Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

The ocean sets the schedule. From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, this two-part trip pairs whale watching on a large vessel with a close approach to puffin islands on a smaller boat. I like the free return ticket if no whales are seen and the puffin boat’s special design, which gets near the islands without requiring a long outing. The main catch is weather: puffin trips can be canceled or changed when conditions turn rough.

You book the whale-watching departure, then join the puffin tour later the same day. I also like the simple comforts: free WiFi, seasickness tablets, onboard binoculars for the puffin trip, and lively English-speaking guides. Just remember, this is not one continuous four-hour cruise. It is two separate tours with two departures and a gap between them.

Key points to know before sailing

• Two boats, two departures: The whale trip uses a large vessel for about 2 to 3.5 hours, while the puffin outing lasts about 1 hour on a smaller boat.
• Two fixed combinations: Choose whale watching at 9:00 and puffins at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 and puffins at 17:00.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You may see humpback whales, minke whales, and puffins, but animals move freely and weather affects the trip.
• A strong value at $153: You get two wildlife outings, professional guides, WiFi, binoculars on the puffin boat, and a free whale-watching return ticket if there are no sightings.
• Weather matters: The smaller puffin boat may not operate in poor conditions, as happened on one August trip.
• Plan for motion: Warm layers, waterproof camera protection, and motion-sickness prevention are sensible choices.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. I would arrive 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the office, collect any needed information, and get ready without turning the start into a harbor sprint.

The setting is a good fit for this kind of outing. You leave from Reykjavik rather than spending time on a long transfer to a distant port. Pick-up service is not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

The tour uses English-speaking guides, and the crew includes experienced professionals. Their role is not just to point toward a fin. They explain whale behavior and habitat, which helps you understand what you are seeing instead of treating every splash as the same thing.

The boats may be shared with another activity partner at certain times of year. This is done to reduce the number of boats on the water and limit pressure on the marine environment. If you care about the impact of sightseeing, that is a sensible tradeoff, though it means the exact boat arrangement may vary.

The whale-watching trip: large boat, open Atlantic

The whale portion takes place on a larger vessel and lasts roughly 2 to 3.5 hours. That range is important. The sea, animal activity, and operating conditions determine how long you remain out, so you should not treat the timing as perfectly fixed.

Once you move beyond the harbor, the trip becomes a search rather than a staged show. Humpback whales and minke whales are the main targets, but no guide can order an animal to surface at a particular place. You might spend time watching the water carefully before a blow, back, or fin appears.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also calls for realistic expectations. One person gave the trip the highest rating while still wishing there had been more whales. That is a useful reminder: a top-rated wildlife tour can still produce a quiet stretch at sea.

The operator offers a free ticket to join the whale trip again if there are no sightings. This makes the $153 price easier to justify, especially if you have enough time in Reykjavik to try again. The policy does not turn wildlife into a guarantee, but it lowers the risk of paying for a completely empty search.

The guides can make a big difference during slow periods. On one especially successful outing, the guide named Daniel earned strong praise for his enthusiasm and handling of the trip. That kind of energy matters when you are standing at the rail in cold air, scanning a gray sea and waiting for movement.

Humpback and minke whales in their natural habitat

Humpback whales are often the more dramatic target because their size and surface behavior can make a strong impression. Minke whales may be less showy, but spotting one in open water still gives you a real encounter with a wild animal, not a performance arranged for visitors.

I like that the tour presents the animals in their own setting. You are not visiting an aquarium or a controlled enclosure. The tradeoff is that sightings can be brief, distant, or partly hidden by waves. Bring patience, and do not judge the trip only by the number of photographs you bring home.

Free WiFi is available onboard, which is useful for sending a quick message or checking plans during the longer cruise. It is not a substitute for warm clothing, though. Iceland’s coastal weather can make the deck feel cold even when the day looks manageable from shore.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, but I would not rely on that as your only preparation. The activity is specifically not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If motion usually bothers you, bring your preferred prevention and consider carefully if a long Atlantic outing is a good match.

The puffin tour on a smaller boat

The puffin portion is a separate tour, not an extension of the whale cruise. It lasts about 1 hour and uses a smaller boat specially designed to get as close to the nearby islands as possible. That shorter format gives the puffin outing a different feel from the larger, open-water search.

Puffin colonies are the main attraction. You can watch these distinctive seabirds against Iceland’s coastal backdrop, and binoculars are provided onboard. That is a practical touch because the birds may still be some distance away, even when the boat reaches a good viewing position.

The smaller boat is one of the strongest reasons to book the combination rather than stopping with whale watching alone. It is built for access around the islands, and the shorter trip lets you focus on one type of wildlife without spending another few hours at sea.

Still, do not assume the puffin portion is weatherproof. On one August outing, poor conditions meant the puffin boat could not operate, while the whale trip went ahead and produced excellent whale sightings. This is exactly the sort of Icelandic travel complication you need to accept. The animals and boats follow the weather, not your calendar.

The exact time of year also matters for puffin viewing, although no specific seasonal schedule is provided here. Before booking, check the available date and current operating details. The tour description confirms the puffin outing, but the conditions on your chosen day will decide what actually runs.

