Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

Wildlife watching gets a speedboat twist. This two-hour RIB trip combines close-range sea life viewing with a fast, lively ride from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. I like the small group of up to 12 people, and I like having a marine biologist or specially trained guide explain what you are seeing. The main catch is simple: the boat is bouncy, windy, and sometimes wet, and wildlife sightings can never be promised.

You also get a fine waterfront view of Reykjavik on the way out and back, including Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Warm waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear are supplied, but you should still wear proper layers and sturdy shoes. At $200 per person, it is not cheap, yet the fast boat, small group, expert guidance, and shared tour photos make it a strong choice for an active wildlife outing.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat reaches the puffin islands first, then heads farther out to search for whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• A small RIB can cover more water than a large sightseeing boat, giving the crew flexibility when searching for animals.
• The ride itself is part of the attraction, with comfortable shock-absorbing seats but plenty of bouncing, wind, and spray.
• Puffins are seasonal, generally visible from April 20 through August 20, while the tour operates from April 1 through October 31.
• Guides add real value, with marine biology training and practical skill at spotting wildlife and explaining animal behavior.
• The crew shares photographs afterward, when images are taken during the outing, which is useful when the boat is moving too much for steady phone pictures.

Leaving Reykjavik from the Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at least 30 minutes before departure. This buffer matters because you need time to check in, sign the waiver, and get fitted with the supplied protective clothing.

The harbor gives the trip a pleasant start. Instead of being dropped into open water right away, you first get views of Reykjavik’s shoreline from a low seat close to the sea. The city looks different from here, with Harpa Concert Hall’s glass facade and the Sun Voyager sculpture providing easy landmarks as the boat moves away.

The group limit of 12 people is one of the tour’s best practical features. You are not lost in a crowd, and the guide can check on everyone during the ride. That matters on a small open boat, where a clear view depends on where you sit and how quickly the crew can point out an animal.

There is no toilet on board and no food service. Two hours is short enough for most people to manage, but I would use the facilities before leaving and bring nothing that needs to be eaten during the trip.

Getting suited up for Icelandic sea weather

The crew provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and required safety equipment. Several visitors also received hats and neck warmers, and one operator supplied a neck gaiter to keep. The protective clothing is not a decorative extra. It is part of what makes this trip possible in Iceland’s changing conditions.

Even on a bright summer day, the boat can feel cold once it picks up speed. Wind across open water quickly cuts through light clothing, and rain or spray can add to the chill. Wear warm layers underneath, hiking shoes or other sturdy footwear, and clothes suited to wet weather.

Bring sunglasses if you have them, though goggles are available. The goggles are useful when the boat is moving quickly, and they protect your eyes from wind and spray. High-heeled shoes are not allowed, which is sensible on a moving RIB.

The crew provides comfortable seats designed to reduce the impact of the waves. That does not make the boat smooth. The front rows receive the strongest jolts, so choose them only if you actively want the most thrilling ride. Sit toward the back if you prefer a steadier position, though the water will still be lively.

The minimum age is 10, and you must be at least 145 centimeters tall. The maximum weight is 140 kilograms. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people over 75, or anyone who does not feel comfortable on a fast, bouncing boat.

First stop: puffin islands near Reykjavik

The RIB heads toward the islands where puffins gather during their nesting season. This portion of the trip is usually calmer than the open-water whale search, and it gives you a chance to see the birds in their natural setting rather than at a captive wildlife attraction.

Puffin season runs from April 20 through August 20. The tour operates later than that, but a September or October departure should not be booked with puffins as your main goal. One late-season trip produced whales but no puffins because the birds had already left the island.

When puffins are present, sightings can be excellent. Some outings have included large numbers of birds, while others have produced more distant views. That difference is normal with wild animals. The RIB can approach the islands with more flexibility than a large boat, but the crew still needs to keep a respectful distance.

You will also likely see seabirds around the islands. Guides explain where the birds nest and how seasonal patterns affect what you see. If puffins are your priority, book between late April and mid-August and treat every other sighting as a bonus.

Searching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises

After visiting the puffin area, the captain takes the boat farther out to search for marine life. The RIB’s main advantage is its speed and maneuverability. It can cover a wider area during a two-hour outing and change direction quickly when the guide spots activity.

The possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and other seabirds. Some outings have produced one whale, while others have found several pods and multiple species. One particularly fortunate trip recorded more than 60 whales, while another saw only one whale but still had dolphins and hundreds of puffins.

That range is the honest reality of whale watching. You are buying access to the search, not a guaranteed animal performance. A whale may surface once and disappear. Dolphins can race beside the boat, while a humpback might remain hidden below the surface. The crew uses local knowledge and good observation skills, but the sea decides the final result.

The smaller craft can bring you close when conditions and animal behavior allow. Several outings included whales near the boat, and one group watched bubble feeding within about two meters. Another saw a humpback and its calf swimming beside the RIB. These are remarkable moments, but you should never expect every trip to produce such a close encounter.

The crew’s approach to wildlife also matters. Guides and captains have kept a respectful distance when other boats moved in closer. That may mean you do not always get the nearest possible view, but it is the right tradeoff for an experience that treats wild animals with care.

What the marine biology guide adds

The guide is not only there to point and shout. Marine biology training or specialist wildlife knowledge gives the outing more substance, especially when sightings are brief.

