Fast boats, big whales, Reykjavik energy. This small-group RIB whale watch has you moving fast across Faxafloi Bay, so you’re not stuck waiting like the big-boat crowds. I especially like how the setup pushes for more time near the action with a guide who can help you spot what’s out there.

My second favorite part is the comfort gear: warm overalls and gloves (plus goggles and safety equipment). One main consideration: it can get wet and chilly out on the open water, and if you don’t use all the provided layers you’ll feel it fast.

Key highlights worth knowing before you go

• 12 people max keeps the experience focused and gives the guide room to answer questions.
• Speedboat advantage: the RIB can cover distances quicker when whale sightings shift.
• Warm gear is provided: overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment help you stay outside longer.
• Harpa and Sun Voyager views make the tour feel like part sightseeing, part wildlife hunt.
• Island loop in Faxafloi Bay: Engey, Lundey (Puffin Island), and Viðey are part of the cruising scenery.
• All-year whale options: you’re looking for a mix that can include minke, humpback, killer whales, dolphins, and harbour porpoises.

Faxafloi Bay + a 12-seater RIB: why this setup works

Reykjavik’s best whale watching is basically a race against time and distance. Animals don’t hold still, and sightings can change quickly around the bay. That’s where a fast RIB makes a real difference: you can reposition faster than larger boats, which helps you keep the chase going.

I also like that the group stays small. With a maximum of 12 people, you’re not fighting for a view or shouting over a loud deck. The guide can point things out, scan the water with you, and answer questions without turning your experience into a lecture line.

From Old Harbour House to Harpa: the tour starts with downtown Reykjavik

You meet at Old Harbour House, a central spot that makes the whole outing feel easy to plug into a Reykjavik day. From there, the ride quickly becomes more than just wildlife watching. You get panoramic views of Harpa concert hall, plus the Sun Voyager sculpture along the waterfront.

Harpa is the building with the colored glass facade that draws inspiration from Iceland’s basalt landscape. Even if you’re not a concert hall person, it’s a striking landmark to watch slide by while the sea hunt begins.

What the RIB ride feels like (and why it might matter to you)

This is not a slow, quiet cruise. It’s a small, bumpy speedboat experience where you’re straddling your seat and holding on while you move across the bay. On calm days, that’s thrilling fun. On rougher days, you’ll feel the spray and the cold more than you would on a larger vessel.

That speed is the point, though. When the captain is tracking movement and trying to line up a whale encounter, the RIB’s quick repositioning helps you spend more time where the animals are likely to surface. The trade-off is comfort: you need to treat the provided gear seriously and expect open-water spray.

The Faxafloi Bay sweep: scanning for whales and dolphins

Faxafloi Bay sits on the southern shore from Reykjavik, with big ocean views and a coastline that feels close even when you’re out in open water. From here you can sometimes see distant landmarks like the Akranes peninsula, and on clearer days even Snæfellsjökull at a distance of about 120 km.

The practical value of this bay is simple: it’s close to Reykjavik and it’s active. The tour is designed around the idea that you can encounter marine mammals just minutes off the coast, all year long. Summer is peak season, but the tour’s whole goal is to keep you searching where animals are most likely to show up.

The island stops: Engey, Lundey (Puffin Island), and Viðey

A lot of the magic on this outing comes from the cruising scenery between sightings. You move through an island circuit in Kollafjörður (Faxa Bay), with stops/areas like Engey, Lundey, and Viðey.

• Engey is the second largest island in the Kollafjörður fjord area. Seeing it from the water adds texture to what would otherwise be just open sea lines around Reykjavik.
• Lundey, literally called Puffin Island, is a small uninhabited island off the western coast near the city. Even if you don’t spot puffins every time, it’s the kind of place that makes the ride feel like a mini adventure, not just a one-track whale search.
• Viðey is the largest island in the Kollafjörður Bay area near Reykjavik. It gives you another land anchor while the captain scans the water and works the route.

