Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Wildlife comes right out of Reykjavik Harbor. This combo pairs a puffin cruise on the shallow-draft Old Skuli with whale watching in Faxaflói Bay, giving you two very different views of Iceland’s sea life in about four hours. I like the warm overalls, the indoor seating, and the friendly guides who explain what you are seeing without turning the trip into a classroom lecture. I also like the free retry policy if the whale search comes up empty.

The main catch is simple: puffins are easier to find than whales, but neither tour guarantees close-up photographs. The puffin boat can approach the islands, yet the birds may still sit farther away than you expect. On rough days, the whale cruise can also become tiring, especially when the boat slows down in open water.

Five things to know before you book

• Two separate cruises: You return to Reykjavik Harbor between the puffin and whale trips, so this is not one continuous boat ride.
• Old Skuli gets close to puffin islands: Its shallow draught lets it approach the small islands where puffins breed.
• The Andrea is built for comfort: The large whale-watching boat has indoor seating, warm overalls, a cafeteria, and room to move around.
• The Express whale option saves travel time: The faster boat takes 2 to 2.5 hours, but you spend the same amount of time in the whale-watching area.
• Summer gives you the best odds: April through September is the preferred season, while whale sightings are less likely at other times.
• Guides add real value: Guides such as Patrick, Alex, Oscar, Celine, and Rebecca have been praised for clear explanations, humor, and quick spotting.

Two boats, two very different wildlife outings

The appeal of this Reykjavik combo is the contrast. Puffin watching is a short, focused trip to nearby islands. Whale watching is a longer run into Faxaflói Bay, where the animals are wild, mobile, and much less predictable.

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. From there, the schedule determines which cruise comes first. The 9:00 AM departure uses the Classic Whale Watching tour, followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. The 10:00 AM departure uses Express Whale Watching first, followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. The 12:30 PM departure begins with puffins and follows with Express Whale Watching at 2:00 PM.

That detail matters. You are booking two linked activities, not a single four-hour circuit. You return to the harbor between them, with a short changeover when both are scheduled on the same day. You can also take the two tours on different days, which is useful if you want to leave room for weather changes or a slower Reykjavik schedule.

Puffin Express on Old Skuli

The puffin portion uses Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli. It is a small boat with a shallow draught, which allows it to get closer to the little islands around Reykjavik than a large vessel could.

The ride to the puffin islands is gentle and takes roughly an hour in total, including the outward and return legs and time near the birds. The boat has binoculars available, and you should use them. Puffins are small, quick, and often farther away than the word up-close might suggest.

You may see hundreds of puffins flying, swimming, and landing around the islands. Other seabirds can appear too, including black guillemots and gulls. One outing even included a stop on the way back to watch orcas, although that is not part of the stated regular program and should be treated as a lucky extra, not an expectation.

The guides are an important part of this trip. Patrick, also known by the playful nickname Patrick Pirate Puffin, has been praised for combining science-based facts with jokes that work well for children. Other guides have been described as energetic, clear, and happy to answer questions about bird behavior.

The company gives a 100 percent sighting guarantee for the puffin tour. That does not mean every bird will pose beside the boat, but it does reflect how dependable puffin sightings are during the season. The birds breed on the islands, so the search is much less uncertain than the whale portion.

The main limitation is viewing distance. The boat must keep a respectful distance from the colony, and the water can make photography tricky. If your goal is a sharp phone photograph of a puffin’s face, you may be disappointed. If your goal is to watch a busy colony in its natural setting, the trip makes much more sense.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

The whale portion takes you into Faxaflói Bay, where common sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. You may see several species on one trip, but wildlife does not follow a script. Some days bring repeated humpback appearances, while other days produce only a few tails, blows, or distant splashes.

The Classic Whale Watching cruise uses Andrea, described as Iceland’s biggest whale-watching boat. It lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours and has an educational, interactive focus. The size helps with comfort. You have warm indoor seating, room to move, a cafeteria, and supplied overalls for cold or wet conditions.

The Express option uses a faster boat and lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours. The shorter total time does not mean less time in the main viewing area. The boat simply reaches that area faster, giving you the same amount of whale-watching time as the classic option.

I would choose Express if you have a tight schedule, young children, or little patience for a long ride out. I would choose the Andrea if comfort, indoor space, and a cafeteria matter more to you. The larger boat may also feel easier on a day when the sea is unsettled, though no boat can remove the effects of rough water.

The guides keep scanning the water and call out directions when a whale surfaces. This is especially useful on a large boat, where a sighting can vanish behind a wave before you find it. Guides such as Alex and Celine have received strong praise for explaining why animals surface, how to spot a blow, and what different movements mean. Oscar has also been praised for clear commentary and humor.

What you might actually see

The best accounts from this cruise include more than 15 humpbacks, several minke whales, white-nosed dolphins, and close approaches by feeding whales. Humpbacks have been seen breaching, rolling onto their backs, slapping fins, and waving their flukes before disappearing below the surface.

Those are exceptional days, not the baseline. On a quieter outing, you might see a few blows, tails, or splashes. One trip saw shy whales but still produced memorable glimpses, while another had dolphins repeatedly appearing beside the boat.

That uncertainty is part of the deal with any wild whale trip. The guides can search well, but they cannot control where the animals feed. If no whales are spotted, you receive another ticket to try again. This is useful if your schedule allows a return trip, though it does not help much if you are leaving Reykjavik the next morning.

The company may also cancel or alter a sailing if weather and sea conditions are poor. Captains make that call with passenger safety and comfort in mind. One reported outing had the whale portion canceled because of rough seas, with clear communication and an automatic refund offered when rescheduling was not possible.

