Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Two tours, one puffin-and-whale hunt. In Reykjavik, you spend a half day on the water, first searching for seabirds on a small boat, then heading out into Faxaflói Bay for classic whale watching.

I love the practical setup here: warm overalls plus inside seating means you can stay focused on the wildlife instead of shivering. I also like the puffin approach, using the small craft Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli), designed to get close to the island-side action.

One consideration: whale sightings depend on weather and animal behavior. Even with a guarantee, you may have days where you get shorter looks instead of big, dramatic “showtime” moments.

Key things I’d highlight before you book

• Two different boats, two different wildlife styles, puffins up close on a shallow-draft vessel, whales from a bigger whale boat
• Warm overalls and inside seating that make a big difference in Iceland’s wind
• Puffins with a 100% sightings guarantee, so you are not gambling your bird time
• Whales with a free return ticket if none are spotted, a nice safety net for the main highlight
• Options for faster whale timing (Express) so you waste less time traveling out to the area
• Binoculars provided for the puffin leg, helpful because puffins are small and cell phones struggle

Reykjavik Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: how this combo makes sense

This combo tour is built for people who want more wildlife per day, without turning your schedule into a marathon. The meeting point is at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, which is convenient if you are already spending time around the harbor. From there, you split your time between two separate sea outings, with a changeover back at the port.

The big reason it works is the pacing. You get a short, upbeat puffin run on a smaller boat, then you switch gears to whale watching farther out. It is a format that keeps the day moving while still giving you real time out on the water.

And yes, it is a “try for whales, then lock in puffins” kind of plan. Puffins have a more predictable pattern than whales, and the tour reflects that with its guarantee on the bird side.

Puffin Express on Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli): close enough to see the details

Your puffin portion focuses on quality viewing, not just “you saw birds from a distance.” You travel by a small boat called Skúlaskeið (Old Skuli), specifically suited for puffin watching because it has a shallow draught. That matters. In plain terms, it helps the boat get closer to the small islands where puffins live.

You also have the comfort piece covered. You will have warm inside seating, and you get overalls supplied by the crew. Puffin watching is often done in choppy, cold weather, and being comfortable changes your experience from frantic to curious.

Guides on this leg are there for more than crowd control. They share facts about the birds and help you use the viewing tools. Binoculars are included for the puffin tour, and the guides help you spot where puffins are flying and where the action is on the water.

One useful reality check from real life: puffins are small, and they can be hard to frame well with a phone camera. Having binoculars makes it much easier to enjoy what you are seeing, not just what you are recording.

What might you see?

• Puffins flying around and working the colony area
• Other seabirds mixed into the same islands
• On at least one day, even an extra spotting moment on the way back (like watching for orcas was mentioned on a trip)

What I’d watch for (the trade-off)

On some days, you might not feel like you are “right on top” of the island. Puffins are sensitive, and boats still have to keep safe distances. You can still get a lot of bird activity in your viewing window, but you may not get the same kind of close-up you get from a wildlife documentary.

Whale watching from Reykjavik’s boats: Andrea plus an Express option

After puffins, you switch to the whale side. The classic whale watching tour in this combo is operated on the Andrea boat. It is described as the biggest whale watching boat in Iceland, and it has an educational and interactive approach. There is also a cafeteria onboard, which is a quiet comfort when you are out on the water for hours.

Most whale sightings in the Faxaflói Bay area are typically minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. In other words, you are not waiting for one species. You are scanning for a mix, and that increases your chances of getting at least some big moments.

When whales are active, it can feel like the ocean is putting on a show. Humpbacks are the kind of animal that can offer dramatic surfacing moments, including breaching and close passing behavior when conditions line up. Dolphins can pop up alongside for shorter bursts, and sometimes porpoises are the steady, quick surprises.

Your guide on the whale leg can make a difference in how much you enjoy the hunt. Names that have come up include Oscar for the whale portion, and also Alex in at least one case. If you catch Celine on the whale side, you are likely in for a very high-energy information session.

Express matters if you care about time

You can choose to switch to an Express whale watching option. The Express boat is described as faster, so you get to the whale area quicker than the other whale boats. The important detail is that you spend the same amount of time in the whale watching area, you just cut down travel time.

The data here is clear:

• Express whale watching is about 2 to 2.5 hours
• Classic whale watching is about 3 to 3.5 hours
• You still get plenty of time where it counts

Also, weather controls the plan

Captains decide whether to sail based on safety and passenger comfort. That is not just a formality. Iceland sea conditions can change quickly, and when they slow down or adjust, the goal is always a safe, stable ride for everyone.

If no whales are spotted

This is the big safety net for the whale side. If there are no whales, you get another ticket for free to try again.

Timing rules: which departure slot works best for your day

The combo tour runs like a sequence of fixed departure times, and choosing the right one can help you match it to your schedule and your energy level.

Here are the three common ways the day can run:

• 9:00 AM Classic Whale Watching, then Puffin Express at 12:30 PM
• 10:00 AM Express Whale Watching, then Puffin Express at 12:30 PM
• 12:30 PM Puffin Express, then Express Whale Watching at 2:00 PM

How to choose

If you want to start strong and get done earlier, the 9:00 or 10:00 options keep your day efficient. If you already have a morning activity or you just do not want to rush, the 12:30 puffin-first option can feel more relaxed.

If you are trying to maximize whale time without feeling worn out, the Express whale choice can be the sweet spot. You spend the key viewing time in the whale area, while trimming the travel stretch.

One more note that can help you plan: these are two separate tours. You do not keep one boat for the entire experience. You go back toward the harbor between legs to switch out and continue the day.

