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

This outing gives you two very different views of Icelandic wildlife in one booking: a longer trip into Faxafloi Bay for whales and dolphins, followed by a shorter, closer ride around Akurey for puffins and seabirds. I like the two-tour price and the freedom to choose which cruise comes first.

I also like the practical touches: binoculars on the puffin boat, warm overalls on the whale cruise, blankets in the cabin, and a complimentary return ticket if no whales appear. The main drawback is simple: wild animals set the schedule. You may see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises, or spend hours at sea with only distant fins and seabirds.

Key points to know before booking

• Two boats, two types of wildlife: The whale trip uses a larger vessel and reaches farther into Faxafloi Bay. The puffin trip uses a smaller boat and circles Akurey.
• Puffins are protected, not a petting-zoo attraction: You stay on the boat and view the birds from the water. Binoculars help, but close photographs are not guaranteed.
• Whale sightings are never certain: Minke whales and humpbacks are regular targets, with dolphins and porpoises also possible. A free return ticket is offered if no whales are seen.
• Guides can make a real difference: Guides including Jo, Lucas, Blanca, and Patrick have been praised for clear wildlife explanations and sharp eyes.
• Pack for wind and motion: Warm clothing is essential. The operator provides blankets and whale-cruise overalls, and motion-sickness tablets may be available.
• Allow about four and a half hours: The tours are separate, and you may have only a short changeover between boats.

Two Reykjavik cruises for one wildlife outing

At $156.19 per person, this package is best understood as a discounted pairing rather than one continuous cruise. You take a whale-watching tour and a puffin cruise, usually on different boats and with different guides.

That distinction matters. The whale trip is the main time commitment, often lasting roughly two and a half to three hours. The puffin ride is shorter, close to an hour in many schedules. Altogether, plan on about four and a half hours, though the exact order and departure times need to be confirmed with the operator.

You start and finish at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area. Hotel pickup and return can be added for an extra charge, but they are not included in the listed price. If you stay near central Reykjavik, reaching the meeting point by public transportation should be manageable.

I like the flexibility here. You can take the whale cruise first and the puffin trip afterward, or arrange the opposite order if the available schedule suits your day better. Just reconfirm the cruise times after booking, as instructed on the voucher.

The whale cruise into Faxafloi Bay

The whale portion begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, where you board a larger vessel with indoor seating, outside viewing areas, Wi-Fi, and warm overalls. The boat gives you room to move around, but busy departures can still feel crowded, especially on the upper deck where many people want an unobstructed view.

Your guide scans the open water for minke whales and humpbacks. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises are also possible. Puffins and other seabirds may appear during this cruise as well, but the point of the longer ride is to reach areas where marine mammals might be feeding.

The best sightings can be surprisingly brief. A minke may show a curved back and disappear. A humpback might offer a blow, a back, or, with luck, a tail slap. Dolphins can travel alongside the boat for a time, giving you repeated chances to watch them and take photographs.

Guides have included Jo, Lucas, and Blanca, and strong guides can add a great deal to this kind of outing. A good guide does more than point at a fin. You need help knowing where to look, what species you are seeing, and why the animal’s movement matters.

Still, do not book this expecting a guaranteed wildlife show. Some outings produce four humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and close encounters. Others produce a couple of distant minkes, dolphins, or no whales at all. The operator offers a complimentary whale-watching ticket if you do not spot any whales, but that helps only if you have another suitable time in Reykjavik.

Why the whale ride can be excellent, and why it can disappoint

The strongest whale outings combine calm seas, an alert guide, and cooperative animals. Several experiences have included humpbacks close enough for clear viewing, along with minke whales and dolphins. On calm days, the boat ride itself is pleasant, and you can enjoy a wide view of the bay even during quiet periods.

The weaker outings tend to have two problems: rough water and distant wildlife. One trip may produce only a glimpse of a whale’s fin after two hours of searching. That can feel disappointing when the whale cruise takes up most of your morning or afternoon.

Sea conditions deserve serious attention. Even in summer, the water can be cold and windy. Rough seas may make the ride uncomfortable, especially for anyone prone to motion sickness. The crew has provided ginger candy, sick bags, and motion-sickness tablets on some departures, but bring your own remedy if you already know you need one.

Warm overalls are supplied for the whale trip. They help, but I would still wear layers, a hat, gloves, and waterproof outer clothing. You may spend much of the time moving between the cabin and outside decks, and the wind can make the temperature feel much lower than it does on shore.

