A RIB boat turns whale watching into action. This 2-hour trip from Reykjavik pushes out across Faxaflói Bay fast, aiming for the feeding grounds where humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises are possible, with quick hops to spot them. You also get big scenery time, including views toward Esja, and in summer there is a stop at Akurey for puffins.

What I like most is the small-group feel and the gear-included setup. Having warm overalls, a life vest, gloves, and goggles sorted for you means you can focus on watching, not shopping or guessing how cold it will feel. The expert guide in English also gives you direction so you know what you’re looking at instead of just hoping the sea decides to cooperate.

The main drawback is the ride itself. On a RIB, you can feel the chop, so sea conditions matter, and it may not suit everyone, especially if you have a bad back, mobility limits, or any heart concerns.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• 12m custom-built RIB with shock-absorbing seats for a more stable ride
• Max 12 travelers, so you actually hear the guide and can see what the crew points out
• Warm waterproof gear included, including overalls, gloves, lifevest, and goggles
• Summer stop at Akurey for puffins during nesting season
• Wildlife isn’t guaranteed, but you’re offered a complimentary ticket if you don’t get sightings on your tour

Old Harbour check-in, outfitting, and why timing matters

Your tour starts in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour area at Ægisgarður 5, and you have two ways to arrive: either hotel pickup (if you select it) or meeting at the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour. Either way, your first job is simple. Get there early enough to check in, because they ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Once you’re in, you’ll check in and then get suited up. The warmth kit is a big deal in Iceland. You’ll get warm overalls plus safety and cold-weather layers like a life vest, gloves, and goggles. In practice, that setup helps you stay focused on wildlife, not on shivering through the first half hour.

You’ll also get a safety briefing before boarding. Expect an explanation of boat behavior and what to do once you’re underway. Because this is a speed-focused RIB, they need everyone synced up for balance and footing.

If you’re hoping to move quickly through the change area, plan for the fact that the group is small but still all gets ready around the same time. A couple of people have noted the changing area can feel tight, so wearing layers that are easy to adjust helps.

The 12m RIB experience: fast, small-group, and built for visibility

This is a brand-new 12m custom-built RIB express boat. That length matters less than what the boat is designed to do: get you out to whale-hunting zones quickly and give the crew flexibility to reposition when they spot activity.

One standout detail is the seating. The boat has special shock-absorbing seats. That doesn’t make it a smooth cruise ship. It just means the ride is less punishing than what you might expect from a high-speed skiff pounding through open water. Reviews repeatedly mention how the seats change the feel of the trip, especially when the sea gets choppy.

Group size is capped at 12 travelers, which I love for this kind of activity. You’re not stuck behind a sea of shoulders. You can hear the guide, and you can turn your head and actually track what the captain spots.

And yes, it can be bouncy. The boat speed is part of the point, and Faxaflói Bay can be windy. If your plan is to experience whales and still feel fully relaxed, you’ll want to think of this more as a high-energy outing than a calm boat ride.

From Esja views to the feeding grounds: how the 2-hour loop works

After boarding, you’ll head out across Faxaflói Bay with Reykjavík coastline in view for part of the journey and Esja mountain as a recognizable backdrop. That scenery time is not just filler. It helps you settle in and get your bearings, so when the guide calls out wildlife behavior later, you’re already oriented.

Then comes the whale-watching work. This tour aims for the whales’ feeding grounds. The target species are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. What matters here is not only whether animals appear, but whether you see active behavior like surfacing, feeding, or social movement. The crew’s job is to get you to the moments when animals are visible.

In the best scenarios, you can track whales for longer stretches of time rather than getting one brief glance. People have talked about seeing humpbacks repeatedly, including close interactions between whales and calves, and dolphins swimming alongside the boat. Even when sightings are shorter, the pattern is usually the same: once the captain spots activity, you move fast enough to catch it before the moment passes.

The tour then brings you back to shore, with another chance to look at the Reykjavík coastline as the boat returns. You’ll still feel like you’ve been out in the open water, but you’re not stuck for half a day. The timing is built for a focused 2-hour experience.

Akurey puffins in summer: the bonus stop that changes the vibe

During summer months, you get a stop at Akurey, one of the most popular puffin nesting islands. This is a major value add because it gives you an additional wildlife target beyond whales and dolphins.

What I like about this format is that it increases your odds of having a satisfying moment, even if whales are quiet. Puffins tend to be visually bold, and seeing nesting activity from a boat trip can feel very different from watching open-water marine life.

One practical note: puffins can be hard to spot depending on distance and how the viewing lines up that day. If you care about photographing them, bring a camera you can quickly lift and steady, and be ready to aim where the guide or crew suggests.

Even if you do see whales, the Akurey stop often becomes the part you remember later because it’s so distinct from the rest of the route.

