Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

The best part of this outing is the pairing of two very different sea trips: a longer search for humpback and minke whales in the Atlantic, followed by a close look at puffins from a small boat built to approach the islands. You get open-water scenery, seabird colonies, and a full wildlife morning or afternoon from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

I like the two-boat format, since the large whale-watching vessel gives you room and the smaller puffin boat can get nearer the islands. I also like the free return ticket if no whales are spotted, plus the handy seasickness tablets and WiFi. The main catch is that wildlife is never guaranteed, and rough weather can cancel or alter the puffin portion, as happened on one August outing.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate boat trips: Choose the whale departure, then take the puffin trip later that day.
• Morning schedule: Whale watching at 9:00, followed by puffin watching at 12:30.
• Afternoon schedule: Whale watching at 13:00, followed by puffin watching at 17:00.
• Different boats for different jobs: The whale trip uses a larger vessel, while the puffin trip uses a smaller island-friendly boat.
• Wildlife backup: If no whales appear, you receive a free ticket to try again.
• Weather matters: The puffin boat may not run in poor conditions, so bring warm, waterproof clothing.

Two Iceland wildlife trips from one harbor

This $153 combo gives you two separate departures from Reykjavik, not one continuous cruise. That distinction matters when you plan your day. You choose either the 9:00 whale departure with the 12:30 puffin trip, or the 13:00 whale departure with the 17:00 puffin trip.

The total activity is listed as four hours, but the time on each boat differs. Whale watching takes about two to three and a half hours. The puffin trip lasts about one hour. The gap between departures gives you time to return to the harbor, warm up, and grab food on your own.

I like this setup because each boat has a clear purpose. The larger whale-watching vessel is better suited to a longer ride into the Atlantic, while the smaller puffin boat is designed to get close to the islands without disturbing the birds. You are not trying to make one boat do everything.

The tradeoff is that you need to keep track of two departure times. If the first trip runs late, weather changes, or sea conditions affect the schedule, the connection may feel less tidy than a single cruise. Treat the time between trips as useful breathing room, not as a long restaurant stop.

Leaving Geirsgata 11 for the Atlantic

Your day begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Pickup service is not included, so you need to make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point.

From the harbor, the whale-watching boat heads out toward open water. The route provides views of Reykjavik’s coast before the city gives way to a much wider sea. The scenery is part of the ride, but the real focus is the search for movement on the water: a blow, a back, a fin, or a sudden rise beside the boat.

The guides explain whale behavior and habitat in English. That information helps you understand why the boat may slow down, change direction, or wait in one area. Wildlife trips involve patience. A quiet stretch is not necessarily wasted time, since the crew is watching for signs that are easy for an untrained eye to miss.

The boat ride can last anywhere from about two hours to three and a half hours. That range is important for anyone with a tight schedule. I would avoid placing another fixed appointment too close to the end of the whale trip, especially if you are planning a meal or a museum visit afterward.

Looking for humpback and minke whales

The main targets are humpback whales and minke whales. A humpback sighting can bring a large back, a tall blow, or a tail rising above the water. Minke whales are smaller and can be quicker to miss, so keep watching even when the sea seems quiet.

The best attitude is hopeful but realistic. One August departure produced many whales, and the guide Daniel received special praise for making the outing memorable. Another booking still received top marks despite the simple complaint that there could have been more whales. That tells you something useful: even a well-run trip cannot control the animals.

I appreciate the free ticket to join again if no whales are seen. It does not guarantee a sighting on the second attempt, but it lowers the risk of spending $153 on a day when the sea stays empty. If your schedule allows, you have a practical reason to return rather than treating a no-sighting trip as money lost.

You should also bring motion sickness prevention. Tablets are available on board, which is a thoughtful backup, but I would not wait until you feel ill to prepare. The open Atlantic can feel very different from calm water inside the harbor.

The smaller boat to the puffin islands

After the whale trip, you return for the puffin departure. The puffin portion uses a smaller boat specially designed to approach the nearby islands as closely as conditions allow. The ride lasts about one hour, so it is a shorter, more focused outing.

Puffins are the star here, but the setting adds much of the charm. You look toward island colonies with the Icelandic coast behind them, watching for birds on the water, in the air, or gathered near the rocky edges. Binoculars are provided, which helps you pick out birds that are too far away for a clear look with the naked eye.

The smaller vessel is a strong part of the package. A large boat can offer more shelter and space, but a purpose-built small boat can give you a better angle on the islands. The drawback is exposure. Smaller boats may feel more affected by wind and waves, and poor weather can make this part unsafe or impossible.

That weather issue is not theoretical. One August outing completed the whale-watching portion but could not use the puffin boat because conditions were too rough for that vessel. The whale trip still delivered an excellent wildlife day, but you should understand that the combo does not mean both trips will always operate.

What the guides add to the outing

The guides do more than point toward animals. They explain the behavior and habitat of the whales and puffins, helping you make sense of what you see. On a wildlife trip, that context is valuable because sightings can be brief and easy to misunderstand.

