Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Faxaflói Bay can give you humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and some of Iceland’s most lovable birds in one outing. The puffin cruise on Old Skúli gets close to the small breeding islands, while the larger Andrea gives you room, shelter, and a steady base for the longer whale search.

I like the two very different boats and the sensible whale-sighting policy: if no whales appear, you receive another ticket. I also like the crew’s mix of science and humor. Guides including Patrick, known for his Patrick Pirate Puffin routine, and Rebecca have helped make the trips both informative and easygoing.

The catch is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule. Puffins are much more dependable than whales, but they can still look smaller and farther away than you expect. The whale cruise may involve rough water, a long ride to Faxaflói Bay, and only brief glimpses of tails or spray.

Key points to know before booking

• Old Skúli reaches the puffin islands: Its shallow draught lets the small boat approach the bird colonies more closely than a large vessel can.
• The Andrea is built for comfort: The spacious whale-watching boat has indoor seating, warm overalls, a cafeteria, and an educational focus.
• The Express option saves travel time: You reach the whale area faster, but you spend the same amount of time watching there.
• Puffins are the safer wildlife bet: The tour includes a 100% puffin-sighting guarantee, while whale sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.
• The tours are separate: You can take both on the same day, or arrange them on different days.
• Bring your own patience and layers: Crew-supplied overalls help, but warm clothing and wet-weather gear still matter.

Two boats, two very different wildlife outings

This combo works because the puffin and whale trips do different jobs. The puffin boat is small, nimble, and designed for short runs around Reykjavík’s nearby islands. The whale boat is much larger, built to spend several hours out in open water, where the animals may be spread across a wide area.

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Both trips return there, which keeps the arrangement straightforward. On a same-day booking, you may have a short changeover at the harbor before switching boats. Plan to stay organized with your jacket, camera, and any medication you need.

The full combination takes about four hours, though the exact length depends on which whale departure you choose. You can also take the two outings on separate days, a useful option if you want to avoid packing too much into one morning or if the forecast looks better later in your visit.

Puffin watching from Old Skúli

The puffin outing uses Skúlaskeið, nicknamed Old Skúli, a small boat with a shallow draught. That design matters. It can approach the little islands where puffins gather without needing the deeper water required by the big whale boats.

The trip to the bird colonies is short, and the boat circles the islands while your guide points out puffins in the air, on the water, and along the rocky edges. You may also see other seabirds, including black guillemots. The sound is part of the appeal: puffins flap, call, and hurry around the colony in a way that feels far more alive than a bird in a zoo enclosure.

You receive binoculars for this part of the trip. Use them. Puffins can come close, but many will still sit farther up the island than your eyes first suggest. A camera with a strong zoom helps, too, but binoculars are the more useful tool for following birds in flight.

The puffin guide is an important part of the outing. Patrick, in particular, has been praised for mixing jokes with facts and for keeping children engaged. The good guides explain bird behavior without turning the ride into a lecture, then leave room for you to watch the colony in peace.

The 100% puffin-sighting guarantee makes this the more reliable half of the package. The birds breed on known islands, so the crew has a much clearer target than it does when searching for whales across open sea. Still, do not read up-close as a guarantee that every puffin will pose beside the boat. You are observing wild birds in their home, and some will be distant.

Whale watching aboard the Andrea

The classic whale tour uses the Andrea, described as Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat. Its size gives you plenty of space to move around and several ways to stay comfortable while the boat heads toward the whale area.

You can sit inside in warmth, put on the supplied overalls, and buy hot drinks or refreshments at the cafeteria. When the crew spots activity, you can head outside for a better view. That indoor option is especially useful when the wind rises or when you need a break from standing on deck.

The classic whale cruise lasts about three to three and a half hours. A fair portion of that time is spent getting out to Faxaflói Bay, so you should think of this as a proper sea outing rather than a quick harbor ride. The reward is more time in the search area and a large platform from which to watch.

The Andrea also has an educational and interactive focus. Guides explain what you are seeing, point out animals that may be easy to miss, and answer questions. This matters because whale watching is often a test of attention. A guide may spot a distant blow or a small dorsal fin before you do, then help you understand where to look next.

Common sightings in Faxaflói Bay include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. The mix can change from day to day. Some outings produce several minke whales and a large number of dolphins. Other days offer a few tails, sprays, or splashes before the animals move away.

Humpback whales create the biggest visual moments, especially when one surfaces repeatedly or shows its tail. But a minke whale surfacing briefly can be just as interesting if you know what to watch for. The guides help turn a quick appearance into a real sighting rather than a confusing patch of water.

Choosing Classic or Express whale watching

The schedule gives you a useful choice. The Express Whale Watching option uses a faster boat, so you reach the whale area sooner than you would on the Andrea. The express whale trip lasts about two to two and a half hours, but you spend the same amount of time in the whale-watching area.

That is a strong choice if you dislike long stretches of travel or want to limit your time on a moving boat. It can also help if you are pairing the whale trip with the puffin outing on the same day.

The tradeoff is comfort and space. The Andrea is the better fit if you want a large, family-friendly boat, indoor seating, and a cafeteria. The faster boat may feel more active, and the open-water ride can still be rough even when it cuts down the travel time.

The listed departure patterns are:

• 9:00 AM: Classic Whale Watching, followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM.
• 10:00 AM: Express Whale Watching, followed by Puffin Express at 12:30 PM.
• 12:30 PM: Puffin Express first, followed by Express Whale Watching at 2:00 PM.

