Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

Whales, fast boats, Iceland in two hours. This Reykjavik whale watching trip takes you out on open water in a rigid inflatable boat, then brings you back past iconic sights like Sun Voyager and Harpa. You get a wide search area and, when conditions cooperate, genuinely close wildlife viewing.

I like the small group size (limited to 12), because you can actually pay attention and spot what your guide points out. I also like the focus on comfort for a speedy ride, especially the use of warm overalls and suspension or shock-style seats designed to reduce the jolt.

One consideration: this is a fast, open-water boat. If you have a history of back problems, or you are pregnant, this is not recommended, and the speed can be a lot to handle if you get motion sick easily.

Key things to know

• RIB speed for more searching, which means a better chance of finding whales and dolphins than a slower cruise.
• Close viewing potential of whales, dolphins, and seabirds because the boat can get low and move quickly.
• Puffin viewing May to August, with a short stop near breeding grounds during that season.
• Warm overalls and shock seats help you stay comfortable while you zoom across North Atlantic water.
• Harpa and Sun Voyager shoreline stops keep the trip feeling like more than just wildlife watching.

Speed And Wildlife: What Makes This RIB Whale Watch Feel Different

Reykjavik whale watching can be as relaxed or as adrenaline-heavy as you want, and this one leans toward the fast side. You are not stuck slowly drifting around. Instead, you head out on a rigid inflatable boat, the kind built for speed and quick repositioning.

That matters because wildlife is not waiting politely on a schedule. A faster boat lets your captain cover a larger search area, then adjust in real time when you see spouts, breaches, or surfacing patterns. The result is a tour that feels busy in a good way, with constant scanning and repositioning rather than long periods of waiting.

I also appreciate the fact that the experience is built around both sides of Reykjavik. From the water, you see the shoreline with fishing huts and restaurant areas, and you get those signature landmarks from a perspective you cannot get from land. On the same trip, you might chase puffins in breeding season, then later look for whales and dolphins farther out.

From Old Harbour To Open Water: The 2-Hour Flow

The tour starts at the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, Ægisgarður 5 (meet near the harbour area your captain directs you to). You should arrive 30 minutes early so you have time for the safety briefing and getting sorted before you step into the cold.

Once you meet your captain and wildlife guide, expect a quick safety talk and then practical prep. You get provided coveralls and safety equipment, then you hop aboard. After that, it is out of the harbour and onto open water right away, with the crew scanning for wildlife near the islands around Reykjavik Old Harbour.

The time on the water is about 2 hours total. During the trip, you make time for scouting, then you get shoreline time on the way back. That return stretch matters, because it is when you cruise along Reykjavik’s coast and spot sights from the sea rather than rushing straight back after the wildlife watch.

In the afternoon or evening, you may find the ocean conditions change quickly. If the sea state is rough, the crew can explain what is happening and focus on safety first. That is not a minor detail in Iceland, it is the whole game.

Meeting The Crew: Small Group Dynamics And Real Guidance

This is a small-group tour limited to 12. In practice, that keeps the boat experience from feeling cramped and helps the guide manage your attention. You are more likely to hear what the wildlife guide is spotting and why it matters, because you are not packed shoulder to shoulder.

You also get an English live guide. The best part of a good whale watch is not just seeing animals, it is knowing what you are looking at. The guide’s job is to help you interpret movement, surfacing, and bird activity, so you spend less time guessing and more time watching closely.

From the tour’s style, you can expect a guide who connects the sightings to conservation and careful behavior. Names like Elsa and Raoul show up in the storytelling around this operation, with an emphasis on friendly, organized guiding and a focus on what is happening out on the water. Even if your guide is someone else, the aim is similar, clear explanations and a calm plan on a busy sea.

Boat Setup That Matters: Shock Seats, Coveralls, And Closed-Toe Shoes

You are paying for a speedboat experience, so comfort has to be more than a nice-to-have. Here, you get provided warm overalls, plus the safety gear you need for a day on the North Atlantic. That does not make it warm like a sauna, but it helps you last through the time you are outside and exposed.

The rigid inflatable boat uses brand new suspension or shock-style seats designed to reduce jolt and improve comfort. If you tend to feel every wave when you are on a boat, this detail is a big deal. I would still expect motion at times, but those seats can turn a rough stretch from a deal breaker into an annoyance you can handle.

Bring closed-toe shoes. You will want something you can trust on wet surfaces when you are boarding and disembarking. And if you normally travel with a bag, plan to travel light, because luggage or large bags are not allowed on this tour.

If you can choose your seating position, I’d lean toward getting closer to the front if you like speed. One of the recurring themes from people who went on this style of RIB ride is that front-row seating can feel like you are right in the action. If you are sensitive to motion, though, you might prefer a spot that feels steadier for you.

Wildlife Searching Near Reykjavik: How You Get Close To What You Came For

This tour is built around a simple idea: cover ground faster, then move toward sightings. The rigid inflatable boat can reach high speeds, letting the crew search a larger area than you would on a classic, slower boat. That translates into more opportunities to find whales and dolphins, and more chances to see seabirds active around the islands near Reykjavik Old Harbour.

