Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Faxaflói Bay gives you two very different wildlife outings in one morning or afternoon: a long search for whales aboard a large vessel, followed by a quick ride around Akurey, where puffins crowd the rocky shore. The animals set the schedule, so this is a nature trip, not a guaranteed wildlife show.

I like the discounted two-cruise format, and I like having a choice about which tour comes first. The warm overalls, blankets, onboard narration, and free whale-watching return ticket also add real value. The main caution is simple: whale sightings are never assured, and puffins can remain farther from the boat than your photos would suggest.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boats visit two types of wildlife: a larger vessel searches Faxaflói Bay for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, while a smaller boat circles Akurey for puffins and seabirds.
• The puffin cruise is short but focused: you may see many birds around the island, though binoculars can be essential because landing on the protected island is not allowed.
• Whale watching takes patience: successful outings have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, but some departures see no whales at all.
• Warm equipment matters: whale boats provide insulated overalls, while the puffin cruise supplies blankets and binoculars.
• The guides can make the difference: Jo, Lucas, Blanca, Patrick, and other English-speaking guides have been praised for sharp eyes, clear explanations, and a good sense of humor.
• The $156.19 price is strongest when both cruises go well: it is a fair bundle for two outings, but less attractive if you mainly want close-up puffin photographs.

Two Iceland wildlife trips from one Reykjavik meeting point

This package begins at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik, near the Old Harbour and public transportation. It lasts about four and a half hours, although the exact order and timing of the two cruises can vary.

You are not on one long boat ride with a few extra bird sightings. The whale trip and puffin trip use different boats and offer different moods. The whale cruise heads into open water and can feel like a real expedition. The puffin boat is smaller, quicker, and aimed at one rocky island.

That distinction matters when you decide how to spend your money. If you want a full morning on the sea and enjoy watching for wildlife, the combination makes sense. If your main goal is a close puffin portrait, you should set modest expectations.

You must reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours Iceland after booking. Hotel pickup and return are available for an added fee, but the basic package begins and ends at the central meeting point. Food and drinks are not included, although snacks may be available for purchase on the whale boat.

The whale-watching cruise across Faxaflói Bay

The whale portion is the longer half of the outing, commonly lasting about two and a half to three hours. You board a larger vessel at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, find a seat, and head out across Faxaflói Bay.

The boat provides free Wi-Fi, warm overalls, and onboard commentary. The overalls are not a minor extra. Even in June, the wind on the water can feel sharp, and several people have been glad to put them on. You should still arrive in warm clothes, with layers, a hat, and gloves if you have them.

The guide’s job is part naturalist and part lookout. Whales surface for seconds, often far from the boat, so the best guides keep scanning, share updates, and help you focus on the right patch of water. Guides named Jo, Lucas, and Blanca have been singled out for keeping the trip lively while spotting whales, dolphins, and birds.

The usual targets include minke whales and humpback whales. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises also appear in the bay. A strong outing might bring several humpbacks, minke whales, and pods of dolphins. One particularly fortunate trip included four humpback whales, while another produced several tail slaps.

But you may see only a blow, a fin, or a brief back before the animal disappears. You may see dolphins and porpoises but no whale. On some trips, no major marine mammals appear at all. The company offers a complimentary whale cruise if you do not spot any whales in Faxaflói Bay, which helps soften the risk, especially if your schedule allows a return visit.

I would not book this part expecting a guaranteed close encounter. You are paying for time on the water, skilled searching, and a chance to see wild animals in their own setting. That can produce an unforgettable sight, but it can also mean long stretches of calm sea.

Why the whale boat can feel crowded or rough

The large boat offers more room than the puffin vessel, but it can still feel busy, especially when everyone moves outside after a sighting. One practical complaint is that there may not be enough upper-deck seating for everyone who wants the best view.

Sea conditions also change the character of the ride. Calm water can make the cruise easy and relaxing. Rough water can turn it into a serious test for anyone prone to motion sickness. The crew may offer sickness tablets, ginger candy, and sick bags, and you should consider taking preventive medicine if you know you are sensitive.

The crew may warn you about conditions before departure. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is useful, but it does not make a rough day comfortable, so keep your plans flexible.

One ethical point deserves attention. Boats may gather around whales, and some people may be uncomfortable with how close vessels approach or how long they remain alongside the animals. Special Tours says it follows the IceWhale code of conduct and works to approach responsibly. Still, you should understand that wildlife encounters can look busy when several operators are searching the same bay.

The Akurey puffin cruise and its rocky island views

The puffin section uses a smaller boat and usually lasts about an hour, though the ride itself can feel much shorter. You circle Akurey, a rocky island used by puffins and other seabirds, while the guide explains puffin behavior, feeding, and body features.

This is where the supplied binoculars help. You may see many puffins gathered on the island, flying close to the boat, or dropping toward the water for fish. Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars can also appear.

The boat cannot land on the island. It is a protected breeding area, and staying offshore is part of respecting the birds. That protection is good for the colony, but it creates a tradeoff for you: puffins may be plentiful without being close enough for an easy photograph.

Some departures bring the boat near enough for satisfying views. On others, the puffins remain small unless you use binoculars. A few people have also found that the number of binoculars may not match the number of passengers, so bringing your own pair is sensible if bird watching matters to you.

