Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

Just off Reykjavik, a powerful RIB boat can bring you close to whales, dolphins, and puffins while the Icelandic summer sky stays bright late into the night. The small boat carries only 12 people, so you get a better view than you would from a large sightseeing vessel. I especially like the evening timing, which lets you use your whole day in Reykjavik, and the shoreline finale beside the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. The tradeoff is a rough, cold ride that is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or anyone with back or knee problems.

You will wear warm overalls and receive safety gear, but bring your own hat, gloves, layers, and closed-toe shoes. Guides including Maria and Miquel have helped make this a warm, personal experience for many people, though wildlife can never be promised. If no whale appears, you receive a complimentary ticket for a later trip on a larger boat.

Key points to know before booking

• A 12-person RIB keeps the group small: You have more room to see wildlife and ask the guide questions than on a big whale-watching boat.
• The evening departure uses Iceland’s midnight sun: You can spend the day exploring Reykjavik and still go to sea in bright conditions.
• The boat covers ground quickly: Its speed helps the captain search a broad section of Faxaflói Bay.
• Puffins are seasonal: Look for them from about May 15 through August 20, not throughout the year.
• A whale sighting is common in summer but not guaranteed: Summer trips report sightings on more than 95 percent of departures, with a free larger-boat ticket if your trip misses them.
• The ride has real physical demands: You must be at least 145 centimeters tall, and the operator does not recommend the trip for people with back or knee problems.

Why the evening RIB ride makes sense in Reykjavik

This tour is built around one of Iceland’s best summer tricks: the day barely seems to end. The boat leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour in the evening, when you might otherwise be sitting down for dinner or finishing a museum visit. You get a full day on land, then head out to sea while the sky remains bright.

That timing matters. A two-hour outing can fit neatly after a day in central Reykjavik, and you do not have to sacrifice a morning excursion or an early departure for the Golden Circle. The light also gives the bay a special look, with the city shoreline and open water visible for much of the ride.

The tour costs about $200 per person. That is a serious price for two hours, but it covers a small-group boat rather than a standard large vessel. You are paying for speed, limited capacity, warm overalls, a professional captain, and a guide who can search a wider area of Faxaflói Bay.

I would choose it if you care about the boat experience as much as the wildlife. If your only goal is to see a whale at the lowest possible price, a larger boat may be a better fit. If you want a fast, personal outing that also gives you a memorable view of Reykjavik from the water, the higher cost has a clearer purpose.

Starting at Ægisgarður in the Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is useful because you need to check in, put on the supplied warm overalls, and prepare for a boat that has no place for large bags.

Bring only what you need. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and loose clothing is a poor choice on a fast open boat. Wear a warm base layer, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. The overalls help, but they are not a substitute for proper layers, especially when the boat is moving at speed.

The group limit of 12 people is one of the strongest features here. You will not have to fight a packed upper deck for a view, and the guide can keep the group informed without shouting across a huge cabin. A small boat also makes the trip feel more like an active search than a passive cruise.

You should also understand the physical setup. A RIB is stable and built for speed, but it is still an open boat on the sea. The operator does not recommend this trip for people with back problems, knee problems, mobility impairments, or pregnancy. Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall.

Racing across Faxaflói Bay

Once the safety briefing is complete, the captain heads out of the harbor. The RIB’s power lets it travel quickly, which gives the crew more water to search during the two-hour trip. That matters because whales and dolphins are free-moving animals, not scheduled performers waiting at a fixed point.

The boat may loop around the wind-beaten islands in the bay while looking for puffins. These small seabirds are easy to miss from a distance, but seeing them in their natural setting adds variety to the trip. In good conditions, you might see many of them gathered around the islands.

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. If you visit outside that window, you should not book this outing expecting puffins. The whale and dolphin search remains the main purpose of the trip, while the birds are a seasonal bonus.

The RIB’s small size also helps the crew approach wildlife without bringing a crowd of boats around the animals. That is important for the quality of the sighting. A close look is exciting, but I appreciate the quieter approach described for this trip, with the captain focused on the animals rather than chasing them through a noisy pack of vessels.

Searching for whales and dolphins

The main search takes place in the open water of Faxaflói Bay, just off the coast of Reykjavik. The bay is known for whale watching, and summer conditions offer a strong chance of seeing marine life. The stated summer sighting rate is over 95 percent, but you should still treat that as a good possibility rather than a promise.