Check the current availability before choosing. Starting times can affect how much of your day remains for Reykjavík’s museums, pools, food stops, or other plans.

What the sea conditions can mean

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and the captains decide whether to sail based on sea conditions, passenger safety, and comfort. That is good practice, but it also means your plans need some flexibility.

Even on a sailing day, the ride may be choppy. The longer whale trip is the part most likely to test your stomach, especially while the boat is moving toward the search area or slows down to watch animals. Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes, and add waterproof outerwear if you have it. The supplied overalls are helpful, but they are not a substitute for every layer you may need.

The crew has seasickness medicine on board, and some departures may offer pills in advance when rough water is expected. If you know you are sensitive to motion, ask about this early and follow the crew’s instructions. It is easier to enjoy a whale’s tail when you are looking at the horizon instead of the deck.

The boat’s indoor seating gives you a welcome retreat. You can warm up, buy a drink, and return outside when the crew announces activity. Do not feel that you must stay on deck for the entire cruise. Comfort helps you remain alert during the parts that matter.

The whale guarantee and what it really covers

Whales are wild animals, so this tour cannot promise a dramatic breach beside the boat. A quiet day may bring only distant blows or a fleeting fin. That is frustrating, but it is also the honest nature of the activity.

If no whales are spotted, you receive a free ticket to try again. This policy reduces the risk of paying for a completely fruitless outing, provided you have enough time in Reykjavík for another departure. It does not guarantee a specific species or a close sighting on the second attempt.

The policy also makes this combo easier to book early in a trip. If your first whale outing is quiet, you have a chance to return on another day when the bay may be calmer or the animals more active. If you are leaving Reykjavík soon, the ticket has less practical value, so consider your schedule before treating it as a full safety net.

Puffins are different. Since the birds gather at breeding islands during the appropriate season, the company can guarantee a sighting. You still need realistic expectations about distance, bird activity, and weather.

Is $148 a fair price?

At $148 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Iceland’s excursions can quickly become expensive, so the right question is what you want from the money.

You are paying for two marine outings, two guides, boat equipment, warm indoor seating, supplied overalls, binoculars for the puffin trip, and the whale return policy. The combination also saves you from booking two unrelated harbor activities and sorting out their timing yourself.

The value is strongest if you want both puffins and whales and have only one free half-day. The express option can make the schedule more efficient, while the classic Andrea trip gives you more room and onboard facilities. Families may find the spacious boat and lively guiding worth the cost, especially when children can move between indoor and outdoor areas.

The value is weaker if you have already seen puffins elsewhere or mainly want a quick whale trip. One rating of the experience specifically questioned the price of the puffin portion. That criticism is fair: the puffin ride is shorter than the whale cruise, and the birds may look small even when the boat gets near the colony.

I would book the combo when seeing puffins is a major goal, not simply because it appears on a list of Reykjavík activities. The guarantee, binoculars, and short run to the islands make the puffin leg dependable. The whale trip then adds the chance of a far bigger wildlife moment.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour suits you if you want nature without committing to a full day away from Reykjavík. It works well for families, couples, first-time visitors, and anyone who enjoys guided wildlife watching rather than a self-guided harbor stroll.

It is also a good match if you appreciate context. The crews do more than point at animals. They explain bird life, whale behavior, and conservation, and the onboard app offers information in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The live guide language is English.

You should think twice if you strongly dislike boats, have a tight schedule, or need guaranteed close-up animal views. The sea may be rough, the whales may stay shy, and the puffins are not trained performers. Nature sets the pace here.

Practical details for a smoother day

Meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple.

Wear warm layers and comfortable clothing. Add wet-weather gear if you have it, since even a calm departure can feel cold on deck. The crew supplies warm overalls, but you will enjoy the trip more if your hands, head, and feet are protected too.

Hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but you can buy them on board. Bring binoculars if you prefer your own pair, though binoculars are supplied for the puffin cruise.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Since correct weather conditions are required, leave some room in your Reykjavík schedule rather than placing another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Should you book the Whales and Puffins Express Combo?

Book it if you want two distinct wildlife outings, value good guiding, and can accept that whales may be distant or absent. The puffin cruise is the dependable anchor, while the whale trip offers the larger reward when conditions and animal behavior line up.

Choose the Express whale boat if you want to spend less time in transit. Choose the Andrea if indoor space, a cafeteria, and a slower, more comfortable setup matter more. I would also book early in your visit when possible, giving you a real chance to use the free whale return ticket if Faxaflói Bay is quiet.

For a compact Reykjavík wildlife day, this is a solid choice. Just bring warm gear, use the binoculars, watch the horizon, and let the animals decide how much of a show you get.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

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

How long does the combo tour take?

The combined activity lasts about four hours. Check the available starting times when booking, since the total schedule depends on your selected whale departure.

Can I take the puffin and whale tours on different days?

Yes. The two tours are separate, so you do not have to take them on the same day.

Which whale-watching boat will I use?

The classic whale tour operates on the Andrea, a large boat with indoor seating and a cafeteria. You can also choose the Express Whale Watching option on a faster boat.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching tour again. The ticket does not promise a certain species or a close sighting.

Are warm clothing and binoculars provided?

Warm overalls, warm inside seating, and binoculars for the puffin tour are included. You should still bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes, and wet-weather gear is useful.