Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is the two-part wildlife plan: large-boat whale watching followed by a smaller craft that can get close to puffin islands. You get two very different views of Iceland’s Atlantic life in one booking, from open-water whale searches to close bird watching near shore.

I like the expert commentary and practical extras, including free WiFi, binoculars on the puffin boat, and seasickness tablets. I also like the free return whale-watching ticket if no whales appear. The main drawback is that the combo uses two separate departures, and rough weather can cancel or change the puffin portion.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat trips: Choose the whale-watching departure, then join a later puffin cruise.
• Two timing options: Whale watching leaves at 9:00 with puffins at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 with puffins at 17:00.
• Different boats for different jobs: The whale trip uses a larger vessel, while the puffin outing uses a smaller boat built to approach the islands.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: Humpback and minke whales are the main targets, and a free return ticket is offered if no whales are seen.
• Good onboard support: English-speaking guides, WiFi, binoculars for the puffin trip, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• Weather matters: One August booking included only the whale cruise because conditions were too poor for the puffin boat.

Two Atlantic wildlife trips in one Reykjavik outing

This experience gives you a useful pairing. Whale watching needs room to move across open water, so it takes place on a larger vessel and can last about two to three and a half hours. Puffin watching works differently. The smaller boat is specially designed to approach the nearby islands, where binoculars help you pick out birds along the rocky edges.

The published total duration is four hours, but you should think of the booking as two separate tours rather than one continuous cruise. The chosen schedule determines your day: a 9:00 whale departure is followed by puffins at 12:30, while the 13:00 whale departure is followed by puffins at 17:00.

That gap is important. You are not simply staying aboard and switching activities. Plan your day around both departure times, and arrive at the harbor with enough time to get organized for the first boat.

Starting at Geirsgata 11 in the Old Harbour

Your meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure, since pickup is not included and you need to reach the correct harbor meeting point on your own.

The Old Harbour is a practical starting place for a marine outing from central Reykjavik. Once you are checked in, the tour moves quickly from city streets to open Atlantic water. Bring your warmest sensible layers, even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave. Wind on the water can make the temperature feel much lower.

A waterproof camera is a smart choice. You may be watching a whale one moment and facing spray the next, and ordinary camera gear is not well suited to wet conditions. Binoculars are useful for general wildlife watching, though the puffin boat supplies them for that portion.

What the whale-watching cruise is really like

The whale portion uses a larger vessel and lasts approximately two to three and a half hours. Your guides explain whale behavior and habitat while you search the water for humpback and minke whales.

The open-water setting is the point. You are not visiting an aquarium or a fixed viewing platform. The boat must search for animals that surface on their own schedule, which makes the trip exciting but also uncertain. A humpback may give you a dramatic sighting, while another outing may involve long periods of scanning the sea.

That uncertainty is worth understanding before you spend $153. The tour includes a free ticket to join again if no whales are spotted, which softens the risk. It does not mean every trip will produce a close encounter, but it gives you another chance if the first cruise is quiet.

The recorded experience from August shows both sides of the outing. One person saw so many whales that the cruise was described as superb, while another dryly noted that there could have been more whales. That is a fair picture of wildlife watching: conditions can be favorable, but nature does not follow a schedule.

One particularly positive detail concerns Daniel, a guide praised for being lively and helpful during a whale trip. Guide quality matters here because the boat ride is not only about spotting a fin. Good explanations help you understand what you are looking at and keep the quieter stretches from feeling empty.

Searching for humpback and minke whales

Humpback and minke whales are the main species named for this outing. Your guide shares information about their behavior and habitat as you search the Atlantic.

Humpbacks can create memorable moments when they surface, but you should not expect a performance on demand. Minke whales are also quick-moving animals, so keeping your attention on the water matters. The crew’s guidance is useful because you may otherwise miss a brief appearance.

Bring patience. The advertised free return ticket for no sightings is a sign that the operator recognizes the limits of wildlife excursions. You are paying for time at sea, professional guidance, and the opportunity to see wild animals, not a guaranteed whale show.

The boat provides free WiFi, which is a handy small touch during the cruise. It will not replace looking out to sea, but it gives you a practical way to stay connected during slower stretches. Seasickness tablets are also available at no extra charge. If you often feel motion sick, bring your own preferred prevention as well and take the issue seriously before leaving the harbor.

Moving to the smaller puffin boat

The puffin portion lasts about one hour and uses a specially designed smaller boat. Its purpose is to get close to the islands where puffins gather, giving you a more intimate look than the larger whale-watching vessel can provide.

Binoculars are supplied onboard. That matters because puffins are small birds, and the best viewing position can still leave them some distance away. You can watch the colonies against Iceland’s coastal scenery while the guide explains the birds and their habitat.

This part feels different from whale watching. The whale trip is a broad search over moving water. The puffin outing focuses your attention on fixed island colonies and the changing activity around them. If you enjoy birds or photography, the smaller boat may be the most distinctive part of the combination.

