Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

Fast boats, close whales, real Reykjavík views. This whale watching trip runs out of downtown on a small RIB speedboat, using speed and smart positioning in Faxafloi Bay for a shot at minke whales, humpbacks, killer whales, and local dolphin species.

I especially like the small group format. With a maximum of 12 people, you get more time with the crew, and the guides tend to be quick with questions and on-the-spot observations (names like Claudia, Eva, and Julien show up in the kinds of guidance you can expect). I also love that the ride is all about staying warm and ready: you get warm overalls and gloves, plus goggles and safety gear, so you can focus on the sea instead of fretting about the cold.

One thing to consider: it can be seriously wet. Even with provided gear, the RIB cuts across open water, and on choppier days you may feel like you are getting water splashed at you constantly. If you are not into spray, plan for a less-comfy ride.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• 12-seat RIB speedboat means a quicker, more personal hunt for marine mammals than big-ship cruising
• Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are provided so you can actually last out on the water
• Faxafloi Bay is close to Reykjavík so your wildlife time starts fast, often just minutes off shore
• Stops around Harpa and the islands give you real Reykjavík views, not just time adrift on the water
• Fast repositioning helps your odds because the boat can move faster when animals appear

Starting at Old Harbour House, Where Reykjavík Looks Different

The tour starts and ends at Old Harbour House in downtown Reykjavík (Aegisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík). That matters more than it sounds. You are not fighting a long transfer just to reach the water, and you can keep your day simple: arrive, meet the group, gear up, then go.

Heading out, you get classic Reykjavík harbor scenery right away. You cruise past Harpa, the concert hall and conference center with its colorful glass facade inspired by the island’s basalt character. You also pass the Sun Voyager, a reminder that this city is designed to be looked at from the sea as much as from the streets.

If you want a practical approach, this is a good one. A two-hour tour window keeps things efficient, and you are back where you started, ready to grab lunch or keep exploring without re-planning your whole day.

The Harpa and Bay Views Make the Trip Feel Like More Than Wildlife

You might book this strictly for whales and dolphins, and that is fair. But the scenic portion is not fluff, because it sets the mood and helps you understand the coastline you are hunting along.

Harpa is your first big landmark. From the water, the geometry of the building and the play of light on its glass can feel almost otherworldly on a clear day. It also gives you an easy reference point for where you are in relation to central Reykjavík before you head into the open bay.

Then you move along the southern side of Faxafloi Bay. This bay is right by the capital, with a coastline that opens up to wide horizons. The tour route also frames distant landmarks like the peninsula of Akranes to the northeast, and on clear days you can even see Snæfellsjökull at a distance of about 120 km (75 mi). You do not need to become a geography nerd to appreciate this. It just means the water route feels expansive and not like a cramped harbor lane.

Faxafloi Bay: Where Your Wildlife Odds Actually Get Better

This is the core of the experience. Faxafloi Bay is where you spend the time looking for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, and the tour is designed around being quick when life shows up.

Here is what makes the format work for you. A RIB speedboat can travel faster across the bay than large vessels. That speed matters because whale sightings are not guaranteed, and marine mammals can move. If the crew spots activity, the boat can reposition quickly, and you are spending less time waiting in one spot.

The species possibilities include minke whales, humpback whales, and killer whales, plus white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Even when you do not catch the exact mix you were hoping for, you are still in a high-probability wildlife zone because the animals are often found not far from the coast.

What I’d pay attention to is the crew’s behavior once they find activity. The best kind of whale watching is not just speed, it is staying with the animals long enough for them to surface again. In the feedback, the crews are described as trying hard to get you close, and when they find whales they tend to linger for multiple resurface moments before moving on.

Island Passes You Can Actually See: Engey, Lundey, and Viðey

Between the wildlife scanning moments, the ride turns into an island-hopping coastal tour. This is where the trip feels like a Reykjavík experience, not just a ticket to the open sea.

Engey is the second largest island in the Kollafjörður (Faxa Bay) fjord. Even if you do not land anywhere, passing Engey gives you a sense of how the bay is shaped and why animals use specific stretches of water. You get a better mental map of the bay than you would from land.

Lundey, literally Puffin Island, is a small, uninhabited island off the western coast of Reykjavík. Because it is close to town but still feels wild, it is a nice contrast to the urban setting. It also gives you something to look at besides horizon lines while you wait for the next wildlife moment.

