Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Whales and puffins give you two very different views of Iceland’s Atlantic life in one booking. The whale trip uses a large vessel for open-water searching, while the puffin trip uses a smaller boat designed to get close to the islands. I like the free return ticket if no whales are seen and the practical touches, including WiFi, binoculars on the puffin boat, and seasickness tablets. The catch is simple: wildlife follows its own timetable, and one recent outing had rough weather that canceled the puffin boat.

I also like the clear pairing of departures, with a morning option at 09:00 and 12:30 or an afternoon option at 13:00 and 17:00. Do not treat this as one continuous cruise, though. It is two separate tours with two departures, so check the schedule carefully and allow enough time between them.

Key points at a glance

• Two boats, two kinds of wildlife: A large vessel searches for whales, while a smaller boat approaches puffin islands.
• Humpback and minke whales: Sightings take place in the animals’ natural Atlantic habitat, not in a controlled setting.
• Puffin binoculars included: You can use onboard binoculars during the approximately one-hour island trip.
• Two departure combinations: Choose 09:00 whale watching with 12:30 puffins, or 13:00 whale watching with 17:00 puffins.
• Useful onboard extras: WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets are available, and a free return whale ticket applies if no sightings occur.
• Weather matters: The puffin trip may be canceled in poor conditions, so keep your plans flexible.

Two Atlantic outings from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This experience begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area. You should arrive 30 minutes before your selected whale-watching departure. The port setting gets you into the right frame of mind quickly: you are leaving the city behind and heading toward open water, with Iceland’s coast as your first view.

The booking combines a whale-watching cruise and a puffin trip, but the two outings are separate. The whale cruise lasts about two to three and a half hours, depending on conditions and how long the boat spends searching. The puffin trip lasts about one hour and uses a different, smaller boat.

That distinction matters when you plan your day. You select the whale-watching time when you book, then follow the matching puffin departure. The available combinations are:

• 09:00 whale watching and 12:30 puffin tour
• 13:00 whale watching and 17:00 puffin tour

The morning pairing gives you the wildlife activities earlier, leaving the later part of the day open. The afternoon pairing allows a slower start, but the puffin tour finishes at 17:00. I would choose based on your wider Reykjavik plans, not on a vague hope that one time is better for sightings. The animals and the weather remain the bigger factors.

Searching for humpback and minke whales

The whale-watching portion takes place on a larger vessel, which is better suited to the open Atlantic than the small puffin boat. You sail away from Reykjavik and search for humpback and minke whales in their natural surroundings. The point is not a guaranteed parade of fins. It is the chance to watch wild animals appear on their own terms.

Humpbacks can make a strong impression when they surface, while minke whales are often quicker and harder to spot. The guides explain whale behavior and habitat as you go, helping you understand what you are looking for rather than simply scanning the sea without context.

The length of the cruise can vary from two to three and a half hours. That range is useful to know before you book. A shorter outing may suit you if you have a packed Reykjavik schedule, while the longer possible duration gives the crew more time to search when sightings are not immediate.

The sighting policy adds some welcome value. If no whales are seen, you receive a free ticket to join again. That does not remove the risk of spending time on the water without a sighting, but it makes the $153 price easier to accept. You are paying for experienced guiding, boat time, and a second chance if nature refuses to cooperate.

One recent trip produced an especially strong whale experience, with several whales seen even though poor weather prevented the puffin outing. That is a useful reminder that the two portions do not always share the same conditions. Sea state, wind, and boat type can affect each activity differently.

Puffin islands from a smaller boat

The puffin outing changes the mood. Instead of spending hours scanning open water from a larger ship, you move aboard a smaller boat built to get close to the islands. The route takes you toward puffin colonies, with the birds set against Iceland’s coastal scenery.

You receive binoculars onboard, which is important. Puffins are small, and even a close approach does not mean every bird will sit a few feet away for a perfect photograph. The binoculars let you watch the colonies with less strain and pick out activity along the island edges.

The smaller craft is one of the strongest parts of the combination. It is specially designed to approach the islands as closely as conditions allow. That gives you a more direct view than you might get from a large whale-watching ship, though it also means the trip is more exposed to rough weather.

Bring a waterproof camera, not just a phone. Sea spray and changing weather are part of the setting, and a damp camera can end a photo session quickly. Warm clothing is also essential. Even if Reykjavik feels mild at the dock, the open water can feel much colder.

The puffin outing lasts about one hour, so it is focused rather than drawn out. You get a compact wildlife trip built around the islands and their colonies. If your main goal is close puffin viewing, this add-on gives you a better chance than trying to spot puffins from the larger whale vessel.

Why the guides and boat setup matter

An English-speaking guide accompanies the activity and explains the animals’ behavior and habitat. That information gives the trip more substance, especially during quiet periods when the boat is searching and nothing is immediately visible.

The guides also help set realistic expectations. Whale watching is not a show with a fixed start time. The crew can search, explain what to watch for, and take you into the right areas, but no guide can order a humpback or minke whale to surface.

One guide named Daniel received particular praise after a day with excellent whale sightings. You should not assume the same guide will lead your departure, but the detail points to the value of the human side of the trip. A good guide can make a quiet stretch at sea feel useful rather than wasted.

