Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Iceland’s Faxaflói Bay is home to diverse marine life, including dolphins, puffins, and whales—but knowing where the wildlife is likely to appear requires skill and experience. On this small-group rigid inflatable boat (RIB) tour from Reykjavik, zoom across the waves with your guide and reach the action swiftly. Wrapped up warm against the cold, discover scenic views along the way, and enjoy personal attention from your guide.
- See more of the sights in less time when you travel by speedy RIB
- Tour includes waterproof gear: gloves, goggles, and life-jacket
- Admire views of Reykjavik that few other visitors get to see
- Small-group tour limited to 12 people ensures a personal experience
What's Included
- Up to 2 hour of breathtaking nature experience on a 12 seat luxury Rib boat
- Full guidance (English) with various information on the whales, wildlife and the city
- A warm waterproof overall, gloves and googles
- Lifejacket
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Special ToursGeirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Sun Voyager
2
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Dress warmly
- A minimum of 1 adult per booking is required
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Lauren_P
Rebekah was an amazing guide. We saw three different types of whales and got so close that a humpback whale swam under the boat and we saw him breaching multiple times. Amazing experience, I can’t recommend it enough. Plus the use of the speed boats allows you to get to different locations so much quicker than the larger boats and you can get closer to the whales.
Reviews
4.6
based on 224 reviews
Simon_G, Apr 2026
We had a fantastic whale watching experience on a fast Rib boat from Reykjavik. The day was sunny and beautiful despite the cold, and we saw Humpback whales, Minke whales, white-beaked Dolphins and lots of different seabird species. Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable, and it was a thrilling experience. Highly recommended.
Brittney_P, Oct 2025
The team has no control over whether we actually see any whales on the tour, BUT WE DID and that’s the most important part of this review 😉 They told us that the boats call out to each other when there’s a sighting and the extra cost for the speed boat vs the larger boats is SO worth it bc of how quickly they can get to the whales. Great experience, great team - so glad we booked this specific tour!
Samantha_S, Oct 2025
Easy to find location. Great experience! We got lucky and saw two humpback whales about 5min into the experience. We also were able to see a minke whale! The boat was exciting but most importantly effective! We were able to get close to the whales. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and super great at finding the whales for us. 10 out of 10. Will do again on my next Iceland trip
Paul_C, Oct 2025
Truly awful weather, but what an experience! So very very lucky to see the humpbacks leaping from the water and slapping their fins on the sea from mere feet away! Rebecca was such a great guide
Ella_K, Oct 2025
Truly amazing!
I’ve done whale watching tours other places, either in a large boat or smaller boats but never a really fast maneuverable inflatable boat like this.
SUCH a difference! You get way closer to the animals and you are able to be almost water level.
Plus the group is small (max is like 10 or 12; we had 8). There are two seats per row so everyone gets a front row seat.
The guide (a marine biologist named Anika) was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. She didn’t need a loudspeaker or microphone because everyone is right there. Made it really easy to hear her and ask questions. She got asked some offbeat questions but had good answers and clearly knew her stuff.
The boat is very fast so you can get places faster than the big boats and when the whales move they can follow. I felt like we got to get much closer and we saw a lot.
It’s such a fun ride too! The seats have little shock absorbers. They give you gear to stay warm and dry. If you like coasters you’ll like this.
Highly recommend—costs more than the big boats but so worth it! The ride was fun, we saw a lot, and I learned new things.
Trisha_D, Sep 2025
Even though we did not get to go on the etour they have it together communication is great which you appreciate on holiday if plans get cancelled so that you canake other arrangements. They were very professional and on top of things letting us know well in advance that the tour was going to be cancelled due to weather. They get an A for effort.
Yousef_A, Sep 2025
This was very memorable for us, we got to see a few whales, one came right up to our boat. The speed boat is quite fun and feels like the better option over the bigger boats, you will bounce up and down a lot but the seats have suspension so its not so bad.
our guide, Rebekah was very friendly and knowledgeable about all the animals that we saw.
Alakbar_A, Sep 2025
Boat and organization was good.
Clothes provided were not water proof.
Don't go if you have back or knee problem as you will be semi standing for 2 hours on the boat. Consider wearing waterproof shoes.
Did not see the whales. Only dolfins.
Were provided with an option to board a large boat next day free of charge. Will try.
Lauren_P, Sep 2025
Rebekah was an amazing guide. We saw three different types of whales and got so close that a humpback whale swam under the boat and we saw him breaching multiple times. Amazing experience, I can’t recommend it enough. Plus the use of the speed boats allows you to get to different locations so much quicker than the larger boats and you can get closer to the whales.
TK_C, Aug 2025
We were super lucky to see multiple humpback whales, harbour porpoises and a minke whale. This was an amazing experience, the guide and captain of the boat were both excellent and knowledgeable. They were fun and we enjoyed the experience, go with this group.
Christopher_C, Aug 2025
This whale watching excursion was the highlight of our time in Reykjavik. The exhilarating speed boat ride on the rib out to the bay was an adventure in and of itself, and we saw everything including porpoise, dolphins, mink whales and hump back whales up close for extended periods. Our guide Rebecca was enthusiastic and knowledgable.
