Reykjavik: RIB Whale Watching & Puffin Islands Small-Group Boat
Speed Across the North Atlantic to Whales at Eye Level
You board a fast RIB from Reykjavik's Old Harbour and head straight into Faxaflói Bay with a marine biologist guide and eleven other passengers. Between May and August, you stop at puffin islands first, then search for whales at close range from a boat that can reach them faster than larger vessels. On the return, you get a panoramic view of the city's shoreline, including the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa. The whole trip takes roughly two hours, and if no whales appear, you receive a free ticket to try again.
Step-by-step itinerary
Whale and puffin watching tour
- Start at Old Harbour of Reykjavík
- Visit puffins at nearby islands
- Search for whales in Faxaflói Bay
- Enjoy panoramic views of Sun Voyager
- Pass by Harpa Concert Hall
- Return to harbour
- Faxaflói Bay 1h 30m
- Sun Voyager passing by
- Harpa 5m
What’s included
- Your tour includes a professional marine biologist guide, all necessary safety equipment, and use of coveralls.
- The RIB departs from Reykjavik's Old Harbour and covers Faxaflói Bay in search of whales and dolphins.
- During puffin season (early May to late August), you also visit one of the nearby puffin islands.
- On the return to the harbour, you pass the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall for panoramic city views.
- The entire experience lasts approximately two hours.
Times
Next departure: 1 Apr 2027
6 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Whale Safari
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The experience
The RIB cuts through Faxaflói Bay at a clip that a traditional whale-watching boat can't match. You're sitting low on the water in a custom-built speed-boat, twelve people maximum, and the captain knows the routes where humpbacks and minke whales surface. The boat's small enough to pivot fast when something breaks the surface, stable enough that the high-performance suspension seats keep you comfortable even when the North Atlantic gets choppy. Your guide is a marine biologist, not just someone who points and talks. They read the water, spot the dorsal fins, and know what you're looking at before you do.
If you're going between early May and late August, the tour swings past the puffin islands (Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, depending on the day), just a few minutes' sail from the Old Harbour. You get maybe five to ten minutes watching them nest on the cliffs, auks and gannets wheeling overhead, the whole colony in motion. Then it's back out to the bay to hunt for whales. The speed matters here: you cover more water, which means better odds of a sighting. If nothing shows up, you get a free ticket for the Classic Whale Watching tour on another day, so you're not left empty-handed.
On the way back to Reykjavik, the boat hugs the shoreline. You pass the Sun Voyager sculpture (that bronze ship frozen mid-voyage on the seafront), and then Harpa, the glittering concert hall that catches the light even on a gray day. It's the kind of view you can't get from the street, and it's built into the tour, not tacked on as an afterthought. The whole thing runs about two hours from start to finish, which means you're back at the Old Harbour with time left in your day.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want close-range whale watching without the size and slower pace of a traditional tour boat: the RIB's speed and manoeuvrability mean you cover more ground and get nearer to the animals, which is what increases your odds of a real sighting.
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Top questions
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 the difference between this RIB tour and a classic whale-watching boat?
The RIB is smaller, faster, and more manoeuvrable. It reaches higher speeds to cover more area and get closer to wildlife, and it's limited to 12 passengers instead of larger groups. The suspension seats are designed to absorb shock on rougher water.
When do you see puffins on this tour?
Puffin season runs from early May to the end of August. During those months, the tour includes a stop at one of the puffin islands (Akurey, Engey, or Lundey) for about 5–10 minutes before heading to Faxaflói Bay to search for whales.
What happens if you don't see any whales?
You receive a free ticket for the Classic Whale Watching tour, so you can try again on another day.
How long does the tour take?
Approximately two hours from start to finish, including the puffin islands (in season), the whale-watching search in Faxaflói Bay, and the return along Reykjavik's shoreline.
What should I wear?
Dress warmly: wool or fleece sweater, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. All necessary safety equipment and coveralls are provided.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, the minimum age is 10 years old, and the minimum height requirement is 145 cm (4 ft 9 in).
Where does the tour depart from?
The Old Harbour in Reykjavik.
Who is the guide?
A professional marine biologist who leads the tour and explains the wildlife you encounter.
Reykjavik: RIB Whale Watching & Puffin Islands Small-Group Boat
2h · EN
from US$ 205 per person
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