Whales in Eyjafjord, no waiting. What I love most is the 12-person RIB size and the included warm kit. I also love the whale guarantee, with a try-again option if whales are elusive. The one drawback to plan around is weather: the cruise runs only in favourable conditions, so you may need an alternative date.

This is a fast, close-up way to see Akureyri. You’ll zip across the water and scan for Eyjafjord humpback whales while getting live commentary from a specially trained captain and crew.

It fits cleanly into a day of sightseeing in Akureyri, with several departure times and an English offering. Just be ready for moderate physical demands to get into the saddle-like seating and to fit the overalls.

Key highlights you’ll feel fast

• Small group RIB ride (max 12): more attention and less crowding while you hunt for whales
• Whale guarantee: whale seen, or you get another try on the big boat
• Eyjafjord humpback focus: the itinerary is built around real odds in this area
• Warm safety gear provided: overalls, life-vest, goggles, neoprene gloves
• Live guidance on the water: clear explanations that help you notice what matters

RIB speed on the Eyjafjord: what the 2-hour cruise feels like

This is a 2-hour RIB boat experience designed for active nature lovers. RIBs are built for performance, so instead of a slow drift, you get that sporty feeling of zooming into the fjord and adjusting your course as the crew spots activity.

You’ll be out long enough to really search, not just “pass by.” At the same time, it’s short enough to stay flexible. That’s a big deal in Iceland, where the weather can change fast and you don’t want one activity to eat your whole day.

One practical point: you’re not just sitting on a sightseeing bench. The tour uses saddle-like seating, and you’ll need moderate physical fitness to handle the boat movement and the way you get positioned. The good news is the tour provides the safety gear and the overalls, so you’re not stuck trying to improvise warmth in the cold.

Akureyri from the water: sights you miss on land

Starting and ending right back at Elding Whale Watching Akureyri (Oddeyrarbót 2) keeps things simple. No pickup is offered, so plan to get to the pier area on your own, ideally using nearby public transport.

From the water, Akureyri looks different right away. You’re not viewing the city from a distance on a sidewalk; you’re watching it slide by on the same plane as the shoreline activity. That matters because whale watching is partly about context. When you can line up the coast, fjord shape, and open-water areas in your head, the crew’s scanning patterns make more sense.

And because you have multiple departure times in the day, you can match this to your itinerary rhythm. If you’re doing a loop around town and want something that breaks up the day with a fresh perspective, this works well.

Whale guarantee and what you might see in the Eyjafjord

The whole experience is centered on humpback whales in the Eyjafjord. That focus is what makes the tour worth considering, because the boat and timing are set up for whale searching, not generic sightseeing.

The highlight here is the whale guarantee. If you don’t see whales on the cruise, you get a chance to try again for free on their bigger boat. That removes a lot of the stress that comes with wildlife tours. You can plan your day without feeling like you paid mostly for hope.

Now, what do people actually encounter? The reviews include humpbacks, plus North Atlantic bottlenose whales. There are also mentions of a minke whale and even moments like whales displaying relaxed behaviour (including a whale that seemed to be sleeping). One person also talked about whales waving at the boat—exactly the kind of memory you hope for when you’re on the water watching for breath and movement.

A balanced expectation: sightings are never guaranteed in the literal sense. The guarantee is the safety net. But your real-world odds depend on conditions and animal activity that day. If you go with a flexible mindset, you’re much more likely to enjoy the ride even if the show changes.

Gear that actually matters: staying warm and protected

In Iceland, whale watching isn’t just a viewing activity—it’s a time-outside-in-cold-water reality. This tour takes the guesswork out by providing key items:

• overalls
• life-vest
• goggles
• neoprene gloves

That’s valuable for comfort and safety. You’re not relying on your own jacket and hoping it’s enough when the boat kicks up spray.

You also need to follow one important fit rule: you must fit into the overalls (sizes 3-XL). The tour notes you also need to sit comfortably in the saddle-like seat. That means you should arrive ready to try gear on correctly rather than assuming your usual travel layers will be the main solution.

One more detail worth planning for: you may be asked to sign a waiver on arrival. That’s normal for water activities where conditions and risk are part of the deal, and it’s better to treat it as routine rather than a surprise.

Live commentary from the crew: turning a sighting into a story

The best whale tours don’t just point and say there’s a whale. They help you understand why it’s there and what you’re seeing.

