Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Reykjavik makes wildlife watching feel hands-on. This whales and puffins express cruise combo turns the day into two different boat experiences—first up-close puffins on a small skiff, then whale watching from a larger boat in Faxaflói Bay.

I especially like the smart pairing of boats. The puffin portion runs on the Old Skuli (Skúlaskeið), designed for getting close to the nesting islands, while the whale portion uses the bigger Andrea ship for comfort and searching power.

One thing to keep in mind: whales are still wildlife. Even with a great hunt, weather and animals can mean a quieter day at sea—and that’s why the tour builds in a free return ticket if you don’t spot whales.

Key things that make this combo worth your time

• Two tours, two different boats: a shallow-draft skiff for puffins, then a major whale boat on Andrea
• Puffins with a 100% sightings guarantee on the puffin portion
• Overalls and warm inside seating so you’re not freezing while scanning the water
• Binoculars included for the puffin leg, plus an English guide on board
• Optional express whale timing to cut travel time without stealing your viewing time
• A captain-driven weather decision to keep the ride safe and comfortable

From Old Harbor to Faxaflói Bay: How the Timing Works

This is a 4-hour combo built around Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. You meet at the Special Tours office in the old harbor, then you switch boats once for the second leg of the day. Plan your morning (or midday) like this: you’ll do puffins and whales back-to-back, but they’re treated as two distinct experiences.

The tour has a few departure patterns, so check your exact start time before you lock in lunch plans. If you go at 9:00 AM, you’ll do the classic whale watching first, then head into Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. If you go at 10:00 AM, it’s the express whale watching first, then Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. If you start at 12:30 PM, you’ll do Puffin Express first, then express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

Why I like this structure: it keeps you from bouncing between totally different parts of the city. The boats do the moving, not you. You’re simply trading one kind of wildlife search for another—birds close to shore, then whales out in the bay.

Puffin Express on Old Skuli: Close to the Nesting Islands

The puffin portion is where the whole day starts feeling special. You cruise out on Skúlaskeið (Old Skuli), a smaller boat with a shallow draught, which helps it get close to the small islands where puffins live. That matters because puffins are compact, fast, and often not where you’d expect from a far-off shoreline view.

On board, you’ll get warm overalls from the crew and inside seating if the wind turns rude. You’ll also get binoculars for the puffin tour, and the guide talks about the local bird life—how to spot them, what behavior to watch for, and where eyes should go when activity spikes. The guides you meet often bring energy and storytelling; in the reviews, names like Patrick Pirate Puffin and Patrick show up, along with a strong focus on keeping kids laughing while adults learn to read the sea like a chart.

What you’re really buying here is time spent looking properly. The puffin zone is visual and quick—birds pop up, fly off, land again. With binoculars and a boat that can work closer to the islands, you’re not just hoping for a lucky sighting. You’re set up to find them.

The Andrea Whale Cruise: Classic Whale Watching with Comfort

After the puffin leg, you switch to the whale watching portion. The classic whale tour runs 3 to 3.5 hours on the Andrea. This is described as the biggest whale watching boat in Iceland and it’s built for comfort and education. Translation: it’s not just a ride. It’s a floating classroom with a design that keeps you scanning without turning the whole trip into suffering.

The Andrea also has a cafeteria on board, which is a practical bonus because you don’t need to time food like a military operation. Hot drinks and refreshments aren’t included, so you’ll still buy them onboard, but you won’t be trapped with nothing warm to sip.

Most common whale sightings in Faxaflói Bay include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. The guide’s job is to help you recognize what you’re seeing—dolphins often look like they’re playing, while whales can be sudden: a blow, a turn, then a vanishing act. On days when animals are shy, a good guide helps you focus on the right search areas rather than spiraling into frustration.

Express Whale Watching: Less Travel, Same Viewing Time

If you’re trying to maximize wildlife time (and minimize boat-hours), consider the express whale watching option. It uses a faster boat and the whale portion is 2 to 2.5 hours instead of 3 to 3.5. The key point: even though it’s faster, you still spend the same amount of time in the whale watching area.

That’s the real value of express. You get the benefit of a shorter transit while still being there long enough for whales or dolphins to show themselves. This is also the option that pairs well if you start earlier and want the puffins later without rushing your whole day.

In plain language: classic is fine. Express is the “I have limited time in Reykjavik” choice.

Warm Gear and Rough Water Reality: What the Crew Actually Controls

Iceland weather is a mood. Even when seas are calm, Bay conditions can change quickly. The tour doesn’t pretend otherwise. The captains make the decision based on many years of experience, with safety and passenger comfort in mind.

Here’s the practical part you should plan for: you’ll be outdoors watching the water while also having access to warm indoor seating. That combo is one of the reasons this setup works so well. You don’t have to choose between freezing out on deck and giving up your chance at a sighting.

Also, take the overalls seriously. They’re included, and they’re there to help you handle spray and cold wind. One review even emphasizes bringing wet-weather gear, which is a good reminder: you’re on salt water, and salt water is honest about its ability to get everywhere.

