Reykjavik whale watching gets real fast when you ride a RIB. This 2-hour trip heads from the city coast into Faxaflói Bay by rigid inflatable boat, where the faster, more maneuverable style puts you closer to whales than big-boat cruising. Two things I really like: the shock-suspension seats that make the ride more tolerable, and the fact that you also get a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum after you’re back on land.

The main drawback to weigh is simple: sightings depend on conditions. The captain steers the plan based on weather for safety and comfort, and while you might spot humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins in season, you can’t treat wildlife viewing as a guaranteed show.

Quick hits you’ll care about

• A RIB is built for access: quicker turns and closer positioning when marine life surfaces.
• Warm protection is included: flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles keep you comfortable.
• Faxaflói Bay feeding grounds: this is where the tour spends time looking.
• Summer puffins at Akurey: you get a stop for nesting grounds and close viewing.
• Museum ticket included: Whales of Iceland helps you connect species to what you saw on the water.

A 2-hour whale watch that trades comfort for closeness

This is the kind of tour that fits Iceland well: short timing, big nature payback. You’re on the water fast, and instead of settling in for long, slow cruising, you’re moving with the action. That matters for whale watching, because the best sightings often happen in brief bursts—surface, blow, maybe a tail slap, then they move on.

On top of the boat time, the tour adds value with the Whales of Iceland Museum visit afterward. It’s not just a nice extra. It’s what turns your trip from I saw something cool into I understand what I was looking at: whale biology, migration, and conservation themes.

You’ll also notice the tour leans into a “real experience” style. Reviews repeatedly mention guides and captains who are upbeat and hands-on during the search, and multiple named guides (like Rebecca, Joel, and Daniel) show up in accounts as energetic and quick to answer questions.

Meeting point in Reykjavik: where your water day starts

You meet at the local operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik. Plan to arrive a little early so you’re not rushing through gear checks while the group is ready to board.

One practical thing: this tour doesn’t include hotel pickup or drop-off. If you’re staying in central Reykjavik (which most visitors do), getting to the harbor area is straightforward, but it’s still on you. Bring the same approach you’d use for a flight: show up with your layers ready and your shoes sorted.

What happens once you’re on the RIB

Your ride starts with boarding a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). The seats use shock suspension so you’re not bouncing as violently as you might expect on a fast craft. Reviews mention the ride feeling like a rollercoaster at times, but also note that it’s not as brutal as people fear, and that the suspension seats help.

Then comes the “find wildlife” part:

• You head to Faxaflói Bay and spend time searching the whale feeding grounds.
• The captain decides routing based on real-time conditions and where sightings are likely.
• Your guide points out what to look for and shares information about whales and other marine species as you go.

The tour is timed at about 2 hours total, so it’s not a long ocean slog. It’s a focused outing designed to maximize active searching and time near animals when they appear.

The puffin stop (Akurey) is seasonal

During the summer months, there’s an added stop to look for puffins on Akurey. The goal is to see puffins at their nesting grounds along the coast during breeding season. Reviews often call this a highlight, especially when the boat keeps the approach close enough for you to spot puffin activity rather than just hear about it.

If you’re traveling outside summer, you should expect less or no puffin viewing as the tour description specifically ties the puffin nesting stop to summer.

Whale odds in Faxaflói Bay: what you might see and how to think about it

I like how this tour sets expectations without hiding the truth: you’re going out into the open ocean, and whales are not reliably scheduled. Weather affects the route. Wildlife moves. Even when conditions are good, you might get fewer sightings than you hoped—or you might get an unforgettable cluster of them.

That said, when sightings happen, this RIB style helps you experience them more directly. Reviews describe:

• Minke whales (including multiple sightings on some trips)
• Humpback whales (including accounts of sleeping whales and a mum with a baby)
• Dolphins, including white-beaked dolphins in some reports
• Occasional close encounters with animals that stay with the boat long enough to notice behavior, not just a single distant blow

Here’s the useful way to frame it: the tour isn’t only about the “big species moment.” It’s also about the payoff of being in the right place, quickly, with positioning that keeps you in the action when whales surface.

Also, the guides don’t just point and shrug. Multiple reviews mention guides who were enthusiastic and quick with explanations, and who helped the group react to what was happening in real time.

The RIB ride: speed, spray, and sea-sickness reality

This is a fast boat. The tour description mentions a comfortable cruising speed of 32 knots. In plain terms: you’ll feel the speed, and you’ll get some spray from the bow.

That’s the trade. If you want slow and smooth, this isn’t it. But if you like the idea of being able to react quickly—turning when you spot activity, closing distance when a blow shows up—the RIB format is a real advantage.

Comfort tips that actually help

The boat includes a set of warm gear: warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles. Still, I’d treat that like base protection, not a magic spell. One review specifically recommends adding extra layers underneath, because the air can cut straight through once you’re out over open water.

If you get motion sickness easily, the shock-suspension seats are a plus. Several accounts mention that the seating design helped prevent or reduce sea sickness, and even people who were nervous about getting sick found the ride manageable.

