Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Whales and puffins, same day. That alone is a fun reason to try this Reykjavik combo. I like how it pairs an Atlantic cruise with a later puffin visit, so you get two very different kinds of wildlife time in one go. You’ll be sailing out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour with expert guides talking through what you’re looking at, and then you’ll shift to smaller-boat puffin viewing close to the islands.

Two things I really appreciate are the free WiFi on board (handy for checking maps, weather, or sharing photos) and the extra comfort touches like complimentary seasickness tablets. The big caution is simple: if you’re prone to seasickness, this is not your best plan, since you’re out on the water for whale watching.

One more practical note: the combo is two separate tours on two departures, so if conditions are rough, the puffin part may be affected by boat choice or sea state. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad tour—it just means you should pack like a realist and be ready for the ocean to set the pace.

Key things to know before you go

• Old Harbour departure: You start at Geirsgata 11 at the Special Tours ticket office, then cruise into the Atlantic.
• Two-departure combo: You pick your whale watching time, then match it with the puffin departure (12:30 or 17:00).
• Whales first, puffins later: Whale watching runs on a larger vessel, then puffins are done on a smaller boat made to get close to the islands.
• Comfort included: Seasickness tablets and free WiFi are part of the deal.
• Binocular support: Puffin boat includes provided binoculars for island spotting.
• No-sighting safety net: If you don’t get sightings, you get a free ticket to join again.

From Old Harbour to the open Atlantic: what the whale watching run feels like

The whole day starts at the Special Tours ticket office, Geirsgata 11. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early so you can check in without stress. Then you’re on the larger vessel for the whale watching part, which runs about 2 to 3.5 hours depending on conditions and what the crew finds.

The best part here is how quickly the scenery turns from “Reykjavik waterfront” into open ocean. Once you’re out far enough, the weather can swing, the sea can look deceptively calm, and then suddenly you’re scanning for spouts and surface breaks. This is the kind of trip where your attention has a job: watch the water, listen for guide cues, and keep your camera ready for short photo windows.

You’re looking for humpback whales and minke whales. The guides are there to help you connect what you see—like how whales move through water and how their behavior differs when they’re feeding or traveling. That guide talk matters because wildlife spotting is partly timing and partly interpretation. Without the context, it can be easy to miss what’s right in front of you.

I also like that this isn’t presented as a “guaranteed show.” It’s wildlife time. If you get sightings, great. If you don’t, the tour includes a free ticket to join again, which is a serious value add for a whale-focused outing like this.

Picking your timing: the two combo schedules and how they change your day

This combo is built around two different tours with two separate departures. When you book, you choose your whale watching departure time, then you get paired with a puffin departure.

You’ve got two choices:

• Whale 09:00 → Puffin 12:30
• Whale 13:00 → Puffin 17:00

What that means for you is pacing. If you go with the 09:00 option, you’re likely to spend the early part of the day out on the Atlantic and then transition to puffins around midday. If you pick the 13:00 option, you’ll compress the whale time later in the day and end with puffins later afternoon.

Either way, you’re getting both experiences, but you should think about daylight and sea conditions. In Iceland, the ocean decides more than your schedule does. So I’d choose the departure that fits your broader plans in Reykjavik—then treat the sightings as the main event.

Also note: there’s no pick-up service included. That matters if you’re relying on taxis, buses, or walking. Build in buffer time to get to the meeting point at Geirsgata 11.

The puffin island stop: close contact on a smaller boat

After the whale watching portion, the day shifts from “watch the open water” to “spot birds against the coast.” The puffin tour runs about 1 hour and is done on a smaller boat designed to get as close to the islands as possible.

That difference in boat size is not just a technical detail. A smaller vessel can mean a different viewing angle, a tighter feel for the coastline, and better chances to get your eyes on the right spots—especially when puffins are clustered near the island edge.

On the puffin tour, binoculars are provided. Even if you pack your own, this at least means you won’t be stuck empty-handed if you forgot them. You’ll be looking for puffin colonies, and the visual contrast is part of the fun: dark sea, rocky coastal shapes, and the birds popping out where the island terrain gives them their stage.

One practical caution: if weather or sea conditions are tough, the puffin leg may be impacted by boat choice. In at least one real-world case, bad weather prevented the puffin portion from happening with the usual boat type. So stay flexible in your expectations—this is an ocean activity, not a museum timetable.

The guides make the difference: how Daniel’s style shows up on the water

The guides are a big part of why this combo works well. You’re not just out there “hoping for whales.” You’re getting guidance on what you’re likely to see and what the animals are doing.

One guide name that stands out in the feedback is Daniel. People praised his enthusiasm and top-notch guidance, and that energy matters when you’re scanning the sea for extended stretches. Good guiding helps you stay focused, and it helps translate random-looking ocean moments into something meaningful.

You also get onboard support that makes the experience smoother: free seasickness tablets when you need them, plus free WiFi for quick check-ins. WiFi won’t bring the whales to the surface, but it does help the trip feel less like you’re disconnected for hours.

