Reykjavik: Premium Whale and Puffin Watching Evening Tour

The best part of this tour is the boat itself. A 12-person RIB speedboat gets out of Reykjavík’s harbor quickly, covers more water than a standard vessel, and gives you a lively ride beneath Iceland’s long summer evening. You may see humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins, then finish with views of Harpa and the Sun Voyager from the sea.

I like the small group size, which gives you a better chance of seeing the water from the rail instead of over a crowd. I also like the evening timing: you can spend the day sightseeing in Reykjavík and still head out while the sky remains bright. The tradeoff is real, though. This is a fast open-water ride, so cold, wind, and motion can be tiring, especially if you have back or knee problems.

Key points at a glance

• Fast RIB boat: The powerful vessel lets you cover a wide part of Faxaflói Bay in two hours.
• Only 12 people per boat: A small group makes it easier to see wildlife and hear the guide.
• Strong summer wildlife odds: Whales are seen on more than 95 percent of summer tours, though sightings can never be promised.
• Puffin season is limited: Look for puffins from about May 15 through August 20.
• A useful evening schedule: You can visit Reykjavík during the day and still get out on the bay before the late Icelandic light fades.
• Wildlife guarantee of sorts: If no whales appear, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on larger boats.

Why the evening departure works so well

Reykjavík’s summer light changes the usual whale-watching routine. In much of Iceland, the evening does not feel like evening at all. The sun stays low and the sky remains bright for hours, so a departure later in the day still gives you plenty of time to see wildlife.

That timing is especially useful if you are using Reykjavík as your base. You can visit Hallgrímskirkja, walk the waterfront, browse the harbor, or take a day trip, then report to the Old Harbour for the boat. You do not have to sacrifice the middle of your day for a whale excursion.

The light also adds something to the ride back. After the wildlife search, the boat follows Reykjavík’s shoreline, with the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall appearing from the water. The return is not just a trip back to the dock. It gives you a different angle on the city, with fishing huts, restaurants, and waterfront attractions along the shore.

Keep your expectations sensible. An evening departure does not mean a private sunset cruise every time. Weather and cloud cover can change the mood quickly. But the bright summer sky, sea air, and city lights make this a good choice if you want an outing that feels different from a standard daytime tour.

Meeting the boat at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

You meet at the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, in the Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. That is not an optional suggestion to squeeze into your schedule. You need time to find the office, check in, and put on the supplied warm overalls before the boat leaves.

The harbor is easy to pair with other Reykjavík activities. It is close to the waterfront sights and restaurants, but you should not assume that hotel pickup is included. You make your own way to the meeting point, and the tour also does not include food or drinks.

Pack light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the RIB, and loose clothing is not permitted. Wear layers under the overalls, plus a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. The overalls help, but they do not turn the boat into a heated cabin. Your hands, face, and feet still need protection from wind and spray.

What the 12-person RIB changes

The RIB is a rigid inflatable boat built for stability and speed. It is smaller than the larger whale-watching boats, with room for only 12 passengers, and that changes the feel of the outing.

First, you get away from the harbor fast. The boat can travel at high speed, allowing the captain to search a larger area in the two-hour window. That matters because whales and dolphins are wild animals, not scheduled performers. Covering more water gives the crew more chances to locate activity.

Second, you are close to the water. That can make a whale’s back, a dolphin’s movement, or a puffin flock feel far more immediate than it might from a large enclosed vessel. It also means you feel the weather more directly. The ride may be exciting, but it is not a quiet, gentle cruise.

The small group is a major practical advantage. With 12 people, you are less likely to spend the entire sighting looking around other heads. You also have a better chance of hearing the wildlife guide’s comments while the boat is stopped or moving slowly.

This format suits people who want action and close access to the bay. It is less suitable if you prefer a calm ride, need lots of space, or want to remain indoors. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems, and it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Around the puffin islands

The first wildlife focus is the small islands off Reykjavík. The captain loops around these wind-beaten outcrops to look for puffins in their natural setting.

Puffins are small, quick, and easy to miss if you are expecting a large seabird. The boat’s smaller size helps you get nearer to the island areas without the visual clutter of a large crowd. Still, puffin sightings depend on the time of year and the animals’ movements.

The puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. If you book outside that window, you should not expect to see them. Even within the season, the number of birds can vary. On strong days, you might see large groups, while on another departure the main focus may shift to whales and dolphins.

Bring binoculars if you have a compact pair, but do not let them replace watching the water around you. Puffins can appear suddenly, and the best moment may be a quick view of several birds near the island. The guide helps point out activity, but you should keep scanning rather than stare at one fixed spot.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

After the island loop, the boat heads into open water to search for larger wildlife. Faxaflói Bay is close to Reykjavík, yet the setting quickly feels wide and exposed. The crew is looking for whales, dolphins, and other signs of life rather than following a fixed parade route.

Summer conditions give this tour a strong chance of success. Whales are seen on more than 95 percent of summer departures, a very high rate for a wildlife trip. That figure is useful when comparing tours, but it is not a promise for your particular outing. Wildlife can change course, remain underwater, or stay beyond a good viewing distance.