Akurey puffin viewing: a small stop with real payoff in summer

When the puffin season lines up, the Akurey stop adds a different kind of excitement. Whales are about open-water scale and timing. Puffins are about behavior you can watch from the coast: coming and going, nest activity, and the general “busy small-creature energy” that makes you want to keep looking.

The tour description calls out puffin nesting grounds, and in summer conditions, reviews mention pufflings and puffin hunting moments. That’s exactly what you want from a side stop like this: not a long march, not a vague promise—real observation time during the season when the birds are doing what they do best.

One caution: time outside the whale feeding grounds can feel short if you fall in love with the birds. Some reviews hint they wished they’d had more time at the puffins. So if puffins are your main goal, build the rest of your expectations around whales too, since the day’s rhythm depends on nature and weather.

Whales of Iceland Museum after the tour: make the sightings stick

The best thing about adding the Whales of Iceland Museum is that it gives your brain a place to file the facts. When you’re out on the water, you can only take in so much. You might see a blow, a shape, or a behavior, but you won’t always know the species with confidence in the moment.

A ticket to the museum is included, located in the Grandi harbor district of Reykjavik. The exhibits focus on whale biology, migration, and conservation. In practice, it helps you compare what you saw with what you learn afterward—especially useful if you caught only one type of whale or had a brief sighting.

I also like that it’s a logical follow-up. The museum doesn’t replace the ocean. It turns the ocean into knowledge you can carry with you.

Price and value: is $194 per person worth it

At $194 per person for a 2-hour outing, this is not a budget activity. But it also isn’t just “pay for a ride.” You’re paying for access, speed, and added value.

Here’s what your money covers, based on what’s included:

• A guided RIB boat tour focused on Faxaflói Bay
• Warm gear (flotation suits, life vests, gloves, goggles)
• Puffin viewing at nesting grounds during summer months
• A ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum

When you’re comparing options in Reykjavik, ask yourself what you value more:

• If you want the closest possible wildlife viewing, a RIB is often the better match than a large vessel.
• If you want a longer, more leisurely experience, other formats may feel calmer, but you may give up closeness.
• If you want your trip to teach you something afterward, the museum ticket is a real value add.

So for me, $194 makes sense if whales, dolphins, or puffins are a top priority—and if you appreciate the “in the moment” style of a fast boat.

Who should book this (and who should skip it)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want a closer-feeling whale watch than big-boat cruising
• Prefer an active search style in the water
• Are comfortable with wind, spray, and speed
• Like having context afterward via the museum

It’s not a fit if you fall into the listed restrictions:

• Children under 10
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• Anyone under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm)

If you’re unsure about motion sensitivity, remember: the ride includes protective seating and warm gear, but it is still a fast, bouncy RIB experience. That’s why it’s worth assessing your comfort needs honestly before you commit.

Simple packing checklist for a cold RIB day

Even with warm flotation suits provided, you can make the day better by dressing like you expect wind. I’d plan for cold air at sea, especially if the weather turns.

Practical approach:

• Wear extra layers under the flotation suit, not just a single thin layer
• Bring clothes you don’t mind getting damp from ocean spray
• Keep sunglasses or a hat in mind, but the tour provides goggles for safety and comfort

Also note what’s not included: meals and drinks. So if you’re doing this as part of a longer Reykjavik day, you’ll want a plan for food before or after.

What the day can feel like when it goes well

On many departures, the experience seems to click fast: the boat finds wildlife, your guide starts calling out behavior, and the group gets focused. Reviews mention times with multiple whales, pods of dolphins staying close, and even humpback behavior that felt rare and emotional for people watching.

Even when whales aren’t constant, the boat time is still the core attraction. Several reviews praise the RIB ride itself, pointing out that the smaller, maneuverable craft helps you feel like you’re part of the action rather than watching it from far away.

Should you book this RIB whale watching tour?

If you want closeness, speed, and a day that mixes education with real ocean time, I’d book it. The included warm gear and museum ticket make it feel like more than a simple wildlife drive, and the RIB format is a smart match for wildlife sightings that can happen fast.

I’d think twice if:

• You hate bumpy rides or get motion sick easily
• You’re traveling with someone in the listed restrictions
• You need a guaranteed whale encounter (nature doesn’t work that way)

For most people, the decision comes down to one question: do you want to chase wildlife actively from a RIB, even if the weather is the boss? If yes, this is a strong Reykjavik choice.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whale watching tour by RIB boat?

The tour runs for 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the local tour operator’s ticket office at Aegisgardur 5E, 101 Reykjavik.

What gear is provided for the boat ride?

The tour provides warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves, and goggles.

Does the tour include puffin viewing?

Yes. In summer months, the tour includes a stop at Akurey to look for puffins at nesting grounds along the coast.

Is the Whales of Iceland Museum visit included?

Yes. You get a ticket to the Whales of Iceland Museum after the tour.

What speed does the RIB boat travel?

The tour description notes a comfortable cruising speed of 32 knots.

Who guides the tour, and what language is offered?

There is a live tour guide in English.

What’s not included in the price?

Meals and drinks are not included, and hotel pickup/drop-off is not included.

Is this tour always able to sail?

It depends on weather conditions. The captains make a decision to sail based on years of experience, keeping passenger safety and comfort in mind.