Whale Watching Tour: Exclusive 2-Hour RIB Boat Adventure

Embark on an exclusive 2-hour RIB boat tour from Reykjavik for an unforgettable whale watching experience. Limited to 12 spaces, enjoy breathtaking scenery and a stop at the puffin island. Book now!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Begin your tour with hotel pickup (if option selected) that will take you to the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour. If pickup is not selected, the meeting point is the ticket office in the Old Harbour. After checking in, put on your warm overalls and safety gear and listen to your guide’s safety speech before boarding a brand-new 12m…

What's Included
  • Warm overalls, lifevests, gloves, and goggles provided
  • Guidance from an expert guide in English
  • Summer visits to Akurey, known as puffin island
  • Suspension seats for enhanced comfort
What's Not Included
  • Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional fee)
Additional Information

Embark upon an exclusive 2-hour journey on our purpose-built RIB express boat - ideal for observing whales, with a limit of 12 spots! Prior to setting sail from the Old Harbour in central Reykjavík, you’ll meet with your guide and receive snug coveralls, flotation jackets, goggles, and gloves. Take in the stunning views of the encompassing mountains and…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(65 Ratings)
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A_traveling_norseman
Aug 18, 2024
Great Whale Watching Tour!!! - The highlight of our trip to Iceland was spotting 3 whales on our 10am tour. I believe 2 of the 3 were humpback, but they were all magnificent. In fact, we saw these same whales multiple times. Although seeing whales is a matter of luck, this touring company is top notch our guide Lucas was informative as well as funny.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nomad40919959471
Aug 5, 2024
Skip the ship and take a RIB boat! - My wife and I had a great experience with Special Tours on the RIB boat whale watching tour. The booking process was easy and the staff professional. The weather was chilly and rainy when we took our tour but we were provided warm coveralls, neck gaiter (souvenir!) and goggles to keep us dry and warm. The boat only seats 12 so the experience was more personal and gave everyone a great view. You are right on top of the water so being able to see the dolphins swimming along and under the boat was amazing! We were also able to see a humpback whale and the smaller boat allowed for us to get a closer look than the bigger ships while still giving the animal space. I usually get motion sick on the water but the ride was so smooth even with the choppiness of the waves. Our Captain, Yoda was awesome and funny and our guide, Blanca was fun and knowledgeable. We ended up enjoying a coffee with them afterwards! There was a discount offered at a nearby cafe as well as tickets to the Whales of Iceland museum with the purchase of the tour so that was a nice surprise and a great way to warm up afterwards. Overall, it was truly a great experience and I would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Derek
Jul 30, 2024
Superb Rib Boat Excursion - Superb rib boat trip where we were fortunate enough to see dolphins and humpback whales at close quarters. The guide, Blanca, was so friendly and knowledgeable. It was quite choppy so be prepared if conditions are described as “rough”.
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Shellyf155
Jul 30, 2024
Fantastic - Fantastic trip saw 3 humpbacks ever time we saw blow we went towards it Staff were knowledgeable and really good at spotting them Personally they made my dream come true
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Racheal_m
Jul 28, 2024
Worth it! - Amazing! My wife and I had an awesome experience with Special Tours. The smaller boat allows for a more personal experience as well as a closer look at the sea life. We were lucky enough to see many dolphins and a humpback whale! Special shout out to our Captain, Yoda as well as Blanca, our guide. Thank you for the great adventure!
Review provided by Viator
Michele_s
Jun 21, 2024
Great experience! - It was a great time! Even the boat ride to get to our whale watching spot was a blast. We were lucky and saw some whales! Wish we could have a gotten a tiny bit closer to the puffins they were hard to see from the distance we were.
Review provided by Viator
Nagyidaik
Dec 31, 2023
Unforgettable RIB boat trip - The trip I will always remember for. Thank you for one of the best experience of my life. Not only because we have seen the beautiful humpback whale, could hear its amazing "song" that experience simply unexpectedly made me cry, and that we were lucky enough to see the cute puffins on Puffin island as well, but also because of the entire experience the tour provided. Our tour guide lady and the captain were really dedicated to bring humans closer to the sea life. (I completely agree with, as some tourists are coming to Iceland to 'taste whale', before even meeting them alive. It would change their mind about the menu for sure.) The RIB boat it is much more funny than a roller coaster, and the most friendly way to get closer to whales, puffins and other creatures. You will receive all necessary equipment, so you will not get cold, and you do not have to prepare much for the trip. Surprisingly I really liked the whale museum as well, next to the harbor. Every single human should see the movie about the whales, and also great opportunity to see how our 'new friends' look like (as a whole) thanks to the 'real size' sculptures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fayeh473
Oct 31, 2023
Highly recommend! - Absolutely loved our experience! A ride on the RIB itself is an exciting experience and the guide was brilliant. He was funny and very knowledgeable! We saw dolphins and two humpback whales on a number of occasions. The captain takes you as close as possible, whilst still respecting the whale’s space. The clothing you are provided with was great too - didn’t feel the cold at all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
823nadiiad
Jun 23, 2024
Don’t be fooled - I purchased this tour on 15 June and I was told that if there are no whales, I can just rebook for any other day, but it’s not truth. There were plenty of dolphins and the person who was guiding on that day told minke whales were seen on this tour. Really:)? Nobody saw whales just guiding person, but it is a successful tour. Shamed on you! Do not risk your money and unpleasant emotions with such an organization.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Greylioness
May 17, 2024
Special Tours Office Staff are HORRIBLE... Book with a different company - This company literally provided the WORST experience during my Iceland visit. It's unfortunate because once we were finally on the boat to go on tour, the crew of the boat was wonderful. The level of bad information, incomplete information and incorrect information from the office staff was unbelievable. My suggestion, which I am NOT recommending this company on any level is, if you purchase any tickets from them: (1) MAKE SURE you are clearly told WHERE the pick site is, (2) WHAT the ACTUAL pick up time is, and (3) WHAT boat you will be actually boarding for your tour. We were told different and conflicting information for each of these points and almost missed our tour boat. The office staff showed no care or concern for all of the confusion, and incorrect information each of them gave. And they sit right next to each other, so it was clear they had no idea what they were doing nor did they care. Another suggestion is: Make sure you ask clarifying questions. Example: If the office staff tells you pick up is at 1pm, ask them what time will the bus be at your stop. We were told our pick up was at 12 noon. We got there at 11:30 and waited in 40 degree weather and at 12:30 there still was no pickup. When we called the office, we were told there is no pick up at our site and that we needed to walk to the main office. After rushing to walk to the office, the other front staff told us that pick ups START at noon and there is not specific time at each stop. When we questioned why we were told there was no pick up at our scheduled stop, the other office staff told us it was just easier for them to tell us to walk only to find out the driver did stop at our location and left because no one was there. Then the office staff gave us the wrong boat name and #. We waited by the wrong boat for 20 minutes, and when no one showed up, they told us to go to another boat only to discover the LARGE crowd on the other side of the pier was where we to actually be. We had to run across the pier to catch that boat for our tour. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. BOOK WITH ANOTHER company. The front office staff is HORRIBLE at their job. A different tour was cancelled while we were there and several people were left out side in 40 degree weather waiting on a tour that was cancelled and the office staff NEVER informed them. The staff just sat there as if they were being forced to be at work. There are plenty of other companies on the pier offering tours... save yourself a horrible experience and go with one of the other companies.
Review provided by Tripadvisor