Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Seeing puffins from a small boat and whales from Iceland’s biggest whale-watching vessel makes this a well-rounded Reykjavík outing. I like the Old Skúli, whose shallow draft lets it approach the puffin islands closely, and I like the warm overalls, indoor seating, and binoculars supplied for the trips.

The main drawback is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins in abundance, or only brief tails and sprays. The whale guarantee is practical, but it cannot guarantee a dramatic close-up.

Key points to know

• Two separate cruises: Take the puffin and whale trips on the same day or split them between different days.
• Old Skúli for puffins: This small, shallow-draft boat gets close to the islands where puffins breed.
• Andrea for whales: The large vessel has indoor seating, a cafeteria, overalls, and an educational focus.
• Classic or express whale trip: The express boat reaches the whale-watching area faster, with the same time spent searching there.
• Free whale return ticket: If no whales are seen, you can try the whale tour again without paying another fare.
• Best season: Whale watching generally offers better odds from April through September.

Two Reykjavík cruises, two very different moods

This is not one continuous cruise. It is a combination of two separate trips from Special Tours’ office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. That matters when you plan your day, since you return to the harbor between cruises and may have a short changeover.

The puffin trip is the shorter and more intimate outing. The whale cruise is longer and more open to changing sea conditions. Together, they give you a useful contrast: small-boat bird watching close to shore, followed by a larger-boat search across Faxaflói Bay.

The total activity time is listed as four hours, but the exact schedule depends on the departure you choose. You can also take the two cruises on different days, which is helpful if you want to leave room for weather changes or a second whale attempt.

Puffins on Old Skúli near Reykjavík

The puffin portion uses Skúlaskeið, better known as Old Skúli. Its shallow draft is the key feature. The boat can approach the small islands where puffins live without needing the deeper water required by a large vessel.

You can expect the guide to point out puffins flying, resting on the water, and gathering near the island colonies. The birds are small, so binoculars are supplied for this trip. Bring your own camera, but do not rely only on a phone zoom if you want clear pictures.

This is a good place to set your expectations correctly. Close to the island does not mean you will step onto the island or touch the birds. You view them from the boat, in their natural setting, and the boat’s size helps you get a better angle than a large whale-watching vessel could provide.

The guides explain more than just where to look. You may hear about puffin behavior and the other bird life around Reykjavík. Black guillemots have also been spotted during this trip, so the puffin cruise is not limited to one species.

I especially like this part for families. Puffins are active and easy to enjoy even when you are not a serious bird watcher. They fly low, gather in groups, and have an unmistakable appearance. The trip is usually calmer and shorter than the whale cruise, though the sea can still be unsettled.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The classic whale tour uses Andrea, described as Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat. It is a spacious vessel with warm indoor seating, a cafeteria, and an educational, interactive approach. You can go outside for the best views, then retreat indoors if the wind becomes unpleasant.

The trip lasts about three to three and a half hours. Much of that time is spent traveling from Reykjavík toward the whale-watching grounds, then slowing down to search and watch. This is where patience matters. A whale may surface for only a few seconds, and the guide has to direct a full boat of people toward the right patch of water.

The most common sightings in Faxaflói Bay include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Sightings can vary sharply from one day to the next. You might see six minke whales and a large group of dolphins, or you might catch only a few tails and splashes.

Humpback whales can produce the most memorable moments. Their larger size and surface behavior make them easier to notice, especially when one surfaces near the boat. Still, you should not expect a wildlife documentary. A whale-watching trip is a search, not a scheduled performance.

The guides play an important role here. Good guiding means more than naming an animal. It means helping you find a distant blow, explaining what you are seeing, and giving you a sense of how to watch without disturbing the animals. Guides such as Patrick and Rebecca have been praised for combining science-based facts with humor and clear directions.

Classic or express whale watching?

You have a choice between the classic whale cruise and an express version. The express option uses a faster boat, reaching the whale-watching area sooner. The whale-watching portion lasts about two to two and a half hours, but you spend the same amount of time in the search area as on the longer classic arrangement.

This can be a smart choice if you want to reduce the time spent simply getting to the bay. One schedule gives you classic whale watching at 9:00 AM, followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. The 10:00 AM departure uses the express whale boat, followed by the puffin trip at 12:30 PM.

The 12:30 PM departure begins with Puffin Express and follows with express whale watching at 2:00 PM. Check the current departure choices carefully, since the order affects how your day feels.

The faster boat may appeal to you if you have limited time in Reykjavík. The larger Andrea may suit you better if indoor space, a cafeteria, and a steady family-friendly setup matter most. Neither choice removes the uncertainty of wildlife sightings.

What the whale guarantee really gives you

If no whales are spotted, you receive a free ticket to try again. That is an important protection because whale watching depends on weather, sea conditions, and animal behavior.

The guarantee should not be read as a promise of a spectacular sighting. It is a chance to return, subject to available tour times and your remaining schedule. If you are leaving Reykjavík soon, a free ticket may be difficult to use. If you have several days in Iceland, it has much more value.

There is also a difference between seeing no whales and seeing whales poorly. A few distant blows, tails, or splashes may count as a sighting even if the animals remain shy. Some trips produce close encounters, while others are more about patient searching and brief glimpses.

