RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s sea is about to get loud. This small-group RIB tour combines whale searching with puffins in season, using fast, stable boats to get you close to wildlife at sea level. If you like your sightseeing with real motion, this one delivers.

I especially liked two things: the sense of personal space on a max 12 travelers boat, and the way the guide team focused on spotting animals across a wide search area. On our outing, the marine biologist guide style really mattered—clear explanations, calm calls, and names you remember like Sam and Maria. (Another guide, Lefterius, also shared photos and video after for an extra boost.)

The main drawback to weigh is ride comfort on rough days. A few people noted the water can turn choppy, and the tour specifically says it’s not recommended for travelers with knee problems. If that’s you, plan carefully.

Key Points You’ll Actually Care About

• Max 12 travelers means more time looking at wildlife instead of craning your neck.
• Sea-level whale watching from a small speedboat gives a closer feel than big-deck tours.
• Puffins in season: early May through end of August includes quick island visits.
• Warm, waterproof coveralls help a lot when the wind cuts across Faxaflói Bay.
• Comfort-focused seating includes shock-absorbing suspension seats for bumpy stretches.
• No-sighting backup: if whales don’t show, you receive a ticket for an alternative tour.

Entering Reykjavik’s RIB World: Old Harbour to Harpa views

This tour starts right in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area at Ægisgarður 5d, and that matters more than it sounds. Being close to the water means you’re not stuck in long transfers, and you get your sea legs sooner rather than later. It also sets the vibe: you’re not just going whale watching, you’re stepping into an active North Atlantic workday where boats are constantly scanning, adjusting, and chasing the next good sighting.

Before the big search begins, you’ll get the practical setup. The crew provides coveralls and all the safety gear, so you can focus on layering your body instead of guessing how to dress for wind and spray. The coveralls are a highlight in the reviews because they’re warm and waterproof, which is exactly what you want when it’s cool, cloudy, or windy and the boat is throwing mist at you.

Then, there’s the bonus “on the way back” sightseeing rhythm. You’ll cruise the shoreline with views of Reykjavik from the water, passing the Sun Voyager sculpture, and you’ll also go by Iceland’s famous Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. That’s not just scenery—it’s a way to break up the tension of searching the horizon. When you’re waiting for a whale to surface, it helps to have something solid and photogenic to look at too.

Why a small RIB (not a big whale boat) changes everything

The biggest difference here is the boat size and how that affects what you see. With a small speedboat and a cap of 12 travelers, your group is easier to manage, easier to reposition, and less crowded. That translates into a more fluid experience at sea: when the guide spots activity, you can be moved quickly to a better angle.

Think about the wildlife you’re chasing. Whales, dolphins, puffins—these don’t surface on a schedule you can set your watch by. A smaller boat helps you react. You’re not trying to fight for a railing, and you’re not trapped behind tall strangers while the action happens inches away from the waterline.

You’ll also feel the “sea-level” advantage. Big boats can feel like you’re watching through distance and height. Here, you’re low on the water, which means your brain reads it as more real. A few people in the reviews said whales came up close, even under the boat, and that kind of moment is the reason many people book a RIB in the first place.

The trade-off? This is a fast, small craft. When conditions are rough, the motion is part of the experience. One review mentioned a very choppy ride offshore, and another person noted the return was rough. If you’re sensitive to motion, bring your plan for seasickness and dress extra warm—your comfort starts with your layers.

Puffins first: the quick island hop around Reykjavik

In the right months—early May through end of August—you’ll also visit puffin colonies near Reykjavik. The tour typically includes a stop at islands outside the Old Harbour area, such as Akurey, Engey, or Lundey (the exact island may vary). The time on the island is short, about 5 to 10 minutes.

That short window is intentional. Puffins are busy, and sea conditions can shift. You’re getting a focused splash of the real thing: sea cliffs and sky filled with seabirds a few minutes from the harbour. Several people reported seeing not only puffins, but also other seabirds like auks and gannets. Even if you only spend a few minutes there, it’s often enough to spark that wow feeling you came for.

What I like about this setup is how it blends two travel goals in one outing. You get the drama of whale searching plus the easy excitement of “here they are” puffin viewing. If you’re visiting in off-season, you’ll focus entirely on the whale and dolphin search, which can still be spectacular—but the puffin element is seasonal.

The main hunt: Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

After the island break, the tour shifts to the business end—searching for whales in Faxaflói Bay. This is the longest segment, around 1 hour 30 minutes, and it’s where the guide’s marine-biologist skills really show.

You’ll cover a larger search area because RIBs can move efficiently. That increases your odds, and it also keeps the energy up. Instead of spending long periods stuck in the same patch of ocean, you’re moving to follow clues—surface behavior, bird activity, and the patterns guides recognize from experience.

Comfort is also built into how this part is handled. The boats use high-performance suspension seats designed to reduce shock and help with bumpy rides. That’s not a gimmick; it affects how long you can actually sit and look. A couple of reviews specifically praised the comfortable seats when conditions turned bumpy.

In terms of sightings, the range is what keeps this tour feeling high value. People reported humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and even a basking shark. There are also reports of multiple humpbacks and dramatic surface moments like breaches. Of course, sightings aren’t guaranteed—this is nature, not a theme park. But the overall pattern in the reviews is strong: many people come away with repeated sightings rather than one quick look.

One practical note: if you get seasick, don’t ignore it. The tour includes guidance for dealing with it (at least one review specifically said the guide helped with sea sickness concerns). Still, your best move is to come prepared with what usually works for you—ginger, motion bands, whatever fits your body.

