Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Whales and puffins in one day. This Reykjavik combo tour sails from the Old Harbour to hunt for humpback and minke whales, then shifts to nearby islands for puffin colonies.

I love the practical comfort perks. The free WiFi onboard helps you stay connected while you wait for sightings, and the puffin half runs on a smaller boat designed to get nearer the island edges.

One drawback to keep in mind is motion. If you are prone to seasickness, even with tablets available, this is not the easiest day on the water.

Key Things to Know

• Two separate boat tours, two separate departures let you do whales first and puffins later
• Larger vessel for whales gives you a steady platform for scanning the Atlantic
• Smaller puffin boat plus binoculars provided makes the island scenery feel close and personal
• Onboard WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets remove two big day-of-stress points
• A free ticket to rejoin if there are no sightings helps when nature does not cooperate
• Shared boats may happen for environmental reasons at certain times of the year

Your 4 Hour Combo: Two Separate Tours, One Wildlife Hit List

This is not one continuous cruise. You are doing a whale watching tour on a larger vessel, then later a puffin tour on a smaller boat. That matters because your day has a rhythm, you will think in blocks, and you can dress and recharge accordingly.

The combo runs as a 4 hour experience overall, but the pieces have different durations. The puffin portion is about 1 hour, while the whale watching portion is roughly 2 to 3.5 hours depending on conditions and what the team finds.

You choose which whale departure time you want. The two combo options are 09:00 whale with 12:30 puffins, or 13:00 whale with 17:00 puffins. Either way, you get two chances to see Iceland’s famous marine life, whales in open water, then puffins right off the coast.

Geirsgata 11 to Old Harbour: Starting On Time Without Stress

Your meeting point is at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early so you are not rushing, especially if you need to bundle up or figure out what to do with cameras, jackets, and binoculars.

There is no pick up service, so you need to build in travel time from your hotel or rental. Reykjavik is compact, but “compact” still means walking in cool, windy weather. I recommend you treat the walk like part of the adventure, but bundle up like you mean it.

Once you are checked in, you head to the boats at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is the practical kind of start, not a slow scenic wait. You are usually out on the Atlantic with a guide actively helping you spot wildlife, not just hoping you get lucky.

Whale Watching in the Atlantic: Humpback and Minke Spotting Moves

The whale half takes you into the Atlantic, and your guides are there for the most important job: finding animals and helping you understand what you are seeing. You are looking for humpback whales and minke whales, both known for showing up at different times and in different patterns.

Because the whale portion is on a larger vessel, the ride tends to feel more stable than the smaller puffin boat. The tour runs about 2 to 3.5 hours, which gives the captain and guides time to track likely areas instead of doing a quick in-out loop.

What you should expect is not guaranteed perfection, it is a serious search. One review put it plainly, there could have been more whales. That is the honest reality of wildlife watching. The good news is there is a backstop: if you get no sightings, you can join again with a free ticket.

If you want to maximize your odds, come ready to look, not just take pictures. I like to keep my camera ready but my eyes open too. Sometimes the first sign is a quick breath, a change at the water’s surface, or a moment of movement you catch before you realize you should be filming.

Guides Who Explain What You See, Not Just What You Might See

A whale watching trip gets better fast when the guide can translate behavior into something you can track. This tour includes an English live guide who shares insights about the behaviors and habitats of the animals on your route.

You will often notice that animals do not behave like entertainment. They surface when they surface. They change direction when they change direction. So having a guide point out patterns makes the waiting less frustrating and the sightings more meaningful.

One person highlighted a guide named Daniel as genuinely great and top-notch. That fits the overall vibe you want on a wildlife day, upbeat, attentive, and focused on helping you see what is really happening instead of guessing.

Also, the crew tends to keep the tone practical. You get binocular support on the puffin half, and on the whale half you rely on your own watch skills and the guide’s spotting help. It is a partnership, and the best moment is when the guide locks eyes on something, then tells you exactly where to look.

Puffins Up Close: The Smaller Boat and the Island Approach

After the whale portion, you switch gears to puffins. The puffin tour runs about 1 hour on a smaller boat, and that is a big deal. Smaller craft can position you closer to the action, so you spend less time staring at distance and more time watching behavior.

This portion uses a specially designed boat aimed to get as close to the islands as possible. You also get binoculars provided on board, which is helpful if you did not bring your own or if you want a quick pair for extra eyes.

What you are going for is puffin colonies against the coastal backdrop. Puffins are adorable for a reason, but what makes this tour special is the way your time is structured. You do not rush from one spot to another all day. You arrive at a place where the colonies are active, then you get a focused look.

There is one reality check from a review: when weather was too rough for the puffin boat used for macareux, the trip happened with only the whale watching portion. So treat the puffin segment as dependent on sea conditions and the boat option available that day. Still, when it works, you are set up for that close, satisfying look.