What is really included, and what that means for you

This combo tour is priced like a two-part wildlife outing, and the inclusions explain why. You get:

• Warm inside seating on the boats
• Overalls supplied by the crew
• Binoculars for the puffin tour
• Guides on both tours
• A 100% sightings guarantee for the puffin tour

Not included:

• Hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but you can buy them onboard

Why the overalls and inside seating matter

In Iceland, the difference between enjoying wildlife and staring at chattering teeth is often simple clothing. Waterproof overalls keep wind off you and help you stay dry. Inside seating also protects you from the worst spray and cold gusts.

This is echoed in the experiences people share, including praise for overalls that kept them warm and able to enjoy long looks. It also came up that guides can keep everyone engaged, which helps pass the cold moments faster.

Binoculars on puffins

Puffins are not big targets. They are small birds, moving fast, often at a distance. Binoculars help you see their body shape and behavior, not just the fact that a dot exists somewhere out there. Phone cameras can be fun for documentation, but they are not the best tool for actually enjoying a puffin moment.

Wildlife odds: what you can realistically expect in Faxaflói Bay

Let’s keep expectations grounded. There is no such thing as guaranteed whale sightings in the way a zoo show is predictable. The ocean decides.

That said, the species mix is well-defined for the area, and the tour is set up to keep searching. In Faxaflói Bay, you are most likely scanning for:

• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Harbor porpoises

When you do get a good whale day, it is memorable. You might see humpbacks breaching, swimming near the surface, and showing up repeatedly so you get multiple chances to watch them. Dolphins can also appear alongside, sometimes with sudden pops that make you look up fast.

Puffins are the more dependable win. Because puffins breed on islands and return to the same areas, the tour offers a 100% sightings guarantee for that leg. In practice, that means you should come away with real puffin viewing, not just a “maybe we saw one.”

And you can see a lot of them. One guide-style explanation that stood out was a description of the colony as reaching around 30,000 puffins, with the birds flying and moving constantly around the island area.

Price and value: is $153 fair for two wildlife outings?

At $153 per person for a 4-hour combo, you are paying for two things:

1) Two boat outings with different gear and different viewing challenges

2) The “comfort layer” that keeps you viewing longer, warm overalls included

If you compare it to doing whales and puffins separately, a combo usually saves you from piecing together timing, transfers, and repeated harbor checks. Here, the value is not just convenience. It is also the specific included items that often cost extra when booked piecemeal: overalls and puffin binoculars, plus guide time on both legs.

The other value piece is risk handling:

• Puffins have a sightings guarantee
• Whales have a free return ticket if none are spotted

That is a practical way to make the cost feel more balanced when the sea decides to be quiet.

The only real “value downside” is that you may have to accept limits around closeness and photo angles. If your dream is a super close, island-kissing puffin moment or a constant close whale parade, nature might not cooperate. But if your goal is a guided, efficient half-day wildlife experience with strong comfort and decent odds, this combo earns its place.

Tips to stay warm, see better, and have less frustration

I would pack for wind and spray, even if the forecast looks calm. Boat days change fast, and the tour’s overalls help, but you still need warm layers underneath.

Also think about your viewing tools:

• Use the included binoculars on the puffin leg
• Keep your phone camera secondary, mainly for quick clips and a few photos
• Expect puffins to be busy. You do not get to “pose” wildlife. Let them come to your viewing window

For sea conditions, plan for motion. Iceland water can be choppy even in summer. A note that came up in real experiences is that crews may offer sea sickness pills if you want them. If you are sensitive to motion, ask on board or plan ahead.

Finally, bring the right mindset. Wildlife tours are more about patience and repeated scanning than instant magic. When humpbacks or dolphins do show up, you will feel like you earned it.

Who this Reykjavik whales and puffins combo is best for

This tour fits best if you:

• Want to see both whales and puffins in a single half-day block
• Like guided spotting, not just hoping animals are visible from the deck
• Appreciate comfort upgrades like overalls and inside seating
• Are okay with weather-driven variability on the whale side

It is also a strong choice for families, since the Andrea whale boat is described as family-friendly and spacious, with onboard food. For younger kids, the guides help keep attention focused, and the animals can show up repeatedly.

If you are coming with zero tolerance for cold or motion, or you only want whale encounters, you might prefer a tour that focuses on one experience. But for most people, a two-species hunt feels like a smart use of time.

Should you book this Reykjavik whales and puffins combo?

I think you should book it if your goal is a high-probability puffin outing paired with whale watching that has a real backup plan. The 100% sightings guarantee for puffins takes the stress out of one half of the day, and the free ticket option protects you if the whales do not show.

Skip it only if you are chasing one specific outcome, like guaranteed whale closeness or non-stop whale action. Nature does not promise that. But if you want a warm, guided, efficient Reykjavik sea day with strong odds and plenty of chances to spot real wildlife, this combo is a very solid pick.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whales and puffins combo tour?

The total duration is 4 hours.

What boats are used for the whale and puffin parts?

The whale portion is operated on the Andrea boat, and the puffin portion uses a small boat called Skúlaskeið (Old Skuli). There is also an Express option for whale watching using a faster boat.

Are warm overalls provided?

Yes. Warm overalls are supplied by the crew, and warm inside seating is available.

Is there a guarantee that I will see puffins and whales?

For the puffin tour, there is a 100% sightings guarantee. For the whale tour, if there are no whales you get another ticket for free.

When is the best time of year to see whales in Iceland?

Whale watching is best during the summer months, from April to September.

Are hot drinks and refreshments included?

No. Hot drinks and refreshments are available for purchase, but they are not included in the tour price.