Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Wildlife comes with no guarantees. This Reykjavik combination tour pairs a whale-watching cruise with a close look at puffin colonies near the city, giving you two chances to meet Iceland’s famous sea life in one outing. I like the easy Old Harbour departure and the fact that the puffin boat is designed to get close to the islands. I also like the practical extras, including WiFi, binoculars for the puffin trip, and free seasickness tablets.

The main catch is simple: animals make the schedule, not the tour company. You might see many whales, as one August outing did, or wish for more, as another booking noted. Bad weather can also stop the puffin boat from running, so bring warm waterproof clothing and keep your expectations flexible.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat trips: Choose either the 09:00 whale cruise followed by puffins at 12:30, or the 13:00 whale cruise followed by puffins at 17:00.
• The boats serve different purposes: Whale watching uses a larger vessel for roughly 2 to 3.5 hours, while the puffin outing lasts about 1 hour on a smaller boat.
• Old Harbour departure: Meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, and arrive 30 minutes before the whale departure.
• Wildlife sightings are not promised: If no whales appear, you receive a free ticket to join the whale trip again.
• Useful onboard help: WiFi is available, and seasickness tablets are offered, though people prone to motion sickness should think carefully before booking.
• Two strong seasonal highlights: Humpback and minke whales are the main targets, while nearby islands provide the puffin viewing.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your day begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the whale-watching departure, not at the exact sailing time.

The meeting point is handy for anyone already staying in central Reykjavik. It also gives you a simple starting point for seeing the harbor area before the boat leaves. Keep your confirmation details close, since the whale and puffin trips are separate departures rather than one continuous cruise.

You select the whale-watching time when booking:

• Whale watching at 09:00, puffin tour at 12:30
• Whale watching at 13:00, puffin tour at 17:00

That distinction matters. You are not booking one boat that stays out all day. You are booking two outings with a gap between them. The first combination gives you a shorter break between boats. The second leaves more time between trips, which may be useful if you want to eat, warm up, or spend time around the harbor.

The whale cruise into the Atlantic

The whale portion takes place on a larger boat and lasts about 2 to 3.5 hours. The exact length can vary, which makes sense for a wildlife trip. The crew may need time to reach areas where whales are active, and the boat cannot simply run a fixed sightseeing loop and guarantee a sighting.

The cruise heads into the Atlantic, with Iceland’s coast around you as you move away from the harbor. The main species named for this outing are humpback whales and minke whales. Your English-speaking guide explains their behavior and habitat while you watch the water.

That guidance adds real value. A whale appearing for a few seconds can be easy to miss if you do not know what to watch for. The crew’s job is not only to point toward an animal, but also to help you understand what you are seeing and why the boat is moving or waiting.

The best approach is to dress for the boat, not for the weather at the ticket office. Warm layers and waterproof clothing are specifically recommended. A waterproof camera is also sensible. The Atlantic can feel much colder than the streets of Reykjavik, and spray is part of the deal.

You may use the free WiFi while onboard, though the real reason to stay outside is the chance of a sighting. Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not let the screen take over. A whale can surface and disappear before you have finished adjusting the settings.

What happens if the whales stay hidden

Wildlife trips need an honest policy, and this one includes a free ticket to join again if no whales are seen. That does not erase the cost of your time, but it does reduce the risk of paying for a completely empty search.

You should still treat the return ticket as a backup rather than a promise that you can fit in another cruise. Your schedule may not allow a second attempt, especially if you are leaving Reykjavik soon. If whale watching is the main reason you are booking, leave enough room in your itinerary to use the extra trip if needed.

The sightings can vary sharply. One August outing was described as producing many whales and a very enjoyable puffin trip. Another person, despite giving the outing a top rating, wished there had been more whales. That contrast tells you exactly how to think about the tour: the guides can take you to the right areas and explain what is happening, but they cannot call up a humpback on demand.

Guide Daniel received especially warm praise for his work during a whale trip affected by poor weather. That is useful context. A good guide matters most when conditions are less than perfect, since clear explanations and steady attention can make the search feel purposeful even when nature is not cooperating.

Meeting puffins from the smaller boat

The puffin portion lasts about 1 hour and uses a smaller boat built to get as close to the nearby islands as possible. That design is one of the strongest reasons to choose the combo instead of treating puffins as a distant extra.

The islands provide a coastal setting for the colonies, and binoculars are provided onboard. You can watch the birds against the cliffs and surrounding water without needing to bring your own optical gear. Still, if you already own compact binoculars, bringing them is reasonable, especially if you prefer your own focus and fit.

Puffins are small birds, so close approach matters. The smaller boat should make the viewing feel more immediate than watching from a large vessel far offshore. The outing is also much shorter than the whale cruise, which makes it a manageable second activity rather than another long stretch at sea.

The puffin trip is more exposed to weather concerns. On one occasion, the conditions were too poor for the boat used for the puffin outing, while the whale cruise went ahead and produced excellent whale viewing. You should understand this before paying for the combo: the two parts do not have identical weather limits.

That separate-boat arrangement is also why the timing deserves attention. The morning plan has whale watching at 09:00 and puffins at 12:30. The afternoon plan starts whale watching at 13:00 and runs the puffin trip at 17:00. Check the full schedule carefully so you do not confuse the chosen whale departure with the puffin departure.

