Guided Tours

Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Puffin Tour on RIB speedboat

Duration

2 hrs

Open today

9:00am - 8:30pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Embark on a small-group RIB adventure led by a certified captain and marine biologist, ensuring an intimate and informative wildlife experience.

Get close to whales and puffins in their natural habitat while your expert guide shares fascinating insights about their behavior and ecosystem.

Take in Reykjavík’s iconic skyline from the water, passing landmarks like Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture.

Stay warm and safe with thermal overalls, gloves, goggles, and all safety equipment provided for every passenger.

Small group RIB boat tour

Guidance from marine biologist

Access to crew photos

2-hour whale & puffin watching tour

Specially trained whale-watching guide

Fully certified RIB boat captain

Warm overalls, gloves, goggles

All necessary safety equipment

TOTAL DURATION2 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
Timeline
Map
Start point
Old Harbour
Get direction
1. Puffin Islands
Cruise to one of the islands near Reykjavík to observe nesting puffins and other seabirds during the breeding season from a close but respectful distance.
Passes By
Faxaflói Bay
End point
Old Harbour
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

114 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Aug 2025
Booked the whale + puffin tour for me & my partner and I’m still buzzing about it! Puffin bit was first (tiny boat, so bring a warm layer, trust me). Saw soooo many little guys zipping around, and our guide had funny facts, like apparently they mate for life? Kinda sweet. Whale watching after lunch: bigger boat, windier, but the crew handed out thick overalls (I looked like a blueberry but I was warm). We saw dolphins and THREE humpbacks—one even breached!! Crew snapped pics so I didn’t stress about missing the shot. Only downside: bit crowded at railing during the first whale spot, but people shuffled politely. The coffee on board is not great, bring your own if ur picky. Still, would 100% do it again.
Aug 2025
Puffins were adorable but quite far away, so bring binoculars or you’ll barely see their beaks. Whale tour was more my thing—got real lucky and saw a fin whale (guide was v excited, said it’s rare). Seas were a bit rough, my wife got queasy so take the seasickness pills they offer. Rain started halfway but we just moved inside, still got great views. Would’ve loved more time with the puffins, but overall solid day.
Aug 2025
Two in one tour is such a clever idea. Did this with my teen daughter who’s bird mad. She lost her mind over the puffins, and the whale tour after was just EPIC. Cold wind, but staff gave us blankets. Saw dolphins racing the boat which I’d never seen before. Crew was friendly, joked around a bit, which I liked. Only thing: food options on board are meh, pack snacks if ur fussy.
Aug 2025
Honestly, I was hoping for more whales. We only saw one, from kinda far, but the crew did try hard to spot them. Puffins were cute, but I felt the boat was a little packed. Weather was grey and a little cold, maybe that’s why wildlife was shy? Staff did give us good info and you get emailed photos after, which is cool. Not bad, just not mind-blowing.
Aug 2025
Came solo and met some nice folks on the boat. Whale spotting was the highlight for sure. Saw two humpbacks and a pod of dolphins. Puffin tour was just okay for me—birds are small and fast, hard to photograph without a good zoom. The guides are knowledgeble and funny, which made the slower bits more fun. Bring extra layers, gets chilly!

Spot whales and puffins up close on a 2-hour RIB speedboat tour from Reykjavik led by an expert

Getting started

Meet your guide at the Old Harbour ticket office in Reykjavik at least 30 minutes before departure. After a quick check-in and safety briefing, you'll gear up with warm overalls, gloves, and goggles before boarding your small-group RIB boat.

What to expect

This 2-hour guided tour offers a unique perspective on Iceland’s marine life, taking you to areas larger boats can’t reach. Led by a specially trained marine biologist, you’ll explore the waters around Reykjavik during peak puffin season (20 April–15 August) and have the chance to spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds.

About RIB Boats

Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) are custom-built for speed, stability, and close-up wildlife encounters. Lightweight yet sturdy, these boats slice through Iceland’s choppy coastal waters, letting small groups approach whales and puffins safely without disturbing them.

What to bring

Dress appropriately for Iceland’s changing weather and wear layers.

Bring a warm hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear suitable for the boat deck.

Thermal overalls, life jackets, gloves, and goggles provided onboard to keep you safe and comfortable.

Sunglasses, cameras, and phones are welcome, but use them at your own risk. Large bags aren’t permitted onboard but can be left safely at the office.

Who can join

Not suitable for children under 10, pregnant participants, or anyone with back, knee, or mobility concerns.

Guests must be at least 145 cm (4 ft 8 in) tall, weigh no more than 140 kg (309 lbs), and be able to sit in the RIB’s saddle-style seating comfortably.

Accessibility

The RIB tour is not wheelchair accessible and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility.

Additional information

Please arrive at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

Tours operate from April to October, with puffin season running April to August.

The tour lasts around 2 hours and requires a minimum of 2 passengers to go ahead. If the minimum isn’t met, you can either reschedule or get a full refund.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. If no whales or dolphins are seen, you’ll receive a complimentary ticket for the Classic Whale Watching tour.

All wildlife encounters follow a responsible whale-watching code, keeping a safe distance to protect the animals.

You will be asked to sign a safety waiver confirming you are physically fit for the experience.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.