The Reykjavik shoreline cruise and Harpa stop: photos that feel earned

Once the main whale safari wraps up, the tour heads back toward Reykjavik. This is when you can relax your scanning for a minute and switch to “watch the city from the sea” mode.

You’ll cruise the shoreline and pass the Sun Voyager sculpture on the seafront, then go by Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Reykjavik’s glittering landmark. The time is short—around 5 minutes in the Harpa area—but that’s often perfect. After searching open water for long moments, even a brief architectural view is a strong mental reset.

In other words: Harpa and the shoreline stop aren’t there to replace the whale part. They’re a breather that also gives you a real sense of place. Reykjavik looks different from water, and you’ll remember the angles when you later walk by Harpa on land.

Guides, gear, and the small touches that matter

This is the kind of tour where the human details can make or break the experience. The included professional marine biologist guide concept isn’t just marketing. People named specific guides and praised their enthusiasm, patience, and ability to explain what you’re seeing.

I’m seeing a few recurring themes:

• Guides are hands-on about safety and comfort, especially with the coveralls and safety gear.
• Guides are good at spotting and sharing what they know without turning the boat into a classroom.
• Some guides provided photos during and/or after the outing, which is a smart add-on because wildlife moments are hard to photograph in perfect focus from a moving boat.

Names that came up include Sam, Maria, Emily (mentioned as a driver alongside Maria), Lefterius, and Ann. One review also highlighted Milán and Pedro as standout crew members. Even if you never learn their exact job title, you’ll feel the result: calm direction when everyone is looking at the same horizon line.

The gear is another quiet win. People noted warm, comfortable coveralls and added items like gloves, hats, and goggles being available or provided. When the wind kicks up, it’s those small items that keep you from rushing your body into “I want to get off the boat” mode.

When things go wrong: weather, no-sightings, and comfort limits

Whale watching can be a gamble, and this tour calls it straight. It requires good weather, and there’s an option if sightings don’t happen. If there are no sightings, you’ll get a ticket for an alternative tour. That’s a key fairness feature because it reduces the chance of paying for a trip that turns into mostly ocean time.

That said, weather can still disrupt everything. One low-score review described a cancellation due to high winds and later a switch to a different tour type, plus an engine failure departure delay, leading to no whale sightings. Another person described a rougher ride and recommended considering choppy conditions for older passengers. These are the risks you should plan for.

Comfort limits also show up in the fine print. The tour is not recommended for knee problems, and children must be over age 10 and above 145 cm tall. If you fall into those categories, I’d treat this as a “read first, decide smart” situation. A RIB is exciting, but it isn’t gentle by default.

If you’re generally healthy and you dress for wind and spray, the reviews paint a strong picture of people staying comfortable enough to enjoy long sightings. The shock-absorbing seats seem to do their job for a lot of visitors, including those who still found the ride exhilarating.

Price and value: is $208.09 a fair deal?

At $208.09 per person for about 2 hours, this tour sits in the premium bucket. But “premium” doesn’t automatically mean overpriced. Here’s what you’re buying besides wildlife chances.

You’re paying for:

• Small-group access (max 12 travelers), which improves your ability to see and reduces time blocked by other people.
• A professional marine biologist guide, which matters when you’re trying to understand animal behavior and interpret the ocean.
• A RIB designed to reach wildlife at sea level, not just point and hope.
• Included coveralls and safety equipment, which save you money and hassle on dressing right.

If you compare it to larger whale watching boats that can feel crowded and distant, the value gets easier to justify. Multiple reviews explicitly said the RIB experience felt more personal and worth the extra cost. The strongest logic is simple: the closer, less crowded format increases your odds of a meaningful sighting and a memorable viewpoint.

Would I say it’s always worth every penny? Not blindly. If you’re unlucky with weather or animal movement, you might only see seabirds or get limited results. That’s why the no-sighting alternative tour option matters. It turns the purchase from a gamble into a more flexible plan.

Who should book this RIB whale watching tour?

You’ll likely love this if you:

• Want close-up wildlife action rather than distant sightings from a big deck.
• Enjoy motion and don’t mind wind and spray with the right clothing.
• Prefer small groups and a guide who can actively search and reposition.
• Are visiting Reykjavik in the puffin season and want a quick taste of the seabird colonies too.

You might skip or think twice if you:

• Have knee issues (the tour says it’s not recommended).
• Are traveling with very young children (it requires age 10+ and height above 145 cm).
• Are highly sensitive to choppy water and don’t have a good plan for motion.

For most adults in average health, this fits as a top Reykjavik activity. It’s one of the few experiences where the boat itself is part of the entertainment, not just the transport.

Should you book Whale Safari from Reykjavik?

If you can handle being on a small fast boat in cool wind, I think it’s a strong yes. The combo of small-group format, warm gear, and low-to-the-water viewing creates a different kind of whale watching than you’ll get from bigger tours. Plus, in the right months, the puffin stop adds an extra wildlife hit without stretching the day.

Book it if you want memorable, close viewing and you’re comfortable scanning the horizon for wildlife that shows up when it wants to. Consider alternatives only if you’re dealing with knee problems, very young kids, or you know you react badly to rough water. For everyone else, this is exactly the kind of Reykjavik outing that turns a cold windy coastline into a bucket-list afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale watching tour?

The tour is about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Ægisgarður 5d in Reykjavik and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What animals can I see, and when are puffins included?

You’re searching for whales and dolphins, and the tour may also include seabirds. Puffins are visited during puffin season, from early May to the end of August.

What should I wear?

Dress warmly with wool or fleece layers, plus a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Coveralls are provided.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if there are no whale sightings?

If there are no sightings, you’ll receive a ticket for an alternative tour.

Is it suitable for kids or people with knee problems?

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