Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Reykjavík’s Old Harbor gives you two very different wildlife trips in one outing. On Old Skúli, a small shallow-draft boat, you can get close to the islands where puffins breed. Then you head into Faxaflói Bay on a much larger boat to look for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

I like the clear split between the two experiences and the practical gear provided. Binoculars help with the puffins, while warm overalls and indoor seating make the whale trip easier in Iceland’s cool, changeable weather. The guides can make the difference, too. Patrick, also called Patrick Pirate Puffin, is known for lively stories, while Rebecca has led informative whale trips.

The main caution is simple: wild animals keep their own schedule. Puffins are usually a safer bet, but whales may stay hidden, and rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable. The free return ticket helps if the whale search comes up empty, but it does not guarantee a dramatic breach on your chosen day.

Key points to know before you book

• Old Skúli gets close to the puffin islands: Its shallow draught lets the boat approach the small islands where puffins gather.
• The Andrea is built for comfort: The classic whale trip uses Iceland’s biggest whale-watching boat, with indoor seating, a cafeteria, and room to move around.
• The express option saves travel time: You reach the whale-watching area faster, while spending the same amount of time searching there.
• Puffin sightings are guaranteed: If no puffins are seen, you receive a free ticket to try again.
• Whale sightings have a retry policy: If no whales are spotted, you get another whale-watching ticket at no charge.
• The combo is two separate cruises: You return to the Old Harbor between trips, and you do not have to take both tours on the same day.

Two boats, two kinds of wildlife watching

This combo works because the boats suit the animals. Old Skúli is compact and has a shallow draught, so it can approach the small islands around Reykjavík where puffins breed. The whale boats need space, range, and viewing decks, so the second trip feels more like an open-water search.

That difference matters. The puffin outing is a focused trip to a known bird colony. You are looking for small, quick birds flying, landing, and bobbing on the water near the islands. The whale tour is less predictable. You travel into Faxaflói Bay and search a wider area for large animals that may surface only briefly.

You should think of this as two linked excursions, not one continuous cruise. You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, take the first boat, return to the harbor, and then change boats for the second trip. Depending on the departure you choose, the combined program takes about four hours, with the exact timing shaped by the selected whale tour.

Getting close to puffins on Old Skúli

The Puffin Express is the more dependable part of the day. The boat takes you toward nearby islands where puffins live during the breeding season, and the guide explains the bird life around Reykjavík as you go.

Old Skúli is especially useful here. Its shallow draught means it can approach the islands more closely than a large vessel could. You still should not expect to reach out and touch a puffin, but you can get a much better view than from the harbor. The birds may fly around the boat, sit on the water, or gather on the rocky islands.

Bring patience. Puffins are small, and they move quickly. Binoculars are included, which is a real help, especially when the birds sit farther up on the island. One practical tip is to keep the binoculars ready instead of waiting until the guide spots something. The action can shift from the rocks to the water in seconds.

The puffin trip lasts about an hour. That makes it a manageable choice for families and for anyone who wants a wildlife outing without spending a full day at sea. The guide’s talk adds value, too. You learn about puffins and other birds in the area rather than simply pointing a camera toward the island.

The puffin guarantee is worth noting. If the birds are not seen, you receive another ticket. Since puffins live in established colonies, the odds are generally more predictable than with whales, but weather and seasonal conditions still matter.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The whale portion is the bigger commitment. The classic trip aboard Andrea lasts about three to three and a half hours. Andrea is the largest whale-watching boat in Iceland, with indoor seating, a cafeteria, and an educational, family-friendly setup.

That size brings several benefits. You have room to spread out, move between viewing areas, and get inside when the wind picks up. The cafeteria gives you somewhere to buy a hot drink or snack, although refreshments are not included in the tour price. Warm overalls are supplied, but I would still wear proper layers and a waterproof outer jacket.

The trip into Faxaflói Bay is a search rather than a set route with guaranteed stops. The most common sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. A good day can bring several species. One outing may produce six minke whales, while another may bring humpbacks and a school of dolphins.

Humpbacks tend to create the most memorable moments because their backs, tails, and blows are easier to spot. Still, you should not judge a good trip only by whether a whale leaps from the sea. A brief tail, spray, or distant back is a normal sighting. The guides help you understand what you are seeing and where to look.

The whale guarantee is practical rather than magical. If nothing is spotted, you receive a free ticket to try again. That protects you from paying twice after a blank trip, but you need enough time in your Reykjavík schedule to make use of the return visit.

Classic or express whale watching?

You have a choice between the classic whale tour and the express version. The classic tour uses Andrea and lasts about three to three and a half hours. The express option uses a faster boat and lasts about two to two and a half hours.

The express trip is not simply a shorter wildlife search. You spend the same amount of time in the whale-watching area, but the faster boat gets you there sooner. That can be a smart choice if you have limited time, a dinner reservation, or another activity later in the day.

The classic option is better if comfort and space matter most. Andrea offers more room, indoor seating, and a cafeteria. If you are traveling with children, dislike smaller boats, or want more flexibility to move around, I would lean toward the classic trip.

The departure combinations are specific:

• The 9:00 AM departure starts with classic whale watching, followed by the Puffin Express at 12:30 PM.
• The 10:00 AM departure starts with express whale watching, followed by the Puffin Express at 12:30 PM.
• The 12:30 PM departure starts with the Puffin Express, followed by express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

You do not have to take both trips on the same day. That flexibility is useful if you want to spread the activity across two days, though you should confirm the available times when booking.

