Reykjavik Whale Watching RIB Boat Tour: 2-Hour Small Group

Spot whales and dolphins from a speedboat built for rough water, not a cruise ship.

You arrive at the Old Harbour, get suited up in warm overalls and safety gear, then board a custom RIB boat with a small group and an expert guide. Two hours out to the whale feeding grounds in Faxaflói Bay, with a summer stop at puffin island Akurey, then back along the Reykjavik coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional. If no whales appear, you get a free return ticket.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching tour from Reykjavik

• Meet guide at Old Harbour ticket office
• Put on warm overalls and safety gear
• Listen to safety briefing
• Board custom-built RIB express boat
• Travel to whale feeding grounds
• Watch for whales and dolphins
• Stop at Akurey puffin island (summer only)
• View Reykjavik coastline on return
• Return to Old Harbour

The experience

The ticket office sits right at the Old Harbour, and that's where you'll meet your guide before anything else happens. They hand you the overalls (bright orange, puffy, the kind that makes you look like you're about to work an oil rig) along with a life jacket, gloves and goggles. The guide runs through the safety speech while you're still on solid ground, which is good because once you're on the RIB express boat, the focus shifts entirely to what's out there. The boat itself is custom-built, 12 metres, with suspension seats that actually absorb the chop instead of letting you feel every wave in your spine. That matters more than it sounds when you're heading out into Faxaflói Bay.

The two-hour whale watching tour from Reykjavik takes you past Esja mountain and out toward the feeding grounds where humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises show up when they show up. There's no script here. The guide knows where to look, but the animals don't follow a schedule. If it's summer, you'll stop at Akurey, the puffin island, where the birds are nesting and the water is calmer. The ride back follows the Reykjavik coastline, which gives you a chance to catch your breath and get your camera ready. The whole thing is two hours, which is long enough to feel like you've actually been out on the water but short enough that you're not exhausted by the time you're back at the harbour.

Groups stay small, maximum 12 people, so you're not crammed in with a hundred other tourists. You'll need to arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and the safety briefing. If you booked hotel pickup, a bus collects you beforehand and brings you back after, which saves you the logistics of getting to the Old Harbour yourself. Wear warm clothes and good shoes. The water is cold and the boat moves fast. One thing to know: wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed. If the whales don't show, you get a free ticket to try again on another whale watching tour, which is how the operator handles the reality of the ocean.

What’s included

• Your tour includes warm overalls, life jacket, gloves and goggles, an expert guide who speaks English, suspension seats for comfort on the water, and a visit to Akurey puffin island during summer months.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional.
• If you don't see whales, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on another whale watching tour.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Special Tours Iceland

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want a small-group whale watching experience without the crowds, and who don't mind that sightings aren't guaranteed: the free return ticket covers that risk. The two-hour format and optional hotel pickup make it easy to fit into a Reykjavik day without long logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the tour?

Warm overalls, life jacket, gloves, goggles, expert guide in English, and a visit to Akurey puffin island during summer months. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional add-ons.

How many people go on the boat?

Maximum 12 passengers per tour, keeping groups small.

What animals might I see?

Humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Sightings are not guaranteed, but if none occur, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale watching tour.

How long is the tour?

Two hours total, including the boat ride out to the feeding grounds, time on the water, and the return to the Old Harbour.

Do I need to be fit to do this?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or children under 10 or under 145 cm tall.

When do I need to arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure time for check-in and safety briefing with the guide.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in most conditions, but you should dress warmly and wear good shoes. The RIB boat is designed for rough water, but always check weather and sea conditions before booking.

Can I book hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available as optional add-ons. If not selected, you meet at the ticket office in the Old Harbour.

What time slots are available?

Up to four departure times are available when you book. Check the calendar for your preferred date and time.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, wear warm clothes and good shoes. All safety gear and warm overalls are provided.