Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is the pairing of two very different wildlife trips. You first head into the Atlantic on a larger vessel in search of humpback and minke whales, then switch to a smaller boat built to approach the islands where puffins gather. The whale search feels wild and open, while the puffin trip gives you a closer look at a busy colony.

I like the two-departure setup, which gives you a clear morning or afternoon plan, and I like the practical touches: free WiFi, seasickness tablets, and a free ticket to try again if no whales appear. The main catch is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule. One recent outing had such poor weather that the puffin boat could not go, while the whale watching was excellent, and even a successful whale trip may leave you wishing for more sightings.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate boat trips: You choose a whale watching departure, then join a later puffin tour.
• Morning or afternoon timing: Pick 09:00 whale watching with puffins at 12:30, or 13:00 whale watching with puffins at 17:00.
• Different boats for different jobs: Whale watching uses a larger vessel, while the puffin tour uses a smaller boat designed to get close to the islands.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: Humpback and minke whales are the main targets, and a free return ticket is offered if no whales are seen.
• Useful onboard extras: The boats offer free WiFi, seasickness tablets, and binoculars on the puffin trip.
• Weather can change the plan: The puffin boat may be canceled in poor conditions, even when whale watching continues.

Two kinds of wildlife from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This experience begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, close to Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure, and you must make your own way there because hotel pickup is not included.

The outing combines a whale watching cruise with a separate puffin trip. That detail matters. You are not staying on one boat for four straight hours, and you are not joining one continuous circuit with a quick puffin stop. You are booking two departures, each with its own boat and timing.

The morning pairing is a 09:00 whale trip followed by a 12:30 puffin trip. The afternoon pairing begins with whale watching at 13:00 and continues with puffin watching at 17:00. When you book, you are selecting the whale departure time, so check that the matching puffin trip works for your day.

I like this format because the two trips offer different kinds of viewing. Whale watching takes you farther out, with a larger boat suited to open water. Puffin watching stays closer to the islands, where a smaller craft can approach the coast more carefully.

What the whale watching trip is really like

The whale cruise lasts about two to three and a half hours. That wide time range reflects the nature of the search. The crew may need time to reach areas where whales have been seen, then wait for a surfacing animal to appear.

The main targets are humpback whales and minke whales. Humpbacks can make a dramatic sight when they surface, while minke whales are smaller and can be harder to spot. You should think of this as a search in a natural setting, not a performance with guaranteed appearances on a schedule.

The larger vessel gives you a stable platform compared with a small boat, though the Atlantic can still feel rough. Bring warm clothing and waterproof protection for your camera. Even on a pleasant day in Reykjavik, conditions at sea can feel colder and wetter.

The guides provide information about whale behavior and habitat as you travel. This makes the quiet stretches useful rather than empty. You learn what the crew is watching for and why a whale may surface only briefly.

One guide named Daniel received especially warm praise after a whale trip. That does not mean he will lead your departure, but it does point to the value of the live English-speaking guide service. A good guide helps you stay alert without turning every moment into noise.

The strongest reason to book the whale portion is the chance to see animals in their own environment. The weakest point is the uncertainty. One five-star booking still wished there had been more whales, which is a fair warning: even a good outing may produce fewer sightings than you hope for.

To soften that risk, the operator offers a free ticket to join again if no whales are seen. You should confirm the practical conditions for using that return ticket, but the offer gives the experience better value than a one-shot wildlife cruise.

The puffin islands and the smaller boat

The puffin tour lasts about one hour and uses a smaller boat specially designed to get close to the islands. You receive binoculars onboard, which is important because the birds may gather on cliffs, rocks, or shorelines where your eyes alone will miss detail.

Puffins are the visual star of this half of the outing. Their compact shapes and bright bills make them easy to recognize, but the real pleasure comes from seeing a colony in its coastal setting rather than viewing one bird in isolation.

The smaller boat is a practical choice. It can approach the islands more closely than a large whale watching vessel, giving you a better angle for watching puffins. It also means you should take the weather seriously. Small boats respond more noticeably to wind and waves, and the puffin trip can be canceled when conditions are too rough.

That happened on one recent outing because the weather was not suitable for the puffin boat. The whale trip still delivered a strong show, but the second half could not run. If puffins are the main reason you want this booking, keep that weather risk in mind.

The tour is designed to reduce disturbance to the birds and islands. At certain times of year, the operator may share a boat with another activity partner to keep fewer boats on the water. That may make the setup feel less private, but it is a sensible environmental tradeoff.

Why the two departure times matter

The schedule is easy to understand once you separate the two trips. The 09:00 whale departure connects with puffin watching at 12:30. The 13:00 whale departure connects with puffin watching at 17:00.

The morning option gives you wildlife time earlier in the day and leaves the later part of your schedule open. That can suit you if you want to keep your evening flexible. The afternoon option may work better if you prefer a slower start or want to fit another morning activity into your Reykjavik plans.

The gap between departures is part of the day’s rhythm. You are not promised a single uninterrupted four-hour cruise. Plan for two distinct outings and a break between them. The stated overall duration is four hours, but the individual whale trip can last from two to three and a half hours, while the puffin trip is about one hour.

