Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

GYG

Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

★ 4.7(417 reviews)

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

from $193

See dates, price and what is included at the operator

A Two-Hour RIB Ride Out of Reykjavik

This tour leaves from Reykjavik and runs for two hours, taking you into the waters off the Icelandic coast in a rigid inflatable boat. The RIB design is the point: it is faster and more agile than a conventional whale-watching vessel, which means less time travelling to the feeding grounds and more time watching once you get there. The trip is led by a guide who narrates in English, and it is aimed at people who want a shorter, more active alternative to the standard three-hour cruises. You should expect a brisk ride, so dress for wind and spray. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and the operator does not include hotel pickup, so you will need to make your own way to the departure point in the city.

Photographs from the operator Special Tours Iceland. They show the listing, not your day.

What the 193 USD Covers and What It Does Not

The listed price starts at 193 USD, which places this tour in the upper third of the 36 whale-watching options in Reykjavik. That price covers the two-hour RIB ride and the services of the English-speaking guide. The operator is explicit that food is not part of the deal, and neither is hotel pickup. There are no additional gate fees or parking charges at any point on the itinerary, since the tour does not stop at any ticketed attraction. The operator offers free cancellation, though no deadline is specified. If you want a meal before or after the trip, that cost falls to you, as does your transport to the harbour. The price is what you pay for the boat and the guide, and nothing else is added on the day.

A High Score with a Modest Base

The tour holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5, but that score comes from 417 reviews. That is a solid sample size, though it is far smaller than the review counts of some competitors in the same category. For comparison, the three-hour whale watching and marine life cruise has 4.5 from over 11,000 reviews, and the Amelia Rose yacht trip has 4.5 from more than 3,000. This RIB tour sits at rank 11 of 36 in the whale-watching category when ordered by the strength of its evidence, which means the score is credible but not overwhelming. The 4.7 figure is the highest among the four comparable listings listed here, but the gap in review volume means you are reading the opinion of a few hundred people, not a few thousand. Take the score as a strong signal, not a definitive one.

Matching the Season to a Fast Boat

Reykjavik's temperatures peak in July with highs around 15 degrees and lows near 9. June is nearly as warm, and August sits just behind. From September onward the averages drop steadily, and by November you are looking at highs of 5 degrees with lows around freezing. For a two-hour RIB ride, the practical window is May through September, when daytime highs range from 10 to 15 degrees. Outside that span, the cold is not just uncomfortable but potentially hazardous on an open boat moving at speed. The tour runs for only two hours, which limits exposure, but you should still pick a midday departure in the shoulder months of May and September, when the sun is highest and the air is at its warmest. In the deep winter months of December through February, with highs around 3 degrees, the ride will be cold no matter what you wear.

What Happens at the Harbour

You will meet the tour at the departure point in Reykjavik, where the operator staffs the check-in for the RIB boats. The guide who leads the trip is the same person who provides the English commentary once you are on the water. Weather is the variable that most affects the plan. The RIB is more exposed than a larger cruise vessel, so the operator may adjust the route or the duration of the ride if conditions turn rough. The itinerary includes stops near Reykjavik and the area around Vik i Myrdal, though the two-hour window means you will not spend long at any single location. The focus is on finding whales and getting you close to them, not on extended sightseeing at coastal landmarks. Dress for the boat, not for the city, and expect the ride itself to be part of the experience.

Who Should Book This Tour

This tour suits travellers who want a fast, focused whale-watching experience without committing to a half-day at sea. If you are short on time in Reykjavik and prefer the sensation of speed over the comfort of a large deck, the RIB is a good fit. It also works for those who have already done a standard cruise and want a different perspective. The tour is not for anyone with limited mobility, since the operator states it is not wheelchair accessible and boarding a rigid inflatable boat requires agility. It is also not ideal for young children or anyone who is sensitive to cold and spray, given the open design of the vessel. If you want a more sedate and longer outing, the three-hour whale watching and marine life cruise is a cheaper alternative at from 97 USD, with a much larger base of reviews behind it. That tour runs longer and costs less, making it the sensible choice for those who prioritise value and comfort over speed.

GYG

Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

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 $193

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