Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Wildlife waits just beyond Reykjavik. This two-part boat experience pairs a whale-watching cruise from the Old Harbour with a close look at puffin colonies near nearby islands. I like the chance to see two very different kinds of Icelandic wildlife in one booking, and I like that the puffin trip uses a smaller boat designed to get near the islands. The main catch is the sea itself: rough weather can affect the puffin boat, and people prone to seasickness may find the outing uncomfortable.

The guides add real value, especially when wildlife takes its time. One guide named Daniel earned special praise for his energy and skill during a whale-filled trip. Still, no boat tour can promise a whale sighting, and one recent visitor summed up the only fair warning: there could always be more whales.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat trips: You choose a whale-watching departure, then join a different puffin tour later the same day.
• Two timing choices: Pick 9:00 a.m. whale watching with puffins at 12:30 p.m., or 1:00 p.m. whale watching with puffins at 5:00 p.m.
• Different boats for different jobs: Whale watching uses a larger vessel for about two to three and a half hours, while puffin viewing takes about one hour on a smaller boat.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed: Humpback and minke whales are the main targets, and you receive a free ticket to join again if no whales are seen.
• Weather can change the plan: Rough conditions may stop the puffin boat even when the whale trip goes ahead.
• Plan for the harbour, not a hotel pickup: Meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, arriving 30 minutes before departure.

From Geirsgata 11 to the open Atlantic

Your day begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You need to arrive 30 minutes early, and there is no pickup service, so allow time to reach the meeting point on your own.

The harbour is a useful starting place because you move quickly from city streets to open water. As the boat leaves Reykjavik, the setting changes from a working port to a broad Atlantic view. The experience is not a scenic bus ride with wildlife added as an afterthought. The sea is the main road, and the creatures decide how much of the program you actually see.

The whale-watching boat is the larger vessel, built for a longer trip of roughly two to three and a half hours. That range matters. Wildlife viewing has no fixed schedule, so the boat may spend more or less time at sea depending on conditions and the search for animals.

You can choose one of two combinations:

• 9:00 a.m. whale watching, followed by the 12:30 p.m. puffin trip
• 1:00 p.m. whale watching, followed by the 5:00 p.m. puffin trip

The booking time refers to the whale-watching departure. You are not selecting one continuous cruise. You are reserving two separate tours with two departures, so keep that distinction clear when organizing your day.

Whale watching with humpbacks and minkes

The main whale targets are humpback whales and minke whales. Your guide explains their behavior and habitat while the boat searches the water, giving you more to focus on than simply scanning the horizon.

A wildlife cruise can be thrilling, but it can also test your patience. You may see a whale quickly, or you may spend long stretches watching empty water before a back or blow appears. That uncertainty is part of the deal, not a flaw in the operation. A recent August trip produced many whales and earned high praise for the guide, while another visitor still wished for more sightings despite giving the experience the highest rating.

That contrast tells you how to judge the tour. A good outing is not only about counting animals. It is also about the guide’s ability to explain what you see, keep the search interesting, and handle the fact that wild animals do not follow a timetable.

I like the free return ticket if no sightings occur. It does not guarantee that your second attempt will be full of whales, but it gives the price more protection. If seeing a whale is the single reason you are booking, ask about using that return option before leaving Reykjavik and keep enough flexibility in your schedule.

Free WiFi is available onboard, which is handy for sharing updates or checking plans. Seasickness tablets are also available at no extra charge. Still, do not treat those tablets as a complete solution if you already know you are sensitive to movement. The experience is specifically not recommended for people prone to seasickness, and the open Atlantic can be demanding.

The smaller boat and Reykjavik’s puffin islands

The puffin portion uses a smaller boat for about one hour. Its design allows it to get as close to the nearby islands as possible, giving you a better angle on the colonies and the rocky coastal setting.

This is a different type of wildlife outing from whale watching. On the larger boat, you scan a wide area for animals that may surface far away. On the puffin trip, the goal is more focused: approach the islands, look toward the colonies, and watch the birds against the coast.

Binoculars are provided on the puffin boat. That is useful because puffins are small, and the boat must still respect the islands and the animals. You should also bring your own binoculars if you have a preferred pair, since the included equipment may be shared or limited in availability.

The puffin trip is short, but that is not necessarily a weakness. One hour keeps the visit focused and gives you a clear second chapter after the longer whale cruise. It also means the combined day feels varied rather than like one long stretch of ocean viewing.

Weather is the key concern here. A recent trip went ahead for whale watching, but poor conditions made the boat used for puffins unsuitable. That is a useful warning for anyone planning the combo around one specific animal. The whale trip and puffin trip do not have identical weather limits, so one may operate while the other cannot.

If the puffin boat is affected, ask the operator what replacement or rescheduling options apply. The information provided confirms the separate nature of the two tours, but it does not promise a particular weather remedy for the puffin portion.

Choosing between the morning and afternoon combinations

The morning option starts with whales at 9:00 a.m. and puffins at 12:30 p.m. The afternoon option begins with whales at 1:00 p.m. and puffins at 5:00 p.m.

I would choose based on your wider Reykjavik plans and your tolerance for an early start. The morning combination uses the first part of the day for wildlife, leaving later hours open if the timing works out. The afternoon combination may suit you better if you prefer a slower start or want to keep the morning free.