What “close up” means in whale watching is always relative. You are still at sea, still sharing space with wild animals, and you cannot control their behavior. But the tour’s approach, moving quickly and being able to reposition, improves your odds of seeing animals nearer rather than far away.

Common sightings include whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Minke whales are one of the whales people report seeing, and humpback whales show up too. Dolphins can be especially lively on these trips, and it is not unusual to see them traveling near the boat or doing playful surfacing and jumping.

If the ocean cooperates, you might get multiple species during the same run. If it does not, you can still enjoy the ride and the scenery from the water. And if you truly end up with no whales spotted, there is a meaningful consolation built in: your captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave.

Sun Voyager And Harpa From The Water: The Shoreline Part You Shouldn’t Skip

I love that this tour does not treat the shore like a distant backdrop. On the way out and back, you make short stops to admire Reykjavik’s landmarks from the water.

Two of the big ones are Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. Coming at Harpa from sea level changes how you perceive it. Instead of a building you pass on land, it becomes part of the harbour scene, with angles and reflections that look different on the water.

Sun Voyager is another stop that feels quick but satisfying. The sculpture is iconic, but from the boat you see how it fits into the harbour’s geometry and the movement of the coast.

During the return cruise, you also pick up the rhythm of Reykjavik from the sea, colorful fishing huts, restaurant areas, and the general bustle of a working harbour zone. It is a good reminder that this is not just a wildlife trip. It is also a fast, efficient way to see Reykjavik’s shoreline while you are already dressed for the cold.

Puffins In May Through August: The Seasonal Bonus Stop

If you travel in the right season, puffins are the extra reason to book this trip. From early May close to the end of August, the tour may include a stop at the puffin breeding grounds.

This is one of the most practical things you can plan for in Iceland. Unlike whales, which can be unpredictable day to day, puffins are tied to breeding timing. The crew makes a short stop early in the tour to look for them during that May to August window.

A quick reality check: even in prime season, you are still visiting wild animals. You are watching for opportunity and viewing conditions, not guaranteeing a perfect photo. But if puffins are on your Iceland bucket list, this specific seasonal timing is the kind of detail that can meaningfully raise your odds of seeing them.

Price And Value: Is 200 USD Worth It?

At about $200 per person for a 2-hour experience, this is not a budget activity. So you need to judge it based on what you are actually buying.

You are paying for:

• A RIB speed setup that covers more search area for whales and dolphins.
• Professional captain and wildlife guide, not just a driver.
• Provided warm overalls and safety equipment, which is real value in Iceland.
• A small group that helps the guide manage spotting and explanations.

If you want a slow sightseeing cruise, this is likely overpriced for your taste. But if you want a hunt for living sea creatures, speed matters. Faster repositioning means more chances to find animals and more chances to see them near enough to matter.

I also think the built-in safety culture and the comfort steps, like the shock-style seats and the overalls, reduce the risk that you will feel miserable for the whole ride. You still need to be prepared for cold and motion, but the experience is designed for getting results.

Finally, the complimentary ticket if no whales are spotted is a thoughtful safety net. It does not refund your time, but it acknowledges that whale watching is never perfectly predictable.

Practical Tips Before You Go: Timing, Bags, And Comfort Limits

This is a tour where preparation affects how much you enjoy it. Here are the key points that come directly from how the trip operates.

First, timing: arrive 30 minutes before departure at the Old Harbour meeting point so you can handle the briefing and gear without rushing. Second, clothing and footwear: wear layers under the provided overalls if you have them, and bring closed-toe shoes for walking on wet surfaces.

Third, what you can carry: no luggage or large bags. If you are staying in Reykjavik, plan to travel light. A day bag is one thing, but big luggage can become a problem fast on small boats.

Fourth, who should think twice: this tour is suitable for children over 10 years and for people over 145 cm tall. It is also not recommended for pregnant women and for anyone with a history of back problems. If you fall into those categories, you are better off choosing a different kind of boat or a calmer experience.

And one more practical note: you choose from several start times, so you can often pick a departure that matches your energy level. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider leaving time for a meal and avoid going on an empty stomach.

Should You Book This RIB Whale Watching Tour From Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a high-energy, open-water whale watching experience with small-group attention and the best chance of sightings through speed and searching. This is also a strong pick if puffins are part of your Iceland plan, because the May through late-summer timing includes a breeding grounds stop.

Skip it or switch to a gentler option if you are pregnant, have back problems, or you know you struggle with motion. The tour is designed to be fast and active, which is fun when you are comfortable, but not ideal when your body wants steadier movement.

If your top priority is wildlife, not just scenery, then this is a sensible value, even at $200, because you are paying for a boat that can actually go find animals, plus the comfort upgrades that help you enjoy the ride longer.

FAQ

How long is the Speedboat whale watching tour in Reykjavik?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the whale watching tour?

You meet at the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional captain and wildlife guide, warm overalls, and all necessary safety equipment.

What should I bring, and is luggage allowed?

Bring closed-toe shoes. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Who should not book this tour?

It is not suitable for children under 10 years old, and it is for people over 145 cm tall. It is not recommended for pregnant women or for people with a history of back problems.

When can I see puffins, and what if whales are not spotted?

Puffins are possible between early May and the end of August. If no whales are spotted, your captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave.