Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

Whales in your headlights, from a RIB. This Reykjavik evening tour is built for the summer midnight sun, with fast RIB speedboats that help you reach Faxaflói Bay wildlife zones and get eye-level views. I also really like the small 12-person boat setup, because it keeps the experience feeling controlled and personal with a professional captain and wildlife guide onboard.

The big trade-off is comfort and suitability: this is a high-speed ride on open water, and it is not recommended if you have back or knee problems, are pregnant, or have mobility impairments. You also need warm layers, since the wind out on the water can cut fast even in Iceland’s bright summer nights.

Key points to know before you go

• Small group (12 per boat) for a more focused wildlife search
• RIB speedboat performance helps cover more area and aim closer to Faxaflói Bay animals
• Evening timing in midnight sun lets you hunt wildlife without losing your day in Reykjavik
• Warm overalls included, but you still need hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes
• Puffins season is seasonal (about May 15 to August 20), so plan around the calendar
• If whales do not happen, you get a complimentary ticket for another larger-boat ride before you leave

How the evening “midnight sun” timing changes the cruise

Reykjavik in summer is bright for a long time. That matters because an evening cruise lets you enjoy the last stretch of daylight without giving up your whole day to a tour.

There is also a wildlife angle. The tour runs with the idea that whales never fully sleep, so you are not limited to “day only” sightings. In summer, the operator states whales are seen on over 95% of tours, which is a strong odds pitch for a short 2-hour window.

I like this timing because you can pair it with a casual Reykjavik evening, then head back to shore with that great “we’re still in summer mode” feeling. And the return ride includes prominent Reykjavik sights, so the experience does not end the moment you step off the boat.

Finding the meeting point at Old Harbour, and why arriving early matters

You’ll meet at the ticket office at Reykjavik Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. The tour asks you to arrive 30 minutes before departure.

That early arrival window is not just for paperwork. On a RIB tour, timing matters because they are coordinating a quick run-out from the harbor, plus getting everyone suited up in warm overalls. If you show up late, you can feel rushed when the cold wind hits and you still need to get your layers right.

This is also where you learn the “small boat rules” fast. You cannot bring luggage or large bags, and loose clothing is not allowed. Plan for a light, secure setup so you are not fighting fabric when you’re moving around on deck.

RIB speedboat ride: fast, stable, and built for getting close

The heart of this tour is the custom-made RIB speedboat experience. RIBs are rigid inflatable boats, and the tour specifically calls out stability plus high performance.

What that means for you in practical terms is motion control. The boat is designed to move quickly while still staying stable enough for wildlife viewing. Faster travel also helps you reach a broader area farther from the harbor than slower craft, which can improve your odds of finding animals during a short tour.

It is still a working speedboat. You should expect wind, spray, and a bit of physical movement on turns. If you go in thinking it will feel like a calm sightseeing ferry, you might be disappointed.

On the plus side, the “zoom around” style is a big part of why people rate this so highly: you are not just drifting past sea views. You are actively searching, then actively slowing when the captain spots wildlife.

The puffin hunt near Reykjavik’s islands

Once you launch, the route includes a loop around the wind-beaten islands just off Reykjavik’s coast. This is where the tour focuses on puffins in their natural habitat.

The key detail here is that puffins are seasonal. The tour notes puffin season runs roughly May 15 to August 20. If you are traveling right at the edges of that window, you might still see puffins, but do not count on it in the same way you would mid-season.

What I like about the puffin plan is the variety. Even when whales are the headline, you get an earlier wildlife moment closer to shore. That means the tour has “wins” even before you commit to the open-water search.

Also, puffins are easier to photograph and watch than many larger whales because you often get more predictable sightings near nesting areas. The earlier section helps you settle in, learn the boat routine, and get ready for the deeper scanning later.

Open water scouting for whales and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay

After the puffin loop, the tour heads to open water to scout for whales and dolphins. The operator’s explanation for the high odds is simple: whales can be seen during summer in more than 95% of tours, and the RIB’s speed allows the boat to cover more potential wildlife zones.

This is also where you should understand the style of encounter you are paying for. The goal is close-up viewing, which is exactly why they use a smaller RIB and keep group size down. Reviews back up the effect, with people describing humpback whales and dolphins as surprisingly close.

Guides like Maria and Miquel come up in descriptions as strong at reading the sea and helping you get oriented fast. And multiple accounts mention wildlife is not treated like a spectacle where boats crowd in close. You get the excitement without feeling like the animals are being chased.

The whale part can still be weather-dependent. If visibility is poor or the sea is choppy, spotting can take longer. But with a 2-hour duration and a high-speed boat, there is at least a built-in sense of efficiency.

