Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Reykjavík’s ocean wildlife is the star here. One boat takes you close to puffin islands, while another heads into Faxaflói Bay in search of humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. On a good day, you may watch humpbacks slap their fins, roll onto their backs, or surface beside the boat.

I like the two different boats, since the shallow-draft Old Skúli is suited to bird watching and the large Andrea gives you room, indoor seating, and a cafeteria. I also like the warm overalls and free retry policy, which make Iceland’s changeable weather less of a worry. The main drawback is simple: whale watching depends on wild animals and sea conditions. You could see a spectacular display, or only a few distant blows.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate cruises: You can take both tours on one day or schedule them separately.
• Old Skúli for puffins: Its shallow draught lets it approach the small islands where puffins breed.
• Andrea for whales: The large vessel offers indoor seating, a cafeteria, warm overalls, and an educational focus.
• Express option available: The faster whale boat reaches the viewing area sooner, while keeping the same time there.
• Puffin sightings are guaranteed: If puffins are not seen, you receive another ticket. If no whales appear, you can also try again for free.
• Best season: April through September generally gives you the strongest chance of seeing whales.

Two kinds of wildlife, two very different boat trips

This is not one long cruise with a quick bird stop. It is a combination of two separate outings from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, each designed around a different kind of animal.

The puffin cruise uses Skúlaskeið, better known as Old Skúli. It is a small boat with a shallow draught, so it can approach the low islands near Reykjavík where puffins gather. The ride to the islands is about an hour in total, with roughly 20 minutes out, time near the birds, and the return trip. Exact time near the colony can vary.

The whale trip is a larger-scale outing into Faxaflói Bay. The classic version on Andrea lasts about three to three and a half hours. Andrea is described as Iceland’s biggest whale-watching boat, with plenty of indoor seating and a cafeteria. That size matters when the sea gets choppy or when you need a break from the wind.

You can also choose the express whale cruise. This uses a faster boat and takes about two to two and a half hours, but the point is not to cut down your time watching whales. The faster ride gets you to the viewing area sooner, leaving a similar amount of time for searching.

Puffin watching from Old Skúli

Puffins are the easier wildlife target here because the birds return to breeding islands. You are not searching a huge bay for a moving animal. Instead, the guide takes you toward known colonies and explains what you are seeing as the boat moves along the shore.

Old Skúli’s shallow hull is the reason this boat works well for the job. It can get closer to the small islands than a large vessel, although close is a relative word. You should not expect to step ashore or have puffins sitting within arm’s reach. The boat must keep a respectful distance from the colony, and the birds may still look small from the water.

You may see puffins flying, swimming, and jostling around the islands. Other seabirds can appear too, including black guillemots and gulls. One of the more memorable sights is the sheer motion of the colony: birds dropping toward the water, circling the island, and returning with food.

Bring patience and use the binoculars. Binoculars are available for the puffin trip, and they make a real difference. Puffins are difficult to photograph with a phone, particularly when the boat is rocking. I would watch first and take pictures second. A camera with a strong zoom helps, but the birds are still moving targets.

The guides are an important part of this shorter trip. Patrick, known for mixing bird facts with jokes, has led tours that families especially enjoyed. Other guides may lead your departure, but the format remains the same: watch the colony, learn about puffin behavior, and keep an eye out for other birds.

The puffin trip also carries a 100 percent sightings guarantee. If puffins are not seen, you receive another ticket. Since the birds live on the islands during the breeding period, the bird portion is generally more predictable than the whale portion, though weather can still affect sailing.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

The whale cruise has a bigger sense of possibility. Faxaflói Bay is home to minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. You may see one species or several on the same outing.

Humpbacks are the most dramatic sight. They may surface with a tall blow, show their backs, lift their tails, or slap a fin on the water. Minke whales are smaller and often quicker to disappear. Dolphins can be even harder to follow because they move fast and may appear beside the boat without warning.

The guides do more than point toward a fin. They explain how to spot a blow, why a whale might surface in a certain way, and how to tell one species from another. Guides named Alex, Oscar, and Celine have been especially praised for clear explanations, humor, and quick directions when animals appear. The quality of that commentary matters because a whale may surface for only a few seconds.

The classic trip on Andrea is the better choice if you want space and a steadier platform. The boat has warm indoor seating and a cafeteria, so you can move inside between sightings. Crew-supplied overalls help with wind and spray, but you should still wear warm clothing underneath.

The express boat makes sense if you have a tight schedule or prefer less time in transit. At the 10:00 AM departure, the express whale tour is followed by the 12:30 PM puffin cruise. You still spend the same amount of time in the whale-watching area, according to the operator, but you reach it faster.

The 9:00 AM departure uses the classic whale cruise first, followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. The 12:30 PM departure begins with the puffin trip and follows with express whale watching at 2:00 PM. Check the exact schedule before you book, since the order affects how your day feels.

What the timing means for your day

The advertised duration is four hours, but the two activities have separate departures and transfers. In practice, you return to the harbor between trips. One earlier departure described a short changeover at the harbor before boarding the second vessel.

That break is useful. You can use it to visit the restroom, buy a drink, or gather yourself before going back onto the water. It also means you should not treat the experience as a single uninterrupted cruise.

If you take the 9:00 AM classic whale trip, you will be on the water for most of the morning and then move to the puffin boat at 12:30 PM. The 10:00 AM express option is more efficient for whale watching. The 12:30 PM combination starts with puffins and ends with whales at 2:00 PM.