The crew may look for humpback whales, dolphins, and other wildlife. Recent outings have included humpbacks seen on separate occasions, groups of dolphins, seals, and close views of whales near the boat. Those encounters can be spectacular, but they depend on nature, weather, and the animals’ movements.

A useful detail is that whales do not fully sleep, so the evening departure is not simply a compromise for people with busy mornings. The wildlife search can be just as worthwhile later in the day as during a standard daytime trip. That makes this tour particularly useful when your schedule is packed with Reykjavik sightseeing.

The guide’s role matters here. A captain handles the boat while the wildlife guide helps you understand what you are seeing and where to look. Maria and Miquel have been named as guides on successful trips, and their presence adds the personal touch you want on a small boat. The tour is conducted in English.

You should not expect a guaranteed performance. Even a high sighting rate cannot control the sea. The compensation policy helps: if you do not see whales, the captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat before you leave. That does not erase the disappointment of a quiet trip, but it gives you a practical second chance.

The ride back along Reykjavik’s shoreline

The return to Reykjavik is not just a straight run back to the harbor. The tour ends with a ride along the city’s shoreline, giving you a different view of the capital after time on the bay.

The Sun Voyager sculpture is a clear highlight. From the water, it forms a striking outline against the coast, and the view feels different from the usual promenade photo. Harpa Concert Hall is another focal point, with its glass facade catching the late light.

You also pass the colorful fishing huts and waterfront restaurants around the harbor. This final stretch connects the wild part of the trip with everyday Reykjavik. You have spent the outing looking for whales and puffins, then return to a city of boats, buildings, and evening activity.

I like this ending because it gives the tour a sense of place. Some whale excursions could happen in any coastal town. This one finishes with landmarks that remind you exactly where you are.

What the $200 price includes

The $200 fare includes the professional captain, a wildlife guide, warm overalls, and all required safety equipment. Food and drinks are not included, so eat before departure or plan a meal afterward in the Old Harbour area.

The cost is easiest to justify if you value three things: a 12-person group, a faster boat, and the ability to cover more of the bay. A large boat may offer more indoor shelter and a gentler ride, but it will not provide the same compact, fast-moving feel.

The tour is also a good use of time for a short Reykjavik visit. You do not need a hotel transfer, since the meeting point is at the Old Harbour. You can walk or make your own way there, then return close to the city center after the trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. The tour needs at least two passengers to run. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this boat most

This is a strong choice for adults and older children who want an active sea trip rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. You should be comfortable sitting in an open RIB, holding on during a fast ride, and dealing with cold air even during the bright summer season.

It works especially well for:

• Couples looking for a memorable evening in Reykjavik
• Families with children over 10 who meet the 145-centimeter height requirement
• Small groups who prefer a limited-capacity boat
• Visitors with only a few days in Iceland
• Wildlife fans who want whales, dolphins, and seasonal puffins in one outing
• People who enjoy speed and do not mind getting close to the water

I would choose another option if you have back or knee trouble, limited mobility, or are pregnant. A large boat may also suit you better if you want a sheltered cabin, a slower ride, or more room to move around.

The cold deserves respect. One successful outing included hundreds of puffins, humpback whales, and dolphins, but the person on board was still glad to have a hat, gloves, and several layers. Bring those items even if the city feels mild when you leave the hotel.

Should you book the evening whale tour?

Book this tour if you want to combine serious wildlife watching with a fast, small-group ride and you like the idea of using your evening well. The 12-person limit, high summer sighting rate, knowledgeable crew, and city views at the end make it more distinctive than a basic boat trip.

Skip it if the $200 price feels high for a two-hour activity, if you need a gentle and sheltered vessel, or if you are visiting outside puffin season and mainly want to see seabirds. For most physically fit visitors in Reykjavik during the bright Icelandic summer, this is a strong splurge, especially when Maria, Miquel, or another attentive guide is leading the search.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour depart from?

It departs from the ticket office at the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours.

What kind of boat is used?

The outing uses a custom-made rigid inflatable boat, also called a RIB speedboat.

How many people can join each boat?

Each boat carries up to 12 people.

What wildlife might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, puffins, and seals. Humpback whales have also been seen on the tour.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Summer whale sightings occur on more than 95 percent of tours, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

The captain provides a complimentary ticket for another ride on a larger boat.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is suitable for children over 10 who are at least 145 centimeters tall. It is not suitable for children under 10.