Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The best thing about this Reykjavik combo is the variety. In one outing, you get a long search for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, followed by a smaller boat ride around Akurey, where puffins and seabirds gather. I especially like the choice of tour order and the included binoculars, blankets, and warm overalls. The tradeoff is simple: these are wild animals, not a staged show. You may see humpbacks close by, or spend hours at sea with only distant fins and birds.

I also like the practical setup. The whale boat offers Wi-Fi, warm gear, and an onboard guide, while the puffin boat feels smaller and more personal. The no-whale return ticket adds some value if Faxafloi Bay comes up empty, though it does not make the long ride or rough sea conditions disappear.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate cruises: Expect a longer whale-watching trip and a shorter puffin cruise, usually on different boats.
• Akurey is viewed from the water: You circle the protected island but do not land on it.
• Whale sightings are never assured: Humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises are possible, but no wildlife encounter is guaranteed.
• Cold-weather gear is supplied: The whale boat provides warm overalls, while the puffin trip provides blankets and binoculars.
• Guides can make a big difference: Jo, Lucas, Blanca, Patrick, and other crew members have been praised for clear explanations and sharp eyes.
• The price can be fair for a full morning: At $156.19 per person, the bundle makes most sense if you want both wildlife trips and would otherwise book them separately.

Two boats, two very different wildlife outings

This is not one continuous cruise with puffins and whales added as an afterthought. It is a package of two distinct trips from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area.

The whale-watching outing takes the larger vessel into Faxafloi Bay. It is the longer part of the day, often lasting about two and a half to three hours according to the actual running schedule. The puffin trip uses a smaller boat and lasts roughly an hour, with the route centered on Akurey.

Your total time is listed at about four and a half hours, though the exact order and transfer time between boats can affect the day. You can choose which cruise comes first, which is useful if you have a lunch booking, a museum visit, or a flight connection later.

The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. Hotel pickup and return are available for an added fee, but they are not included in the base price. If you are staying near the harbor, walking to the meeting point may be the simplest option. Reconfirm your departure times with Special Tours before setting out, since the exact schedule matters when the two trips are linked.

Whale watching in Faxafloi Bay

The whale trip is the bigger gamble and the bigger reward. Your guide scans the bay for minke whales and humpbacks, while also watching for white-beaked dolphins and porpoises.

A good day can be memorable. Some outings have produced several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and even harbor seals. Humpback tail slaps and close passes are possible, though they are never promised. On quieter trips, you may see only a fin, a back, or a puff of air in the distance. That still gives you a glimpse of the animals, but it may not satisfy anyone hoping for a close photograph.

The guides use commentary to explain whale behavior and help you understand what you are seeing. Jo and Lucas have been singled out for keeping the search lively while spotting several whales. Blanca has been praised for pointing out whales, dolphins, and birds. Other trips have featured guides with very different speaking styles, so the quality of the narration can vary from one departure to another.

The vessel has a warm interior, onboard Wi-Fi, and warm overalls. You can buy snacks and drinks onboard, but food is not included. The crew may offer motion-sickness tablets, ginger candy, or sick bags when conditions are rough. Take the sea seriously, even in summer. A sunny Reykjavik morning does not guarantee a calm ride once you move farther into the bay.

One important point is the length of the search. You might spend a long time watching empty water before the guide spots anything. That is normal for wildlife watching, but it can feel slow if you need constant action. People who enjoy the boat ride, open views, and patient searching will get more from this part than someone who wants a guaranteed close encounter.

The company offers a complimentary whale-watching ticket if you do not see any whales in Faxafloi Bay. That helps soften the risk, but check the practical terms with the supplier. A return visit still requires extra time in your Iceland schedule, and it does not guarantee that the second trip will produce a sighting.

The smaller boat to Akurey

The puffin cruise is shorter, more focused, and often more immediately satisfying. You ride toward Akurey, a rocky island used by puffins and other seabirds, then circle the shore for viewing.

You cannot land on the island. That restriction protects the breeding birds, and the boat keeps to the water while trying to get close without disturbing them. Depending on tide, weather, and the birds’ location, the boat may approach more closely or remain farther out.

The trip’s best moments come when puffins skim the water, gather near the rocks, or return from feeding. You may also see Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars. The boat crew provides binoculars, although some people have found that the supply may not cover every passenger at the same time. If you own compact binoculars, bring them.

The boat’s size is part of the charm and part of the limitation. A smaller vessel can feel intimate and can offer a better angle around the island. It also has less room, and a crowded departure can make it hard to move around or claim a clear view. Several people have considered the puffin ride the highlight, while others found the viewing distance frustrating.

Do not expect close portraits of puffins every time. Even with binoculars, you may mostly see birds flying, bobbing on the water, or perched across the rocks. The experience is about watching a colony in its natural setting, not walking through a bird enclosure.

The indoor cabin is heated and comfortable, and a soft blanket is supplied. A guide explains puffin behavior, body features, and feeding habits. Patrick has been praised for combining humor with clear facts, and the best guides make the short ride feel full rather than rushed.

How the two tours fit together

The flexible order is useful, but you still need to pay attention to the timetable. You may complete the whale cruise, take a short break, and then board the small puffin boat. One schedule described roughly three hours of whale watching followed by a short pause before the puffin trip.

