Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

A RIB whale tour is a whole different vibe. You go fast, stay close, and scan Faxafloi Bay from right by Reykjavik. This 12-seat setup keeps the group small and gives your guide room to work the hunt, in English, with an option to see whales, dolphins, and porpoises all year.

What I like most is the warm gear approach. You get overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment, which matters a lot when the North Atlantic air turns sharp fast. Second, I love the add-on sightseeing feel: you pass Harpa and the Sun Voyager, then swing past island viewpoints like Engey and Lundey, so the trip stays interesting even while you’re searching.

The main drawback to consider is simple: the ride can get wet and choppy. If you hate spray and cold wind, a speedboat may feel like a lot, even with the included suits. And like all whale watching, animal sightings are not guaranteed.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• A 12-seat RIB means real guide attention instead of a crowd-wide explanation
• Speed across Faxafloi Bay can help you reach active areas faster
• Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are included, but use everything they give you
• Harpa and Sun Voyager scenery fill time before the animal search gets serious
• Island views (Engey, Lundey, Viðey) keep the route visually fun
• You’re targeting multiple species, from minke and humpbacks to killer whales, plus dolphins and harbour porpoises

Faxafloi Bay: The Real Reason This Tour Works from Reykjavik

Reykjavik whale watching is popular for a reason. From the city, you’re in striking distance of Faxafloi Bay, a southern-shore bay where ocean life shows up close to land. On a clear day, you can even see the peninsula of Akranes to the northeast, and at a distance, Snæfellsjökull (about 120 km away). That kind of geography is ideal for a short, focused tour: you do not spend hours commuting.

This tour also aims at variety. Across the year you may encounter minke whales, humpback whales, and killer whales, plus white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Summer is the peak season, but the idea here is that you’re not locked into one narrow window. If you’re in Reykjavik during shoulder season, you still have a shot.

Here’s what that means for your day. You get to spend about two hours on the water scanning for mammals while the scenery around the capital keeps things moving. It’s the sweet spot for people who want the whale moment without losing an entire morning or afternoon to long-distance travel.

The RIB Ride: Speed, Spray, and How to Stay Comfortable

The heart of the experience is the RIB speedboat, a small, fast 12-seater. In practice, that changes the whole rhythm. When a sighting happens, you are not stuck waiting for a big ship to reposition. A faster boat can help your guide reach where the action is and keep you there long enough for animals to surface more than once.

Now for the part that decides whether you love this tour or tolerate it: how you handle cold wind and spray.

The good news is that the tour provides warm overalls and gloves plus goggles and safety gear. One guest tip was blunt but useful: use all the equipment, including the pieces that feel a bit extra. In rougher conditions, hands and feet feel the cold first, and gloves only work well if you actually keep them on and properly fitted.

If you are sensitive to wet clothing, bring the right expectations. One guest described getting very wet in open water, with soaked shoes and damp jeans despite the provided suit. That does not mean the tour is unsafe or poorly organized, it means the ocean is going to do ocean things, especially once you are in open water.

My practical advice: if you care about comfort, plan like you’re going out on a windy pier in Iceland, not like you’re taking a boat cruise. Dress with layers under the provided gear as you normally would for cold weather, and keep your phone and camera plans realistic in spray.

Meeting at Old Harbour House, Then a Quick Reykjavik Warm-Up

You start at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, in the area called Food, Drinks & Tours. The tour is designed to end back at the same meeting point, so you are not juggling transport after you get back wet and happy.

Before the search gets underway, you get Reykjavik in motion. One of the built-in perks is the panoramic view route that includes Harpa and the Sun Voyager. If you have only a small window in the city, this is a smart way to steal sightseeing time without adding another ticketed activity.

Harpa is the standout architecture here. It is a concert hall and conference center with a distinctive colored glass facade inspired by Iceland’s basalt scenery. From the water, it reads differently than it does from the street, and you also get the “wow, Reykjavik is really placed here” feeling as you look back toward the harbor.

If you like photos, you will likely get your best angles at the start of the tour while the boat is still working around the bay and you have your bearings.

Harpa, Sun Voyager, and the First Views That Set the Mood

This tour uses the early portion of the ride for two jobs: orientation and momentum. You leave the harbor area and begin gliding along routes that show off the city’s coastal identity.

You pass the Harpa glass facade and the Sun Voyager sculpture, which is another quick Reykjavik icon from the water. Even if you are there solely for whales, this part matters because it keeps your brain from waiting. The tour does not feel like you’re spending the first half-hour doing nothing. Instead, you get a moving “coastline reveal,” then the focus shifts outward.

One small consideration: if you really care about smooth, calm water, know that the route transitions from sheltered harbor feel to open bay conditions. That’s when spray can start in earnest, and why your warm gear usage matters later.

Island Circuit Time: Engey, Lundey, and Viðey

As the boat moves through the Faxafloi Bay area, you also get island scenery. Think of this as a mix of practical searching and sightseeing.

Engey is one of the islands you’ll pass. It is described as the second largest island of the Kollafjörður (Faxa Bay) fjord in western Iceland. The size makes it a clear landmark when you’re scanning the water. It is also a reminder that this coastline is not just open water plus city. There are landforms close enough to anchor what you’re seeing.