Because exact operating conditions can affect timing, check availability for the date you want. Arrive 30 minutes early at Geirsgata 11 for the first departure, and make sure you know where to meet for the second trip.

Comfort, weather, and seasickness

I would not book this casually if you are very prone to seasickness. The experience takes place on the Atlantic, and the operator specifically lists seasickness as a concern. Tablets are available onboard, but it is wise to bring your own motion sickness prevention if you already know what works for you.

Wear warm clothing, and add waterproof layers if you have them. A waterproof camera is recommended, and you should protect ordinary phones and cameras from spray. Binoculars are supplied for the puffin tour, so you do not need to bring a pair for that portion, though you may still want them for whale watching.

Free WiFi is available onboard. That is handy for sending a quick update or checking plans, but it should not be the reason you choose the trip. Your attention is better spent scanning the water and watching the islands.

Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, but they are not included. If you need something specific or tend to feel unwell on boats, plan ahead. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

Is $153 good value?

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Reykjavik. The value comes from getting two distinct wildlife experiences in one booking, with a larger whale watching boat and a smaller puffin craft.

If you booked two separate trips independently, the combined cost could be higher, though the supplied information does not give separate prices for comparison. I would judge the price by your priorities. If you want both whales and puffins and have only one suitable day, the combo saves you from arranging two unrelated bookings.

The free return ticket for no whale sightings improves the value. It does not remove the possibility of rough weather or a thin wildlife day, but it shows that the operator recognizes the uncertainty of the activity.

The price is harder to justify if you care only about puffins or only about whales. In that case, a single focused trip may fit your plans better, if available. The combo makes the most sense for you if the variety is part of the appeal.

The current rating is 4.8 from 35 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on seeing many whales and puffins, enthusiastic guides, and the closer puffin viewing after the whale cruise. The useful caution is that even a top-rated experience can produce fewer whales than hoped, and the puffin segment depends more heavily on small-boat weather.

Who will enjoy this most

I think this suits wildlife fans, first-time visitors to Iceland, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a sea outing without leaving Reykjavik. The combination gives you two chances to see something memorable, and the guide commentary adds context to the animals rather than leaving you to guess what is happening.

It is also a good fit if you want a structured half-day plan from the Old Harbour. There is no included pickup, so it works best if you are comfortable reaching Geirsgata 11 on your own.

I would be cautious if you get seasick, dislike waiting for wildlife, or need a guaranteed puffin encounter. The tour cannot control the Atlantic, and the smaller puffin boat may not operate in poor conditions.

Photography fans should bring waterproof gear and dress for changing conditions. For the puffins, the provided binoculars help you see more than you would with a casual glance from the boat.

Practical booking advice for Reykjavik

Choose the whale departure first, then check the paired puffin time. For the morning combination, plan around 09:00 and 12:30. For the afternoon combination, plan around 13:00 and 17:00.

Arrive at the ticket office 30 minutes early. Since pickup is not included, leave enough time to reach the Old Harbour without rushing.

Keep your plans slightly flexible. The whale trip lasts roughly two to three and a half hours, and weather can affect the puffin departure. If you have a flight, a tightly timed restaurant reservation, or another fixed activity later that day, this may not be the right place to leave yourself no margin.

The tour is conducted in English with a live guide. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if Iceland weather makes you hesitant to commit far ahead.

Should you book the whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want the broadest wildlife experience from Reykjavik and can accept that sightings and weather are beyond anyone’s control. The larger boat gives you a proper whale search, while the smaller puffin craft brings you closer to the islands. Free WiFi, binoculars, seasickness tablets, and a free return whale ticket add useful value.

Skip it if you are highly sensitive to motion or if puffins are your only goal and a canceled small-boat trip would ruin your day. For most people who want a memorable Atlantic outing and have room for a flexible schedule, the combo is a sensible way to put both whales and puffins on the same Iceland itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before your departure at the meeting point.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself.

Are the whale and puffin trips one continuous tour?

No. The combo includes two separate tours with two separate departures.

What departure times are available?

You can choose whale watching at 09:00 with puffin watching at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 with puffin watching at 17:00.

How long is each part?

The whale watching trip lasts approximately two to three and a half hours. The puffin tour lasts approximately one hour.

What animals might I see?

The whale trip focuses on humpback and minke whales. The puffin trip visits nearby islands with puffin colonies.

Are binoculars provided?

Yes. Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale watching trip again if there are no sightings. The supplied information does not state the conditions or time limit for using that ticket, so confirm those details with the operator.

Is the tour suitable for someone prone to seasickness?

The activity is not considered suitable for people prone to seasickness. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard, and motion sickness prevention is recommended.

What is included onboard?

The tour includes professional guides, free WiFi, and seasickness tablets. The puffin trip also includes binoculars and a smaller boat designed to approach the islands closely.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase onboard but are not included in the price.

Can the puffin trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Poor conditions may prevent the smaller puffin boat from operating. Environmental reasons may also mean that a trip is shared with another activity partner during certain periods to reduce the number of boats on the water.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.