Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

GYG

Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★ 4.7(431 reviews)

• Guide works in English
• Duration per the operator: 2 hours

from $195

See dates, price and what is included at the operator

Two Hours on the Water from Reykjavik's Harbour

This tour leaves from Reykjavik and runs for two hours, taking you out into Faxaflói Bay on a rigid inflatable boat, the kind of vessel that skims the surface rather than plowing through it. The itinerary pairs two very different targets: whales and puffins. You head first toward the feeding grounds where whales are known to gather in the bay, then to the small islands where puffins nest during the summer months. The boat is built for speed and maneuverability, which means you cover more ground than a larger vessel would, and you get closer to the action when something surfaces. You will need to dress for the conditions, because the wind on an open RIB at speed is considerably colder than the air temperature on shore. This is a tour for people who want the experience of the ride itself, not just the sighting. The guide speaks English throughout, and the small group size is part of the appeal. It suits travelers who are comfortable on the water and who want a more active, exposed way to watch wildlife than a traditional cruise offers.

Photographs from the operator Elding Adventure at Sea. They show the listing, not your day.

What the Price Covers and What It Does Not

The entry price starts at 195 USD, which puts this tour at the higher end of whale-watching options in Reykjavik. That price buys you the two-hour boat ride, the English-speaking guide, and the safety gear you need for a RIB trip, including the flotation suit that keeps you dry and warm. The operator does not include food of any kind on this tour, so you should eat before you board or plan to have a meal afterward in the city. No admission or parking fees apply at any point during the tour, since the entire experience happens on the water and at the harbour. The operator offers free cancellation, which gives you some flexibility if your plans change. What you pay on the day is the price you book, with no surprise charges added at the harbour. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, so if that is a consideration for you or someone in your group, this particular boat is not the right fit.

What 431 Reviews Actually Tell You

The tour holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on 431 reviews. That is a solid score, but the more meaningful number is the review count. With 431 ratings, this is not a tour with a handful of enthusiastic comments; it has a substantial body of feedback behind it. In a category of 36 whale-watching tours in Reykjavik, this one ranks 10th by number of reviews, which places it in the upper third of the group for how much evidence exists about its performance. The score itself is strong, and the volume of reviews means that score is not a fluke of a small sample. What the reviews likely reflect is that the RIB experience is more weather-dependent than a larger boat tour. When conditions are good, the speed and agility of the boat are advantages. When the sea is rough, the ride is less comfortable. The 4.7 rating suggests that most passengers feel the experience delivers on its promise, but the price point is higher than many alternatives, so you are paying for the RIB format and the smaller group size.

When the Bay Works in Your Favor

The best months for this tour run from June through August, when the average high temperature in Reykjavik reaches 13 to 15 degrees Celsius (55 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit). That is still cool for being on open water at speed, but it is the warmest window the year offers. The puffins are also present in the bay during these months, which is why the tour combines both species in a single outing. In May and September, the average highs drop to 10 and 11 degrees respectively, and the puffins begin to leave the islands, so the tour becomes more whale-focused. From October through April, average highs range from 3 to 8 degrees, and the combination of cold air and wind chill on a RIB makes the experience significantly more challenging. The tour runs for two hours, which is long enough to reach the feeding grounds but short enough that you are not out in the cold indefinitely. Morning departures tend to have calmer seas in the bay, while afternoon winds often pick up, so an early start gives you the best chance of comfortable conditions.

Meeting the Boat and Setting Out

You meet the tour at the Elding ticket office in the old harbour area of Reykjavik, where you check in and receive your flotation suit. The suit is the key piece of equipment for this tour; it goes over your own clothing and seals out the wind and spray. You board the RIB directly from the harbour dock. The guide gives a safety briefing before departure, covering how to hold on and what to expect when the boat accelerates. The boat has no enclosed cabin, so you are exposed to the elements for the full two hours. The guide keeps up a running commentary in English, pointing out landmarks along the coast and explaining what you are looking for on the water. When a whale is spotted, the boat slows and approaches carefully. The guide also knows where the puffin colonies are and takes you close enough to see the birds on the water and in the air. The tour returns to the same harbour where it started. Weather is the main variable. If the sea is too rough, the operator may adjust the route or, in extreme cases, cancel the departure, and the free cancellation policy covers that situation.

Who Should Book This Tour

This tour suits travelers who want a faster, more exhilarating way to see whales than a standard cruise offers. The RIB gets you closer to the water, and the two-hour length is manageable for most visitors. It is not the right choice if you want a relaxed, stable platform for viewing wildlife. The three-hour whale watching cruises, such as the one on the Amelia Rose yacht, offer a steadier ride and more time on the water for a lower price starting at 113 USD. Those tours also carry far more reviews, with over 11,000 for the standard cruise, which gives you a larger body of feedback to weigh. The RIB tour is better for those who do not mind the cold and who see the boat ride itself as part of the experience. It is also a good option if you are short on time but still want to see both whales and puffins in a single outing. Children and anyone with mobility concerns should look at the larger vessels instead.

GYG

Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

Dates, remaining places and the current version of what is included are at the operator. This page reflects the state of the catalogue, not the state of this morning.

from $195

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