Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Wildlife is the star here. This Reykjavik combo pairs a close approach to puffin colonies with a longer search for whales in Faxaflói Bay, giving you two very different boat trips from the Old Harbor. I like the small Old Skuli boat, which can approach the puffin islands closely, and the warm overalls supplied for the whale trip. The main drawback is simple: whales are wild animals, and some trips see only a few distant blows or none at all.

I also like the choice of a classic or express whale boat. The express option reaches the whale-watching area faster, while the classic trip uses the spacious Andrea, Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat, with indoor seating and a cafeteria. The puffins are easier to find than the whales, but you may still see them from a respectful distance rather than right beside the boat.

The best parts of the combo at a glance

• Two separate sea trips: Take both excursions on one day or split them across your Reykjavik stay.
• Old Skuli reaches the puffin islands: Its shallow draft lets the boat get close to the small islands where puffins breed.
• Andrea is built for comfort: The large whale-watching boat has inside seating, a cafeteria, and room to move around.
• Common whale sightings include humpbacks and minkes: White-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises are also possible in Faxaflói Bay.
• A no-whale return ticket protects your plans: If the whale trip finds nothing, you can try again for free.
• Summer gives you the best odds: April through September is the recommended season for whale watching, while puffins are seasonal too.

Two Reykjavik boat trips with very different personalities

This is not one continuous cruise. It is a pair of separate excursions sold together, and that difference matters when you plan your day.

The puffin trip uses Skúlaskeið, nicknamed Old Skuli. It is a smaller boat with a shallow draft, suited to the waters around the nearby puffin islands. The ride is roughly an hour, including the journey out, time near the birds, and the return to Reykjavik Harbor.

The whale trip is longer and more open-ended. The classic version aboard Andrea lasts about three to three and a half hours. The express version uses a faster boat and takes about two to two and a half hours, but the time spent in the whale-watching area is intended to be the same. You simply spend less time getting there and back.

That gives you useful flexibility. If your Reykjavik schedule is tight, the express whale option saves time. If you want a larger boat, indoor seating, and a cafeteria, the classic Andrea trip is the better fit.

Puffin watching aboard Old Skuli

Puffin watching is the more reliable half of the outing. The birds breed on islands near Reykjavik, so the crew knows where to look, and the tour comes with a 100 percent puffin sightings guarantee.

Old Skuli is the right sort of boat for this job. Its shallow draft allows it to approach the islands more closely than a large vessel could. You should still expect a respectful viewing distance. The boat does not pull up beside individual birds for a portrait session, and the puffins are much smaller than many first-time visitors expect.

The birds may sit on the water, fly around the island, or gather near the cliffs. On productive days, you can see hundreds of them. Other seabirds may appear too, including black guillemots and gulls. One especially good sight is the constant movement around the colony: puffins coming and going, swimming, and competing with gulls for food.

Bring a camera if you like, but bring patience too. Puffins are quick, and a phone camera may struggle with a small bird moving across water while the boat rocks. Binoculars are available for the puffin tour, and they make a real difference. Use them first, then take photographs when the boat settles and the birds come into a clear view.

The guide is an important part of this hour-long trip. Guides such as Patrick have been praised for mixing bird facts with humor, which helps keep the short ride lively. The guides also explain the local bird life and why the boat keeps its distance. That respectful approach is worth your attention: seeing wildlife in its own setting is more rewarding than pushing in for a forced close-up.

One caution is crowding. The small boat can feel full, and people sitting outside may have trouble hearing every word from the guide. If the narration matters to you, try to position yourself where you can see and hear the guide clearly. The birds remain the main event, but the facts add meaning to what you are seeing.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The whale trip is the part that can produce the biggest thrills, but it also carries the greatest uncertainty. Faxaflói Bay is home to minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Sightings can range from a quick blow and tail to repeated appearances near the boat.

Humpback whales are the stars when they cooperate. They may lift their flukes, slap a fin, roll on their backs, or feed at the surface. Minke whales are smaller and often appear more briefly. Dolphins can travel beside the boat, adding fast-moving action while the crew searches for larger animals.

The guides do more than point at a fin. They explain how to spot a whale, why it may surface in a certain place, and what different behaviors mean. Guides including Alex, Oscar, and Celine have been singled out for clear explanations, energy, humor, and a strong interest in marine life. Those qualities matter on a whale trip because a good guide helps you keep watching the right patch of water without missing the moment.

The classic trip aboard Andrea is the comfort-first option. As Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat, it offers plenty of space, warm indoor seating, a cafeteria, and an educational focus. You can move outside for a better view, then return indoors when the wind gets sharp.

The express boat is a practical alternative. It reaches the whale area sooner than the larger boat, which means less time spent traveling across open water. You still receive the planned time in the viewing area, so the shorter overall duration does not necessarily mean a shorter whale search. It is a good choice if you have other plans in Reykjavik or prefer to spend less time at sea.