Guides such as Maya, Alex, Sam, Max, Emily, Kylie, and Matt have been praised for explaining whale behavior, local geography, bird nesting, and the differences between species. The best guides also help you understand what to watch for: a blow, a fin, a tail, a ripple, or a sudden change in the water.

A guide’s skill can be the difference between missing a whale and seeing it. The boat may slow down while the guide scans the water, then reposition when an animal surfaces. You may hear the whale exhale before you see it, which makes the low seating position especially effective.

The small group also helps with questions. You have more chance to ask about feeding patterns, puffins, dolphins, or the volcanic islands than you would on a large vessel with a crowded viewing deck.

The RIB ride is thrilling, not gentle

You should book this tour partly for the boat itself. The RIB moves quickly between locations, and the captain may add a little extra speed when conditions allow. The ride has been described as fast, windy, rough, and exhilarating.

That is good news if you like adventure. The boat feels close to the water, and each wave becomes part of the experience. You are not simply sitting on a floating platform waiting for wildlife.

It is less good news if you get motion sick or dislike sudden jolts. The front is especially rough, and photography can be difficult when the boat is moving. Keep both hands free when needed, follow the captain’s safety instructions, and do not expect every video to be steady.

The seats help. Their shock-absorbing design makes the ride more comfortable than some other RIB experiences, according to one detailed account. Still, the boat remains an open, fast craft. The protective clothing keeps you warm and dry, but it does not remove the physical motion.

Returning past Harpa and the Sun Voyager

The return journey shifts attention from wildlife to Reykjavik. The boat follows the shore, giving you a low water-level view of the city and its landmarks.

Harpa Concert Hall is especially striking from the sea, with its geometric glass exterior catching the changing Icelandic light. The Sun Voyager sculpture provides another recognizable point along the waterfront. These views add a city element to what could otherwise be only a wildlife excursion.

The final run also gives you time to settle down after the faster sections. If you did not see whales, the coastline and city views still give the trip a clear ending. If you did see a humpback breach or dolphins race the boat, the ride back becomes a chance to absorb what happened.

The crew may take photographs during the trip and share them later by email. This is valuable because the best sightings can happen too quickly for you to take a good picture, especially on choppy water. The photographs are also a practical reason not to spend the entire outing staring through your phone.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200, this is a premium two-hour activity. A large boat may offer more indoor space and a gentler ride, so you are paying for a different kind of experience rather than simply a better version of the same one.

I think the price makes sense for you if you value four things: a small group, a fast and agile boat, specialist guidance, and the chance to cover a wider search area. The included weather gear and shared photographs add useful value.

The cost is harder to justify if your main goal is a guaranteed whale sighting or a quiet cruise. You may see only one whale, or none. You might also find the ride tiring if you are sensitive to motion or cold.

The high rating of 4.7 from 293 reviews reflects strong satisfaction, but the individual experiences still vary. Some outings saw humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. Others had fewer sightings. I would judge the price by the quality of the boat ride and guide, not only by the number of animals seen.

Timing, weather, and smart planning

The tour runs from April 1 through October 31, giving you several seasons to choose from. Late spring and summer are the best period for combining puffins with whales. August can still offer both, but puffins leave around August 20, and sightings become less likely toward the end of the month.

Weather can force changes. Trips have been moved because of poor conditions, with good communication when that happened. Build a little flexibility into your Reykjavik plans if possible, especially if this is one of your most important activities.

Book this early in your stay if you can. That gives you a better chance to reschedule if weather interrupts the original departure. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled time, and you can reserve without paying immediately, which helps when Iceland’s weather is making its own plans.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this outing for an active adult, older child, couple, or small family that wants wildlife and speed in one package. It is a particularly good fit for someone who would enjoy the RIB ride even if the animals stayed hidden.

It is also a good choice for photography-minded visitors who are willing to accept imperfect shots. The guide’s photographs can fill the gaps, while the low boat position gives you a strong sense of being close to the water.

I would choose a larger boat instead if you want indoor comfort, a toilet, food service, or a calmer ride. I would also skip this trip if you are pregnant, have mobility limitations, or are uneasy about the age, height, weight, or physical requirements.

Should you book the Reykjavik RIB tour?

Book it if you want a small, fast, hands-on wildlife trip and you understand that nature sets the schedule. The strongest reasons are the agile boat, well-trained guides, warm protective gear, and the chance to see whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and Reykjavik from one outing.

Choose the late spring or summer period if puffins matter most. Wear more warm clothing than you think you need, arrive 30 minutes early, and prepare for a wet, bouncy ride.

I would not book it simply because you expect a guaranteed humpback whale encounter. I would book it because the boat ride itself is memorable, the guides add real context, and even a short outing can combine city views with wild Icelandic sea life.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik RIB tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour leave from?

It departs from the Old Harbour in Reykjavik. You should meet at the ticket office at least 30 minutes before departure.

When can I see puffins?

Puffin season is listed as April 20 through August 20. Puffins may not be present outside that period.

What whales might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales and humpback whales. The area may also have dolphins, harbour porpoises, and seabirds.

Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour searches for wild animals, so sightings and the number of animals can vary.

What clothing is provided?

The crew provides warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and all required safety equipment. Reviews also describe hats and neck warmers being available on some trips.

What should I bring?

Bring hiking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Sunglasses can also be useful, though goggles are supplied.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No. There are no toilets on board, and no food is served during the tour.

What is the minimum age and height?

The minimum age is 10 years, and the minimum height is 145 centimeters.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 12 participants.