Whales feel closer on a fast RIB. This Reykjavik whale watching trip sends you out from Old Harbour on a small, high-speed boat, then brings you back past Reykjavik’s shoreline sights like Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. It’s a different Iceland view: less pier-watching, more open-water searching.

I love the shock-seat comfort for a ride that can move fast, and I also like the small-group setup (up to 12), which helps you feel like part of the hunt instead of a number. Warm coveralls add real value in Iceland’s wind, especially if your timing is a bit cool.

One consideration: this is a speed-first outing, so it can feel bumpy on the water. It’s not recommended for anyone with back problems or for pregnant travelers.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• RIB speedboat over a cruiser: more speed means you can cover a larger search area and often get closer to wildlife.
• Shock suspension seats: built to reduce jolts for comfort during the ride.
• Small group size (12 max): easier viewing and more attentive guiding.
• Seasonal puffins (May to August): you get a short stop at the puffin breeding grounds in that window.
• Close wildlife chances: the plan targets whales, dolphins, and seabirds, with the captain and guide searching widely.
• If you miss whales, you may still get a second try: there’s a complimentary ticket offered if you don’t spot any marine life.

Reykjavik From the Water: What the Speedboat Really Changes

If you’ve only seen Reykjavik from the streets or the harbor edge, this tour gives you a whole new angle. You start in the Old Harbour area, then you’re quickly out on open water with the coastline sliding by at speed. That speed matters. It’s not just for thrills; it helps the team work a bigger area during the short 2-hour window.

You’ll also get shoreline moments that many land-based plans miss. On the way out and back, you can spot the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall from the sea. Those stops are brief, but they’re timed for views. You’re not rushing through a checklist; you’re getting the sights in motion, with water reflections and a horizon that feels wide and real.

One nice detail here is how the scenery and the wildlife search overlap. You’re not choosing between sightseeing and animal time. The boat lets you do both, and that’s a big reason the experience works for first-timers who still want authentic “Iceland is wild” energy.

The 2 Hours on a RIB: Comfort, Sea Conditions, and Timing

This is a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). It’s small, powerful, and built for quicker movement than the classic larger sightseeing boats. You’re also on the water with a schedule that stays tight: roughly 2 hours total.

The comfort setup is a clear win. The boats have brand-new suspension seats meant to reduce shock. That matters when you’re bouncing across North Atlantic chop. I’d treat the seats as part of the value, not a bonus. With the boat’s speed and the cold air, your comfort determines how well you can enjoy the viewing and stay focused on what the guide points out.

You also get warm overalls and safety gear. That’s practical in Reykjavik, where wind off the water can sneak into your plans even on a “nice” day. Add closed-toe shoes and you’re set for the boarding and the ride.

Timing: you choose one of several departure times, then you make your own way to the meeting point at Old Harbour. Plan to arrive early. You’re asked to be there 30 minutes before departure, which gives you time to get sorted before the safety briefing and boarding.

Seat choice note (if they offer it): one guide’s account I saw highlights the front row as a great way to enjoy the ride and feel the boat’s motion more directly. If you can pick, you’ll likely want the best line of sight and the most immersive view.

Wildlife Searching Near Old Harbour Islands

The core goal is close wildlife viewing without a long, slow cruise. The boat’s speed helps the crew cover more ground, aiming for islands near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. That’s the sweet spot for spotting marine life without spending half a day in transit.

What you can hope for:

• Whales (including minke whales and, on at least one outing, humpback activity)
• Dolphins, often in playful bursts of behavior around the boat
• Seabirds, which can cluster when the water is active

The best part of a RIB setup is how your viewpoint changes. Because the boat rides lower in the water than many larger vessels, your perspective can feel more immediate. That translates into better sightlines when animals surface close to the route.

Guiding style matters on whale-watching tours, and this one is built around a professional captain and wildlife guide. You get scouting, not guesswork. And if the day’s conditions change, the captain can adjust the plan to keep searching. In one described case, they pushed on farther away from the harbor to keep the chances alive.

A realistic note: marine life is wild. Some days are better than others. The tour directly addresses the downside with a complimentary ticket for another ride if no whales or marine life are spotted on your trip.

Puffins in the May to August Window

Puffins are seasonal here, and this tour is timed for that reality. Between early May and the end of August, you’ll be lucky enough to see puffins on the tour.

Instead of counting on a random sighting, you’ll make a short stop by the puffin breeding grounds early in the journey. That structure is valuable. It increases your chances compared with tours that only search offshore for everything.