Guides, facts, and the human side of the trip

Wildlife trips depend on the crew as much as the animals. A good guide keeps the group alert, explains what is happening, and avoids turning every distant splash into a grand claim.

This tour has a strong educational focus. Guides explain the whales and birds you may see, answer questions, and point out animals that are easy to miss. Patrick has been praised for combining science-based facts with jokes, including plenty of energy during the puffin trip. Rebecca has also led whale tours with clear explanations of the species in the bay.

The style may vary by departure, but the goal is consistent: help you understand the animals rather than simply chase sightings. That is especially important on a quiet whale day. If the whales are shy, the guide can still explain their behavior, identify dolphins or porpoises, and put the ecosystem into context.

The onboard app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The live guide language is English. The app gives you another way to follow the information, but it does not replace watching the water and listening for updates from the crew.

Weather, sea conditions, and what to wear

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and conditions at sea may feel very different from conditions on land. The captain decides whether to sail based on weather, passenger safety, and comfort. A departure can be adjusted or affected by conditions even when Reykjavík itself looks calm.

The sea can also be choppy. On one trip, the ride became rough during the journey to the whale area, and some people felt seasick before the boat slowed down for viewing. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask the crew about available medication and follow the operator’s advice. The tour provider has offered seasickness pills on rough-weather departures.

Wear warm, comfortable clothing. The supplied overalls help, and indoor seating gives you a place to warm up, but I would not treat the overalls as a replacement for layers. Waterproof clothing is wise, particularly if you plan to spend time outside watching the water.

The best whale-watching period is generally April through September. Sightings are still possible outside those months, but the odds may be lower. Puffin trips are also tied to seasonal bird activity, so check current availability and conditions when choosing your date.

Is $148 good value?

At $148 per person, this is not a cheap harbor outing. The value depends on whether you genuinely want both wildlife experiences.

For that price, you receive two boat trips, guides on both, warm indoor seating, overalls, and binoculars for the puffin trip. You also get the whale retry policy and a puffin sighting guarantee. Taken separately, two excursions can add up quickly, so the combo is reasonable for someone who already plans to take both.

The price feels less convincing if you are mainly interested in whales. Whale watching alone gives you a longer and more substantial outing, especially on Andrea, while the puffin trip is shorter. If you have already seen puffins elsewhere, you may not feel the extra cost is worthwhile.

I see the combo as a good use of money for families, first-time visitors to Iceland, and wildlife fans who want variety without arranging separate bookings. It is less appealing for a budget-focused visitor who would rather spend the money on one longer activity.

Hot drinks and refreshments are extra. That is a small point, but a useful one on a cold day, especially if you choose the longer classic whale trip.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the combo if you want a straightforward way to see Reykjavík’s marine wildlife and prefer an organized outing from the Old Harbor. Families should appreciate the spacious Andrea, indoor seating, and guides who keep the information lively.

It also suits photographers, though you should bring realistic expectations. You may get a striking humpback tail or a close puffin, but you may also get quick glimpses and distant movement. A camera with a good zoom helps, but watching the guide and keeping your eyes on the water matters more than having perfect equipment.

The trip is less suited to anyone who dislikes boats, has severe motion sickness, or needs a fixed schedule that cannot absorb weather changes. The whale portion can run long, and a rough sea can make the journey tiring even when the wildlife is good.

I would also choose your departure carefully. The express whale trip makes sense when time matters. The classic Andrea trip makes more sense when you want space, a cafeteria, and a calmer family setup.

Booking advice and final call

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help when Iceland’s weather may affect your plans.

Book this tour if you want both puffins and whales, value good guiding, and can accept that nature sets the schedule. The puffin trip offers the more reliable close encounter, while the whale trip offers the greater potential reward, along with the greater risk of a quiet day.

I would choose the express whale option when my Reykjavík schedule is tight, and the classic Andrea option when comfort matters more than speed. Either way, allow flexibility for weather, wear proper layers, and use the free retry ticket if the whales refuse to cooperate. For a first Iceland visit, the combination gives you a strong sample of the wildlife around Reykjavík without requiring a full day away from the city.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Both parts of the activity return to the harbor meeting point.

How long does the combo tour take?

The listed duration is about four hours. The classic whale tour lasts about three to three and a half hours, while the express whale tour lasts about two to two and a half hours. The puffin trip takes about one hour.

Can I take the two cruises on different days?

Yes. The whale and puffin trips are separate tours, so you do not have to take them on the same day.

What animals might I see?

Possible whale-watching sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. The puffin trip focuses on puffins and may also include other local bird life.

Is a whale sighting guaranteed?

No. If no whales are spotted, you receive a free ticket to try the whale tour again. Weather and animal behavior affect the sightings.

Is a puffin sighting guaranteed?

The tour includes a 100% puffin sightings guarantee. If no puffins are seen, you receive a free ticket to try again.

What should I wear?

Wear warm, comfortable clothing. Warm overalls are supplied, but layers and waterproof clothing are still sensible for Iceland’s changeable weather.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Hot drinks and refreshments are available to buy onboard, but they are not included in the tour price.