Humpback whales are the major prize. The experience can include more than one whale encounter, and dolphins may appear nearby. Seals are also possible, based on the wildlife seen on recent trips. You might get a brief look, several passes, or a longer period with animals in the area. The captain’s job is to search carefully and position the boat without hounding the animals.

That last point matters. Good wildlife watching is not simply about getting as close as possible. A responsible approach gives you a better experience because the animals remain the focus, not a chase between boats. The small RIB can get close, but the captain still needs to give the wildlife room.

The guide adds context to what you see. Maria and Miquel have been praised for clear, friendly guiding on recent departures, and that kind of presence matters when the wildlife is moving quickly. You want someone who can point out a distant blow, explain what you are seeing, and keep the group alert without turning the ride into a loud performance.

What the ride feels like in practice

The two-hour length is short enough to fit into a busy Reykjavík day, but the open water can make it feel full. The high-speed sections are exciting, while the search periods require patience. You may spend time watching an empty stretch of water before the next sighting appears.

That rhythm is normal for whale watching. If you need constant action, the outing may test your patience. If you enjoy the anticipation of searching and then the sudden appearance of a whale or dolphin, the format works well.

Cold is the most common comfort issue. One person can be thrilled by a close humpback and still remember the wind afterward. Wear the hat and gloves you were told to bring, and use layers under the warm overalls. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sturdy footwear will make you more comfortable in the boat.

The boat is described as extremely stable, but stability does not mean a perfectly smooth ride. Conditions on the bay can vary. Anyone with a history of back or knee trouble should take the warning seriously. Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall, and the fast RIB format is better for older children who can follow safety instructions and tolerate cold and motion.

The shoreline ride back to Reykjavík

The return route gives the tour a pleasant final chapter. Instead of simply docking after the wildlife search, the boat follows the city shoreline.

From the water, Reykjavík’s waterfront has a different character. The Sun Voyager sculpture makes a strong silhouette near the shore, while Harpa’s glass facade catches the remaining light. Fishing huts, restaurants, and other waterfront attractions fill out the view.

This part is especially useful if you have already walked the harbor. You see familiar places from a new position, and the city feels connected to the bay rather than separate from it. The ride also gives you a chance to settle after the faster open-water sections.

Do not book the tour only for the shoreline views, since the wildlife search is the main event. But the return makes the two hours feel more complete and gives you worthwhile scenery even after the animal sightings are over.

Is $200 a fair price?

At $200 per person, this is not the budget whale-watching option. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, warm overalls, a captain, and a wildlife guide rather than simply buying transport out into the bay.

The value depends on what you want. If you care most about space, speed, and a close-to-the-water view, the price is easier to justify. A 12-person boat can feel much more personal than a large vessel, and the captain can cover a wider search area during the short evening trip.

If you are mainly looking for the cheapest way to get onto Faxaflói Bay, this may not be the right choice. A larger boat may cost less and offer more room, though you would give up some of the RIB’s speed and small-group feel.

The whale guarantee improves the financial safety of the booking. If you do not see any whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for another ride on larger boats. That does not guarantee you a whale encounter on the replacement trip, but it does mean a completely empty search is not the end of the story.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later also make planning easier. The tour needs at least two passengers to operate. If that minimum is not met, you are offered a rescheduled trip or a full refund.

Who should book this evening tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to combine wildlife with a fast boat ride, especially during the bright Icelandic summer. It is a good match for active adults, older children who meet the height and age rules, and anyone with only one free evening in Reykjavík.

It also suits photographers and sightseers who want both bay wildlife and a waterfront view of the city. The chance to see humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins in one outing makes the trip appealing, though you should treat every sighting as a possibility rather than a promise.

I would choose a larger boat instead if you are prone to motion sickness, need a steadier and less exposed ride, or have back, knee, mobility, or pregnancy concerns. The RIB offers more excitement, but comfort is part of value, too.

My booking advice

Book this tour if the small boat is the main attraction for you. The two-hour schedule, evening departure, 12-person limit, and strong summer whale odds make it a smart fit for a full Reykjavík itinerary. Pack warmer clothing than you think you need, arrive 30 minutes early, and leave your large bags at your accommodation.

The best time for the full whale, dolphin, and puffin combination is during the puffin season from about May 15 to August 20. Outside that period, the tour can still focus on whales and dolphins, but puffins should not be part of your plan.

At $200, this is a premium outing, not a casual add-on. For the right passenger, the faster RIB, close water access, and small group justify the cost. For anyone who values a calm ride above all else, choose a larger boat.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour depart from?

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

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts two hours.

How many people are on each boat?

The RIB carries a small group of up to 12 people.

Can I see puffins all summer?

Puffin season runs approximately from May 15 to August 20. Sightings are not expected outside that period.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Warm overalls and safety equipment are provided. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and loose clothing is prohibited.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be at least 10 years old and 145 centimeters tall. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.