What to watch for during that stop:

• Movement in grassy areas and rocky edges where seabirds nest
• Puffins appearing in short bursts of flying and landing
• The moment you see their behavior switch from stillness to active feeding and hopping

In practical terms, puffins can be a highlight or a quick stop, depending on what else shows up on the open water. But even when they aren’t the top star, they still add a distinct Iceland flavor that feels different from “just whales.”

Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall: Shoreline Stops That Feel Worth It

One reason people like this tour even when the weather is changeable: you’re not losing your time entirely if wildlife is hard that day.

On the shoreline, you’ll get quick admiration stops for Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. From the water, these landmarks land differently than they do from land. Sun Voyager sits in that iconic coastal location where you can see the sculpture’s lines against the horizon. Harpa is the glass-and-steel building that turns into a sea-side focal point once you’re offshore.

These are not long museum visits. Think of them as “grab the view while you’re already here” moments. That’s what makes them work. The tour turns Reykjavik’s waterfront into a moving photo frame while you’re also doing the animal search.

Price and Value: Is $200 Reasonable?

Let’s talk money honestly. At about $200 per person for a 2-hour RIB outing, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But it’s also not a generic sightseeing cruise.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• You get a small-group experience (up to 12), which often means more attention and better coordination.
• You get both a wildlife guide and a professional captain focused on finding animals.
• You get warm overalls and the safety gear, so you aren’t guessing what you need for comfort.
• You’re paying for speed and search efficiency. The boat’s ability to cover more area than a classic boat is a real advantage in a short time window.
• If your trip is marine-life-less, you may receive a complimentary ticket for another ride.

The price makes most sense if you’re the kind of traveler who cares about animal viewing chances and wants to maximize your time in Iceland. If you’re mostly after scenery and landmark views, you might feel this is too costly for what you’d get from the harbor alone. But if your priority is seeing whales or dolphins, the setup justifies the ticket.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This tour is built around a fast, active day on open water. That shapes who it’s best for.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You’re comfortable with cold wind and being outdoors for 2 hours
• You like action and want the boat to move fast, not drift
• You’re traveling with kids old enough to handle the ride (the tour is for children over 10 and over 145 cm)

You should consider skipping it if:

• You have a history of back problems (it’s not recommended)
• You’re pregnant (also not recommended)
• You’re under 145 cm in height or under age 10

One more small but important detail: luggage or large bags aren’t allowed. Pack light. Reykjavik is easy on foot once you’re done with the harbor portion, so a minimal bag keeps things simple.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Old Harbour Start

This tour is straightforward, but a few details can make or break your comfort.

• Wear closed-toe shoes. You’ll board and move around the meeting area before the ride.
• Dress for wind, not just temperature. You’ll get overalls, but your outer layer still matters.
• Arrive 30 minutes early. You’ll want time for the safety briefing and to get your bearings.
• Bring no luggage or large bags. If you’re traveling with extra gear, leave it at lodging and travel light to the harbor.
• If you get any chance to choose seating, think about your view line. One account from the ride highlights the front row as a great way to enjoy the motion and take in the action.

Also, expect that you’re responsible for getting yourself to the meeting point at Ægisgarður 5, Reykjavik (Old Harbour). There’s no hotel pickup included.

Should You Book Speedboat Whale Watching in Reykjavik?

If your goal is the best chance at whales and dolphins in a short Reykjavik window, I think this is a strong pick. The speedboat setup plus the small-group format gives you a more focused experience than slower harbor cruises. The warm overalls and suspension seats also make it feel less like a “survive the ride” task and more like you can actually enjoy what the guide is spotting.

I’d especially consider booking if you’re traveling in the May to August window and want puffins as part of the plan, not just a hope. The structured puffin breeding grounds stop is a practical edge.

Skip it if you’re sensitive to motion or have back issues or are pregnant, since the tour explicitly isn’t recommended for those situations. And if you’re looking for a calm, low-energy sightseeing day, this is likely too fast and too bouncy for your taste.

If you’re flexible and you want the Iceland water experience with real wildlife odds, this is one of those Reykjavik activities that feels like a genuine outing, not a boxed tour.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this whale watching tour?

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

How long is the tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

What is included in the ticket price?

It includes a professional captain and wildlife guide, use of warm overalls, and all necessary safety equipment.

What should I bring?

Wear closed-toe shoes.

Who is this tour suitable for?

It’s suitable for children over age 10 and over 145 cm tall. It’s not recommended for people with a history of back problems or for pregnant women.

What wildlife might I see, and when are puffins possible?

The tour is designed to look for whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Puffins are possible from early May close to the end of August.

What happens if no whales or marine life are seen?

If you’re unlucky enough to not spot any whales, your captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave.