Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

Reykjavik’s wildlife hits fast. This whale watching trip from the Old Harbour pairs a rigid inflatable boat with a small group, so you cover more water and have a real shot at close views of whales, dolphins, and seabirds. I like the mix of animal time and sea-to-city sights, plus the quick shoreline moments that add context to Reykjavik. The ride also comes with shock seats and warm coveralls, which matters when you are bouncing across North Atlantic water for two hours.

One thing to think about: the tour is genuinely fast and can feel jostly. If you have back problems or you are pregnant, this isn’t recommended, and the company asks that you not bring bulky bags or luggage.

Key things that make this whale safari work

• Small group of 12, which keeps the captain and guide flexible when wildlife appears
• Rigid inflatable boat speed, letting you search a larger area than slower boats
• Suspension shock seats, plus warm overalls for comfort on the water
• Seasonal puffins (May to August), with a short stop at their breeding grounds
• Sea-level views of Reykjavik landmarks, including Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall
• If marine life is not spotted, you get a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave

Speedboat Whale Watching in Reykjavik, RIB style: the big idea

This is not the calm, sit-and-wait kind of whale watching. It is a fast RIB, built for speed and responsiveness, which changes the whole math of spotting wildlife. When the captain can move quickly, you spend less time stuck in one patch of water and more time where animals might be surfacing.

You also get the bonus of seeing Reykjavik from a perspective that most visitors miss. After you’re out on the open water, you come back past the shoreline and can spot landmarks like the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall, without needing a separate city tour.

For me, the best part is that the experience feels like two things at once: real wildlife scouting plus a short, scenic loop that makes the Reykjavik setting click.

Where you start: Old Harbour meet-up and how to plan your arrival

Your meeting point is the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. That early window matters because you will need time for the check-in, a quick safety briefing, and to get into the provided gear.

This tour has no hotel pick-up or drop-off, so you’ll need to be comfortable getting yourself to the harbour on your own. Also, keep your packing light. Luggage or large bags are not allowed, so if you are carrying a backpack, keep it small enough to manage during boarding.

The upside of meeting at the harbour is that you get right into the action. There is no long transfer time, and you’re close to the main waterfront sights as you wait for your departure.

The boat experience: what the RIB speedboat feels like

You board a rigid inflatable boat, and the whole premise is power and maneuverability. The captain uses speed to get you out to the search area and to reposition if wildlife pops up elsewhere.

Expect the ride to feel energetic. One review notes the front row seats were especially good for enjoying the speed because you can really feel like you are part of the moment. If your body handles motion well, try to get a seat where you have a clear view. If motion bothers you, you may want to think twice, because the company does not recommend this tour for people with a history of back problems.

The boat also uses brand new high-quality suspension shock seats. Those seats are designed to improve both comfort and safety as you move across the water. For many people, that is the difference between tolerable and unpleasant, especially in cooler months when wind adds to the chill.

Warm coveralls and safety gear: small details that change comfort

You get warm overalls and all necessary safety equipment. That is important because you are not just walking around in Reykjavik, you are spending two hours exposed to wind off the water.

Bring closed-toe shoes. That is the only specific footwear requirement listed, but it’s a smart one for a harbour-to-boat transfer where surfaces can be slick.

If the weather is changeable, the clothing and gear reduce stress. You are less likely to spend the tour thinking about being cold, and more likely to focus on spotting animals.

The wildlife search: how you maximize sightings around Reykjavik

After the brief, you head out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area and scout near islands off the harbour. The tour is built to cover a large search area, so you are not locked into a slow, fixed route.

This is where the speedboat format shines. When wildlife surfaces close, you can get close-up views without the long lag that some larger vessels have. The tour targets whales, dolphins, and seabirds, and it’s set up for active viewing.

Based on the outcomes people describe, sightings can include minke whales and even humpback activity like breaches. Dolphins can also be a highlight, with reports of dolphins playing and jumping around and following the boat. Puffins are seasonal, which leads to the next part.

And here is a practical truth: wildlife watching is always a probability game. That is why the tour includes a useful safety net, which I cover below.

Puffins May to August: the breeding grounds stop

Between May and August, you have a chance to see puffins in their breeding grounds. The tour makes short stop(s) at the breeding grounds early in the experience.

That timing is smart. Puffins are not just a one-off sighting; breeding grounds are about the birds’ seasonal behavior, and that’s when you’re most likely to see them with the context of why they’re there.

Don’t treat puffins as guaranteed, though. The tour still depends on animal activity and conditions at sea. But if you are visiting in summer, puffins are one of the most reliable reasons to choose this specific style of tour rather than a generic cruise.

