Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The best reason to book this package is simple: you get two very different boat trips in one outing. The small puffin boat circles Akurey, while the longer cruise searches Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

I like the flexibility of choosing which cruise comes first, and I like that practical gear is included. You get binoculars for the puffin trip, warm overalls and Wi-Fi on the whale boat, plus blankets on the smaller vessel. The guides can make a big difference, and names such as Patrick, Blanca, Jo, and Lucas have been praised for lively wildlife explanations.

The catch is that nature sets the schedule. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and plenty of seabirds, or spend hours at sea with only a distant fin. Puffins stay on protected islands, so close views are not guaranteed, even with binoculars.

Key points to know before you book

• Two cruises for one price: The package combines a roughly one-hour puffin cruise with a longer whale-watching trip, usually lasting about four and a half hours altogether.
• Akurey is viewed from the water: You circle the rocky island but do not go ashore, protecting its puffin colony.
• Whale sightings are not guaranteed: A complimentary return whale-watching ticket is offered if no whales appear in Faxaflói Bay.
• Warm clothing still matters: Blankets and warm overalls help, but Icelandic wind and rough seas can make the boat feel cold.
• The puffin boat is small: This gives you a more intimate ride, but crowded departures can limit your view.
• Reykjavik’s Old Harbour is the base: The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11, close to public transportation, with hotel pickup available for an extra fee.

Two Iceland wildlife trips, one practical package

This is not one continuous cruise with a few birds and a lucky whale sighting. It is a bundle of two separate outings, often using two different boats. That matters because the mood changes quite a bit.

The puffin trip is short and close to town. It takes you toward Akurey, a rocky island used by puffins and other seabirds. The whale-watching cruise heads farther into Faxaflói Bay and gives you a longer stretch of open water, with the chance to see larger marine animals.

At about $156.19 per person, the package makes sense if you already want to do both activities. Buying the two outings together saves you the trouble of arranging them separately, and you can choose the order that fits your day. It is less compelling if you only care about puffins, since the puffin portion is brief and some people find the viewing distance frustrating.

The advertised duration is about four and a half hours, but allow room around it for boarding, changing boats, and possible timing changes. You need to reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours Iceland before setting your plans in stone.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The listed meeting point is Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. This is a useful location for an independent outing because it is near public transportation and the Old Harbour area, where the boats depart.

Hotel pickup is not included in the standard price. You can arrange it directly with the operator for an extra charge. If you choose pickup, confirm the exact time and location carefully, especially if your hotel sits outside the central area.

The group size is capped at 33 people, although the boats used for the two portions feel different. The whale-watching vessel is larger and offers more room, while the puffin boat is smaller and more intimate. That small boat can be pleasant on a quiet departure, but it can feel tight when many people are aboard.

Dress for the water, not just for Reykjavik streets. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and waterproof outerwear. Even in June, wind on the bay can be sharp. The whale-watching boat supplies warm overalls, and the puffin boat provides soft blankets, but neither replaces sensible clothing.

The puffin cruise around Akurey

The puffin portion begins aboard a small boat that heads toward Akurey. The ride is short, generally around an hour, and the island itself is the focus. You circle its rocky shores rather than walking on them, since the island is a protected breeding area.

This is an important point for expectations. You are not visiting a puffin colony on foot. You are watching from the boat, where the crew tries to position you for a good look without disturbing the birds.

The boat carries binoculars, which are especially useful when puffins sit on the island or skim across the water. You may also see Arctic terns, black guillemots, northern fulmars, and other seabirds. On a good outing, the water around the island can be busy with birds flying, landing, and returning with fish.

The onboard narration covers puffin behavior and physical features. A clear guide can turn a quick glimpse into a worthwhile natural-history lesson. Patrick has been singled out for combining humor with useful facts, while other guides have been praised for explaining the birds in clear English.

Still, the puffin trip has limits. The boat may not get close enough for a sharp photograph, and shared binoculars are not always available to every person at once. If bird photography matters to you, bring your own binoculars and a camera with a strong zoom.

Tide, wind, and sea conditions affect how close the boat can approach the island. You may see many puffins but only as small figures on the rocks, or catch a bird flying past at much closer range. The experience is best for seeing puffins in their natural setting, not for guaranteed close-up portraits.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The whale-watching cruise is the longer and more uncertain part of the day. From the larger vessel, you scan the open water for minke whales and humpbacks. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises are also possible, and seabirds often add movement while the crew searches.

The guide helps you know where to look and explains whale behavior during the ride. This matters because a whale may surface for only a few seconds, often far from the boat. A skilled narrator can point out a back, fin, spout, or tail before it disappears.

Sightings can range from a few distant fins to several humpbacks surfacing near the boat. Some outings have produced humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the same trip. Others have produced dolphins but no whales at all. You need to accept that range before boarding.

The boat offers Wi-Fi, and warm overalls are available. Snacks and drinks are not included, though food may be available for purchase onboard. A cup of coffee and a warm seat can make a long search more comfortable, especially when the sea is calm.

The open bay can also be rough. Motion-sickness tablets may be available, and crew members have offered ginger candy and sick bags when conditions turned unpleasant. If you know you are sensitive to movement, take the possibility seriously and use the supplied gear.