Choosing between the 9:00 and 13:00 departures

There are two set combinations:

• Whale watching at 9:00, followed by puffins at 12:30
• Whale watching at 13:00, followed by puffins at 17:00

When you book, you are choosing the whale-watching departure time. The puffin time follows the listed combination, so you are not selecting two independent time slots.

The morning option is useful if you want to keep more of your afternoon open. It also puts both activities earlier in the day, which may suit a busy Reykjavik schedule. You will need to be at the harbor early, though, and the whale trip can last up to 3.5 hours.

The afternoon option lets you start later and may be easier if you prefer a slower morning. The 17:00 puffin departure finishes later, so make sure that timing fits your dinner plans and other bookings.

The gap between tours is part of the practical puzzle. The morning schedule allows 3.5 hours between the listed departures, while the afternoon schedule allows 4 hours. Since the whale portion may last 2 to 3.5 hours, you should keep your plans flexible around the change from the large vessel to the smaller one.

This is not a hop-on, hop-off arrangement. You have two tours, two departures, and potentially two boarding procedures. Read the times carefully before you book, then keep your confirmation handy.

What the $153 price really buys you

At $153 per person, the combination is not a cheap harbor cruise. But you are paying for two distinct wildlife outings, not simply four hours on one boat. The package includes professional guides, whale watching, a dedicated puffin trip, binoculars for that trip, free WiFi, and motion-sickness tablets.

The free return whale ticket adds meaningful value if sightings fail. It is especially useful for visitors staying several days in Reykjavik. If your schedule allows only one attempt, though, the policy may offer little practical benefit.

You also avoid arranging two separate bookings and can build both outings into one day. That saves planning time and makes the package attractive for anyone who wants marine wildlife without renting a car or arranging transport outside the capital.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short boat ride or if you dislike being on the sea. The whale segment can last several hours, and the operator identifies the trip as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness. Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, but they are not included, so budget a little extra if you want refreshments.

Free WiFi is a nice bonus, but it should not drive your decision. The real value comes from the chance to see two different kinds of wildlife in two different settings: whales in open water and puffins around coastal islands.

Weather, clothing, and camera advice

Bring warm clothing. That sounds basic, but it is the most important packing advice here. You can feel much colder on the water than you expect, especially during the longer whale trip.

A waterproof camera is also recommended. Spray, rain, and wet rails can create trouble for ordinary equipment. If you use a phone, protect it carefully and keep your grip secure near the rail.

Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour, but you may still want your own for the whale trip. The supplied information specifically confirms binoculars for the puffin outing, not the larger whale-watching vessel.

Motion-sickness prevention deserves special attention. Tablets are available free onboard, but if you know you get sick at sea, bring the method that normally works for you. The open Atlantic portion is the bigger concern because of its length and exposure.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. Snacks and beverages can be purchased onboard, but they are not part of the fare. These small details matter because a long outing is easier when you have a warm layer, water, and a plan for seasickness.

Who will get the most from this combo

I would choose this tour if you want a convenient wildlife day from Reykjavik and like the idea of pairing whales with puffins. Families with older children, wildlife fans, photographers, and first-time Iceland visitors can all find a lot to like here, provided everyone can handle boat travel.

The trip also suits you if you value a guide who adds context. The crew discusses animal behavior and habitats, so you get more than a simple ride to a viewing area. Daniel’s praised enthusiasm is a good example of how a guide can help keep the group engaged during the waiting periods.

I would think twice if your schedule is tightly packed. The whale trip length can vary, and the two-tour setup requires attention to departure times. I would also skip it if seasickness is a major problem or if you need guaranteed animal sightings.

Wildlife tours reward flexibility. You may see many whales and puffins, as happened on one highly successful outing, or fewer whales than hoped. The return-ticket policy helps with an empty whale trip, but it cannot control weather or animal behavior.

Should you book Reykjavik’s whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want two different marine wildlife experiences in one Reykjavik day, and if you can accept changing conditions. The smaller puffin boat, onboard binoculars, professional guides, and free whale retry make this stronger than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I especially like the combination for visitors who have enough time to try again if needed. If you have only one day in the capital and cannot tolerate a weather-related change, the decision is less comfortable.

Choose the 9:00 departure if you want your afternoon free. Choose 13:00 if a later start suits you better. Either way, arrive at Geirsgata 11 30 minutes early, dress for cold and wet weather, and treat every whale or puffin sighting as a gift from the sea rather than a scheduled show.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour depart from?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the full experience last?

The listed duration is 4 hours, but the activity consists of two separate tours with different departures. Whale watching lasts about 2 to 3.5 hours, and the puffin tour lasts about 1 hour.

What departure times are available?

You can choose whale watching at 9:00 followed by puffins at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 followed by puffins at 17:00. The time selected during booking is the whale-watching departure.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold onboard but are not included in the price.

What happens if no whales are seen?

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

Is the tour suitable for people who get seasick?

The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard, but you should also bring your usual motion-sickness prevention if needed.