Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The best part of this two-hour evening cruise is the combination of speed, wildlife, and light. A custom RIB boat carries only 12 people from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay, where humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins may appear. You get open-water wildlife viewing, then a shoreline ride past Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture.

I like the small group size, since 12 people have a much better chance of finding a clear view than a crowded boatload. I also like the timing: during Iceland’s bright summer nights, you can spend the day sightseeing on land and head out to sea while the sky still glows. The main drawback is the ride itself. This is a fast, exposed RIB boat, so cold, spray, and jolts are part of the deal, and it is not suitable for pregnant people or anyone with back or knee problems.

Key points to know before booking

• Only 12 people per boat: The small group makes it easier to see wildlife and hear the English-speaking guide.
• Puffins are seasonal: You have the best chance from about May 15 through August 20.
• Summer whale sightings are strong: Whales are seen on more than 95 percent of summer trips, though wildlife is never guaranteed.
• The RIB reaches open water quickly: You cover more of Faxaflói Bay than on a slower classic boat.
• The evening light is part of the experience: The return route includes views of Reykjavík’s waterfront, Harpa, and the Sun Voyager.
• Dress for a cold ride: Warm overalls are supplied, but you still need layers, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour in a 12-person RIB

Your meeting point is the Whale Safari ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because the crew needs to get everyone fitted with warm overalls and safety equipment before the boat leaves.

The RIB is a rigid inflatable boat built for speed and stability. It is smaller than a standard whale-watching vessel, but it is not a quiet little craft. You will sit close to the water, feel the boat accelerate, and hold on as the captain heads out of the harbor.

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people, which is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a large group cruise. You will not have the same number of bodies blocking your view, and the guide can keep the group together without shouting across a large deck. A small boat also gives the captain more freedom to cover ground when wildlife is spread across the bay.

That speed comes with a trade-off. You are more exposed to wind and motion than you would be on a larger boat. Loose clothing is not allowed, and you should leave luggage and large bags behind. Wear close-fitting layers and closed-toe shoes. The supplied overalls help, but they are not a substitute for a hat, gloves, and warm clothing.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay in search of whales and dolphins

Once outside the harbor, the main task is to search the water. Faxaflói Bay is close to Reykjavík, yet it offers some of Iceland’s best whale watching. The trip is designed as an express outing, so the RIB can reach a wider part of the bay in a short time.

The exact wildlife changes from trip to trip. You might see humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine life. Humpback sightings have been a major highlight on recent departures, including occasions when a whale appeared more than once. Dolphins may travel near the boat, while seals can add a quick, unexpected appearance.

The boat’s speed is useful here. You are not simply waiting beside the harbor for something to surface. The captain can scout a larger area, then slow down when the crew spots activity. A fast boat also makes this practical for people who have only one evening free in Reykjavík.

Still, do not confuse a high sighting rate with a promise. Summer whale sightings are reported on more than 95 percent of tours, but nature sets the schedule. Even when whales do not appear, the guide may find dolphins, puffins, seals, or strong coastal views. If no whales are spotted, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave. That gives the booking a useful safety net, although a second trip may not fit a short stay.

The crew’s approach to the animals matters. The goal is a close view, not a frantic chase. A recent trip was praised for avoiding a crowd of boats around the whales, leaving the group nearly alone at sea. That kind of restraint gives you a better chance to watch natural behavior instead of seeing wildlife surrounded by engines and cameras.

Puffin islands from May 15 through August 20

The puffin portion usually takes you around the wind-beaten islands in the bay. These birds are small, quick, and easy to miss from a distance, but the RIB can get closer to their natural habitat than a large vessel may manage.

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. If puffins are your main reason for booking, check your dates carefully. A late August outing may still produce sightings, but the stated season ends around August 20, so you should not expect the same bird activity beyond that point.

During the heart of summer, you might see a large number of puffins. One July trip produced sightings of hundreds of birds, while another late August trip still found puffins before they left for the season. Those reports show why timing matters, but they also show that wildlife numbers can vary.

Do not expect puffins to provide the same dramatic encounter as a humpback whale. Their appeal is different. You are watching small seabirds in the place where they feed and gather, with the boat moving around the islands rather than stopping at a formal attraction. Bring patience, and keep your eyes moving.

The midnight sun makes the evening departure worthwhile

This tour fits neatly into a full Reykjavík day. You can spend your morning at museums, take a walk around the city, or visit sights outside the center, then meet at the harbor for a late departure. Iceland’s summer nights stay bright for a remarkably long time, so an evening on the water does not feel like a dark after-hours excursion.

The light can also change the mood of the trip. A whale surfacing beneath a low summer sun is a different sight from one seen under ordinary midday light. The bright sky keeps the ride scenic from start to finish, and you do not lose sightseeing time during the main part of your day.