Comfort and sanity at sea: what to bring (and what to skip)

This is Iceland, and it’s on the water. So packing isn’t optional.

Bring:

• Warm clothing (dress in layers)
• Waterproof camera gear if you care about photos
• Binoculars if you have them, even though puffins include provided binoculars
• Motion sickness prevention (even if you think you’re fine)

The tour also supplies complimentary seasickness tablets, but you shouldn’t treat that as a guarantee that you’ll feel great. If you’re already the type to get sick in boats, the tour is listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness. That’s one of the clearest “know before you go” items here.

Not allowed:

• Pets
• Smoking

I’d also treat this like a real wildlife outing, not a casual cruise. Keep your hands and camera ready when the guide starts pointing. Wildlife spotting often comes in short windows.

Price and value for a two-tour wildlife combo

At $153 per person, you’re paying for a coordinated whale watching cruise plus a puffin island viewing session on a different boat. On paper, it sounds like “one price, two wildlife types,” but the real value is in how the tour covers the practical stuff.

For your money, you get:

• Experienced, professional guides for both parts
• Free WiFi onboard
• Complimentary seasickness tablets
• Puffin binoculars and a specially designed smaller boat for close island access
• A safety net if you don’t get sightings: a free ticket to join again

That last one is important. Wildlife spotting is never fully controllable. The ocean can hide animals, and weather can make it harder to reach certain conditions. Knowing there’s a rejoin option changes how you should weigh the price.

What’s not included:

• Snacks and beverages sold on board (so bring cash/card readiness, or plan to buy something there)
• Pick-up service

So, is it worth it? If you want both whales and puffins and you’re okay with the ocean variables, yes. You’re paying for two targeted wildlife outings with the right boat sizes and guided interpretation, not just a single generic cruise.

Weather, shared boats, and how the ocean can affect your experience

Iceland’s marine environment can change quickly. The provider notes that, for environmental reasons, some trips during certain times of the year may be delivered on a shared boat with another activity partner, aiming to keep fewer boats on the water.

For you, that means two things:

1. Your boat ride might feel a bit more mixed and less “private.”
2. The crew still runs the day, but the schedule could be shared among groups.

Also, conditions matter for both legs, but especially for the puffin portion, since the puffin tour uses a smaller boat meant to get close to islands. If the sea state is rough, that kind of close run can become less comfortable or less feasible. In those cases, you might find the puffin part is affected.

That’s not a flaw in your plan. It’s the reality of doing wildlife in open water. Your job is to be prepared: warm clothing, motion sickness prevention, waterproof gear, and a camera you’re ready to use quickly.

Who should book this combo (and who should think twice)

This is a great fit if:

• You want both humpback and minke whale watching and puffins in one day.
• You enjoy guided interpretation, not just “stand and look.”
• You appreciate comfort extras like free WiFi and seasickness tablets.
• You’re the type who can handle some weather unpredictability.

Think twice if:

• You’re prone to seasickness. This is explicitly listed as not suitable for that.
• You need a perfectly fixed schedule. The combo depends on ocean conditions and the separate departure structure.

If you’re visiting Reykjavik and want a serious wildlife day without adding extra complicated logistics, this combo is a clean solution. It’s also a strong choice if you’re traveling on a short timeline and you want to maximize wildlife time.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale watching and puffin combo?

Yes—if you can handle boat time and you want a real wildlife-focused day that’s built around two different boat experiences. I’d book it if your priority is spotting whales in the Atlantic first, then getting a close puffin view afterward.

But I’d also go in with the right mindset: the ocean controls the schedule more than you do. Pack warmly, bring motion sickness prevention, and stay flexible for the puffin leg if conditions are rough. If you do that, this combo is a strong value: two wildlife tours, guides included, and a free rejoin ticket when sightings don’t happen.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching and puffin combo?

The combo is listed as 4 hours total, and it includes a whale watching portion of about 2 to 3.5 hours plus a puffin tour of about 1 hour.

Where do I meet for this tour?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office.

Do I need to arrive early?

Yes. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the departure time.

What are the available departure combinations?

You can book either Whale Watching at 09:00 with Puffin at 12:30, or Whale Watching at 13:00 with Puffin at 17:00.

Does this include transportation to the meeting point?

No pick-up service is included.

What’s included in the price?

Included are experienced professional guides, free WiFi on board, complimentary seasickness tablets, a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings, and binoculars for the puffin portion.

What boats are used for each part?

Whale watching is on a larger vessel for about 2 to 3.5 hours. The puffin tour is on a smaller boat for about 1 hour and is designed to get as close to the islands as possible.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, a waterproof camera if you have one, binoculars, and motion sickness prevention.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. It is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

What animals and locations will I be looking for?

You’ll be spotting humpback whales and minke whales during the whale watching part, then visiting nearby islands to see puffin colonies.