Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

Midnight sun at sea, in a RIB. I love how fast and close this tour gets you to the wildlife around Faxaflói Bay, thanks to a small RIB speedboat and an up-close guiding style. I also like the warm overalls and the small group size (only 12 per boat), which makes the whole hunt feel focused instead of chaotic. One key consideration: the ride is not recommended if you have a history of back or knee problems, and it is also not suitable for pregnant women or mobility impairments.

The best part is the timing. This is a 2-hour evening cruise when the light is soft and the ocean feels extra alive, with chances to see puffins near the islands and whales and dolphins farther out. In the summer, guides like Maria and Miquel use that long daylight to keep you searching where the animals are most likely to show up.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group RIB (12 passengers per boat) means you spend more time looking and less time waiting.
• Evening timing in midnight-sun brightness makes it easier to spot wildlife without rushing the day.
• Warm overalls and safety gear are included, so you can focus on watching instead of dressing like a winter survival expert.
• Route includes island areas first, then open water, which helps match the animals you are hoping to see.
• Your captain and wildlife guide look for whales, dolphins, and puffins, aiming for close, not constant contact.
• If you do not spot whales, you get a complimentary re-ride on larger boats before you leave.

Midnight-sun timing: why this evening tour feels special

Reykjavik’s summer light changes everything. By evening, you still get that glowing, never-really-dark quality that turns a simple boat trip into something more atmospheric. On this cruise, that matters because wildlife spotting is partly about patience and partly about conditions, and midnight-sun brightness keeps the ocean readable for longer.

I also like that the tour is built around the idea that whales are not totally off-duty at night. The tour aims to see similar wildlife you might catch on daytime outings, just with the added bonus of sunset colors and a calmer feeling at sea. If you are already spending time in the city, an evening option like this also helps you avoid wasting the best light hours sitting indoors.

From Old Harbour to open water, fast and controlled

The meeting point is simple: the ticket office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. The tour asks you to arrive 30 minutes before departure, which is a good buffer for getting your clothing sorted and meeting your guide team.

Once you are on the custom-made RIB, the vibe is all speed and quick positioning. This is not a slow, rocking sightseeing boat. It is a rigid inflatable boat with high performance, designed to zip out of the harbor and cover more area. That matters because whale watching is not just about having luck, it is about increasing your search radius and adjusting when sightings happen.

And yes, it is a RIB, so it is still a boat ride. You will want closed-toe shoes and you should expect some spray. The flip side is that RIBs are extremely stable boats for their size, and the tour includes safety equipment plus a captain and wildlife guide to keep everything running smoothly.

How the captain and guide actually search Faxaflói Bay

This is a wildlife-first trip, not a checklist of stops. The overall flow is: you loop around the wind-beaten islands near Reykjavik to look for puffins, then you head farther out on open water to scout for whales and dolphins.

That order is smart. Puffins are tied to island habitat and predictable areas, while whales and dolphins are more about where the food is and where animals decide to surface. By checking islands early, you get a chance at the small, active birds before the trip commits to deeper scouting.

This approach also helps explain why the cruise often feels efficient even though it is only 2 hours. You are not wasting the evening waiting for long transfers. Instead, you are using the best light while the captain actively searches, guided by real-time observation.

Puffins, humpbacks, dolphins: what you might see

Let’s talk specifics, because this tour’s wildlife targets are clear.

Puffins: The tour runs during the puffin season roughly from May 15 to August 20, and it focuses on island areas where you can see them in their natural setting. If you are lucky, you can get great views of them before they head out of season. Puffins are small, so having good light and scanning habits matters, and evening sunlight helps.

Whales and dolphins: The cruise aims to spot whales and dolphins off Reykjavik, in the Faxaflói Bay area. In summer, the tour indicates whales are seen on over 95% of tours, and the idea is that whales remain active enough to encounter during evening runs. You may also see seals and other marine life depending on conditions.

A theme that stands out from real-world experiences is how close the sightings can feel on this kind of boat. Because the RIB can reach more areas and position quickly, people report getting very close views of large mammals, plus dolphins near the action.

The clothing reality: warm overalls help, but plan for cold

Iceland does not do “mild” the way you might expect, even in summer. Sea air is different, and even on a bright evening, you can get chilled fast once you are out on the water.

The good news: warm overalls are included, and the tour provides all the necessary safety equipment. That combination is a big part of the value here because it means you do not need to bring your heaviest gear just for one short activity.