Next is Lundey, literally Puffin Island. It is a small, uninhabited island off the western coast near Reykjavik. Even if you do not clock every bird detail, the name alone signals what this region is known for. On the ride back, you may also spot puffins along the route, which adds a bonus wildlife moment if you’re lucky.

Finally, Viðey rounds out the set. It is the largest island in the Kollafjörður Bay near Reykjavik. Together, these stops create a “map in motion” effect. You keep a visual reference point while your guide works the whale search, which is helpful for anyone who gets nervous about feeling lost at sea.

Marine Mammals You’re Looking For, and How Close You Might Get

This is the main reason you’ll book, so let’s talk reality.

All year, you’re targeting marine mammals just minutes off the coast. Reported species include minke whales, humpback whales, and killer whales, plus white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. In summer, chances tend to improve, but the tour’s pitch is that there is usually something happening.

What “close” can mean depends on animal behavior and water conditions. Some experiences sound like a true show, with whales surfacing repeatedly and coming near the boat. Other experiences may be brief sightings. That comes down to luck, and your guide cannot force an animal to swim where you want.

What you can control is how well you’re set up to notice. Keep your upper body ready to turn your attention quickly. Listen when your guide calls something out, and don’t spend the moment fumbling with layers or phones. When dolphins or whales appear, it often happens fast, and you’ll enjoy the sighting more if you are looking, not adjusting gear.

Also, remember you are in a speedboat. When sightings happen, your ride may speed up or shift course to keep you in the right zone. That can feel thrilling, but it also means your photos might be harder if spray hits your hands or your phone stays in a waterproof case the whole time.

The Hunt Strategy: How Small Groups Boost Your Odds

The tour’s “secret weapon” is not magic. It’s operations.

With a maximum of 12 travelers, your guide can do more than just talk. In a small group, questions are easier to answer, and the guide can pay attention to where everyone is positioned. One guest described a guide who was a marine biologist and answered questions during the tour, which is exactly the kind of added value that makes the waiting period feel productive.

Good crews also know how to manage time once a sighting happens. Several descriptions emphasize that the captain and first mate would find whales and then stay in one area long enough for animals to surface again before moving on. That patience is a big deal in whale watching. You are not chasing your own shadow for five seconds and then moving on. You’re given time to see more than one behavior.

In plain terms, this is why small-group whale watching often feels more personal. You still rely on nature, but you get a better shot at meaningful viewing rather than constant repositioning.

Weather, Cancellations, and What to Do When the Sea Says No

Iceland is honest about weather. This experience requires good weather, and sea conditions can change quickly.

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Also, the experience requires a minimum number of travelers, so on rare days with low sign-ups, you might be offered another date or another option.

The practical takeaway: if you have a tight schedule, book early enough that you can adapt. If you are staying in Reykjavik only briefly, aim to schedule this earlier in your trip window so you have flexibility if wind or sea spray turns into a hard no.

Also, if you’re someone who gets seasick, you’ll want to treat the RIB ride seriously. The tour is fast and may be bumpy, so consider whether a speedboat is your comfort level compared with a larger vessel.

Price and Value: Is $145 a Good Deal?

At $145 per person for about two hours, you’re paying for two things: access and format.

You are getting a small-group RIB ride, up to two hours on the water, with warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment included. That matters because cold-weather gear is not cheap if you have to buy it at the last minute. You also get Reykjavik scenery as part of the same ticket, with panoramic views of Harpa and Sun Voyager rather than treating sightseeing as a separate add-on.

Is it the cheapest option? Probably not. But the value is in the combination: fast boat, small group, and a route that mixes whale searching with a Reykjavik sightseeing loop.

My rule of thumb: if seeing whales is your top goal and you want more than a long, slow cruise, this style can justify the price. If you mainly want a calm sightseeing boat, or you know you dislike getting wet, you may find the cost harder to swallow because you might feel the ride more than the animals.

Who Should Book This RIB Whale Watching Tour

This fits best if you want a high-energy, nature-first outing with practical creature comforts. It’s ideal for:

• Couples and small families who want a small group and fast access to the action
• Wildlife fans who enjoy the hunt, scanning, and quick course changes
• People who can handle wind and spray and will use the provided gear
• Anyone who also wants a dose of Reykjavik visuals, including Harpa and the Sun Voyager

If you prefer a calmer boat ride, or you have strong motion sickness issues, you might want to compare with larger-boat whale tours instead. The RIB is fun, but it is not trying to be gentle.

Should You Book? My Straight Answer

I’d book this tour if your priorities are small-group attention, a fast RIB approach, and the best shot at multiple sightings within a short Reykjavik window. The route makes sense, you’re supplied with cold-weather kit, and the island and city scenery keeps the trip from feeling one-note while you search.

I would think twice if you are extremely sensitive to getting wet, hate cold wind, or are traveling with limited time to absorb a weather-based disruption. This is a boat on real ocean conditions. When the sea cooperates, it can be magical. When it doesn’t, you need flexibility.

If you can dress for spray and you want the closest-possible whale watching from Reykjavik, this one is a strong pick.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour?

It’s approximately 2 hours on the water.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What’s included in the ticket price?

You get an up to 2-hour exciting small-group tour in a 12-seater RIB boat, panoramic Reykjavik views including Harpa and the Sun Voyager, and warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment.

Is hotel transfer included?

No, hotel transfer is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.