Fast boats turn whale hunts into close encounters. In Reykjavik’s Faxaflói Bay, Katla Whale Watching uses a speedy RIB setup so you spend more time where wildlife is, and less time waiting around. You also get a couple of Reykjavik sight stops from the water, including Sun Voyager and Harpa, which makes this feel like more than just a detour to the ocean.

I love that they hand you the waterproof gear you actually need for this kind of outing: a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life-jacket. I also love the small group size, capped at 12, because you’re close enough to hear your guide in English without shouting over the wind. Names that came up in guide feedback include Anika and Rebekah/Rebecca, plus captains and guides like Joe and Joel—so it’s not just a fun ride, it’s guided.

One drawback to consider: this is still wildlife watching. If the sea conditions are rough or the whales don’t show up, you could end up with dolphins instead, and the ride can be bouncy enough that you’ll want to be mindful of back or knee issues.

Key things worth knowing before you go

• Max 12-person RIB: small enough for questions and for views that don’t feel clogged
• Waterproof kit included: warm overall, gloves, goggles, and a life-jacket to keep you comfortable
• Fast access beats waiting: the speed helps you reach whale areas quickly
• Boats coordinate sightings: when there’s activity, boats call out to each other so you can move fast
• You’ll see Reykjavik from the water: Sun Voyager and Harpa are built into the experience
• No whale guarantee: some days are better than others, even with a great crew

Why the RIB speedboat makes this whale trip feel different

A big whale-watching boat can be fun, but it’s also slow—meaning you’re often reacting late when wildlife moves. Here, the RIB approach matters because the whole point is to get to good sightings fast, then stay close long enough to actually enjoy what you’re seeing.

In Faxaflói Bay, the “where should we go next?” question changes quickly. A speed-focused boat gives the crew flexibility, so you’re not stuck doing long transfers across open water while you wait for something to happen. That’s a real value in a short, roughly 2-hour window.

Price and value: why $164 can still be a smart buy

At $164 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t the cheapest option. But you’re paying for speed, smaller capacity, and gear that takes the edge off Reykjavik weather.

I look at it this way: if you’re choosing between a large-boat tour that spends more time cruising and a smaller RIB tour that can reposition quickly, the second one is often the better bet for your limited time. In feedback, people consistently framed the speedboat upgrade as worth it because it helped them get closer and see more in the same trip window.

Where you meet and how to plan your timing

You start at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to build time to get there calmly—no last-minute sprint from downtown.

Also, watch your clock. Some notes point out that the effective departure/check-in can run earlier than the posted start time, so arriving early is not overkill. If you’re trying to connect this with other Reykjavik plans, treat it like a firm departure and give yourself buffer time.

What to wear: the waterproof kit, plus your personal safety margins

Katla Whale Watching provides a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life-jacket. That’s the big win here: you’re not expected to show up dressed for a polar expedition using only whatever you packed in your carry-on.

Still, I think it’s smart to plan for imperfect conditions. One piece of feedback noted that provided clothes weren’t fully waterproof for them, and another person suggested waterproof shoes and avoiding fragile footwear. If you run cold, have any knee/back sensitivity, or simply hate feeling wet, bring an extra layer you can handle inside the overall (as permitted by your comfort) and wear footwear you trust on wet boat decks.

Passing Sun Voyager: a Reykjavik classic, seen the practical way

Your first sight stop is Sun Voyager. From the water, this becomes more than a landmark photo—it’s a quick way to get oriented to Reykjavik’s coastline and the bay you’re about to explore.

The benefit of including this early is simple: you’re not rushing straight into cold water with no “context.” You get a Reykjavik anchor point, then the tour shifts into the main event—wildlife hunting.

Harpa from the waterline: architecture plus the motion of the bay

Stop two is Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. Seeing Harpa by boat gives it a different feel than standing on land, because angles change fast when you’re moving and waves bounce the view.

This stop also helps break up the trip. Even if wildlife spotting takes the spotlight, Harpa offers a human-scale moment: modern Reykjavik, right along the bay, with the ocean air doing what ocean air does.

How fast repositioning helps with whale spotting

Whale watching has one annoying truth: you can do everything right and still not get a perfect sighting. But the crew’s job is to stack the odds.

The RIB speed matters because whales and pods don’t sit still. In feedback, people liked the way the boats coordinate—when there’s a sighting, boats call out to each other, and the fast craft can reach the action sooner. That can mean more time watching, and less time guessing.