The gap between the two departures is important. The listed whale trip can last two to three and a half hours, while the puffin tour starts at a fixed time. That means the morning schedule may leave you with a shorter break, while the afternoon option has a longer gap between whale watching and puffins. Keep your plans flexible rather than booking another time-sensitive activity in between.

Because the tours are separate, listen carefully to meeting instructions for the second departure. Do not assume that finishing the whale trip automatically places you in the right queue for puffins. The provider’s staff can help, but you should keep the second start time in mind throughout the day.

Guides, wildlife explanations, and onboard comfort

The tour includes English-speaking professional guides. Their role matters most when sightings are brief or distant. A guide can point out behavior, explain habitat, and help you understand what you are seeing instead of leaving you to guess at every fin and splash.

Daniel received especially warm praise after a whale trip in poor weather. That feedback fits the experience well: the guide’s attitude can shape the day when conditions are not perfect. A cheerful, alert guide cannot control the sea, but can make waiting and searching feel worthwhile.

The boats provide free WiFi, and seasickness tablets are available. Food and drinks are not included, although snacks and beverages are sold onboard. If you need a full meal, plan for that before or after the cruise rather than counting on the boat menu.

Dress for changing conditions. Warm clothing is specifically recommended, along with a waterproof camera. Even on a bright day in Reykjavik, the boat environment can feel colder than the harbour, and spray can be a problem for phones and cameras.

You should also bring motion sickness prevention if you need it. The provided tablets are a helpful extra, but anyone with a history of seasickness should treat this as a serious planning issue, not a minor inconvenience.

What the $153 price really buys

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price needs to be judged against what is included: two wildlife tours, professional English-speaking guides, the larger whale-watching cruise, the smaller puffin boat, binoculars for the puffin trip, onboard WiFi, seasickness tablets, and a free return ticket if no whales are seen.

The value is strongest if you already want to see both species. Booking the two experiences together saves you from arranging separate wildlife outings and gives your day a clear theme. You also get two boat types, two viewing styles, and two chances to experience the coast from the water.

The value is weaker if you mainly want puffins or mainly want whales. The tours are separate, and weather can affect one without affecting the other. You are paying for a combined wildlife day, not a guaranteed animal checklist.

There are extra costs to remember. Pickup is not included, and food and drinks are sold separately. You will also need warm clothing and suitable camera protection, though those are normal Iceland travel needs rather than special fees.

The free repeat ticket improves the whale-watching value, especially during a quiet outing. It does not remove the need for schedule flexibility, and it does not turn wild animals into a sure thing. Still, it is a fair safeguard and one of the better practical details of the experience.

Who should book this wildlife day?

I would recommend this combo to you if you want a simple way to see two types of Icelandic wildlife from Reykjavik without arranging separate transport. It suits people who enjoy nature, can accept uncertain sightings, and do not mind spending several hours around the harbour and open sea.

It is especially good for anyone who values variety. The whale boat is longer and wider in purpose, while the puffin boat is shorter and more focused. The change of pace helps the day feel active rather than repetitive.

Families may appreciate the clear contrast between large whales and small puffins, though the provider specifically says the activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Since no age guidance is provided, check directly if you are booking for young children.

I would be more cautious if your schedule is packed. The whale trip can last up to three and a half hours, and the second departure is fixed. You should not place a tight appointment immediately after the first boat or assume poor weather will affect both parts in the same way.

This also may not be the best choice if you dislike boat travel, cold weather, or long periods of searching. The guides can explain the animals and keep the trip moving, but they cannot promise frequent sightings.

Practical tips for a smoother trip

Arrive at Geirsgata 11 half an hour early. That is the stated meeting requirement, and it gives you time to find the ticket office without starting the day in a rush.

Wear warm layers and bring waterproof protection for your camera. A waterproof camera is specifically recommended, and a sealed phone pouch is a sensible addition if you plan to use your phone near the rail.

Bring binoculars if you own a good pair. The puffin boat provides binoculars, but personal binoculars can make it easier to follow birds without waiting for shared equipment.

Take seasickness seriously. Use the available tablets if appropriate for you, and bring your own approved motion sickness treatment if that is part of your normal routine. You can buy snacks and drinks onboard, but the tour does not include them.

Keep your afternoon or evening flexible. The two departures are fixed, but the whale portion can vary from two to three and a half hours. Weather can also change the puffin plan.

Finally, remember that the whale departure is the time you choose when booking. The puffin outing follows as a separate tour at either 12:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want a full wildlife day, like the idea of switching from a large whale-watching vessel to a smaller puffin boat, and can accept nature’s lack of guarantees. The guide quality, free whale return ticket, included puffin binoculars, and two distinct settings give the $153 price a reasonable case.

Skip it if seasickness is a serious problem, your schedule cannot handle changing trip lengths, or you only care about one species. For everyone else, this is a well-planned Reykjavik outing with real variety, sensible extras, and enough flexibility to make a quiet whale day less disappointing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the combined experience last?

The advertised duration is four hours, but the two parts are separate. Whale watching lasts about two to three and a half hours, and the puffin tour lasts about one hour.

What departure times are available?

You can choose 9:00 a.m. whale watching followed by puffins at 12:30 p.m., or 1:00 p.m. whale watching followed by puffins at 5:00 p.m.

Are the whale and puffin trips on the same boat?

No. Whale watching uses a larger vessel, while the puffin trip uses a smaller boat designed to approach the islands more closely.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again if there are no sightings.

Are food and hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, and snacks and beverages are sold onboard. Free WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets are available.