The tradeoff is weather. The puffin boat is more affected by rough conditions than the larger vessel. During one August outing, the whale trip went ahead but the puffin boat was not used because the weather was too poor for that craft. You should treat the two activities as connected in your booking but separate in operation.

The company may also share a boat with another activity partner at certain times of year for environmental reasons. The stated goal is to keep the sea cleaner by sending fewer boats onto the water. That can mean the exact boat arrangement changes, but the reason is straightforward: fewer vessels can reduce pressure on the marine setting.

Choosing between the 9:00 and 13:00 departures

You choose the whale-watching departure when booking. The available combinations are:

• Whale watching at 9:00, puffin tour at 12:30
• Whale watching at 13:00, puffin tour at 17:00

The early option gives you a wildlife-focused morning and early afternoon. The later option keeps your morning free and places the two activities later in the day. The important point is to book based on the full pair of times, not just the whale departure.

Because the tours are separate, check that you have enough time between them for the transition. The information provided identifies the two departure times but does not promise a particular transfer arrangement between boats. You should be ready to follow the operator’s instructions at the harbor.

A four-hour activity label also needs a little care. The whale trip can last up to three and a half hours, and the puffin trip takes about one hour, so the day’s exact rhythm can vary. The time between departures and any changes caused by weather are part of the practical picture.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Reykjavik. The value comes from combining two marine excursions rather than paying for a single boat ride.

You are getting a longer whale cruise on a larger vessel, a separate puffin trip on a purpose-built smaller boat, English-speaking guides, free WiFi, binoculars for the puffin outing, and seasickness tablets. The free return whale ticket also adds value if the first outing produces no sightings.

I would consider the price reasonable for someone who already wants both experiences. Booking two separate wildlife trips may cost more, and the combo removes some planning work. It is less compelling if you only care about whales, since the puffin portion is weather-sensitive and adds to the cost.

The value also depends on your expectations. A successful day can deliver both whales and puffins, as happened during one August outing when many whales and puffins were seen. But you are still buying access and guidance in a wild setting, not a guarantee of close encounters.

Seasickness, clothing, and weather

The operator lists this activity as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness. That warning deserves attention. You will spend time on the Atlantic aboard two types of boats, and the smaller puffin vessel may feel different from the larger whale boat.

Wear warm clothing and bring motion sickness prevention. Complimentary tablets are available, but you may prefer to use a product you already know. A waterproof camera is recommended, and smoking and pets are not allowed.

Weather can affect the schedule or the boat used. The clearest example is the August trip that included whales but not puffins because conditions were too rough for the smaller craft. This is not a flaw in the wildlife itself, but it is a real consideration when you are fitting the outing into a short Iceland visit.

If the sea is rough, keep your plans flexible after the cruise. The whale trip may operate while the puffin portion is adjusted, shared, or canceled. The operator’s environmental policy can also mean using a shared boat with another activity partner at certain times of year.

Who will enjoy this combo most?

I would choose this for you if you want a full marine wildlife day from Reykjavik and like the idea of seeing two very different species groups. It suits people who enjoy open-water searching, patient observation, and changing weather.

It is also a good match for families and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Iceland’s coastal wildlife, provided everyone can manage boat travel. The guide’s explanations add useful context, while the binoculars and smaller boat make the puffin visit more focused.

I would hesitate if you are highly prone to seasickness, need a fully fixed schedule, or want a guaranteed close-up wildlife encounter. I would also think twice if your main goal is only whales. In that case, a whale-only trip may be a simpler choice, though this package gives you another chance to see wildlife in a different setting.

Booking details that matter

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still moving around.

The tours are conducted in English with a live guide. No hotel pickup is included, so you must make your way to Geirsgata 11 and arrive 30 minutes early.

The activity provider offers a free ticket to join the whale trip again if no sightings occur. Ask about the process at the harbor if your cruise is unsuccessful, since the practical use of that return option depends on available departures.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale and puffin tour?

Book it if seeing both whales and puffins is high on your Iceland list, and you can accept a little uncertainty from the sea. The combination is well planned in concept: a large boat searches the Atlantic, then a smaller craft brings you near puffin islands.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the two distinct outings, the smaller puffin boat, useful onboard supplies, and the free return whale ticket. Guide Daniel’s praised approach is another encouraging sign, though guide assignments can vary.

Skip it if motion sickness is a serious concern or if your schedule cannot handle two separate departures. For most wildlife-minded visitors with a flexible half-day, $153 buys a worthwhile chance to see Iceland’s marine life without leaving Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.

What departure times are available?

The combinations are whale watching at 9:00 followed by puffins at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 followed by puffins at 17:00.

Do I choose the whale or puffin departure when booking?

You choose the whale-watching departure time. The puffin departure is paired with it according to the available schedule.

Are the whale and puffin trips separate tours?

Yes. The combo booking includes two different tours with two separate departures.

How long is each boat trip?

The whale-watching trip takes approximately two to three and a half hours. The puffin tour takes about one hour.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching trip again in case of no sightings.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold onboard but are not included in the price.