Reykjavik whale watching feels personal when you’re on a small-group RIB. The big draw is that you’re at sea level, so when whales surface, you see them for real, not like tiny dots in binocular-country.

I love the way this tour pairs speed and safety. The RIB can cover more water in a shorter time, while the tour supplies warm coveralls and safety gear, plus suspension seats designed to take the bite out of choppy conditions.

One thing to think about: this is a speedboat ride on North Atlantic water. If you have knee problems or you know you get knocked around easily by waves, this trip may not be the best fit.

Quick hit points you will care about

• Max 12 travelers on board, so you are not fighting for a view
• Marine biologist guide leads the day and helps you read what you are seeing
• Puffins in season (early May through end of August) with a short stop at nearby islands
• Sea-level whale searching with a small, fast boat for closer encounters
• Warm, waterproof-ish style coveralls plus gloves, hat, and sturdy footwear guidance
• If there are no sightings, you get a ticket for an alternative tour

Why a Reykjavik RIB tour feels different

Most whale watching in Iceland tries to do the same thing with a bigger ship. This one does it with a small RIB, which changes your whole experience. When you are lower to the water and closer to the action, the animals feel less like a distant sighting and more like something happening right there.

The boat also helps you reach more search areas. You are not just waiting in one spot, you are moving. That matters because whales and dolphins do not follow a schedule, they follow currents, food, and timing.

And the small group size helps with the human side too. I like that you get a quick, clear sense of where everyone should look, and you can hear the guide without straining.

Meeting at Ægisgarður 5d, then gear up fast

The tour meets at Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavík. Check in, get set up, and then you are off. This is near public transportation, so you can keep things simple without a complicated day.

The crew provides coveralls and the necessary safety equipment. In the Iceland spring and fall, that alone is worth it. You will still want to follow their clothing advice: wool or fleece layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

One small but meaningful detail is how they design the day for comfort while you are underway. The seats are built to reduce shock and improve comfort during bumpy stretches, which helps when the sea decides to remind you it is the sea.

Stop 1 at Ægisgarður: puffin season check, then the whale search

The day starts with a departure from the Old Harbour area. During puffin season, you may visit puffins in their natural habitat too, but the core purpose of Stop 1 is the hunt. Your first phase is finding whales, dolphins, and bird-life, using the RIB’s speed and ability to run in a wider area.

The schedule here is short, about 5 minutes for this phase. That does not mean it is rushed in a bad way. It usually means you are spending your time where sightings can happen, not standing around.

What I like is the way the tour sets expectations: you are on a fast, stable, safe boat so the crew can cover more ground. That increases your odds, especially on days when animals are scattered.

Potential consideration: if conditions are rough, the ride can feel intense. Some people say it is not too bad, others call out choppier stretches. Either way, this is a moving boat, so plan for motion and dress accordingly.

Stop 2 at Akurey, Engey, or Lundey: puffins in a tiny time window

During early May through the end of August, the tour adds a puffin stop. The islands are Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, just outside Reykjavik. You are in this stop for about 5 to 10 minutes with puffins.

That short window is a feature, not a flaw. You get the chance to see puffins away from the harbor crowd energy, with a quick hit of cliff and sea-bird action. Puffins, auks, gannets, and other seabirds can dominate the scene around the islands, and it is easier to spot their movement when you are close and time is not dragging.

Also, the RIB setup helps here too. The boat is small and fast, so you get extra close and out to the islands quickly.

Tradeoff to accept: you are not doing a long island walk. This is a wildlife watching and searching day, not an extended land tour. If you want hours on foot, plan something else for your Reykjavik time.

Faxafloi Bay whale safari: sea-level viewing and comfort seats

Next comes the longest stretch, the main whale search in Faxafloi Bay, about 1 hour 30 minutes. This is where the tour earns its reputation.

Whales and dolphins are the headline. The crew searches a wide area, and you often get a close view because you are on a small boat at sea level. The experience people describe as unforgettable is not just seeing whales, it is seeing them in the rhythm of surfacing, sounding, and moving through the water.

One reason this tour feels physically easier than you might expect is the equipment. The RIB boats are fitted with high performance suspension seats, which are designed to absorb shock and reduce the risk of injuries. I like that they mention this directly, because it signals they have thought about comfort and safety, not just speed.

Still, keep expectations real. The ocean can be choppy even when everyone is doing everything right. If you are sensitive to motion, be ready for some bounce at least during the more exposed stretches.

If you are lucky, you can also get bonus wildlife sightings. Some departures report extra surprises like basking shark sightings in addition to whales, dolphins, and birds. Nothing is guaranteed, but the ecosystem here can deliver multiple kinds of wildlife in one outing.

The return ride: shoreline views, Sun Voyager, and Harpa photos

After the whale safari, you head back toward Reykjavik. The tour includes a ride along the city shoreline for a panoramic view of Reykjavik from the sea, great for photos.