The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule when you book. The tour lasts two hours, which makes it easier to fit around dinner or other plans than a much longer boat outing. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat before or after the cruise.

Even in summer, do not dress as if you are taking a warm-weather boat ride. Icelandic wind can make the water feel cold, especially at speed. A hat, gloves, warm layers, and closed-toe shoes will help you focus on the wildlife rather than your fingers.

Returning past Harpa and the Sun Voyager

The final part of the route is more than a simple ride back to the dock. The captain follows Reykjavík’s shoreline, giving you a waterfront view of the city after the open-water search.

You pass the Sun Voyager sculpture, the familiar steel ship form near the waterfront, and Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass exterior catches the changing light. From the sea, Reykjavík looks different from the view you get while walking downtown. Fishing huts, restaurants, and other shoreline sights fill out the scene.

This return route helps balance the experience. Even if the whales keep their distance, you still get a clear city view and a fast ride along the coast. It also gives you time to settle after the open-water portion before returning to the Old Harbour.

Guides, safety, and the physical demands

The tour includes a professional captain, an English-speaking wildlife guide, warm overalls, and required safety equipment. Recent departures have featured guides named Maria and Miquel, who were praised for making the wildlife encounters easy to follow and enjoyable.

The RIB is described as stable, but stable does not mean gentle. The boat can move quickly, and the surface of the bay may produce jolts. The experience is not recommended for people with a history of back or knee problems, pregnant people, or anyone with mobility impairments. Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall.

You should also consider how you handle cold and motion. If you are comfortable with a brisk speedboat ride and can sit securely for two hours, the format is exciting. If you want an enclosed cabin, a calmer ride, or easy movement around the boat, choose a larger whale-watching vessel instead.

The crew also requires a minimum of two passengers for the tour to operate. If that minimum is not met, you are offered a rescheduled trip or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Is the $200 price a good value?

At $200 per person, this is not the budget choice for whale watching in Reykjavík. You are paying for a small group, a high-performance RIB, warm gear, a professional captain and guide, and the chance to cover a wider area in two hours.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If your priority is the lowest price, a larger boat will probably make more sense. If you care about a smaller group, a faster vessel, and a closer connection to the water, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The price also buys time. A two-hour evening departure lets you keep most of the day for other plans. That matters in Reykjavík, where you may have only a short visit and want to combine city sightseeing with a wildlife trip.

I would consider the whale guarantee policy a useful part of the value. A complimentary ride on a larger boat if no whales appear does not erase the disappointment of a quiet trip, but it gives you another chance. Keep in mind that you still need enough time in Iceland to use it.

The perfect rating from 28 reviews is encouraging, and the most repeated praise centers on close humpback sightings, dolphins, puffins, and the guides. One particularly useful detail comes up again and again: it gets cold out there. Bring the proper clothing, and the $200 is easier to appreciate.

Who should book this evening whale safari?

Book this tour if you want a small, fast, wildlife-focused outing and you enjoy being outside in changing weather. It suits couples, families with older children who meet the height and age rules, and anyone trying to fit whale watching into a busy Reykjavík schedule.

It is also a good choice if you want more than a standard boat ride. The RIB gives you speed, the summer light gives you a memorable setting, and the waterfront return adds a pleasant finish.

Skip it if you dislike speedboats, have back or knee concerns, are pregnant, or need step-free mobility. You should also reconsider if you are visiting outside puffin season and are mainly booking for birds. Whales remain the main target, but puffins are a seasonal extra.

Should you book the Reykjavik Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour?

I would book this tour for a summer visit when the evening schedule, small boat, and chance of close wildlife sightings matter more to me than saving money. The strongest case is the mix of 12-person capacity, fast access to Faxaflói Bay, and bright midnight-sun scenery.

Bring serious layers, arrive 30 minutes early, and keep your expectations flexible. You may see humpback whales close to the boat, dolphins, seals, and hundreds of puffins, but the sea makes no promises. For an active visitor who wants a compact and memorable evening on the water, this is a strong pick. For a gentler or cheaper outing, choose the larger boat.

FAQ

How long does the whale and puffin tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the wildlife search and the return along Reykjavík’s shoreline.

Where does the tour leave from?

You meet at the Whale Safari ticket office at the Old Harbour of Reykjavík, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure so you have time for check-in, warm overalls, and safety equipment.

How many people are on each boat?

Each RIB boat carries only 12 people, creating a small group for the wildlife search.

What animals might I see?

You might see whales, dolphins, puffins, seals, and other wildlife in Faxaflói Bay. Whales are seen on more than 95 percent of summer tours, but sightings are not guaranteed.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 through August 20.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and safety equipment are provided.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be at least 10 years old and at least 145 centimeters tall.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on the larger boats before you leave.