Reykjavik from the water: Sun Voyager and Harpa on the return

After your time out on the water, you cruise along Reykjavik’s shoreline and can spot key attractions from the sea. The tour includes quick stops to admire the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall.

This is a real value-add. You are already on the waterfront, and instead of getting only open ocean, you also get a clear sense of how Reykjavik sits by the sea. Colourful fishing huts and the mix of restaurants and waterfront activity are visible from this angle, and you get an easy, scenic read on the city in the same two hours you’re hunting wildlife.

If you like photos, the sea view helps. The shoreline landmarks give your memory anchors beyond the animals.

Small group energy: what the guide and captain bring

Numbers are limited to 12. That tends to make the experience feel more hands-on. It also helps when the captain needs to adjust course quickly. With fewer people, it’s easier to keep everyone positioned for viewing without turning the boat into a crowded platform.

You also get a professional captain and wildlife guide in English. Several people mention the guide’s education and conservation focus, and specific guide names show up in the history of the trip. Elsa is mentioned as a kind guide who shared lots of information, and Raoul is mentioned as an approachable guide.

On the captain side, some reviews describe safe, smooth handling in and out of the harbour, plus a small playful spin when you return. That kind of moment is fun, but more importantly, it signals that you are in experienced hands.

If you do not see whales: the complimentary ride detail that matters

Not every trip will deliver whales. If you are unlucky and no marine life is spotted, the captain gives you a complimentary ticket for another ride before you leave.

That detail is more than good customer service. It changes your risk level when deciding whether to pay $200. Wildlife watching can be expensive, and it can feel bad when the ocean does not cooperate. This policy directly addresses that downside by giving you a second chance.

Price and value: is $200 reasonable for this 2-hour RIB?

At about $200 per person for a two-hour tour, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for four things that add up:

1. The RIB boat experience, with speed and a search area strategy that aims for close views.
2. A limited group size of 12, which supports spotting efficiency.
3. Guiding and interpretation, with a wildlife guide and captain plus English commentary.
4. Included gear, including warm overalls and safety equipment.

You’re also buying time efficiency. In two hours you get open-water scouting, seasonal puffins (May to August), and quick stops for Sun Voyager and Harpa. If you were to piece that together separately, you would likely spend more time and money.

The main reason this might not feel like a good value for everyone is personal preference. If you get motion sickness, dislike speed, or are traveling with someone who is not a good fit for this type of ride, the experience can stop feeling worth it, even if you do spot animals.

Who this fits best, and who should skip it

This tour is suitable for children over age 10 and over 145 cm tall. It is also specifically not recommended for pregnant women, and it warns against people with a history of back problems.

So who should go?

• If you want action-based whale watching, not a slow cruise.
• If you like photographing whales, dolphins, and seabirds from a closer, lower vantage point.
• If you are visiting between May and August and you care about puffins.
• If you can handle a fast ride and do not have mobility or back-related limits.

If you are unsure, think about your own comfort first. This boat is designed to move, and the tour’s selling point is speed.

Weather and sea conditions: why the sea can differ from the city

Iceland weather can look calm from shore, but sea conditions can be different. One account describes a day when the tour was canceled due to weather at sea even though conditions were fine on land, and the team explained the difference and helped reschedule.

That tells you something practical: this is a real ocean activity. When conditions are rough, departures may change. Build a little flexibility into your Reykjavik days, so you can shift to the next available start time if needed.

Practical tips that make this smoother

• Bring closed-toe shoes and keep footwear sturdy for harbour boarding.
• If you have a choice, consider sitting toward the front row for maximum viewing of the ride and sea surface.
• Wear a jacket layer you’re comfortable in, even with overalls, because wind off open water can be sharp.
• Keep your plans light on the luggage side, since large bags and luggage are not allowed.

And if you’re chasing puffins, aim for May through August. That’s the window when the tour is set up to stop at breeding grounds.

Should you book this whale watching speedboat?

Book it if you want a high-energy Reykjavik whale watching experience with speedboat access to wildlife areas and a good chance at dolphins and whales, plus puffins in the May-August season. The small group size of 12, the warm overalls, and the suspension shock seats are meaningful for comfort, not just marketing.

Think twice if motion, speed, or back issues are a concern. This tour is not tailored for passengers who need a gentle ride, and the company’s guidance is clear on that point.

If you are flexible with dates and you appreciate a guided, action-first approach, the complimentary ticket if marine life is not seen makes the risk feel smaller. For many visitors, that turns a pricey outing into a fair second chance adventure.