Other departures may reverse that order. Reconfirm both times rather than assuming the second boat leaves immediately or from the same spot. The activity ends back at the meeting point, not automatically at your hotel unless you have paid for a transfer.

The total outing can fill most of a morning or afternoon. Plan for the possibility that the whale trip runs long because the captain is following sightings. If you have a museum ticket, airport transfer, or restaurant reservation, leave a generous buffer.

The maximum group size is listed as 33 people, but the boats do not feel identical. The whale vessel gives you more room and several places to watch from, while the puffin boat has a more confined feel. If getting an unobstructed view matters to you, arrive ready to follow crew instructions and move when viewing opportunities shift.

Weather, clothing, and motion sickness

Iceland’s sea air is cold even when Reykjavik feels mild. Wear warm layers, a hat, and gloves. The whale boat supplies warm overalls, and the puffin boat provides blankets, but you should not rely on the equipment as your only protection.

The sea can change the character of the trip. Rough water has led crews to warn people before departure, hand out ginger candy, and provide sick bags. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about the available tablets before leaving the harbor and stay cautious with food beforehand.

Poor weather can cancel the outing. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

These rules matter because weather is not a minor detail here. The same ride can feel smooth and relaxing one day, then tiring and uncomfortable the next. The crew’s willingness to warn people about conditions is useful, but you still need to decide how much risk you are comfortable with.

What the guiding is like

The strongest part of this experience is often the human element. A good guide gives you something to focus on during quiet stretches, explains why a whale surfaces in a certain way, and helps you locate a bird that you would otherwise miss.

The whale guides have been praised for sharp spotting skills, clear explanations, and a good sense of how much to talk. Jo and Lucas received especially warm approval for finding humpbacks and minke whales and keeping the group informed. Blanca was also noted for pointing out several kinds of wildlife.

The puffin guides can bring a different mood. Patrick has been praised as funny and informative, while another puffin guide was complimented for speaking clearly and keeping the cabin warm and comfortable. The quality of the commentary may vary, and language clarity is not identical on every departure.

The tour is offered in English. A Special Tours app is also available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. That gives you another way to follow information, though the live guide remains central to the experience.

Is $156.19 a fair price?

At $156.19 per person, this is not a cheap harbor outing. The value depends on whether you genuinely want both cruises.

Booking the pair saves you from arranging two separate wildlife trips, and the package includes binoculars on the puffin boat, warm overalls on the whale vessel, Wi-Fi, guide commentary, and a possible return whale ticket if no whales appear. For someone with limited time in Reykjavik, combining the trips can be efficient.

The price feels less attractive if your main goal is close-up puffin photography. The puffin cruise is short, and the boat may not reach the island as closely as you hope. If you mainly want to see puffins, the whale trip itself may also offer occasional puffin sightings, though that is not the same as visiting Akurey.

The whale portion carries the larger value risk. A successful trip with humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, or seals can justify the cost. A long ride without whales may leave you feeling that the return ticket is necessary rather than generous.

I would consider the bundle good value for a family or couple who wants a full wildlife outing and accepts uncertainty. I would be more cautious if your budget is tight, your schedule is packed, or you dislike spending several hours at sea without guaranteed sightings.

Who will enjoy this most

You are a good match for this tour if you like nature, boats, birdlife, and open-ended searching. Families can enjoy the variety, especially when a child is more excited by the small puffin boat than by a distant whale.

It also suits first-time visitors who want two classic Iceland wildlife experiences without arranging separate bookings. The combination gives you a fuller day on the water and exposes you to several species, not just whales.

You may want to skip it if you need close wildlife photographs, dislike cold and wind, or are uncomfortable with the possibility of motion sickness. You should also think twice if you have only a narrow window before another fixed activity.

Should you book the puffin and whale combo?

I would book this if you want the best chance of seeing a range of wildlife and can treat the trip as a boat adventure rather than a guaranteed animal show. The whale guarantee does not exist, but the return-ticket policy, warm gear, and two different boats make the package more practical than a bare sightseeing cruise.

Go in expecting the puffins to be small and sometimes distant. Expect the whale search to require patience. If you can accept those limits, the combination offers a lively half-day on Faxafloi Bay, with the possibility of humpback tails, dolphin groups, seabird colonies, and a memorable view of Iceland from the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and return can be booked separately for an extra fee.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The whale cruise and puffin cruise have separate running times, and the exact order can vary.

Can I choose which tour comes first?

Yes. The experience allows flexibility in the order of the whale-watching and puffin cruises. You need to reconfirm the cruise times with Special Tours.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price, but they can be purchased directly from the supplier for an additional fee.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are included on the puffin cruise. Bringing your own pair may still be useful if the boat has limited binoculars available at one time.

Will I definitely see whales?

No. Whale sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see any whales in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What should I wear?

Warm clothing is recommended. The whale-watching cruise provides warm overalls, and the puffin cruise provides a soft blanket.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Snacks may be available for purchase on the whale-watching boat.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English. The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 33 people. The two cruises use different boats, so the amount of space can vary between the whale and puffin portions.