This one includes excellent live commentary. The crew is trained, and the experience is structured so you’re not watching in silence. In the reviews, one guide named David gets called out specifically for sharing years of research and making the experience both educational and fun.

That kind of guidance changes your whole experience. When you know what to watch for—movement patterns, surface behaviour, and how whales may react when the boat approaches—you stop scanning randomly and start tracking intentionally.

There’s also an important emotional payoff people mention: feeling safe while the boat is moving fast through icy water. That safety confidence doesn’t come from luck; it comes from the captain and crew managing the ride and the approach.

Timing and logistics that keep your day smooth

This activity is offered in English and runs for about 2 hours. It’s also designed to fit into a day of sightseeing in Akureyri, which is how I’d judge it: it doesn’t lock you into a half-day chunk.

The meeting point is fixed: Elding Whale Watching Akureyri, Oddeyrarbót 2, 600 Akureyri. The tour ends back at the same spot, so you don’t need a separate plan for transport at the end.

Two things to consider upfront:

1. No pickup is available. You’ll want to plan your arrival to the pier area with enough buffer time.
2. The tour runs subject to favourable weather conditions. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you get an option for an alternative date or a full refund.

That’s one reason it’s smart to schedule this earlier rather than later in your trip. If conditions change, you may have less flexibility the closer you get to leaving town.

Who this tour suits best (and who should rethink it)

This tour is best for people who like nature, movement, and active searching. If you want a calm, long, quiet cruise, the RIB style may feel a bit sporty. If you want closeness—rapid repositioning, scanning, and getting out on the water to hunt for whales—this is a strong match.

It also fits families fairly well, with a minimum age of 10 years or 145 cm (4 ft 7 in). That height rule matters when you’re travelling with kids. If anyone in your group is younger or shorter, you’ll need to look at other options.

Moderate physical fitness is required. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be able to handle cold gear, get seated properly, and stay steady while the boat moves.

Finally, the small maximum group size (12 passengers) is a quiet advantage. It tends to create a better environment for crew attention and for hearing the commentary over wind and water noise.

Price and value: is $192.66 worth it?

At $192.66 per person for about 2 hours, the price isn’t low. But it can be good value if you look at what’s included and what’s protected.

You’re getting:

• a RIB boat tour (not a generic long transit)
• live commentary
• specially trained captain and crew
• overalls, life-vest, goggles, and neoprene gloves
• a whale guarantee with a try-again option on their big boat

Wildlife tours often force you to pay for uncertainty. This one reduces that uncertainty with the guarantee. You’re also paying for the gear setup and the operational skill of running a small boat in cold fjord conditions.

Where the price may feel less worth it is if you’re the type of person who gets cold easily and expects to dress only in your own clothes. Even with provided gear, you’ll still be outside in Arctic conditions, and your comfort will depend on how you manage the overalls and seating position.

If you’re going to Akureyri anyway, and you want a hands-on whale search that still fits your day, this price can make sense.

Should you book this RIB whale watch from Akureyri?

If your priority is whales, not just scenery, I’d seriously consider booking it. The combination of the Eyjafjord humpback focus, small boat size, and the whale guarantee makes it one of the more practical ways to spend your limited time in North Iceland.

Book it if:

• you like active tours and don’t mind a bouncy RIB ride
• you want warm gear included
• you’d rather have a try-again option than pay and hope

Think twice or plan carefully if:

• weather cancellations would be hard for your schedule
• someone in your group may struggle with moderate fitness needs or gear fit
• you need pickup service (none is offered)

If you can handle those points, this cruise is the kind of experience that turns a fjord visit into a real wildlife memory—especially when the whales show up close enough for you to notice the details.

FAQ

How long is the RIB whale watching tour?

The tour is about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends back at Elding Whale Watching Akureyri, Oddeyrarbót 2, 600 Akureyri, Iceland.

Is pickup available?

No pickup is available.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes the 2-hour RIB boat tour, whale guarantee (or try again for free on the big boat), overalls, life-vest, goggles, and neoprene gloves, plus live commentary from the crew.

What whale species is the tour focused on?

The tour is designed for Eyjafjord humpback whales.

Do I need to speak a specific language?

The tour is offered in English.

What should I know about age limits?

The minimum age is 10 years, or 145 cm (4 ft 7 in).

Is the tour in a small group?

Yes. There is a maximum of 12 travelers per boat.

What happens if weather is bad?

The tour depends on favourable weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

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