Sea sickness can be a factor on some days. In the feedback you’ll see mention of medication available onboard (and crew offering anti-seasickness help if needed). So if you’re sensitive, don’t tough it out—ask the crew what they can provide.

What You’ll Actually See in Faxaflói Bay (and Why That Listing Matters)

This is where the tour’s wildlife logic becomes useful for you. Whale spotting isn’t random in the sense that guides can’t predict anything. They look for cues, and they reposition. But you still don’t control whale behavior.

In Faxaflói Bay, the most common sightings are listed as:

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

So what does that mean for expectations? If you come hoping for a whale breaching like a nature documentary, you may be disappointed. If you come ready for smaller, sudden signs—blows, a back breaking the surface, a quick turn—then you’re much more likely to feel the day was worth it.

I also like that the tour includes a free return ticket if no whales are spotted. That doesn’t make the bay any more predictable, but it does reduce the biggest stress: feeling like you wasted money on a quiet day.

The Puffin Guarantee: A Big Deal for Bird Lovers

Puffins are often easier to plan for because they breed on islands and show up around the colony. Still, “seeing birds” can mean anything from one quick flyby to a full, noisy scene.

This tour’s puffin portion includes a 100% sightings guarantee. For you, that’s the difference between a “nice cruise” and an experience you can feel confident you won’t regret. And the boat choice supports it: the shallow-draught Old Skuli is designed to get closer to where the birds live, rather than staying out at a safe distance and hoping for luck.

Binoculars help too. Puffins aren’t huge compared to whales, so the viewing angle and magnification are key. Since binoculars are included for the puffin leg, you don’t need to pack your own gear unless you want to.

Value Check: Why $148 Feels Fair (When You Look at What’s Included)

At $148 per person, this combo is priced like a serious Reykjavik wildlife outing—not a cheap cruise and not just a photo boat. What makes it feel fair is the package. You’re getting:

• two guided wildlife trips (puffins + whales)
• warm overalls
• inside seating
• binoculars included for the puffin tour
• an English live guide
• an app with extra info in multiple languages (English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese)
• whale watching with a free return ticket if you don’t spot whales
• puffin viewing with a 100% sightings guarantee

You’ll still pay for hot drinks onboard (they’re not included), but the big costs—boats, guides, gear—are covered.

If you compare this to booking two separate activities, you’ll usually find that bundling saves hassle and often adds value. The express option can also improve your “time-on-water-to-time-viewing” ratio, which is what matters most when your Iceland days are numbered.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This combo is a strong match if you want to check off two of Iceland’s most iconic wildlife moments without spending the entire day commuting or making complicated plans.

It’s also a good choice if you:

• like your nature experience guided and explained
• want warm gear included so you can focus on spotting
• care about whale watching but don’t want to gamble hopelessly

Who might find it less ideal? If you hate boat time and prefer land-based wildlife viewing, then any combo that includes open-water whale watching may feel like too much. And if your main goal is guaranteed whale sightings (not possible in any real-world wildlife setting), you should understand the guarantee is a free ticket if whales are not spotted, not a promise of a specific whale type.

Practical Tips Before You Go

These small choices can make the day smoother.

• Dress warm and layers matter. You’ll be given overalls, but you still want comfortable warm clothing underneath.
• Expect changing conditions. Even when Reykjavik looks calm, the bay can have bite.
• Bring comfortable clothes. You’ll be moving between boats and spending time scanning.
• Use the included binoculars during the puffin portion—puffins are small and fast.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. Ask the crew what’s available onboard. One reason people like these tours is that the crew addresses it.

And one more honest tip: give yourself patience for the whale portion. Minke and humpback whales can be visible one moment and gone the next. The best days still look like a series of short sightings, not one nonstop show.

Should You Book This Whales and Puffins Combo?

I think you should book it if you want a well-managed wildlife day with gear provided and a built-in safety net. The Old Skuli puffin experience plus Andrea whale watching is a smart use of time in Reykjavik, and the combination of warmth, guides, and guarantees makes it easier to enjoy without constantly second-guessing.

Skip it only if you strongly prefer land-based sightseeing or you’re trying to avoid any chance of cold spray and motion. If you can handle a couple hours on the water, this combo is one of the most practical ways to chase puffins and whales from the same trip.

FAQ

How long is the Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour?

The total duration is 4 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s old harbor.

What boats are used for the puffin and whale parts?

The puffin tour uses the small boat Skúlaskeið (Old Skuli). The whale watching classic tour is operated on the Andrea boat, and the express whale option uses a faster boat.

Are overalls and warm seating included?

Yes. Warm inside seating and warm overalls are included.

Are binoculars included?

Yes. Binoculars for the puffin tour are included.

Is there a guarantee for seeing puffins or whales?

Puffin spotting includes a 100% sightings guarantee. For whales, if no whales are spotted on the tour, you get another ticket for free.

What time should I plan for if I start at 9:00 AM or 12:30 PM?

For the 9:00 AM departure, classic whale watching is followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. For the 12:30 PM departure, it begins with Puffin Express, followed by express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

Are drinks included?

Hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but they are available for purchase onboard.