Guide Daniel was singled out for being especially good during one whale outing. The wider guiding team is described as professional and enthusiastic, but I would not assume Daniel will lead every departure. His name is useful as a reminder that the guide can shape the day, yet the exact crew depends on the sailing.

The language is English. Free WiFi is available on board, though I would treat it as a convenience rather than the point of the trip. You will want to keep your attention outside, where the next whale or puffin may appear.

Timing the combo around your Reykjavik plans

The morning option starts early: whale watching at 9:00 and puffins at 12:30. This works well if you want to use the rest of the day for Reykjavik, but you need to be at the meeting point early and ready for a long morning outside.

The afternoon option begins with whales at 13:00 and continues with puffins at 17:00. This lets you have a slower morning, but the activity occupies much of your afternoon and may finish later in the day. The two departure times are not interchangeable, so check that you have selected the whale time you actually want.

I would choose the morning combo if wildlife is a main reason for visiting Reykjavik and you prefer leaving the evening open. I would choose the afternoon combo if you want a relaxed start or need the morning for another activity.

Since the tours are separate, listen carefully to the crew’s instructions about when and where to return for the second boat. The connection is designed to work, but you remain responsible for keeping track of your schedule.

The real value of the $153 price

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride. You are paying for two boats, two wildlife outings, professional guides, binoculars for the puffin portion, WiFi, and the option to return free if the whale trip produces no sightings.

The value is strongest if you already want to see both whales and puffins. Booking the pair together saves you from arranging two separate activities and gives you a full wildlife-focused block in your Reykjavik schedule. The free repeat whale ticket also gives the price some protection when nature refuses to cooperate.

The value is weaker if you are mainly interested in whales and feel uncertain about puffins. The puffin trip is only about an hour, and it can be canceled or changed in rough conditions. You should also budget for snacks or drinks, since those are sold separately on board rather than included.

For a family or couple who wants a memorable sea day, the two-part format can make sense. For a visitor with a very limited budget, or someone who dislikes boats, $153 may be better spent on a land-based activity.

Staying comfortable on Icelandic water

Bring warm clothing even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave the hotel. Conditions at sea can be colder and wetter, and the boat may expose you to wind for several hours.

A waterproof camera is a smart choice. Whale sightings can happen quickly, and spray can reach areas you thought were dry. Binoculars are especially useful for the whale trip if you have your own, while binoculars are provided on the puffin boat.

Motion sickness deserves serious attention. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the long whale portion gives you plenty of time to feel the movement. Seasickness tablets are available, but personal prevention is worth planning before you reach the harbor.

Pets and smoking are not allowed. Snacks and beverages can be bought on board, but they are not included, so bring the payment method or food plan that works for you.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this combo to anyone who values wildlife over a guaranteed timetable. It suits photographers, families with older children, bird fans, and first-time visitors who want to see more than Reykjavik’s streets.

It is also a good choice if you have enough flexibility to try the whale trip again. That free return matters most to you if you are staying in the capital region for several days rather than leaving immediately.

I would think twice if you are highly sensitive to motion, need a precise end time, or dislike cold and wet conditions. I would also avoid making the combo the last activity before an important flight or tightly timed connection.

The provider may sometimes share a boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons. Fewer boats on the water can help reduce pressure on the area, but it also means the exact onboard setup may vary at certain times of year.

Booking, cancellation, and weather planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful in Iceland, where weather can change plans quickly.

Still, flexible cancellation does not remove the need to check the forecast. If conditions are poor, the puffin portion may not run even when the whale trip goes ahead. The whale trip and puffin trip are separate, so one can be affected while the other operates.

I would book this when you have a spare day or a forgiving schedule. Bring layers, protect your camera, and arrive at Geirsgata 11 30 minutes early. Those simple steps will do more for your comfort than any last-minute plan once the boat leaves the harbor.

Should you book the whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want two distinct wildlife experiences and can accept that nature sets the timetable. The strongest reasons are the different boats, the close approach to puffin islands, the free whale repeat ticket, and the chance to see both humpbacks and minkes in one Reykjavik outing.

Skip it if seasickness is a serious concern or if you need guaranteed sightings. Even the best guide cannot order whales to surface, and bad weather can prevent the smaller puffin boat from running.

For most visitors who enjoy wildlife and have four hours to spare, I think the combo offers solid value at $153. Just bring warm layers, leave room in your schedule, and treat the animals as wild creatures rather than scheduled performers.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the departure time.

What departure combinations are available?

The morning combination is whale watching at 9:00 followed by puffin watching at 12:30. The afternoon combination is whale watching at 13:00 followed by puffin watching at 17:00.

Is this one continuous boat tour?

No. The combo includes two separate tours with two separate departures. The whale trip uses a larger vessel, and the puffin trip uses a smaller boat.

How long does each part last?

The whale-watching trip lasts about two to three and a half hours. The puffin trip lasts about one hour.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching trip again if there are no sightings.

Are binoculars provided?

Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour. Free WiFi is available on board, and complimentary seasickness tablets are also available.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to reach Geirsgata 11 independently.