What to Wear and Bring: Iceland Windproof Your Day

You are on the water in Iceland, so your clothing is your real ticket. Bring warm clothing and plan on waterproof layers. It is rarely about being cold for a minute. It is about being cold for the whole time you are scanning the ocean.

Bring a waterproof camera. Water mist and spray can show up at any point, and you do not want to baby your gear all day. If you have them, include binoculars, even though puffin binoculars are provided on the puffin tour. Your own pair can be faster and more comfortable, and you can keep them set how you like.

Motion care is not optional here. There are complimentary seasickness tablets available, and it is smart to bring your preferred motion sickness prevention too. The operator also flags that the activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, so be honest with yourself about how you do on boats.

Finally, there is no smoking on board and pets are not allowed. Pack like a grown-up outdoor person: warm, dry, and ready to move quickly when the guide calls out a sighting.

Value for $153: What You Get, What You Pay Extra For

At $153 per person for a whale plus puffin combo, the key value question is what is included. This tour bundles in a lot of the things that usually cost extra or create hassle on your own.

You get professional guides on both parts, free WiFi on board (rarely included on marine tours), and complimentary seasickness tablets. On the puffin half, binoculars are provided, and the boat is set up to get you near the islands. You also get a meaningful contingency: a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings.

What you do pay extra for is straightforward. Snacks and beverages are sold on board, and pick up service is not included. If you are the type who always travels with your own snacks, bring a plan for that gap. If you prefer buying food on board, budget for it like a normal tour boat day.

One more value angle: doing whales and puffins in one linked schedule saves mental energy. Even though the two parts have separate departures, the combo structure helps you avoid having to research timing and coordinate two different days. In Reykjavik, where weather can change your plans, that kind of simplicity is worth something.

Weather, Shared Boats, and Sightings: How to Think About the Odds

Wildlife tours are nature math. You can do everything right and still have a slow day. That is why I like that this tour includes a free re-join ticket if you get no sightings. It turns a bad-sightings scenario into less of a gamble.

Also, expect some operational flexibility. For environmental reasons, the provider may use a shared boat with another activity partner during certain times of the year, with an aim of keeping fewer boats on the water. That is an environmental trade-off you can feel good about, and it can also mean the ride feels a bit more packed than you might imagine from marketing photos.

The practical takeaway is to avoid building your day around one perfect outcome. Give yourself time to enjoy the cruise itself, not only the animals. The Atlantic scenery plus the guide’s scanning effort is part of the experience, even when whales are elusive.

Finally, remember the two departures structure. You choose your whale start time, then you have a later puffin departure. So you will be moving through the day in sections, and you should keep your expectations aligned with the schedule you picked.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This combo works best for you if you want a two-species day. You get whales in open water and puffins near the islands, with guides giving context about behaviors and habitat. If you like learning while you watch, you will appreciate how the guides explain what you are seeing.

You also should consider it if you want comfort support. Free WiFi and seasickness tablets help on a boat day where you might otherwise feel stuck and grumpy.

But skip it if you are truly seasickness prone. The tour is not suitable for you, and even with tablets, your day is at risk. Also be aware that the puffin segment can depend on sea conditions and the boat option available.

If you are a serious wildlife photographer or just a curious person with a waterproof camera, you will get more out of it by arriving prepared, staying warm, and keeping your eyes up when the guide points. That is when the experience clicks.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Whale Watching and Puffin Combo?

Book it if you want one day in Reykjavik that gives you both whales and puffins, and you like the idea of doing it with guides, onboard WiFi, and built-in support like seasickness tablets. The included binoculars on the puffin half, plus the free re-join ticket for no sightings, makes the price feel more reasonable.

Think twice if you know you get sick on boats. This tour is not meant for you, even if you hope it will be fine.

If you book, do two things that make a difference. Wear real waterproof warm layers, and show up early at Geirsgata 11 so you can start calm. Then let the day be what Iceland often is, part wildlife magic, part ocean reality.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whale watching and puffin excursion combo?

The combo is listed as 4 hours. The whale watching portion lasts about 2 to 3.5 hours, and the puffin tour is about 1 hour.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office. You should arrive 30 minutes early.

What departure times are available for the combo?

You can choose between two combos: Whale watching at 09:00 with puffins at 12:30, or Whale watching at 13:00 with puffins at 17:00.

What animals will I look for?

The whale watching part is for spotting humpback whales and minke whales. The puffin tour is for visiting nearby islands and seeing puffin colonies.

What is included onboard?

Included items include experienced guides, free WiFi, complimentary seasickness tablets, and binoculars provided for the puffin tour. The puffin tour also uses a specially designed boat to get close to the islands.

Is pickup included, and is it suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No pickup service is included. And the tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.