Species you might spot, and how to not miss it

The species list is clear, and that’s helpful when you’re preparing mentally. Here’s what you can realistically hope to see on this route:

• Humpback whales: often the showiest, with repeated surfacing and big body movement when conditions and animal behavior line up
• Minke whales: sometimes easier to miss, but people do report close sightings when the crew finds them
• White-beaked dolphins: frequently active, with pods that can show up near the boat
• Harbor porpoises: smaller, quick-to-surface, and usually more of a “be ready” spotting game

Your best approach is to treat the guide’s calls as a checklist. If they say to watch a specific horizon area, do it. If they talk about where feeding behavior tends to happen, stay locked in. On a speed boat, the action moves fast, and your job is to be ready the instant something breaks the surface.

Also, don’t let a lack of immediate sightings ruin your attention. One of the most common patterns on these trips is that the first animal might take time, then activity picks up. The captain’s search route and follow decisions often come after a bit of scanning.

Comfort on open water: shock seats are helpful, not magic

Let’s talk about comfort honestly, because this is a fast RIB and Iceland weather is rarely gentle by default.

Yes, the boat has shock-absorbing seats, and that makes a real difference. But if you’ve got a bad back or mobility concerns, you should be cautious. One traveler even connected the ride to back pain after rougher-than-expected conditions, and the lesson is simple: “rough” in Iceland can scale up fast.

If you have a heart condition, significant balance issues, or you know bumpy rides are a problem for you, I’d treat this as a serious “maybe not” option. The operator also flags extra caution for pregnancy and people with back problems, and the general physical fitness requirement is described as moderate.

The best way to prepare is to dress like you’re going into wind and spray, not like you’re going for a casual cruise. You’ll have waterproof gear provided, but wear good shoes and layers that work with the overalls.

Captain and guide impact: why expertise matters on a speed boat

A RIB whale watching trip is partly about luck. It’s also about timing, positioning, and reading the water.

That’s where the crew details come in. People have praised the captain skills by name, including Captain Yoda, and mentioned guides like Blanca and Jonathan for clear animal explanations and smart spotting.

In plain terms, your chance improves when the guide knows how to explain behavior and the captain knows how to reposition without wasting time. On a boat that covers ground quickly, that competence shows up as more time spent near active animals, not just driving to a general area and hoping.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to understand what you’re seeing, this tour format supports that. The English guide gives context for sightings so you’re not just pointing at random splashes.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $189.87

At about $189.87 per person for a 2-hour outing, this isn’t the cheapest way to watch whales in Iceland. But it can be good value because several key pieces are bundled in:

• You get the RIB experience built for speed and close viewing
• You get safety and cold-weather gear included (overalls, lifevest, gloves, goggles)
• You get an expert guide in English
• You stay in a small group of up to 12 travelers

You’re paying for the ability to get out quickly and stay close enough to see real behavior. On whale days, that’s the difference between a “maybe I saw something” moment and a “there it is, and I understand what it was doing” moment.

Now the honest part. Wildlife cannot be guaranteed. Some tours will mean one whale sighting. Others can mean multiple whales, dolphins, and standout interactions. If you go in expecting certainty, you’ll be disappointed. If you go in knowing the boat improves your chances, the price starts to make sense.

The complimentary approach also helps. If there are no wildlife sightings on your tour, you’ll receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the Whale Watching Classic or Whale Watching Express tours. That doesn’t erase the reality of needing good weather, but it does reduce the sting of a zero-sighting day.

Who this RIB tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong fit if you want a lively, shorter outing with a higher chance of wildlife time on the water. It also fits you if you’re traveling with adults who are okay with speed and a bit of splash.

It may not be ideal if:

• You have back problems, balance issues, or heart concerns
• You struggle with mobility steps onto a boat
• You’re traveling with children under the stated limits (not recommended under age 10 or under 145 cm)

If you’re a first-time whale watcher, this is also a good way to start because the guide helps you interpret what you’re seeing. If you’ve been before and you really want a second chance, the complimentary ticket option is a nice safety net.

Practical tips so you have the best day possible

Here are the things that most reliably improve your experience on a RIB:

• Arrive early enough to check in and get suited up without rushing. They ask for 30 minutes early for a reason.
• Wear good shoes with grip. The deck and boarding area can be slick.
• Bring a camera you can stabilize quickly, especially if birds like puffins are farther out than you expect.
• Don’t plan on being perfectly dry. You’ll have the gear, but spray happens.
• If you’re sensitive to bumpy rides, make peace with the fact this is an open sea RIB, and you’ll feel the motion.

Also, book with flexible expectations. This tour needs good weather, and if conditions don’t cooperate, you may have to reschedule or get a refund offer through the operator’s terms.

Should you book this 2-hour Reykjavik RIB whale watching tour?

I’d book it if your priority is a fast, high-action whale-watching format that maximizes time on the water with a small group and includes serious cold-weather gear. The RIB setup, the shock-absorbing seats, and the expert guidance are a strong combination, especially if you want the possibility of close dolphin and whale moments rather than distant sightings.

I would hesitate if you know rough rides trigger pain or health issues, or if you need calm and slow. For those travelers, a different style of whale watching might be a better match.

Bottom line: if you’re ready for speed, wind, and a very real chance of bouncy water, this is one of the more exciting ways to chase humpbacks and dolphins out of Reykjavík.