Viðey is the largest island in Kollafjörður near Reykjavík. Passing it helps you understand the scale of the capital’s coastal waters. It feels like you are “watching the city end,” which is exactly why this kind of tour works in Reykjavík. You can get ocean time without leaving downtown behind.

A drawback here is also simple: on windy or rough days, your view time might feel more like bracing than sightseeing. But if weather is decent, these island passes are a real bonus.

What It’s Like When the Spray Starts: Gear and Comfort Reality Check

You will get warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment. That is a huge deal, because cold wind plus salt spray can turn a short outing into a miserable one.

Still, there is a real difference between being warm and being dry. One account described the experience as extremely wet, with seawater splashing in open water after the first stretch of the ride. Another tip that came up clearly was to use all the provided equipment, including a hat if you have one, even in summer.

So what should you do?

• Put on every item you’re given, without skipping pieces you think are optional.
• Consider bringing a hat so you can cover exposed areas under gloves and around the collar.
• If you care about photos, plan for hands getting soaked even with gloves. A phone can be hard to use once water is everywhere, so expect to shoot less and watch more.

The RIB ride is also fast paced. You straddle your seat and hold on, and you will feel the bounce. If you get motion-sick easily, this is worth thinking about in advance.

How the RIB Format Improves Your Whale Chances

Whale watching in Iceland is part skill, part timing, part pure luck. But your experience is not only about what you hope to see, it is also about how the boat behaves when the water changes.

This tour’s big advantage is the RIB speed. When whales or dolphins appear, the boat can get there quickly. When animals move, the boat can reposition fast. When the crew spots something promising, the day does not grind to a slow pace like it can on larger ships.

That speed also supports small-group dynamics. With only 12 people onboard, you are not packed into rows, and you are often in a better position to look out and track where the animals surface. You also tend to get better attention from the guide.

In the feedback, the most praised moments are close encounters and a feeling of motion and immediacy. People describe humpback whales surfacing and performing behavior close to the boat, and dolphins swimming right up near the RIB. Even when the sighting time is brief, it feels like you are part of the action rather than waiting from far away.

Price and Value: Is $145 Worth It?

At $145 per person for about two hours, this is not a budget whale watching deal. But value in Reykjavík can come from what you get included, not just the ticket price.

You are paying for:

• A small 12-seater RIB experience
• Warm gear for the water time
• Reykjavík sightseeing views like Harpa and the Sun Voyager
• A format built for fast repositioning

If you were comparing options, the cheapest tours often use larger boats with slower maneuvering, and you might sacrifice some of that close-up feeling. The RIB format is built to keep you in the game, especially in a bay where animals can appear, shift locations, and disappear again within a short time.

Is it still weather and animal luck dependent? Yes. No operator can guarantee whales. But the combination of small group, speedy boat, and gear makes this a strong choice when your goal is to maximize your odds and still enjoy the downtown scenery as part of the outing.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Another Option)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want wildlife time that starts soon after leaving downtown
• Like active, fast-paced sightseeing instead of slow cruising
• Are comfortable in cold wind and can handle being splashed on a moving boat
• Want a small group with more direct attention from the crew

It might be less ideal if you:

• Hate getting wet or do not tolerate open-water spray
• Get motion-sick easily on choppy days
• Prefer a calmer, drier boat ride more than wildlife proximity

One more practical match: if you are short on time in Reykjavík, a 2-hour format that returns you to the same meeting point is efficient. You can still build your day around dining, museums, or a northern lights plan later, depending on season and your schedule.

Should You Book This RIB Whale Watching Tour?

I would book it if your priorities are close-up animal chances and a Reykjavík waterfront outing that feels more like an adventure than a sightseeing chore. The small-group RIB setup, plus the provided warmth gear, is exactly the kind of practical combination that makes whale watching worth it.

I’d be cautious if you know you are very sensitive to spray, or you hate bumpy rides. In that case, consider whether you want a slower, drier experience even if it means being farther from the action.

If you do book, do the simple prep that makes the biggest difference: use all the provided gear, bring warm layers you can fit under the overalls, and plan to watch more than you fumble with a phone in wet gloves.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour from downtown Reykjavík?

The tour is approximately 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour, and where does it end?

You meet at Old Harbour House at Aegisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included for staying warm and safe on the boat?

You get warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment, along with the small-group RIB tour.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is the group size?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What should I know about weather and cancellations?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.