Just note that the start time is effectively half an hour before the stated time and arriving after that will risk missing departure. We suggest Viator makes this clearer on the face of the experience rather than burying inside the terms.
Carole_B, Aug 2025
Have done other whale watching tours and IMO doing it in a Rib is the best way. You can get up so much closer and follow the whales either. We saw a few whales and couldn’t ask for more. Brilliant tour/well run and guide Joel was great as well.
kim_h, Aug 2025
Exciting ride on the boat and loved the dolphins playfulness. The tour leader was very knowledgable and the boat captain was excellent at getting through the rough waves! It was a great trip.
Jacob_S, Aug 2025
Guide was not interactive or knowledgeable. There were people on the tour that repeatably blocked views by standing in front of others in complete disregard for others. Tour guide did not help control tourists on the boat. Disappointed all the way around
Jennifer_A, Aug 2025
Great boat trip with lots of wildlife. Our guide Joe and the captain did a great job getting us out to see humpback and Minsk whales today. Joe explained a lot about the whales which was a plus for the experience.
Michelle_H, Aug 2025
Excellent experience- well saw three types of whales very close to the boat, excellent captain and guide, saw puffins and enjoyed every minute. Fun boat ride too!
Susan_H, Aug 2025
Amazing! We saw tons of whales and puffins. Guide was friendly, funny and super knowledgeable about the whales and puffins. The captain definitely knew where to go for the best spotting but you could also tell he was respectful of the wildlife. Hands down the best thing we did in Iceland!
Elizabeth_D, Jul 2025
Excellent experience! Friendly staff. Boat was so cool, guide was informative! We saw a few wales, lots of dolphins and many puffins!
Sheri_L, Jul 2025
What a great adventure! Saw lots of wildlife and whales!! The driver Otto and guide were fun and full of facts. We would do this one again!!
Shauna_T, Jul 2025
Amazing from start to finish!! The boat ride was thrilling! Being able to see the island from the water was beautiful! Our weather was unseasonably warm- so that may have added to the outstanding day. The dolphins were leaping and zig zagging around the boat entertaining us for several min. Then the humpbacks! We were able to see several!! A mom and calf and several others. The calf was very active and breeched several times!!
BOOK THIS TRIP!!!
Bruce_W, Jul 2025
This was an excellent experience with a great crew. We hit it on a good weather day and had excellent sightseeing of whales and dolphins.
Mairi_G, Jul 2025
Fabulous experience. Saw lots of dolphins, 4 humpback whales and some minky whales. The visit to puffin island was really cool too.
Jeff_M, Jul 2025
Trip cancelled by operator one hour before trip as to begin. I was told it was due to wea5her conditions, but I did see other boats going out at the same time. Was it really cancelled because of weather or because low demand?
Joseph_J, Jul 2025
This was a great, close up view of Humpback and Minke Whales. The crew was fantastic and the speedboat ride was exciting.
SAlly_B, Jul 2025
This was THE best experience we had over eight days in Iceland!! Don't waste your money on a large boat with 100-300 passengers slowly going out to potentially see a whale or two. Take this fast RIB speedboat out to find the whales and see whale after whale up close!
With a maximum capacity of 12 passengers, we treated to a whale (and dolphin) fest. Our driver was kind enough to make sure that passengers on both sides of the boat got great views of the whales.
We started off with watching two whales for probably 20 minutes and then came upon a group of three whales together - something our guide said was quite unusual. I guess with all of their feeding commotion, a school of dolphins when joined us, leaping out of the water around the three whales. What a show they put on!
Before returning to port, they also took us for a brief stop at Puffin Island to see the cute puffins. Unfortunately. we couldn't get very close to them.
The booking process was simple with Special Tours, and they provided all of the gear necessary to have a safe and enjoyable experience. I cannot recommend them more highly!
Holden_P, Jul 2025
Of all the options I saw this is by far the best way to do the whale watching. The boats are fast but comfortable and it allowed us to zoom out and zoom back and then the meantime, we saw five or six different pods of humpback whales.
Phyllis_R, Jul 2025
Amazing experience! If you’re hesitating just do it. You will not regret it. I was nervous about bringing my daughter on the small boat but it was great!
awen2126, Jun 2025
Great experience got to see a humpback Whale, muffins, great 2 hour ride for someone with limited ttime.
Susie_S, Jun 2025
We got to the harbor on time for our whale watch to find out it was canceled. We were unable to get a refund because we booked through this company. I have tried to contact this company several times and have had no response. this will watch was very expensive and I would like my money back as it never happened! Obviously this company does not communicate with the companies they sell tours for because the tour company did not even know how to help me contact VIATOR. I also received a thank you note from VIATOR thanking me for attending the whale watch which was just more infuriating because it was canceled. Something I’ve learned here is to always book straight with the company itself.
Michelle_M, Jun 2025
Top notch company with awesome guides! The speedboat ride was incredible and just as fun as whale watching!! Way cooler than the big boats! Saw 2 whales and huge dolphins were putting on a show :)
From $164.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik
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