Warm clothing helps, even in summer

I would not treat Icelandic summer as warm simply because it is summer. Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes, and use the supplied overalls when offered. The waterproof gear has been especially useful during cold, wet rides, letting people stay outside longer without becoming miserable.

You can sit indoors on the Andrea, but you will probably want to step outside when whales appear. The best viewing spot can change quickly, and the person who stays inside may hear the call too late. The overalls give you freedom to move between the warm cabin and the viewing decks.

Sea conditions deserve respect. A calm day can make the cruise easy, while a rough day may leave some people seasick. Motion-sickness medication has been available on past trips, and one departure warned passengers about rough water in advance. If you are sensitive, ask about conditions before sailing and consider the larger Andrea rather than the faster option.

Guides are a major part of the value

The boats and wildlife matter most, but the guides shape the day. The strongest guide comments focus on three things: fast spotting, useful facts, and a light sense of humor.

Patrick’s puffin commentary has been especially popular with families. Alex has been praised for explaining marine facts with obvious enthusiasm. Celine has been described as energetic and warm, while Oscar has earned praise for clear explanations during the whale portion.

That variety matters because you may spend long periods scanning empty water. A good guide gives those quiet minutes purpose. You learn how to watch for a blow, why a whale may surface in one place and reappear far away, and how puffins use the islands around Reykjavik.

The tours are conducted in English. If you enjoy asking questions, the guides have been described as approachable and willing to explain what you are seeing.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not a bargain outing. Still, you are paying for two cruises, two guides, boat operations, warm seating, overalls, and binoculars for the puffin trip. The price looks strongest when you want both types of wildlife and prefer to organize them together from the Old Harbor.

The value is also better on a day with active wildlife. Several humpbacks, dolphins, and hundreds of puffins can make the cost feel justified. On a quiet whale day, the free retry ticket becomes important. If you cannot return, the price may feel high for a few distant sightings, even if the guides work hard.

The combo makes more financial sense for first-time visitors who want a broad sample of Iceland’s marine life. If you have already seen puffins elsewhere, you may find the puffin portion less essential. One past assessment found the whale trip excellent but considered the puffin cruise weaker because of the short viewing period, crowded boat, and distance from the islands.

Who should choose this combo?

I think this is a strong fit for families, first-time visitors to Iceland, wildlife fans, and anyone with only half a day in Reykjavik. The combination keeps the schedule compact while giving you two distinct outings. Children may especially enjoy the puffin stories and the chance to move around a boat, though rough seas can change that quickly.

It also suits people who like guided nature trips rather than simply taking a boat ride. You get explanations on both cruises, binoculars for the puffins, warm gear, and help finding animals that are easy to miss.

I would think twice if your only goal is close-up photography. Puffins can be surprisingly small at viewing distance, and whales surface too briefly for dependable phone shots. Bring a camera if you like, but watch first and photograph second.

You should also be realistic about timing. The same-day schedule involves returning to the harbor between trips. If you want a relaxed morning with no clock pressure, book the tours on separate days if that option is available for your dates.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. Hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but they can be bought onboard, especially on the larger whale-watching boat.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times carefully, since the Classic and Express whale trips pair with the puffin cruise at different hours.

The best period for whale watching is April through September. Puffin sightings are particularly dependable during the breeding season, but the exact number of birds and the distance from the islands can vary. Outside the main whale season, sightings are less likely, so the free retry policy is more useful if you have extra time in Reykjavik.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale and puffin combo?

I would book it if you want a well-organized half-day built around Icelandic wildlife and you accept that nature decides the headline moment. The puffin cruise is the safer bet for a sighting, while the whale trip offers the bigger thrill when the animals cooperate.

Choose the Express whale boat if time matters. Choose the Andrea if you prefer more space, indoor seating, and a cafeteria. Bring warm clothes, use the binoculars, and do not judge the puffin trip by your phone camera.

For most first-time visitors, the two-part format is worth the $153 price, especially in summer and especially if you can use the free whale retry ticket when the bay is quiet. If you need guaranteed close-up wildlife photos, this is not the right promise. If you want a well-guided chance to see puffins, whales, dolphins, and the open waters around Reykjavik, it is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.

How long does the combo tour take?

The listed duration is about four hours, though the exact schedule depends on whether you choose Classic or Express Whale Watching and which cruise comes first.

Are the whale and puffin trips separate tours?

Yes. You return to the harbor between the two cruises when taking them on the same day. You can also take them on different days.

What animals might I see on the whale cruise?

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

What animals might I see on the puffin cruise?

The puffin cruise focuses on puffins living around small islands near Reykjavik. You may also see other seabirds, including black guillemots and gulls.

Are puffin sightings guaranteed?

The tour includes a 100 percent sightings guarantee for the puffin cruise. The birds may still be farther away than expected, so binoculars are useful.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive another whale-watching ticket for free if nothing is spotted on the tour.

Which whale boat is used for the Classic tour?

The Classic Whale Watching tour operates on the Andrea, a large boat with indoor seating, a cafeteria, warm overalls, and an educational focus.

What is the difference between Classic and Express Whale Watching?

The Classic tour lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours. Express lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours because the faster boat reaches the whale-watching area sooner, while still allowing the same amount of time in that area.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes. The crew supplies warm overalls, and binoculars are available for the puffin tour.

Are food and drinks included?

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

When is the best time for whale watching?

The preferred season is April through September. Whale sightings may be less likely at other times of year.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.