You pass the Sun Voyager sculpture along the seafront. This portion is not just for scenery. It is a nice reset after time on the water, when your brain is still processing what you saw.

Then you get a quick go-by at Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Iceland’s famous glass building. You are near 5 minutes at this phase, enough for photos if you are quick, but not enough to turn it into a separate sightseeing tour.

Price and value: what $208.09 buys you

At $208.09 per person for roughly 2 hours, this is not the cheapest whale watching option in Reykjavik. The value is in what that money is paying for.

You are paying for:

• Small-group access (max 12 travelers), which improves your viewing experience
• A small, fast RIB that can cover more water while staying close to the action
• A marine biologist guide, which upgrades the day from entertainment to understanding
• Provided coveralls and safety equipment, so you are not gambling on whether you dressed right for cold wind

In plain terms, you are paying for less crowd friction and more time spent looking instead of moving slowly from one big-boat position to another.

Also, the company is building in a backup if nature does not cooperate. If there are no sightings, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour. On a whale watching day, that matters because you are buying a chance, not a promise.

Who should book this RIB whale watching tour

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• Close-to-the-water wildlife viewing
• A day led by someone who can explain what you are seeing
• An active experience where you cover water instead of sitting in one place

It is probably not your best choice if:

• You have knee problems (explicitly not recommended)
• You are traveling with young children (children must be over 10 and over 145 cm)
• You want a gentle, slow day

For seasickness, I would treat this as a personal risk question. Some people report the ride is manageable and not too rough. Others note choppier return conditions. The common theme is that the crew is prepared, and you can reduce the problem with the right clothing and mindset.

One more practical note I appreciate: the tour is operated in English. If you want detailed explanation, this is a good match.

How to dress and prepare for real North Atlantic wind

Iceland boat days are about layering. Even when the water looks calm from shore, the wind can hit hard once you are moving.

Follow their recommended essentials:

• Wool or fleece sweater layer
• Hat and gloves
• Sturdy footwear

I also suggest you pack a dry base layer if you have space. Coveralls help a lot, but the goal is to stay warm and comfortable rather than just protected from spray.

If you are bringing a camera or phone, think about wind. You will be pointing and tracking quickly, and keeping your hands warm helps. The guide and crew are there to help you focus on wildlife, and that makes it easier to capture photos without wrestling gear.

Guides, spotting skills, and what makes the day feel worth it

A big part of the value is how the day is run. This tour uses a professional marine biologist guide, and that shows in how they talk about animals and how they keep the group organized during the search.

From what I have seen on similar trips, the difference between a good and great whale safari often comes down to two things: finding the wildlife and keeping you engaged while you are waiting. People describe the guides as patient, attentive, and excellent at spotting, then explaining what you are seeing once animals show up.

Names that come up in crew accounts include Maria (guide) and Emily (driver) on some departures, plus Sam, Lefterius, and other crew members like Ann, Milán, and Pedro. You should not count on a specific person, but it is encouraging that the operation leans hard on enthusiastic, capable staff.

Some groups even report the guide provided photos afterward, which is a nice extra because you can watch instead of constantly filming.

Weather reality, no-whale days, and your backup plan

This activity requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is the cleanest kind of policy for a weather-dependent activity.

If the day runs but you do not get sightings, you get a ticket for an alternative tour. In a whale-focused experience, that backup reduces the risk that you pay for disappointment.

Still, do not assume every day is the same. Some departures report lots of whales and dolphins, others report fewer or none. What you can control is your readiness, your clothing, and your expectations.

Should you book the RIB whale watching tour from Reykjavik?

I would book it if you want a close-to-the-action whale day with a small group, a marine biologist leading the experience, and a fast boat that can search widely. The combination of warm coveralls, comfort seats, and sea-level viewing is exactly what turns a boat trip into a real wildlife memory.

I would skip it or consider another option if you have knee issues, you are traveling with younger kids who do not meet the minimums, or you know you cannot handle motion on the water. On days with choppy conditions, you will feel it.

If you are visiting Reykjavik during puffin season and you really want both puffins and whales, this tour is one of the more efficient ways to see both without making your schedule complicated.

Bottom line: for the price, you are buying access, comfort, and a higher chance of meaningful sightings on a short timeframe. Book early if you can, and dress for wind. Then get ready, because when a whale surfaces close to the boat, you will understand why people come back.

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale watching tour from Reykjavik?

It is about 2 hours in total.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. It is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

Included are a professional marine biologist guide, use of coveralls, and all necessary safety equipment.

What should I wear for this tour?

Dress warmly. Wool or fleece, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear are recommended.

Do I need hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What if there are no whales or dolphins spotted?

If there are no sightings, you will get a ticket for an alternative tour.

What if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is this tour suitable for children and for knee problems?

Children must be over age 10 and over 145 centimeters tall. It is not recommended for travelers with knee problems.