The tradeoff is comfort and space. A fast boat may feel less roomy than Andrea, and the sea can be rough. The crew supplies warm overalls, but you should still wear warm layers and comfortable clothing. Waterproof outerwear is a sensible addition, especially if the weather looks unsettled.

What happens when whales stay hidden

A whale trip is not a wildlife show with scheduled entrances. The crew can search, watch the water, and use years of local experience, but it cannot make an animal surface.

On some outings, the result is spectacular. Groups have seen more than 15 humpbacks, several minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins on the same trip. Other days bring a few tails, sprays, or distant sightings. Some trips find no whales at all.

The free return-ticket policy is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. If nothing is spotted, you can take another whale-watching trip without paying for a new ticket. This does not guarantee a better result, but it lowers the risk of spending your one chance on an unusually quiet day.

Weather is another factor. Captains decide whether to sail based on sea conditions, passenger comfort, and safety. A whale trip can be cancelled or changed if the water is too rough. One recent outing had its whale portion cancelled because of rough seas, while the puffin trip continued and the company arranged a refund for the cancelled portion.

If you are prone to seasickness, plan ahead. The bay can become choppy, especially on the longer classic trip. The crew has provided seasickness medicine on some departures, but you should ask about current arrangements before sailing and bring anything you normally use.

Choosing the right departure time

The schedule offers three main patterns:

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

The earlier departures combine both trips into one block, with a short return to the harbor between them. That is efficient, but it leaves little room for a relaxed meal or another activity in the middle.

The 12:30 PM option may feel easier if you prefer birds first and whales later. It also lets you start the day at a gentler pace. Check the exact availability when booking, since departure times can vary by date and weather.

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. The location is convenient for both boats, and the harbor setting gives you an easy start and finish without a long transfer across the city.

How much value do you get for $153?

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Iceland’s activities can be expensive, so you should decide if seeing both types of wildlife is a priority rather than assuming the combo is automatically a bargain.

The price covers two cruises, guides on both trips, indoor seating, warm overalls, and binoculars for puffin watching. The whale return-ticket promise adds value because whale sightings are never certain. You also have the option to take the two tours on different days, which can make the package easier to fit into a longer Reykjavik visit.

The strongest value comes when you genuinely want both experiences. Booking separate wildlife trips could cost more and require more planning, while this package puts the harbor logistics and guide service together. If you care mainly about whales, the puffin portion may feel expensive for an hour on the water. If you have already seen puffins elsewhere, the extra cost may not feel justified.

Food and hot drinks are not included. The Andrea has a cafeteria, so you can buy refreshments during the classic whale trip. Pack warm layers rather than relying only on the supplied overalls, and leave room in your budget for a drink or snack if you want one.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this combo to families, first-time visitors to Iceland, and anyone who wants a full half-day on the water without arranging two separate outings. The large whale boat is family-friendly, the guides keep the trips educational, and the puffin ride is short enough for children who may not want several hours at sea.

It also suits anyone who likes natural history but does not need a guaranteed close encounter. The guides explain what you are seeing, and the trips offer a good introduction to Iceland’s marine and bird life.

You may want a different plan if you need a strict schedule, dislike open water, or expect documentary-style whale breaches. The wildlife can be quiet, the sea can be rough, and the puffins may look small in photographs even when they are easy to see through binoculars.

The best season and what to pack

April through September is the recommended period for whale watching, with the strongest practical odds during the summer months. The puffin season also affects what you see. Late in the puffin season, the birds may still be present in good numbers, but conditions can vary.

Wear warm clothing and comfortable clothes. The supplied overalls help keep wind and spray off, but they are not a substitute for layers. A waterproof jacket, warm socks, and gloves are sensible choices for anyone planning to spend time outside on deck.

Bring binoculars if you own a pair. The tour supplies them for the puffin trip, but demand may be high, and your own pair can make it easier to follow birds and distant whales. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking at a screen. A whale may surface for only a few seconds.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want both puffins and whales in one well-organized half-day, especially during Iceland’s April to September wildlife season. The puffin guarantee, free whale return ticket, warm overalls, and strong guiding make the package less risky than a whale-only outing.

Choose express whale watching if time matters or you prefer to reach the viewing area quickly. Choose Andrea’s classic trip if you want more space, indoor seating, and a cafeteria. If you are unsure, remember the key distinction: puffins are usually the safer bet, while whales provide the bigger potential reward but never a promise.

At $153, the combo earns its price when both wildlife experiences matter to you. For a visitor who wants one memorable morning on Faxaflói Bay, it offers a practical way to see Iceland’s birds, whales, dolphins, and wide-open sea in a single Reykjavik stay.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

How long does the combo tour last?

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

Can I take the two boat trips on different days?

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

Which whale species might I see?

The most common sightings in Faxaflói Bay are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching tour again if nothing is spotted.

Are binoculars provided?

Binoculars are available for the puffin tour. They are useful because the puffins may remain at a respectful distance from the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Hot drinks and refreshments are available to buy, including from the cafeteria on the Andrea boat during the classic whale trip.