The boats serve different purposes. The large whale-watching vessel offers a platform for a longer search. The smaller puffin boat is made for island access and closer viewing. That division makes sense, but it also means you should prepare for two distinct rides, not one boat with a quick change of subject.

Free WiFi is available onboard. It is not the reason to book a sea trip, but it is useful if you need to stay in touch or share a sighting. Complimentary seasickness tablets are also available. I would still bring your preferred motion-sickness prevention if you know you are sensitive, since the activity is not considered suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Weather, comfort, and the honest limits of wildlife viewing

I would place weather near the top of your decision list. The tour runs into the Atlantic, and the puffin boat in particular may be affected by poor conditions. One outing went ahead for whale watching but could not use the boat planned for the puffin trip because the weather was too rough.

That is not a flaw in the wildlife itself, but it is a real planning issue. If seeing puffins is your main reason for booking, do not schedule this on the only free afternoon of a short Reykjavik visit unless you can accept a change of plan. You might get a free whale-watching return ticket if whales are absent, but the same arrangement does not promise that a canceled puffin departure will fit neatly into your schedule.

Wear layers, a warm outer jacket, and waterproof clothing. The official advice calls for warm clothes, a waterproof camera, binoculars, and motion-sickness prevention. Binoculars are supplied for the puffin tour, but bringing your own can still help during the whale trip.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. Snacks and drinks are not included, though food and beverages are sold onboard. That means you can buy something during the outing, but you should not treat the ticket as a full meal package.

Is $153 a fair price for both trips?

At $153 per person, this is not a bargain-priced harbor ride. It can still be good value if you want both whale watching and puffins and would otherwise book two separate activities.

You are paying for roughly four hours of scheduled wildlife time, though the individual outings have their own durations and departures. The price also includes professional guides, WiFi, seasickness tablets, binoculars for the puffin tour, and a free return whale ticket if no sightings occur.

The value is strongest for someone who would actively choose both experiences. If you only want a quick look at puffins, a standalone puffin trip may fit better. If whales are your main goal, book the whale outing on its own and judge the combination less by the number of attractions and more by the extra chance to see Icelandic birdlife.

The sighting guarantee improves the calculation. You are not promised whales, and you should not read it that way. You do receive another chance if the whale search comes up empty, which is a fair response to the uncertainty of wild-animal viewing.

Planning the day without a scheduling mistake

The booking process asks you to choose the whale-watching departure, not the puffin departure independently. Select 09:00 and you are paired with the 12:30 puffin trip. Select 13:00 and you are paired with the 17:00 puffin trip.

Arrive at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office, 30 minutes before the whale departure. Since the activities are separate, keep your ticket details handy and pay attention to the second departure time.

Pick the morning combination if you want to complete both outings earlier. Pick the afternoon combination if a later start works better for you. I would avoid booking another fixed activity too close to either departure, since the whale cruise can last anywhere from two to three and a half hours and weather can affect the day.

Pickup service is not included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point. That is easy to understand, but it matters if you are staying outside central Reykjavik or planning a tight connection from another activity.

The booking allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if the forecast looks uncertain, though they do not guarantee good sea conditions on the day you go.

Who should book this Reykjavik wildlife combo?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full wildlife morning or afternoon and like the idea of seeing two types of animals from two different boats. It suits people who value natural encounters over guaranteed close-up views.

Families and casual wildlife fans may appreciate the variety, but anyone prone to seasickness should think twice. The Atlantic can be demanding, and the activity provider specifically lists seasickness-prone people as unsuitable.

Photographers should bring waterproof gear and keep expectations sensible. You may get memorable whale or puffin images, but wild animals do not pose on cue. The best part may be watching behavior through binoculars rather than filling a memory card.

This is also a good fit if you have enough time in Reykjavik to accept a weather change. The strongest day may bring both whales and puffins, but a rough day can alter the plan. One recent outing had poor conditions for the puffin boat yet excellent whale sightings, so the two halves can produce very different results.

Should you book the whale and puffin tour?

Book it if you want both species, can handle a few hours at sea, and have room in your schedule for weather-related changes. The smaller puffin boat, onboard binoculars, clear departure pairings, and free whale return ticket give the $153 price real practical value.

Choose a different plan if you mainly want a guaranteed attraction, dislike boat motion, or cannot adjust your schedule. The whale trip can be excellent, as one outing showed with many sightings and praise for guide Daniel, but another day could bring fewer whales or cancel the puffin boat.

For the best chance of enjoying it, dress warmly, arrive early, take seasickness precautions, and remember that the goal is not a staged animal show. You are heading into the Atlantic to see what nature offers that day. That uncertainty is the risk, and also the reason a sudden whale surface or a crowded puffin island can feel special.

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 selected 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 the puffin tour at 17:00.

Is this one continuous boat trip?

No. The booking includes two different and separate tours with two departures.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The whale-watching outing takes approximately two to three and a half hours.

How long is the puffin tour?

The puffin tour lasts approximately one hour and uses a smaller boat specially designed to approach the islands.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are provided onboard the puffin tour.

What happens if no whales are seen?

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

Is pickup service included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide conducts the activity in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard, but they are not included in the ticket price.