The smaller vessel gives the cruise a more personal feel, but it also has less room. When it is full, you may have to work for a clear view. One guide, Patrick, has been praised for mixing useful facts with humor, while other outings have depended more heavily on the quality of the day’s narrator.

I like this cruise best as a chance to see puffins in a protected natural setting, not as a close-contact animal encounter. If you want to watch their flight, hear about their habits, and enjoy an hour on the water, it can be rewarding. If you want crisp telephoto images of birds sitting at arm’s length, you may feel disappointed.

Flexible order, separate boats, and timing

A useful feature is the freedom to choose which cruise comes first. The two trips are separate, so you may return to the harbour and change boats with only a short break, depending on the schedule.

Pay close attention to the confirmation and reconfirm the times with the operator. This is especially important if you have a museum visit, airport transfer, or day tour planned afterward. The package is listed at roughly four and a half hours, but wildlife tours can run late when the boat spends extra time with animals or deals with sea conditions.

Some departures have placed the three-hour whale trip first, followed by a short break and the one-hour puffin cruise. That arrangement can get you back in time for a late lunch. Other schedules may reverse the order.

The flexibility helps families and people working around a busy Reykjavik itinerary. It also means you should not assume the order shown when you book is the final order. Treat the confirmed times as essential planning information.

What the $156.19 price really buys you

At $156.19 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The value depends on how much use you make of both parts.

You receive two cruises, binoculars for the puffin trip, warm overalls on the whale boat, blankets on the puffin vessel, Wi-Fi, onboard narration, and access to the Special Tours app. The app offers English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, while the live tour is offered in English.

If you see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and a busy puffin colony, the bundle can feel like a smart purchase. Several successful outings have included more than one whale species and dolphins, along with large numbers of puffins and seabirds.

The value drops if you see no whales and only distant puffins. You do receive a free return whale ticket when whales are not spotted, but that helps only if you have enough time in Reykjavik to sail again. The puffin portion does not appear to have a comparable repeat guarantee.

For a family, the package can be convenient because you avoid arranging two separate bookings. Children may especially enjoy the smaller puffin boat, the changing scenery, and the chance to see dolphins. For a solo visitor on a tight budget, the whale cruise alone may offer better value if puffin photographs are not a priority.

How to make the most of the four and a half hours

Dress for Iceland’s wind, not just the temperature shown on your phone. Wear warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, and shoes that can handle a wet deck. The company provides warm overalls, but you should not rely on one layer of clothing underneath.

Take seasickness seriously. The bay may look calm from Reykjavik’s harbour and feel much rougher farther out. If you are unsure, ask the crew about the available motion sickness tablets, and bring any medicine you normally use.

Keep binoculars ready during the whale cruise too, even though the included pair is intended for the puffin trip. A whale may surface well beyond the best naked-eye viewing distance, and the main action can last only a few seconds.

Do not spend the whole ride staring through a camera screen. Watch the guide, listen for the next sighting, and look at the full waterline. You may miss a whale while trying to frame the previous one.

If photography is your priority, bring a camera with a useful zoom and spare battery protection. The boat cannot control how close an animal comes, and the puffin island remains offshore for good reason. Your best image may be a flying puffin or a whale’s back and tail, not a posed portrait.

Who should book this combination

I would choose this package for you if you want a convenient introduction to Iceland’s sea life and can accept uncertainty. It suits families, first-time visitors, and anyone who likes the idea of spending a half-day outdoors without committing to a full-day excursion.

It is also a good fit if you value guides who explain what you are seeing. The strongest outings have included clear whale biology, puffin facts, sharp spotting, and a light touch of humor. English is the live tour language, so you should be comfortable following spoken English.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, get motion sick easily, or need guaranteed results. The whale cruise may be rough, and the puffin cruise may be crowded. You should also think twice if your main goal is close-up wildlife photography.

The package has a maximum listed group size of 33 people, though the smaller puffin boat can still feel tight when everyone wants the same viewing side. Ask yourself if you would enjoy a pleasant boat ride and a chance encounter even on a quiet wildlife day. If yes, the uncertainty is part of the deal. If no, spend your money on an activity with a more predictable payoff.

Should you book the Puffin Cruise and Whale-Watching Tour?

Book it if you want two distinct sea trips, appreciate good guides, and have room in your schedule for nature to make the decisions. The strongest days can deliver humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and several seabird species in one outing.

I would call the whale cruise the stronger reason to book. The puffin ride is a pleasant add-on and a special chance to circle a protected island, but views can be distant. At $156.19, the bundle is worthwhile when you want both experiences and can use the free return whale ticket if needed. Go with warm clothes, realistic expectations, and binoculars if you have them.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, and ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and return can be purchased separately from the supplier.

How long does the full experience last?

The combined experience lasts about four and a half hours. The exact timing can vary, and you need to reconfirm the cruise times with Special Tours Iceland.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Whales are wild animals, and sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see any whales in Faxaflói Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

What animals might I see?

The whale cruise looks for minke whales and humpback whales, as well as white-beaked dolphins and porpoises. The puffin cruise may also show Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars.

Is equipment provided?

The whale-watching cruise provides warm overalls and free Wi-Fi. The puffin cruise provides binoculars and a warm blanket. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live experience is offered in English. The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.