Tip for your own comfort: once you’re out farther, keep your eyes up. Watch for movement patterns and misty spouts first, then confirm behavior. You will see more when you are scanning instead of waiting.

Why the small 12-person group really matters

This is listed as a small group cruise, with a maximum 12 persons per boat. That sounds like a detail, but it changes the feel of the experience.

With fewer people, you get:

• easier sight lines when wildlife appears
• less crowding around the front of the RIB during sightings
• more room to move safely on deck as you change positions to look

It also affects the guide-captain dynamic. A professional wildlife guide can talk, point, and coordinate without the chaos of a huge group trying to hear from one side of the boat.

I also appreciate that the tour is built around one clear mission, whales plus dolphins, with puffins as the exciting side quest. A smaller boat makes that mission feel tight instead of stretched.

Staying warm on a wind-bath boat ride

Warm clothing is a must. The tour includes warm overalls, but you still need to bring your own layers and protect your extremities.

Bring:

• warm clothing
• a hat
• gloves
• closed-toe shoes

You will feel the difference when you have gloves on and your ears are protected. Several descriptions highlight how cold it can get out on the water, even during bright summer evenings. If you plan to wear just a light layer and hope for the best, you’ll spend the cruise thinking about your discomfort instead of the whales.

Closed-toe shoes also matter for safety and for not slipping when you shift your stance. This is especially important on a RIB where movement can be quick.

If you’re sensitive to cold, pack a bit like you are going for a winter walk, not a summer patio dinner. You’re trading warmth for time on the water, and warmth keeps your attention on wildlife.

The return along Reykjavik’s shoreline, Sun Voyager, and Harpa

The tour does not just toss you back into Reykjavik. After the wildlife time, you return with a shoreline ride featuring views of the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Harpa Concert Hall.

That matters because it gives the evening a complete arc. You start on the water focused on wildlife, then you end with recognizable city landmarks lit up in the low-angle light. Even if you are not the type to chase photos, it’s a nice finish and a change of pace from sea scanning.

You also pass the character-filled harbor area with colorful fishing huts and lots of food and drink options nearby once you’re back on shore. The point is practical: your tour ends at a time when you can still continue your Reykjavik evening, not just collapse and head back.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $200

At about $200 per person for a 2-hour experience, this is not a bargain cruise. But it also is not paying for a long ride or a big, slow boat.

You are paying for:

• a high-performance RIB that can cover more area
• close-up wildlife searching rather than passive sightseeing
• a small 12-person group experience
• a professional captain and wildlife guide
• warm overalls, plus all necessary safety equipment

The value gets stronger if you care about odds. The operator states whales are seen in over 95% of summer tours, which is exactly what you want to hear when you only have two hours and you want a meaningful wildlife payoff.

And there is a smart safety net: if you were unlucky enough to not spot whales, your captain provides a complimentary ticket for another larger-boat ride before you leave. That is not a guarantee, but it does reduce the risk of walking away feeling like you paid for nothing.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

I think this tour fits best if you want:

• an evening plan that still feels like a nature experience
• close-up wildlife viewing from a small boat
• a quick, efficient 2-hour window in Reykjavik
• the kind of trip where the guide helps you actually find animals, not just pass time

You should skip it if you:

• are under age 10 or shorter than 145 cm
• have back or knee problems
• are pregnant
• need mobility support, since it is not recommended for mobility impairments

Also, be honest about your tolerance for wind. Even with warm overalls, you are on open water with moving air and occasional spray.

Should you book this premium whale and puffin evening tour?

If you can handle cold layers and the reality of a fast RIB ride, I’d seriously consider booking. This is one of those Reykjavik tours where the small-boat format and the timing both matter. You’re not just watching from afar, you’re actively searching, and the evening finish along Reykjavik’s landmarks helps the whole plan feel worth the time.

Book it if whales and dolphins are your priority, and puffins are a bonus you still want to maximize in the right season. The tour’s season window for puffins is clear, and the operator’s summer whale odds are strong.

Skip it if your body is not comfortable with speed, wind, and moving deck conditions, or if you fall into the groups the tour says it is not recommended for. In that case, you’d likely be better served by a more gentle option.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Reykjavik whale and puffin evening tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $200 per person.

Is the tour guided, and what language is it in?

Yes. It includes a professional captain and wildlife guide, and the tour guide language is English.

What should I wear or bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls are included, but you should still dress for wind and cold.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is suitable for children over age 10 and at least 145 cm tall. It is not suitable for children under 10.

What happens if the tour does not spot whales?

If you are unlucky enough to not spot any whales, your captain will give you a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave.