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

Wildlife makes Iceland’s harbor feel wonderfully wild. This combo pairs a longer Faxaflói Bay whale cruise with a shorter puffin trip to Akurey, giving you two distinct boat rides for $156.19 per person. I like the discounted pairing and the freedom to choose which tour comes first. I also like the warm gear, onboard commentary, and free whale-sighting return ticket.

The main catch is simple: nature keeps the schedule. You may see humpback or minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, but you may also spend hours at sea with little to show for it. Puffins are usually easier to find, yet they can remain farther from the boat than you expect.

Key points before you book

• Two separate boat trips: The whale cruise uses a larger vessel, while the puffin outing heads to Akurey in a smaller boat.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed: Whales may appear close, far away, or not at all. Puffins are common around the island, but viewing distance varies.
• Warmth is taken seriously: Whale-cruise passengers receive warm overalls, and blankets are available on the puffin boat.
• The order is flexible: You can choose which tour to take first, but you need to reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours.
• The puffin boat gets the most focused bird viewing: You may see puffins and other seabirds on the whale trip too, but the Akurey cruise is designed around them.
• The package works best for a full morning or afternoon: The combined experience lasts about 4 hours and 30 minutes, though exact sailing times can vary.

Two boats, two very different wildlife trips

The title sounds like one combined expedition, but you are really booking two separate outings. That distinction matters because the boats, pace, and wildlife goals are different.

The whale-watching cruise leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour on a larger vessel. It is the longer part of the package, often lasting roughly two and a half to three hours according to the sailing schedule. You have indoor seating, free Wi-Fi, warm overalls, onboard commentary, and space to move around while the crew searches Faxaflói Bay.

The puffin trip is shorter and uses a smaller boat. It heads toward Akurey, a rocky island that serves as a protected breeding area for seabirds. You circle the island rather than go ashore. That protects the birds, but it also means you need to accept boat-based viewing rather than a close walk among nesting puffins.

The ability to choose the order is useful. If the weather forecast looks better early in the day, you can try to place the longer whale cruise first. If your schedule is tight, you can also fit the two outings around other Reykjavik plans. Just do not treat the order as automatic. Reconfirm the departure times with the operator before sailing.

What the whale cruise is really like

From the Old Harbour, the boat heads out into Faxaflói Bay. The city soon feels distant, and the outing becomes less about a guaranteed animal show and more about reading the sea.

Your guide scans the water for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. Humpbacks are the big prize, especially when one shows its tail or slaps the water. Minke whales can be more subtle, often giving you a brief glimpse of a back or fin before disappearing.

The strongest outings can be excellent. Some departures have produced several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and even harbor seals. Guides such as Jo and Lucas have been praised for keeping the mood lively while pointing out exactly where to look. Blanca has also earned praise for spotting whales and dolphins quickly and sharing useful information without turning the trip into a nonstop lecture.

Still, you need the right expectations. A whale cruise is not an aquarium visit. One outing may bring repeated sightings, while another may produce only distant fins, porpoises, or dolphins. A few departures have returned without seeing whales at all. The company offers a complimentary whale-watching ticket if no whales are spotted, which softens the risk, though it may not help if you are leaving Reykjavik soon.

I like that the commentary covers more than animal names. You hear about whale behavior and marine life while the crew works with other boats to locate activity. That teamwork can improve your chances, but it cannot control the animals.

Warm overalls, rough water, and choosing your place onboard

Iceland’s air can feel cold even when the calendar says summer. The provided overalls are one of the package’s most useful inclusions, especially when the boat is moving and you are standing outside to watch the water.

The vessel also has a warm indoor cabin, and some departures offer coffee and snacks for purchase. Free Wi-Fi is available on the whale cruise. I would treat Wi-Fi as a minor extra rather than a reason to book, but the indoor space and warm clothing genuinely matter.

Sea conditions can change the character of the trip. Calm water can make the cruise relaxing. Rough water can bring seasickness, especially because the boat travels farther into the bay than the puffin boat. Crew members have provided motion-sickness tablets, ginger candy, and sick bags on difficult days. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about conditions before leaving and use the available help early rather than waiting until you feel ill.

On crowded departures, finding a good upper-deck viewing spot may take patience. Some people have found the large boat too full for comfortable viewing, particularly when everyone rushes to one side after a sighting. You can improve your chances by keeping your coat handy, moving calmly between indoor and outdoor areas, and listening closely for the guide’s directions.

A practical point: the tour may be conducted in English, and guide quality can vary. Several guides have been praised for clear, entertaining explanations, while one whale-cruise guide was difficult for an English-speaking passenger to understand. The Special Tours App is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, so it may help provide extra context.

Akurey and the puffin cruise

The puffin outing heads toward Akurey, a small rocky island near Reykjavik. The island itself is not a stop where you get off and wander around. It is a protected breeding ground, and the boat keeps its distance to avoid disturbing the birds.

That distance is both the point and the limitation. The crew circles the island for different viewing angles, while the guide explains puffin behavior, body shape, feeding habits, and other bird life. With luck, you will see puffins flying low over the water, landing near the island, or carrying fish.

