and a smoother ride, but the RIB offers closer water-level views and a more active outing. You also avoid spending half a day at sea, which can matter if your Iceland schedule is tight.

The value is strongest during puffin season, when the outing combines two kinds of wildlife with Reykjavik waterfront views. It is also strong for anyone who wants a more personal guide experience. The crew’s photographs, shared afterward when available, are a useful extra rather than the main reason to book.

The value is weaker if you want guaranteed whales, indoor seating, or a quiet cruise. The ocean decides what appears, and the boat’s speed is part of the appeal. For a family of four, the total cost adds up quickly, so I would book only if everyone meets the age, height, health, and weight rules and genuinely wants an active sea trip.

Weather, comfort, and practical preparation

I would wear a warm base layer, a fleece or wool layer, waterproof outer clothing if you have it, and solid hiking shoes. The supplied overalls protect against wind and spray, but one passenger found the inside of a suit damp and slightly musty. That seems like an isolated comfort issue, yet it is another reason to wear good layers underneath.

Bring sunglasses even on a cool day. The goggles are helpful when the RIB speeds up, but sunglasses can be more comfortable during slower wildlife watching. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray.

There are no toilets on board and no food service. Use the facilities before leaving the Old Harbour and bring anything you need beforehand. The two-hour duration is long enough for a real wildlife search but short enough that most people can manage without a meal break.

The tour operates from April 1 through October 31. The best date depends on your priorities. From late April through mid-August, you have the chance to combine puffins with whales and dolphins. Outside puffin season, the trip becomes mainly a whale, dolphin, seabird, and coastal sightseeing outing.

Weather can force a change of schedule. The company has handled weather-related rearrangements with clear communication, but you should leave some flexibility in your itinerary if possible. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, both useful options when Iceland’s forecast is uncertain.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to you if you want an active wildlife outing rather than a passive cruise. It suits couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who like fast boats, open water, and expert commentary.

It is especially appealing if puffins are high on your Iceland wish list. Book within the listed puffin dates and understand that the birds are part of the seasonal plan, not a year-round feature. The trip also works well for a short Reykjavik stay because it begins and ends at the Old Harbour and takes only two hours.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have limited mobility, are over 75, or do not meet the stated height and weight limits. Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall. The operator also lists the experience as unsuitable for anyone who is uncomfortable with a fast, bouncy ride.

Sea sickness is not a guaranteed problem on this boat. Some people specifically found the seating comfortable and had no trouble, but the sea can change. The smaller craft sits close to the water, and rough conditions may make the ride demanding even with stable seats.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB tour?

Book it if you want the best chance of seeing wildlife in a compact time, and if the thrill of the RIB is part of the appeal. The combination of puffin islands, whale-searching waters, marine biologist guides, and Reykjavik views gives the outing more substance than a simple boat ride.

I would not book it solely for a guaranteed humpback whale or for a warm, smooth cruise. Nature may offer one whale or a spectacular group of dolphins, and you need to accept that uncertainty. For the right visitor, though, the close-to-the-water view, small group, excellent guiding, and chance to hear a whale breathe make the $191 worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour begin?

The tour begins at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at the same Old Harbour meeting point.

How long is the boat tour?

The activity lasts two hours.

When can I see puffins?

Puffin viewing is seasonal, generally from April 20 through mid-August. The listed details give slightly different end dates, August 15 and August 20, so check the date when booking.

Does the tour operate all year?

No. The tour operates from April 1 through October 31.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see puffins, humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other seabirds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is warm clothing provided?

Yes. The tour provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and required safety equipment. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing, warm layers, and hiking shoes.

What is the minimum age and height?

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

Is there a toilet or food on the boat?

No. Toilets and food are not available on board, so plan ahead before leaving the Old Harbour.