Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Reykjavik’s whale watching plus puffins combo is interesting because you get two kinds of Iceland wildlife in one day, Atlantic open water first, then island rocks packed with puffins. It’s a simple plan, but it depends on sea conditions, and that can affect how close and how long the boats can run.

I like that the experience gives you real help for getting through the water with free WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets on board. I also like the structure, you do a longer whale trip on a larger vessel, then a puffin trip on a smaller boat designed to get near the islands for better viewing.

Key moments that make this combo worth your time

• Old Harbour departure into the Atlantic, with expert guidance focused on whale behavior
• Humpback and minke whale spotting in their natural habitat, with the experience geared for seeing real wildlife
• Puffin colonies on nearby islands, viewed from a smaller boat built for closeness
• Binoculars provided on the puffin portion, so you can actually pick out birds
• Free rejoin ticket for no sightings, which matters in unpredictable weather
• On-board comfort support, including WiFi and seasickness tablets

Old Harbour to the Atlantic: what whale spotting is really like

This day starts in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You’ll head out onto the Atlantic with a live English guide explaining what you’re looking for. The focus is not on a vague promise of wildlife. It’s on helping you read whale behavior, so you know why everyone suddenly points in the same direction.

The whale watching leg runs about 2 to 3.5 hours on a larger vessel. That longer time is useful. Whales do not show up like clockwork, and a little patience pays off. When the crew spots activity, the boat shifts position and you get another shot at seeing blow, surfacing, and movement patterns. If you go in thinking you’ll just see a whale instantly, you’ll feel let down. If you go in expecting some searching, you’ll have a better day.

One thing I take seriously on boat wildlife tours is how much the experience depends on conditions. In rougher weather, sightings can still happen, but operations may change. A good sign here is that the tour includes a free ticket to join again if you end up with no sightings. That doesn’t guarantee whales will appear, but it protects your money from the “nothing happened” scenario.

Picking your combo times: 09:00 or 13:00 whale, with puffins at 12:30 or 17:00

This combo is two separate tours. That matters, because you aren’t hopping from one boat to the next at the same dock like a single continuous cruise. You choose your whale watching departure time when booking, then the puffin time is paired to it:

• Whale watching at 09:00, then puffins at 12:30
• Whale watching at 13:00, then puffins at 17:00

I like how clear that is. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates time math, this removes a lot of guesswork. It also helps you plan the rest of your day in Reykjavik. In practical terms, you’ll want to keep things light between tours so you can show up on time without stress.

Also note the overall combo is listed as about 4 hours. In real life, there’s usually a bit of waiting, plus travel between meeting points and the time it takes to board and get settled. The schedule pairing helps, but you should still assume you’ll have a fairly packed window.

Puffins on a smaller boat: getting close to the islands

After the whale portion, you switch to the puffin excursion. This one is about 1 hour and runs on a smaller boat. That sounds short, but it’s built for the goal: get you near the colonies so you can actually see birds where they live and feed.

The puffin boat is specifically designed to get as close to the islands as possible. That is the difference between puffins as a dot on a cliff and puffins as real animals you can track as they pop in and out. The smaller vessel also makes it easier to position for views when conditions allow.

Binoculars are provided for the puffin tour. If you own a pair you like, bring them anyway, because your eyes are used to your own gear. But the fact that binoculars are included means you can travel lighter and still spot details like beak shape and movement between ledges.

One more practical reality: puffins depend on getting close enough to the islands safely. If weather is bad during certain periods, the puffin segment might not run exactly as planned. In that situation, I’d rather see the operator focus on doing the whale part well than cancel everything. The tour also mentions that sometimes you may be on a shared boat with another activity partner during certain times of year to keep environmental impact low. That’s normal for this style of operation and helps reduce the number of boats on the water.

Guides and comfort details that actually help you see more

A lot of wildlife tours promise education. The difference is whether it changes what you notice from the boat. Here, the guides are experienced and professional, and the tour is taught in English. When it works well, you’ll stop treating sightings like luck and start treating them like observation.

During one season, the guide Daniel was highlighted for making the whale portion feel top-notch even when conditions interfered with the puffin segment. That’s the kind of energy you want on the water. When you get someone who can point out behavior and explain what you’re seeing, you feel less stranded when the seas get choppy.

Comfort matters too. This combo includes complimentary seasickness tablets and free WiFi on board. WiFi won’t bring you whales, but it helps in the waiting time and lets you keep calm instead of spiraling into, Did I bring the right motion sickness stuff?