Still, bring what the tour asks for:

• Warm clothing
• Hat
• Gloves
• Closed-toe shoes

Also note what you should not bring: luggage or large bags, and loose clothing. That is practical. Loose items can interfere on a small boat and can get caught in straps or railings.

If you run cold easily, this is the kind of tour where you dress for the wind first, then adjust for comfort.

Group size and boat style: why it feels premium

At $200 per person, you want the experience to justify the price. The two biggest value drivers here are (1) how the boat is set up and (2) how the tour is paced.

First, small group size. With only 12 persons per boat, the captain and guide can manage movement and sight lines better than on larger vessels. That often translates into more time actively watching and less time waiting for repositioning.

Second, the RIB’s ability to cover more water. Traditional boats can be great for comfort, but a high-performance RIB can scout a larger area and get you closer when sightings happen. That is a major reason people report feeling like they are practically alone at sea during the search, with a calmer, less crowded atmosphere than you might expect from a popular activity.

Finally, the guide setup matters. The tour includes a professional captain and wildlife guide in English, and guide names like Maria and Miquel come up with praise for their guidance and spotting skills. That does not mean every moment is guaranteed perfect wildlife, but it does mean you are not on your own.

Price and value: what $200 buys you in Reykjavik

Let’s talk money honestly. $200 per person for a 2-hour cruise is premium pricing, especially when food and drinks are not included.

So why might it be worth it for you?

• You are paying for a RIB speedboat experience, not a basic harbor cruise.
• You get a small group size, which can seriously affect how good your sightings feel.
• You are paying for search efficiency, the captain’s decision-making, and the wildlife guide’s ability to put you in the right areas.
• You receive warm overalls and safety equipment, which you might otherwise need to rent or pack.

If you are doing Reykjavik in summer with limited time, the value can climb fast. You are essentially buying a focused evening that hits wildlife, dramatic light, and a city shoreline finish.

One tradeoff: if you are trying to stay on a tight budget, this is not the most cost-effective way to spend two hours in Iceland. But if wildlife is your priority, the price lines up with the experience style: speed, small scale, and close potential encounters.

The city shoreline finish: Harpa and Sun Voyager

The tour does not end when you step back into the harbor. It includes a unique ride along the city’s shoreline afterward, with views of Sun Voyager and the Harpa Concert Hall.

This is the kind of detail that makes the timing feel thoughtful. You get wildlife out on the water, then you slide back into Reykjavik with architecture and landmark views that photograph well in evening light. Even if your main goal is animals, this final stretch adds a bit of Reykjavik flavor without turning the tour into a long travel day.

If you miss whales: the free re-ride safety net

Wildlife is wildlife. Sometimes the sea simply does not cooperate.

That said, this tour includes a smart contingency: if you are unlucky and do not spot whales, your captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave. That is a meaningful safety net when you are paying premium prices and timing your trip tightly.

It also tells you something about how the operator thinks about customer experience. They cannot control whale movement, but they can offer a chance to try again.

Who should book this RIB whale and puffin evening tour

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a 2-hour, evening plan that uses Reykjavik’s midnight-sun light.
• Prioritize wildlife and like the idea of a small group on an active boat.
• Dress for cold and are comfortable being outside in sea air.

It is also a great match for people who want close-up possibilities without turning the trip into a full-day commitment.

Who should think twice:

• If you have a history of back or knee problems, the tour is not recommended.
• If you are pregnant, it is not suitable.
• If mobility impairments are a concern, it is not suitable.
• If you are traveling with kids, it is suitable only for children over 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

My decision guide: should you book, or choose another option?

If whales, dolphins, and puffins are your top reason for being in Iceland, this is one of the more direct ways to chase them, and the evening timing is a big part of why it feels like a “do it while you are here” activity.

I would book it if:

• You will be in Reykjavik during the summer window when puffins are present (about May 15 to August 20).
• You like high-energy searching rather than a slow cruise.
• You want the chance of close sightings from a custom-made RIB with warm gear included.

I would skip it if:

• You need a very gentle, accessibility-friendly boat option.
• Cold weather and wind exposure will ruin your comfort.
• Your budget does not allow premium pricing, since food and drinks are not included and you are paying for the RIB and small-group style.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at the ticket office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What is included in the tour price?

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

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

What if the minimum number of passengers is not met?

If the tour minimum of 2 passengers is not met, you will be offered a reschedule or a full refund.