The tours do not have to happen on the same day. This is useful if you have a busy Reykjavík schedule, a northern lights plan, or a weather concern. Splitting them also gives you a better chance to choose a calmer day for each outing, though all sailings remain dependent on conditions.

Weather, sea conditions, and the whale guarantee

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and the bay can be rough. Captains decide whether to sail based on sea and weather conditions, with passenger safety and comfort in mind. A cancellation due to rough seas can affect your plans, so avoid placing one of these trips immediately before a flight or another fixed activity if you can help it.

The warm overalls are one of the most useful inclusions. They help protect you from cold air and spray, and they let you spend more time outside watching rather than retreating indoors every few minutes. Still, wear warm layers and comfortable clothes. The supplied gear is not a substitute for a proper Iceland packing list.

Some people can feel seasick even on a large boat, especially when the vessel slows down to watch wildlife. The water may feel rougher at low speed because the boat is no longer moving smoothly through the swell. If you are sensitive to motion, sit inside when needed and ask the crew about available seasickness medicine. The crew has provided this on some sailings, but you should not assume it replaces your own preparation.

The whale guarantee is helpful, but it does not turn nature into a scheduled show. If nothing is spotted, you receive a free ticket to try again. If you see only a distant blow or a brief glimpse, ask the crew how the policy applies before leaving the harbor, since the guarantee is described for no sightings.

For the strongest odds, plan your trip between April and September. Whales can be seen outside those months, but the chance may be lower. Puffin viewing also depends on the birds being present around their breeding islands, so the timing of your visit matters for that portion too.

How good is the value at $153?

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap harbor outing. It is a full half-day activity with two guides, two boats, warm seating, overalls, binoculars for the puffin cruise, and the option to retry if wildlife does not appear.

The value is strongest if you want both puffins and whales and would otherwise book two separate trips. You also get two distinct boat experiences rather than the same vessel used for every part of the day. The large Andrea gives you comfort and room, while Old Skúli gives you a better approach to the bird islands.

The value is weaker if you are mainly interested in puffins. The puffin cruise is shorter, and the birds may remain farther away than you hope. If you have already seen puffins elsewhere, you may prefer to spend your money on the whale trip alone.

The same is true if you need guaranteed close-up whale views. No responsible operator can promise that. The guides may find a busy group of humpbacks, as happened on particularly strong outings, or they may find shy whales that surface only briefly.

Hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but they are available to buy. I would budget for something warm, especially if you plan to spend much of the trip outside.

What the guides add to the experience

The best part of this tour is not only the animals. It is the running explanation that helps you understand what you are seeing.

On the puffin trip, the guide can point out how the birds fly, feed, and gather around the islands. On the whale cruise, the guide helps you scan the water and gives you a sense of where to look next. That matters because the bay can seem empty until a blow appears in the distance.

Guides including Patrick, Alex, Oscar, and Celine have been singled out for warmth, humor, and clear facts. You should expect different personalities depending on the day, but the tours have an educational focus rather than being simple transport to a viewing spot.

The guides also help keep the viewing respectful. Boats cannot rush into a colony or crowd a whale. Sometimes the best view comes from holding back and waiting. That can test your patience, but it is better for the animals and often gives you a calmer, longer look.

Who should book this combo?

I would recommend it for families, first-time visitors to Iceland, bird lovers, and anyone who wants a well-organized wildlife day without renting a car. The combination works particularly well for people who want both cute puffins and larger marine animals in one Reykjavík outing.

It is also good for photographers, with one warning: bring a real zoom if you have one. Puffins can be hard to capture on a phone, and whales are even less cooperative. Binoculars are more useful than a phone camera for spotting distant animals.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need a fixed end time. The tours depend on the sea, and the excitement comes with uncertainty. You may spend long stretches scanning the water before the next sighting.

The activity is conducted in English. Meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Reykjavik whales and puffins combo?

Book it if you want a practical introduction to Iceland’s ocean wildlife and accept that wild animals set the timetable. The strongest reasons are the excellent pairing of boats, the helpful guides, and the warmth provided on a cold bay.

Choose the express whale option if time matters, or the classic Andrea cruise if you value indoor space and a cafeteria. Book during the April to September period when possible, pack warm layers, and treat the puffin cruise as a close look at a living colony rather than a guaranteed photo session.

At $153, the combo earns its price when you make use of both trips. If you only want one short boat ride, choose a single wildlife cruise instead. But for a half-day in Reykjavík that can include humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and hundreds of puffins, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

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

How long does the combo tour last?

The listed duration is four hours. The whale portion lasts about three to three and a half hours on the classic tour, or two to two and a half hours on the express tour.

Are the whale and puffin cruises separate tours?

Yes. You take separate cruises on separate boats, and you can complete them on the same day or on different days.

Which boat is used for puffin watching?

Puffin Express uses Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skúli. Its shallow draught allows it to approach the small islands where puffins live.

Which boat is used for classic whale watching?

The classic whale tour operates on Andrea, a large vessel with indoor seating, a cafeteria, and an educational focus.

What whales and marine animals might I see?

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

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

The puffin tour includes a 100 percent sightings guarantee. If no puffins are seen, you receive another ticket.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

If nothing is spotted on the whale tour, you can receive a free ticket to try again.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls and warm indoor seating are included. You should still bring warm clothing and wear comfortable clothes.

Are binoculars included?

Binoculars are available for the puffin tour. Hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but you can buy them on board.