The puffin trip includes a 100 percent sighting guarantee, which is more straightforward because the birds live on known islands. The birds may still be farther away than you expect, and binoculars remain useful, but the odds are more dependable than with whales.

Staying warm on Icelandic water

The crew supplies warm overalls and offers warm indoor seating. This is a real advantage, but you should still dress for the conditions. Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes, and add proper wet-weather protection if you have it.

Wind on the water can feel much colder than the temperature in Reykjavík. One especially practical tip is to wear layers that let you move easily between the outside viewing areas and the cabin. You may want to spend several minutes outside when a whale appears, then return indoors to warm up.

Sea conditions can also affect your comfort. Some trips are smooth, while others become choppy once the boat reaches open water. Seasickness medicine is available on board according to the tour information, but if you are prone to motion sickness, prepare before departure and choose a light meal beforehand.

The larger Andrea gives you more options during rough weather. You can sit inside, use the cafeteria, and follow the commentary without remaining on the open deck. The smaller Old Skúli offers less space, but its shorter route and near-shore focus can feel easier for people who prefer a brief boat ride.

Guides, facts, and the tone of the trip

The guides are central to the experience. The best moments are not only the animals themselves, but the help you receive in spotting them and understanding what they are doing.

Patrick, also known by the playful nickname Patrick Pirate Puffin, has been singled out for energetic storytelling and jokes that worked well with children. Other guides, including Rebecca, have been praised for explaining whale behavior clearly and directing attention to dolphins and humpbacks.

Guide quality can vary by departure, so names are not guaranteed. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide on both cruises, plus an app available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The app gives you another way to follow the information if you miss part of the live commentary.

I like that the tour mixes entertainment with animal care. The guides explain what you are seeing while keeping a respectful distance. That matters with whales and puffins, since a good wildlife trip should help you observe without treating the animals like props.

Is $148 a fair price?

At $148 per person, this is not a bargain activity. Iceland excursions are costly, and the price will feel high if you see only a few distant whale surfaces.

The value improves if you use both parts fully. You are paying for two boat trips, guides on both, warm overalls, indoor seating, binoculars for puffin watching, and the chance to repeat the whale trip for free if nothing appears. A single whale cruise may be enough for someone mainly interested in whales, but this combination gives you a second wildlife experience with better puffin odds.

The express option can also improve the value of your time. Reaching the whale area faster means less of your day is spent in transit, while you still get the same amount of search time there.

I would not book this expecting a guaranteed close encounter. I would book it if you value the full outing: sea air, bird colonies, changing views around Faxaflói Bay, guide commentary, and the possibility of seeing several species in one day.

Best timing for whales and puffins

The strongest whale-watching season is generally April through September. Outside those months, the chance of seeing whales may be lower, so the free return ticket becomes more useful if your schedule allows another attempt.

Puffins follow their own seasonal pattern as well, though the tour includes a sighting guarantee. Before booking, check the current departure details and ask how the puffin operation is running during your dates.

Weather can change the plan. Captains decide whether to sail based on sea conditions, passenger safety, and comfort. A canceled or altered departure is not a sign that the tour is poorly run. It is part of operating small boats and large vessels in Icelandic waters.

If you have flexibility, leave a spare day in Reykjavík or avoid placing the tour immediately before an important flight. That gives you more room to use the free whale ticket if needed and reduces the stress of a weather-related change.

Who should book this combination?

This suits families, first-time visitors to Iceland, bird lovers, and anyone who wants two kinds of marine wildlife in one outing. The puffin cruise is easy to understand and rewarding even without specialist knowledge, while the whale tour offers more time and more possible species.

It also works well for people who want a guided experience rather than renting transport and planning several separate stops. You meet at the Special Tours office in the Old Harbor and return there after each activity.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, suffer badly from motion sickness, or have only a very tight schedule. The classic whale trip can take much of a day, and even the express version involves open-water travel. You also need patience. Nature does not keep the same timetable as a Reykjavík museum.

Should you book the Reykjavík whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want the best chance to see Reykjavík’s marine wildlife in one organized package, especially between April and September. The shallow-draft Old Skúli gives the puffin trip a clear purpose, while Andrea offers a comfortable base for a longer search across Faxaflói Bay.

The combination is strongest when you have enough time to try the whale cruise again if needed. Choose the express boat if saving transit time matters, or the classic Andrea trip if you prefer more space and onboard facilities.

Skip it if you need guaranteed close whale sightings or cannot handle rough water. For everyone else, the puffins provide a reliable highlight, and the whale guarantee takes some of the financial risk out of an unpredictable day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the combo tour last?

The listed duration is four hours. The exact starting time and order depend on the departure you choose.

Can I take the puffin and whale tours on different days?

Yes. The two cruises are separate tours, so you do not have to take them on the same day.

What animals might I see on the whale cruise?

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

What boat is used for the puffin cruise?

The puffin tour uses Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skúli. Its shallow draft allows it to approach the small islands where puffins live.

What happens if I see no whales?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching tour again.

Does the tour provide warm clothing?

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

When is whale watching best in Iceland?

The best period is generally April through September. Whale sightings may be less likely at other times of year.