Also, the tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. That’s not a small note. If you know you’re affected on boats, take it seriously. Even with tablets, you may still feel miserable, and you won’t enjoy spotting wildlife if you’re focused on surviving the ride.

What to bring for a smoother day on Reykjavik water

You don’t need fancy gear, but you do need to dress for wind and spray. Iceland boats can feel colder than you expect, even in better weather.

Bring:

• Warm clothing you can layer
• A waterproof camera (or at least waterproofing for your phone)
• Binoculars (even though the puffin tour provides some on board)
• Motion sickness prevention, even if you plan to use the provided tablets

Avoid:

• Pets on board
• Smoking

I also recommend you mentally prepare for standing outside and scanning for activity. That means gloves that work with phones or a camera, and a hat that doesn’t fly off when the wind hits. If you’re dressed for a casual city walk, you’ll feel it quickly once the boat gets rolling.

Price and value: does $153 make sense?

At $153 per person for the whale and puffin combo, you’re paying for two boat experiences plus guidance and onboard support. To judge value, I think in terms of what you get that you cannot easily recreate on your own.

Here’s what’s baked into the price:

• Expert, professional guides (English)
• Two different vessels tailored to the task (larger vessel for whales, smaller one for puffins)
• Free WiFi on board
• Complimentary seasickness tablets
• Binoculars provided for the puffin portion
• A free ticket to rejoin if there are no sightings

That last item is the one I pay attention to, because wildlife outcomes are not guaranteed. If you hit perfect conditions and see whales and puffins, you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth fast. If you don’t, the free rejoin ticket is a practical safety net.

On a normal day, you might still feel the cost is steep compared to a bus tour. But this is not a bus. You’re paying for boats, crews, and the time it takes to reach places where animals are actually present. For most visitors, that is hard to DIY in a way that matches the access and guidance you get here.

Logistics that you should know before you go

This tour combo starts at the meeting point at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer matters when you’re coordinating between two separate tours later in the day.

Pick-up service is not included, so you’ll handle getting to the meeting point yourself. If you’re staying near central Reykjavik, it’s usually manageable. If you’re farther out, give yourself extra time because weather can slow walking and boarding queues can form.

One more operational detail to keep in mind: due to environmental reasons during certain times of year, the trip may be run on a shared boat with another activity partner. The provider tries to keep the water less crowded by limiting the number of boats. That shared-boat setup might mean a fuller crowd, but it’s also a sign the company is thinking about impact, not just maximizing departures.

Who should book this combo, and who should skip it

This whale and puffin combo is a strong fit if:

• You want a wildlife-heavy Reykjavik day without spending hours planning two separate excursions
• You like guided searching, not just hoping for sightings
• You’re comfortable being on boats in cool coastal air
• You want puffins close enough for real viewing, not distant silhouettes

Consider skipping, or at least think hard, if:

• You’re prone to seasickness. The tour says it is not suitable for that.
• You dislike unpredictable nature. Whales and birds still depend on conditions, timing, and animal movement.

It’s also a great option for first-time Iceland visitors who want both open-ocean wildlife and the iconic coastal puffin vibe in one go. If your priority is strictly whales or strictly puffins, you might still prefer a single-focus tour. But for a balanced day, the combo makes sense.

Should you book Reykjavik Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion?

My take is yes, if you match the basics: you can handle cool weather and boat time, and you’re okay with wildlife being wildlife. The combo is built for actual viewing, not just a ride with a narrator. The puffin portion is designed to get close, and the puffin tour includes binoculars. The whale portion gives you enough time on the water to have more than one shot at spotting.

The biggest reason I’d book is the blend of practical support and risk reduction. Free seasickness tablets reduce the chance your day turns into misery. WiFi helps you stay sane. And the free rejoin ticket if there are no sightings is a meaningful protection when you’re paying for an animal-based experience.

If you’re extremely sensitive to motion sickness, this is the one place I would not push it. Even with tablets, the warning is clear. If that’s your situation, look for a land-based wildlife alternative instead.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching part and how long is the puffin part?

The whale watching portion runs about 2 to 3.5 hours on a larger vessel. The puffin tour is about 1 hour on a smaller boat.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early.

What combo times are available for whale watching and puffins?

There are two combos: 09:00 whale watching with 12:30 puffins, or 13:00 whale watching with 17:00 puffins.

What is included on board?

You get experienced professional guides, free WiFi, complimentary seasickness tablets, and for the puffin tour, binoculars are provided. There is also a specially designed boat on the puffin portion to get close to the islands.

Is pick-up service included?

No. Pick up service is not included.

What if there are no wildlife sightings?

If there are no sightings, you receive a free ticket to join again. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.