The operator offers a complimentary whale-watching ticket if no whales are seen in Faxaflói Bay. That is useful if you have another day in Reykjavik, but it is less valuable if your schedule is already full or you leave Iceland soon after the tour.

What the guides add to the day

Wildlife cruises can become a long session of staring at empty water if the narration is weak. Here, the guide quality may vary, but several names have received particularly warm praise.

Blanca has been noted for spotting and pointing out whales, dolphins, and birds. Jo and Lucas have also been praised for keeping the whale cruise informative and entertaining while helping passengers follow sightings. On the puffin side, Patrick has been described as funny, clear, and easy to understand.

That does not mean every departure has the same guide or style. One outing may have a lively narrator who knows when to speak and when to let the sea provide the show. Another may have commentary that is harder to follow. English is the listed tour language, so you should be comfortable listening to wildlife information in English.

The Special Tours app adds another way to receive information. It is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. This is helpful if you prefer reading or listening through an app rather than relying only on live narration.

The real value of the $156.19 price

The package price is fair if you want both activities and plan to spend a half-day on the water. You get two boat rides, guides, equipment, and the convenience of handling both outings through one operator. The discount is most useful for families or couples who would otherwise book separate cruises.

The value drops if your main goal is a close puffin photograph. The puffin cruise is short, and the island must be viewed from offshore. You may see many birds without getting the close encounter you imagined.

The whale portion is a better value for people who enjoy the search itself. You might see several species and have a memorable trip, but the price cannot buy a wildlife guarantee. The longer cruise gives you more time and better odds, not certainty.

I also like the included return option when no whales appear. It takes some of the risk out of booking, provided you have enough flexibility to use the extra ticket.

Timing, order, and practical planning

You can choose the order of the two cruises, which is useful when fitting this into a wider Reykjavik plan. A morning whale trip followed by the puffin cruise can leave you free for lunch or afternoon sightseeing. Some departures involve only a short break between boats, so pay attention to the confirmed schedule.

The two sections do not always feel like one tidy tour. You may return to the harbour, take a short pause, and then board a different boat. That change is normal and helps explain why the experience feels like two outings rather than one combined cruise.

Do not schedule a flight, long-distance bus, or tightly timed excursion immediately afterward. Weather can affect departure times, sea conditions can slow the trip, and the required reconfirmation means the published schedule should not be treated as your final word.

The cruise is offered in English and is suitable for most people. Since boats and sea conditions are involved, anyone with serious motion sensitivity should consider that before booking. The tour requires good weather, and if poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

How to improve your chances of enjoying it

Start with realistic wildlife expectations. You are going to look for animals, not visit a guaranteed animal exhibit. If you see a humpback tail slap, treat it as a lucky bonus rather than the expected result.

Bring your own binoculars if you have them. The boat supplies binoculars for the puffin cruise, but shared equipment may not provide uninterrupted viewing. Your own pair also helps during the whale trip when several people are trying to watch the same area.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise staring at a screen. Whales can surface outside your frame, and puffins often move too quickly for a perfect shot. A good look with your own eyes may be more satisfying than a blurry photograph.

Take the warm clothing advice seriously. The supplied overalls and blankets help, but wind can find every gap in your clothing. If the sea is rough, accept motion-sickness support early rather than waiting until you feel ill.

If you want the best chance of seeing whales, leave room in your schedule for the free return cruise. That is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this operator instead of treating the first sailing as your only opportunity.

Who should book this Reykjavik combo?

I would recommend this for first-time visitors who want a simple introduction to Icelandic marine life. It gives you puffins, seabirds, and a chance at whales and dolphins without requiring a separate trip outside Reykjavik.

It also suits families, especially children who enjoy boats and animals. The smaller puffin cruise can be a favorite because the island feels close and the subject is easy to understand. Just explain beforehand that puffins remain on the island and may look small.

Bird photographers and whale specialists may want more focused outings. The package gives you variety, but neither part guarantees ideal viewing distance. If your priority is one particular species, a dedicated tour with more time may suit you better.

Should you book the puffin and whale package?

Book it if you value variety, flexible timing, and the chance to see several species in one half-day. The guides can make the search rewarding, the equipment is useful, and the return whale ticket helps soften the risk of an empty bay.

Skip it if you need guaranteed close views or have little tolerance for cold, wind, or waiting. The puffin trip is brief, and whale watching can end with dolphins, seabirds, or nothing larger than a distant fin.

For most visitors, I see this as a solid Reykjavik wildlife outing at a reasonable combined price. Go for the experience of being on Faxaflói Bay and near Akurey, not for a promised photograph. That mindset gives you the best chance of enjoying whatever Iceland’s wildlife decides to show you.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The listed meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the combined experience last?

The total duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes. Timing can vary with the cruise schedule, weather, and the change between boats.

Can I choose which cruise I take first?

Yes. The package allows flexibility in the order of the puffin cruise and whale-watching tour. You must reconfirm the cruise times with the supplier.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and return are available to arrange directly with the supplier for an additional fee.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Snacks may be available for purchase on the whale-watching boat.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales are spotted in Faxaflói Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

What equipment is provided?

The puffin cruise provides binoculars and soft blankets. The whale-watching cruise provides warm overalls and free Wi-Fi. The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.