
Reykjavík: Premium RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Tour
2 hours
Explore Faxaflói Bay aboard a custom RIB boat under Iceland's legendary midnight sun. This intimate 2-hour small-group tour — limited to just 12 passengers — searches for whales, dolphins, and puffins, then cruises past Reykjavík's iconic waterfront landmarks.
Available each summer from June until mid-August, this small-group whale watching tour takes you out onto Faxaflói Bay aboard a custom-built, stable RIB boat during the magical hours of the midnight sun. With only 12 passengers on board, you enjoy a far more personal experience than larger vessel tours can offer.
The RIB's speed and agility allow the crew to cover a wider area of the bay, increasing your chances of encountering humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and — until mid-August — puffins. Whenever conditions allow, the engines are switched off entirely so you can absorb the stillness of the ocean beneath the glowing evening sky.
After the wildlife portion of the tour, the boat returns along Reykjavík's shoreline, passing the iconic Sun Voyager sculpture and the striking Harpa Concert Hall, giving you a memorable sea-level perspective of the capital.
A whale guarantee is included: if no whales or dolphins are spotted during your tour, you receive a complimentary ticket to join the Classic Whale Watching tour at no extra cost, valid for two years.
Pickup or meeting details are confirmed during booking.
You make your own way to the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c in the Old Harbour, Reykjavík. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure for check-in and boarding. Before setting off, you will sign a safety waiver and be fitted with warm thermal overalls (available up to size 3XL), goggles, and a life vest — all provided by the operator.
Once on the water, your expert naturalist and captain navigate Faxaflói Bay in search of whales, dolphins, and seabirds. High-quality suspension seats keep the ride comfortable even in choppy conditions. Engines are cut during wildlife encounters to minimise disturbance and let you fully appreciate the quiet of the open sea under the vibrant evening light.
The tour concludes with a scenic cruise along the Reykjavík coastline before returning to the Old Harbour. The full experience lasts 2 hours. A minimum of 2 passengers is required for the tour to operate.
This tour stands apart from standard whale watching excursions in several key ways. The custom RIB boat carries a maximum of 12 guests, ensuring an intimate, unhurried atmosphere with direct access to the naturalist throughout the trip. The vessel's speed means more of the bay can be covered, genuinely improving wildlife sighting opportunities.
Running exclusively during the midnight sun season (June to mid-August), the tour offers a setting that is simply unavailable at any other time of year — calm golden light, vibrant skies, and the unique atmosphere of an Icelandic summer night on the water. The included whale guarantee removes any uncertainty: if no cetaceans appear, your next attempt on the Classic Whale Watching tour is free.
2-hour expertly narrated whale watching tour aboard a 12-seat RIB boat. Small group of maximum 12 passengers with an expert naturalist and captain. High-quality suspension seats for safety and comfort. Warm thermal overalls (up to size 3XL), goggles, and all necessary safety equipment. Puffin sightings possible until mid-August. Coastal sightseeing past the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall. Whale guarantee — complimentary Classic Whale Watching tour ticket if no whales or dolphins are spotted (valid 2 years).
Please dress according to weather and remember to bring a hat, gloves and sturdy footwear. You will be required to wear our thermal overalls (available up to size 3XL), as well as a life vest for the duration of the tour. You are welcome to bring your sunglasses, phone or camera on board, but do so at your own risk. Bags are not permitted on the RIB boat, so ensure that whatever you bring with you fits around your neck or in your pocket! You can store your belongings in our office while you are on the tour.
Make your own way to the Old Harbour for check-in at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. The tour lasts 2 hours from start to finish and requires a minimum of 2 passengers for the tour to proceed. If the minimum is not met, you will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. For safety reasons, participants must be at least 145 cm tall, weigh less than 140 kg and able to stand comfortably in our saddle-like seats. The tour may not be suitable during pregnancy and is not recommended for those with a history of back or knee injuries. Please consult with your doctor prior to booking this tour. Keep in mind that you are required to sign a safety waiver prior to departure, confirming that you are physically fit. We abide by a Code of Conduct for responsible whale watching, thus each encounter is on the animals' terms and distance may be kept to minimise disturbance. In the event that no whales or dolphins are seen, we do not issue refunds, but you will be offered a complimentary ticket valid on our Classic Whale Watching tour, for 2 years.
Thank you for booking your tour with Elding Adventure at Sea! Meet us at our ticket office , located at Ægisgarður 5c at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík, where you will receive your boarding ticket(s). Be sure to arrive no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure, for check-in and boarding. If you arrive later than 10 minutes prior to departure, we cannot guarantee that you can join the tour. If you are arriving by car, please note that there is no parking allowed at the harbour. See here for more information. Please be informed that the tour has a height limit of 145 cm and weight limit of 140 kg . Additionally, participants need to sign a waiver to confirm that they are physically fit for departure. Note that it may not be advisable to join this tour during pregnancy or for individuals with a history of back or knee injuries. While we will provide protective overalls to wear during the tour, we always recommend dressing according to weather (thermal layers, sturdy shoes, hat, gloves etc.) to stay warm throughout the journey. Keep in mind that this is a wildlife excursion, and while our sighting success is high, we cannot guarantee sightings of any kind. The puffin season typically spans from May to mid-August, although sightings may occasionally occur outside of this period. Be aware that if we do not encounter any whales or dolphins during the tour, you will be offered a complimentary return ticket valid on our Classic Whale Watching tour from Reykjavík or Akureyri, allowing you to try again another day, free of charge. The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and therefore we urge you to dress accordingly and plan ahead. In case of unfavourable conditions, the itinerary may be altered or the tour could get cancelled on short notice. You will be notified of any changes as soon as possible, but we advise that you have a look at our website for updates. Keep in mind that this tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers to operate. In the event of your tour being cancelled, you will be offered the option to rebook, reschedule or receive a full refund. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further information regarding your booking. Elding is an environmentally conscious tour operator, dedicated to sustainability and conservation. Please help us in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint by displaying this voucher on your device, rather than printing it out!

2 hours