Binoculars are supplied, and you should use them. They can turn a dark speck on the rock into a recognizable puffin. The boat’s smaller size can bring you closer than the larger whale vessel, and many people find this part more focused and charming. Patrick, one guide praised for his humor and clear English, made the short trip especially enjoyable for families.

Other birds may include Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars. The cruise gives you a useful introduction to the bird life around Reykjavik rather than focusing on puffins alone.

But do not book this expecting a close portrait session. The boat may not reach the island closely enough for easy photographs, and some passengers have found that puffins were visible mainly through binoculars. On certain tides, the boat may be able to approach more closely. On other departures, you may see large groups flying around the island but little detail on the rocks.

The smaller boat can also feel cramped when full. One report described too many people for comfortable viewing, even though the operator maintains a stated maximum of 33 participants for the activity. If close access and personal space are your top priorities, this is the weaker half of the package.

Why the puffin tour often feels more rewarding

The whale cruise lasts much longer, but the puffin trip often creates the clearer sense of purpose. You know where you are going, what you are looking for, and why the boat cannot land.

That focus helps families. An eight-year-old may enjoy the puffin island more than a long period of waiting for a whale to surface. The shorter ride also gives you a second kind of wildlife experience without requiring another half-day commitment.

I also value the conservation angle. You are seeing puffins in their natural setting, not in a captive display, and the boat does not enter the protected breeding area. That means the viewing is less intimate, but it is more respectful of the colony.

The tradeoff is photography. A long-lens camera or binoculars will help, but the supplied binoculars may need to be shared if equipment is limited. Bringing your own pair is sensible if you have them. You will have more control over the view and will not need to wait for another person to finish.

Some people may also see puffins during the whale cruise. That does not make the dedicated outing pointless, since the smaller vessel approaches Akurey and offers specific commentary. Still, if your budget is tight and you mainly want a quick glimpse of puffins, the whale trip may already provide a taste of what you are after.

Is $156.19 a good deal?

At $156.19 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on whether you would have paid for both activities separately.

You receive two boat trips, warm overalls on the whale cruise, blankets and binoculars on the puffin outing, onboard interpretation, and a free return whale ticket if the cruise finds no whales. If you want both whales and puffins and have about four and a half hours available, the bundle is convenient and generally sensible.

The package is less attractive if you mainly want one type of wildlife. For whales, the longer cruise gives you more time and a better range of possible sightings. For puffins, the dedicated boat gives you a more focused visit, but the viewing may still be distant.

I would also factor in the cost of disappointment. A no-whale outing is not a failure by the crew, but it can feel expensive if whale watching was your main reason for booking. The return-ticket policy gives you another chance, but only if you have time to use it.

Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price. Pickup can be arranged directly with the supplier for an extra fee. The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik, near public transportation, so many people can reach it without paying for a transfer.

Who should book this combination?

I think this suits you if you want a convenient introduction to Icelandic sea life and prefer one booking that covers two outings. Families, first-time Reykjavik visitors, and anyone with only a short stay can make good use of the package.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy the boat ride itself. Even when whales stay hidden, you still get open-water views, seabird sightings, guide commentary, and a different angle on Reykjavik.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed close-up animal viewing. The puffins may be too far away for satisfying photos, and the whales may appear only briefly or not at all. You should also be cautious if rough water affects you badly, since the longer cruise can be uncomfortable in poor conditions.

The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate. Warm clothing remains essential, even with provided gear. Bring layers, protect your camera from spray, and keep your expectations flexible.

The best way to plan your day

First, reconfirm both sailing times. The package allows flexibility in the order, but your actual schedule matters more than the headline duration. Leave enough breathing room between trips, since boat operations and weather can affect timing.

Second, check the forecast and sea conditions. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. If the sea looks rough, decide honestly how much discomfort you are willing to accept.

Third, plan for wildlife watching rather than constant action. The strongest moments may last only a few seconds, followed by long stretches of scanning. Listen for the guide’s instructions, since a whale can surface anywhere around the boat.

Finally, keep your camera ready but do not spend the entire cruise staring at a screen. A whale’s back, a puffin with a fish, or a flock of birds can vanish before you frame the shot. Sometimes the best souvenir is simply seeing the animal clearly for one brief moment.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver?

Book it if you want both experiences, understand that wildlife is unpredictable, and value the convenience of combining them at a discounted price. The guides and crew can make the outings informative and fun, and the warm gear helps you stay outside long enough to enjoy the search.

My strongest recommendation is for the whale cruise, especially if you are excited by dolphins, porpoises, and the possibility of humpbacks. I am more cautious about the puffin trip. It is a pleasant and unusual hour, but the birds may remain distant and the small boat may feel crowded.

If you have enough time in Reykjavik and want a well-rounded sea outing, this is a fair package. Just book it for a chance to meet Iceland’s wildlife, not a promise of close-up photographs.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The activity begins at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the combined experience last?

The listed duration is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. The two cruises are separate, and exact sailing times can vary.

Can I choose which tour comes first?

Yes. You have flexibility regarding the order of the whale-watching cruise and puffin cruise. You need to reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price. They can be booked directly with the supplier for an additional fee.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls are provided on the whale-watching cruise. A soft blanket is available on the puffin cruise. Warm clothing is still recommended.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

If no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.