You also benefit from the smaller group setup. With fewer people onboard, the crew can sometimes keep better control of where everyone’s eyes are pointed. And because everyone is closer to the action, you spend less effort just trying to see over other passengers.

Wildlife you might see (and what to expect if you don’t)

Faxaflói Bay supports whales, dolphins, seals, and lots of sea birds, including puffins. In practice, common whale possibilities people reported included humpback whales and minke whales, along with dolphins and harbor porpoises.

That said, don’t treat this like a guaranteed whale ticket. Some trips are whale-heavy, others are more mixed. One review experience landed on dolphins instead of whales, even though the boat and organization were still good. The key takeaway for your planning is this: go for the experience and the chance, not for a specific species list.

Comfort on a bouncy RIB: small-group views, real etiquette

The RIB ride is part of the thrill. It’s not a slow sightseeing cruise; you’ll bounce around more than on big vessels, even with seats that have shock-absorber help.

Two practical comfort notes help a lot:

• Pick your spot early. Some feedback mentioned a layout that gives everyone a strong view, with two seats per row. That means you’re not stuck looking around strangers.
• Be mindful about standing. One negative note complained about people blocking views and the guide not stepping in quickly enough. Even in small groups, sightlines are fragile in rough water. If you want a clear view, stay aware and adjust when needed.

If you have back or knee issues, this is worth taking seriously. One review flagged the semi-standing reality during the 2-hour ride. You don’t need to panic—just plan for the physical feel of the trip.

The guide experience: hearing answers without a shouting contest

One reason people enjoyed this tour is that the group is small enough for real conversation. Guides are covering wildlife and also the city, and when you’re not buried in a crowd, you can ask questions without yelling into wind.

In feedback, guides were described as marine-biologist trained (Anika is one named example), and several people praised their clarity and their ability to find whales. Even if you’re not a whale expert, you’ll get context that helps you understand what you’re seeing—why certain movements matter, and how the crew is making decisions in real time.

Is it worth choosing this over a large boat?

If you’re comparing options, the math usually comes down to closeness and repositioning.

Large boats can be calmer and sometimes feel more “relaxed,” but they move slower. With this RIB approach, you trade some smooth comfort for faster reach, often getting closer to wildlife and covering more ground in the same time.

In multiple accounts, people explicitly called out the RIB as the better choice for proximity and variety—seeing multiple whale types, plus dolphins, and in some cases a puffin-focused stop. The shared theme is that the fast boat changes what you can realistically experience within 2 hours.

Quick itinerary flow: how the tour usually feels

The tour is built around two Reykjavik sight moments (Sun Voyager, then Harpa) and then shifts into the main wildlife focus in Faxaflói Bay. Your guide is providing information throughout—about whales, wildlife, and the city—while the captain focuses on getting you to the right areas fast.

Some people also reported a brief visit connected to puffins (Puffin Island came up). Since that kind of add-on depends on where the crew finds wildlife and how conditions shake out, it’s best to treat it as a nice possibility rather than the core promise.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want another option)

This RIB whale watching tour fits you if:

• you want a close-to-the-action wildlife experience
• you value a small group and easier conversation in English
• you can handle a fast, bouncy ride and cold wind

It might be less ideal if:

• you’re dealing with back or knee concerns that don’t do well with semi-standing and motion
• you’re expecting a guaranteed whale encounter every day
• you hate getting wet even with provided gear (some feedback suggests waterproofing can vary by person)

Should you book the Katla Whale Watching RIB tour?

Book it if you’re aiming for the best odds of a memorable encounter in a short time window—and you like the idea of a small-group boat that can move quickly when wildlife shows up. The included waterproof kit and the tight cap of 12 people are real quality-of-experience upgrades, not marketing fluff.

Skip it or choose a calmer alternative if motion sensitivity or strict comfort is your top priority. And if your heart is set on a specific whale species, keep expectations flexible; wildlife doesn’t follow schedules, and no guide can control that.

If you’re in Reykjavik with one good weather slot and you want to maximize your chances, this is the kind of tour that tends to make people say they’d do it again.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat whale watching tour?

It lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What gear is included for the ride?

You get a warm waterproof overall, gloves, goggles, and a life-jacket.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

It’s offered in English.

What happens if weather is bad?

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