The itinerary’s structure is basically: cruise, scan, reposition fast, then return. Those island passes make the time feel varied, which matters because wildlife watching has a built-in uncertainty factor.

What animals you can hope to see (and how encounters usually go)

This tour is designed to maximize your chances of seeing marine mammals, and the species list is broad. You’re looking for a mix such as minke, humpback, and killer whales, plus white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. The guide’s job is to watch the water and respond quickly when you spot movement.

When whales show up, the best encounters tend to happen in short windows. The captain and crew may move faster across the bay to reach the right spot, then stay in place long enough for animals to resurface. That matters because humpback surfaces can be brief, and you’ll want multiple chances to see spouts and blows clearly rather than chasing one quick look and moving on.

If you’re lucky, you also catch dolphins alongside the boat. The experience is built so the crew can keep your group in the right viewing position while they search.

Warm overalls and gloves: the real comfort strategy

Iceland’s weather can change fast, and out on the water it feels sharper. The tour provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety equipment, which is a big deal for a RIB outing because you’re sitting in open-air wind.

Here’s the practical move: use the full gear and treat it like the baseline, not optional extras. Even in warmer months, you can still get soaked from spray. A small but crucial tip from real-world experience: bring a hat and use every piece they give you, because your head and hands are the first parts to feel the cold when the spray starts.

Also, plan for this reality check on electronics. Heavy spray can make it hard to hold a phone steady, and the best moments can arrive fast. If you go for photos, keep expectations flexible and focus on watching first.

Price and value: is $145 worth a 2-hour RIB hunt?

At about $145 per person for roughly 2 hours, you’re paying for speed, small-group guiding, and the RIB itself. The value shows up in two places.

First, the boat can reposition quickly. That increases your chances of meaningful whale time, especially when animals shift around the bay. Second, you’re in a maximum 12-person group, which typically means more direct attention from your guide when you’re actually scanning for blows and fins.

It’s also a short, efficient chunk of time. If you’re on a packed Reykjavik schedule, a tight 2-hour window can be easier to fit than longer full-day trips, while still giving you a good shot at real encounters.

Booking about a month in advance is wise. On average, this tour gets reserved around 36 days ahead, which tells you it’s popular and likely to sell out during peak times.

When this tour fits best (and when to think twice)

This is a great match for you if you want:

• a wildlife outing that feels active and fast
• a small group where the guide can actually pay attention
• a mix of scenery and sea life, with Harpa and the nearby islands in the mix

It may be less fun if you:

• hate getting wet (open-water spray is part of the deal)
• get motion sick easily
• expect a calm, sightseeing-only cruise

Also, some departures can be impacted by wind and sea conditions. If conditions aren’t right, the operator may offer a different date or a full refund. In Iceland, that’s not a red flag—it’s the normal reality of ocean weather.

Should you book this Reykjavik RIB whale watching tour?

If you’re choosing between a slow boat and a faster RIB, I’d lean toward the RIB for this specific bay setup. The combination of small group size, speed to chase shifting sightings, and warm gear provided makes it a practical way to maximize your odds in Reykjavik’s nearby waters.

Book it if you can handle spray and you want an experience that feels like a real hunt, not a drift. Skip it or consider a calmer option if rough water is a deal-breaker for you. Either way, you’ll be out near Faxafloi Bay with big Iceland energy—watching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises while Reykjavik’s landmarks fade behind you.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour from Reykjavik?

It’s about 2 hours, approximately.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel transfer included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included.

What’s included with the tour?

You get the up to 2-hour RIB experience in a small group (up to 12 people), panoramic Reykjavik sightseeing views (including Harpa Concert Hall and Sun Voyager), and warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and necessary safety equipment.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What animals might I see during the tour?

The tour focuses on marine mammals you can spot off the coast, including minke, humpback, and killer whales, along with white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.

What happens if the tour can’t run due to weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.