How the four-hour plan fits your day

The advertised duration is 4 hours, but the detailed schedule gives you a whale cruise of about 2 to 3.5 hours plus a puffin trip of about 1 hour. Because the boats are separate and the whale portion can vary, you should protect some flexibility around the stated duration.

The morning combination is the tighter option. After the 09:00 whale departure, the puffin boat leaves at 12:30. That gives you a useful interval, but a delayed whale return could make the connection uncomfortable. The afternoon combination offers more breathing room, with the whale boat at 13:00 and puffins at 17:00.

I would choose the morning plan if you want to free your afternoon for Reykjavik sightseeing and can be ready early. I would choose the afternoon plan if you prefer a slower start or want more space between the two boats.

Do not assume you can eat onboard during the gap. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, but they are not included in the price. Bring something suitable or plan to buy refreshments, especially if you select the longer whale departure and have a full afternoon ahead.

Comfort, seasickness, and what to pack

The operator offers complimentary seasickness tablets and free WiFi. Those are welcome touches, but the tour is still not a good choice for someone who is strongly prone to seasickness. The activity specifically lists motion-sensitive passengers as unsuitable.

If you are uncertain, prepare before sailing rather than waiting until the boat moves. Eat lightly, use the available medication as appropriate, and spend time where the crew recommends. The tablets are a helpful backup, not a guarantee of comfort.

Pack:

• Warm layers
• Waterproof outer clothing
• A waterproof camera or phone protection
• Binoculars if you prefer your own pair
• Motion sickness prevention

Smoking and pets are not allowed. The trip is conducted in English, with live guides explaining the animals and the outing as it unfolds.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap harbor activity. The value depends on whether you want both wildlife outings. You are paying for a larger whale-watching cruise, a separate puffin trip, professional guides, onboard WiFi, binoculars during the puffin outing, seasickness tablets, and a free return whale ticket if no whales appear.

The price makes more sense if puffins are important to you. Booking two activities separately could take more planning, and the small boat is designed specifically for getting near the islands. The combo also uses your time efficiently, with the two outings scheduled on the same day.

The value is weaker if your main goal is simply to get on the water for a short ride. The whale cruise can last several hours, and the animals may be scarce. You are paying for access, guiding, and the chance to see wildlife in its natural setting, not for a guaranteed performance.

I would also factor in the cost of food and any extra transportation to the harbor. Pickup is not included, and drinks and snacks cost extra. These are small additions compared with the ticket price, but they matter when you are planning a full day.

Weather, shared boats, and environmental choices

At certain times of year, the operator may share a boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons. The aim is to keep fewer boats on the water and reduce pressure on the marine setting.

That may mean the boat is not branded exactly as you expected, but it also reflects a practical choice. Fewer vessels can help keep the harbor and surrounding waters less crowded. You should view shared operation as a possible part of the schedule rather than a flaw.

Weather can change the plan, especially for the puffin outing. The strongest evidence comes from the split result described earlier: rough conditions stopped the smaller puffin boat, while the larger whale vessel still went out. Pack for wind and spray, and avoid booking this as your only major activity on the final few hours of your Iceland trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Reykjavik schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to arrive on time for the selected departure.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the combo to you if:

• You want both whales and puffins in one Reykjavik outing
• You are comfortable spending several hours at sea
• You enjoy guided wildlife watching rather than fixed sightseeing
• You can handle cool, windy, and possibly rough conditions
• You have enough schedule flexibility to cope with weather changes
• You like the idea of a smaller boat for closer island viewing

Families and wildlife fans may appreciate the variety, though anyone sensitive to motion should think twice. The two boat sizes create a useful contrast: a larger vessel for the open-water search, then a smaller craft for the islands and puffin colonies.

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed animal sighting, dislike boats, or have only a narrow window before another booking. The free repeat ticket helps with whale uncertainty, but it cannot guarantee that you will have time for another cruise.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want a full marine wildlife day and can accept that nature sets the terms. The strongest reasons are the two-part format, the specially designed puffin boat, the onboard binoculars, and the free whale trip if no sightings occur.

I would choose the 09:00 whale and 12:30 puffin plan when you want your afternoon free. Pick the 13:00 whale and 17:00 puffin plan if you want a slower morning and a larger buffer between boats. Dress warmly, bring waterproof camera protection, and keep food plans in mind.

This is a good use of a Reykjavik day for someone who values real wildlife encounters over guaranteed photo opportunities. Just remember: the whales and puffins are not performers, and the best tour can only put you in the right place.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You should arrive 30 minutes before the whale-watching departure.

What departure combinations are available?

You can choose whale watching at 09:00 followed by the puffin tour at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 followed by puffins at 17:00.

Are the whale and puffin trips on the same boat?

No. The combo includes two separate tours with two departures. Whale watching uses a larger boat, while the puffin trip uses a smaller boat.

How long does each boat trip last?

The whale-watching trip lasts about 2 to 3.5 hours. The puffin tour lasts about 1 hour.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching trip again if there are no sightings.

Are food and hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, and snacks and drinks are sold onboard. Complimentary WiFi and seasickness tablets are available.