Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Reykjavík’s harbor gives you two very different wildlife trips in one useful package: a close, gentle ride toward puffin colonies, followed by a longer search across Faxaflói Bay for whales. The puffin boat, Old Skúli, has a shallow draft, so it can approach the small islands where the birds gather.

I like the free whale rebooking policy if nothing is seen, and I like the practical setup: warm overalls, indoor seating, binoculars for the puffin trip, and guides who keep the outing lively. The main drawback is that whale watching is still a wild-animal gamble, and the ride to the bay can be rough.

Key points to know

• Two separate cruises: You return to Reykjavík’s Old Harbor between the puffin and whale trips, so this is not one continuous sailing.
• Old Skúli gets close: Its shallow draft lets you approach puffin islands more closely than a large boat can.
• Andrea is spacious: The classic whale cruise uses Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat, with indoor seating, a cafeteria, and an educational focus.
• Choose your whale boat: The express option reaches the viewing area faster, while keeping the same amount of time there.
• Best season: Whale sightings are generally strongest from April through September.
• Nature sets the schedule: Weather and sea conditions can change the plan, and whales may show only briefly.

Two Reykjavík cruises, two very different wildlife experiences

This combo works because puffin watching and whale watching ask different things of you. Puffins breed on small islands close to Reykjavík, so the first cruise is short and fairly focused. Whales roam across a broad bay, so the second trip takes more time and patience.

The total duration is listed as four hours, but the exact time on the water depends on the version you choose. The classic whale trip lasts about three to three and a half hours. The express whale trip lasts two to two and a half hours because the faster boat reaches the viewing area sooner.

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Both trips return to this same area, which makes the package easy to fit into a day in the capital. You do need to pay attention to the order of the boats and the transfer time in the harbor.

The booking price is $148 per person. That is not a small addition to a Reykjavík budget, but it buys two separate marine outings, a guide on each, loaned binoculars for the puffin trip, warm overalls, and a whale retry if the main trip produces no sightings. I consider the price more defensible if you want both animals and would otherwise book two tours separately.

Old Skúli and the puffin islands

The puffin cruise uses Skúlaskeið, better known as Old Skúli. This small boat has a shallow draft, which is important here. It can approach the little islands where puffins nest without needing the deeper water required by a large vessel.

The ride to the puffin area takes about 15 minutes according to the detailed timing provided for one version of the tour. The full puffin outing lasts about an hour. That gives you a compact experience, not a long open-water expedition.

Puffins are easier to find than whales because they return to known breeding areas. You may see them flying, sitting on the water, or gathered around the islands. The boat can get close, but do not expect every bird to fill your view. Puffins are small, and binoculars make a real difference.

Binoculars are supplied for this part of the trip. Bring your own camera if you want photos, but remember that puffins move quickly and the boat may be rocking. The guide points out the birds and explains the wider bird life around Reykjavík. Black guillemots may also appear.

This is the part of the package that offers the most dependable wildlife encounter. The company gives a 100 percent puffin sighting guarantee, backed by the fact that the birds breed in the area. That does not mean every view is close or perfect, but it does make the puffin cruise a safer bet than whale watching.

The small boat also brings a tradeoff. Old Skúli is ideal for reaching the islands, but it has less room than Andrea. If you prefer a broad indoor area or are sensitive to movement, the larger whale boat will feel more comfortable.

Choosing classic Andrea or the faster whale boat

The classic whale cruise uses Andrea, described as Iceland’s biggest whale-watching boat. Its size matters. You get a spacious vessel, warm indoor seating, a cafeteria, and room to move around while the crew searches Faxaflói Bay.

Andrea also has an educational and interactive focus. The guide explains what you are seeing, points toward blows and fins, and helps you understand why a whale may surface only for a few seconds. Guides on these trips have included Patrick and Rebecca, though the person leading your departure may be different.

The classic version leaves at 9:00 AM, followed by the Puffin Express at 12:30 PM. This schedule gives you the longer whale trip first, then the shorter bird trip.

The express option leaves at 10:00 AM and uses a faster boat. It reaches the whale-watching area sooner than the classic boat, but you still spend the same amount of time in the viewing area. This is a useful choice if you want to reduce the amount of time spent simply travelling across the bay.

The 12:30 PM departure starts with Puffin Express. You then return to the harbor and join the express whale trip at 2:00 PM. I like this order for anyone who wants a gentle introduction before taking on the longer whale outing.

You do not have to complete both cruises on the same day. That flexibility helps if your Reykjavík schedule is tight or if weather changes the sailing plan. Confirm the available times when booking, since the published departure pattern determines how the two parts fit together.

What you may see in Faxaflói Bay

The most common whales in the bay are minke whales and humpback whales. You may also see white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Sightings can range from a quick fin or tail to a longer period with several animals surfacing in the same area.

Humpback whales create the most dramatic moments when they lift their tails, blow, or surface near the boat. Minke whales are often less showy, but seeing several in one outing can still be rewarding. Dolphins may travel in groups and appear suddenly beside the vessel.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a controlled animal display, and there is no promise of a whale breaching beside your seat. One outing may bring several humpback whales, dolphins, and minke whales. Another may produce only distant blows and brief glimpses.

The guides make a real difference here. A whale can disappear while you are looking at the wrong side of the boat, so listen for directions and scan the water instead of watching one fixed point. The crew may spend more than an hour in a productive area if animals are present.

If no whales are spotted at all, you receive another whale-watching ticket for free. The policy is useful, but it does not fully solve the problem if you are leaving Iceland soon. You need enough time in your schedule to use the second ticket.

If whales are present but shy, the result is less clear-cut. You may see tails, sprays, or splashes but not a close encounter. The free-ticket policy is specifically most helpful when nothing is spotted, so do not treat it as a guarantee of a better show.

Weather, clothing, and motion on the water

Iceland’s weather can change fast, and the bay can be rough even when Reykjavík feels calm. Captains decide whether to sail based on safety and comfort, using their experience with the conditions.

Wear warm clothing and comfortable clothes. The supplied overalls add a useful layer, but they do not replace proper outdoor clothing. A waterproof outer layer is a smart choice, especially if you plan to stand outside for long periods. One practical tip from the experience: bring wet-weather gear even if the morning looks fine.

Indoor seating is available on the whale boat, and the cafeteria sells hot drinks and refreshments. Food and drinks are not included in the price. The puffin boat is smaller, so you should expect a more open, exposed feel than on Andrea.

Sea sickness is the biggest comfort issue. The journey to the whale area can become choppy, and slowing down to watch animals does not always make the motion disappear. The crew may offer sea-sickness medicine, and the operator has also warned passengers about rough conditions in advance when needed.

If you are prone to motion sickness, sit inside when possible, look toward the horizon, and avoid arriving hungry. Those are general practical steps, not a promise that the ride will feel smooth. Weather remains outside your control.

How the harbor transfer works

This package is best understood as two tours sold together, not one continuous four-hour cruise. You return to the Old Harbor between them, usually with a short changeover period.

That transfer is simple, but it requires attention. After the first boat returns, check the time for the second departure and stay near the Special Tours meeting area. The harbor setting makes the connection manageable, yet you should not wander far during the break.

The order affects the feel of your day. Puffins first gives you a short, close wildlife trip before the longer whale search. Whales first lets you tackle the main outing while you have more of the day ahead. Neither order guarantees better sightings.

The app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The live tour guide language is English. The app can add background information, while the guide handles the immediate work of spotting animals and explaining what is happening around the boat.

Getting real value from the $148 price

At $148, this is a premium half-day activity. I would not book it simply because it is a popular Reykjavík add-on. I would book it if you want both puffins and whales, value guided interpretation, and have enough time to try again if the whale trip comes up empty.

The package is stronger than a basic whale cruise because the puffin trip gives you another wildlife experience even if the bay is quiet. The two boats also serve different purposes. Old Skúli reaches the bird islands, while Andrea provides more comfort for a long search across open water.

The price feels less attractive if you mainly want a whale encounter. In that case, compare the package with a single whale cruise and think about how much you care about puffins. The puffin portion is short, and the birds may look smaller than expected without binoculars.

The guarantee also adds value, but only if you can return. If your flight leaves the next morning, a free ticket may be of little use. If you have several days in Reykjavík, it gives you a practical reason to try again under different conditions.

Who should book this combo?

I would recommend it for families, first-time wildlife watchers, and anyone who wants a structured half-day from the Old Harbor. The guides use science, stories, and humor to keep the outing moving. A guide such as Patrick may bring plenty of jokes alongside the animal facts, which helps younger children stay interested.

It also suits people who want a clear introduction to Iceland’s marine life without arranging separate transport. You get puffins, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and bird information in one harbor-based plan.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, feel unwell in rough seas, or have only one narrow opportunity for a whale sighting. The puffin trip is usually the more reliable part, but the whale portion depends on weather, animal behavior, and luck.

Photographers should bring patience rather than expect guaranteed close-up shots. A long lens may help with whales, while binoculars are particularly useful for puffins. Keep watching the water and follow the guide’s instructions when an animal appears.

Booking details worth checking

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 starting times carefully because the 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:30 PM departures pair the boats differently.

Both tours end back at the Old Harbor meeting point. The cruise includes warm indoor seating, overalls, guides, and the puffin binoculars. Hot drinks and refreshments cost extra.

The strongest whale-watching season is April through September. Sightings may be less likely at other times of year, though nature never follows a strict calendar. If whales matter most to you, plan for summer and leave room in your schedule for a repeat trip.

Should you book the Reykjavík Whales and Puffins Express Combo?

Book it if you want two distinct wildlife outings and can accept that the whale show may be brief. The puffin cruise is the dependable anchor, while the whale trip supplies the bigger possibility: humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises across Faxaflói Bay.

Choose the express whale option if you prefer less time crossing the bay, or choose the classic Andrea trip if indoor space, a cafeteria, and a larger boat matter more. Bring warm waterproof clothing, allow for rough water, and do not schedule an important appointment immediately afterward.

For a single, well-organized wildlife half-day from Reykjavík, this is a sensible choice. Just book it for the combination of experiences, not for a guaranteed postcard moment with a whale.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Both cruises return to the same meeting area.

How long does the combo tour last?

The activity is listed as four hours. The classic whale cruise lasts about three to three and a half hours, while the express whale trip lasts about two to two and a half hours. The puffin cruise lasts about one hour.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

No. The puffin cruise uses the small, shallow-draft boat Old Skúli. The classic whale trip uses Andrea, a large whale-watching boat. The express whale option uses a faster boat.

What animals might I see?

Common whale sightings include minke whales and humpback whales. You may also see white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. The puffin trip focuses on puffins and may also include other seabirds such as black guillemots.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive another whale-watching ticket for free if nothing is spotted on the tour. You need enough time in your itinerary to use the return ticket.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes. Wet-weather gear is also sensible because the sea can be rough or spray may reach the boat. Warm overalls and indoor seating are provided, and binoculars are supplied for the puffin cruise.