A practical photography tip: keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at the screen. Wildlife sightings can happen on either side of the vessel. Listen for the guide’s direction, then watch the water rather than waiting for a perfect postcard moment.

The smaller boat to Akurey

The puffin cruise has a different character. You transfer to a smaller boat and head toward Akurey, a rocky island used as a breeding area by puffins and other seabirds. The boat circles the island to provide several viewing angles, but you do not go ashore.

That restriction is important. The island is a protected breeding ground, so the boat keeps its distance. This protects the birds, but it also means the puffins may look small from the water. Binoculars are provided, though some people prefer bringing their own so they do not need to share.

The sight can still be wonderful. You may see puffins sitting on the water, flying around the island, or returning with fish. Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars add variety. The trip is especially appealing if you enjoy bird behavior rather than simply collecting a close-up photograph.

The cabin is warm and comfortable, and blankets are available. Clear narration explains puffin behavior and physiology, including how the birds feed and move between the sea and nesting areas. Patrick has been singled out for a funny, easy-to-follow style, while other outings have benefited from captains and crew who explained the birds clearly.

The puffin cruise is short. That is good news if you want a focused wildlife outing, but it can feel too brief for the price if close viewing is your main goal. On some departures, the boat gets near enough for satisfying views. On others, you see flocks around the island but little detail, even with binoculars.

Tide and conditions can affect how close the boat can get. The crew follows wildlife guidelines and cannot simply push into a nesting area for a better photograph. I consider that a worthwhile tradeoff, but you should know what you are buying: a respectful boat-based view, not a walk among puffins.

Guides, commentary, and the quality of the boats

The strongest part of this package is often the human side. A sharp guide can turn a long wait into useful natural-history time, and several guides have been praised for explaining whales, dolphins, puffins, and seabirds in clear English.

The quality can vary by departure. Some narration has been warm, funny, and well paced. Patrick has been praised for combining humor with useful facts, while Jo and Lucas have been credited with keeping passengers informed and spotting whales. Blanca has also received praise for pointing out whales, dolphins, and birds.

Not every guide has been equally easy to understand. One whale guide’s heavily accented English made the commentary difficult for some passengers. Since the whale boat is larger and the wind can be loud, you may need to stand near the guide or use the onboard app when available.

The Special Tours app is offered in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It can be useful if you want extra information in a language other than English, though the supplied tour information does not promise that every live explanation will be available in all those languages.

The whale boat is the more substantial vessel, with Wi-Fi, warm overalls, indoor seating, and snacks and drinks available for purchase. Food and drinks are not included. The puffin boat is smaller and more intimate, but a full boat can feel cramped. One account found the smaller vessel too crowded for comfort, even though the operator states that it follows a maximum passenger limit for safety.

The listed maximum for the activity is 33 people, but the two boats may feel different in practice. A smaller boat with a modest group can be pleasant. A full departure can make it harder to reach the best viewing position.

Is $156.19 good value?

The price makes sense if you want both wildlife experiences and have limited time in Reykjavik. Booking the pair together saves you from arranging two separate outings, and the package includes useful gear that would otherwise add inconvenience: binoculars for puffin viewing, blankets, whale-cruise overalls, and Wi-Fi on the larger boat.

The value is strongest when you see several kinds of wildlife. A successful outing with humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other birds gives you a broad introduction to the bay. The package also works well for families, since the shorter puffin boat breaks up the longer whale cruise. One child reportedly preferred the puffin portion because the smaller boat felt more personal and the island was easy to understand as a clear destination.

The value is weaker if you want close-up puffin photography or guaranteed whales. Some people see puffins mainly as small birds around the island. Others spend hours on the whale boat without a whale sighting. The free return ticket softens the risk, but it does not replace the time spent at sea or guarantee that your schedule allows another attempt.

If your budget is tight, you may decide that the whale trip alone is enough. Puffins can also appear during the larger whale cruise, though the dedicated puffin boat offers a more focused look at Akurey. I would choose the combo if seeing puffins is a priority, not simply as a way to add a second activity at the lowest possible cost.

Who will enjoy this combination most?

I recommend this package for you if you enjoy being outdoors, can accept uncertain wildlife sightings, and want an easy nature outing from Reykjavik. It suits families, first-time visitors, bird lovers, and anyone who wants a half-day away from museums, cafes, and city streets.

It is also a good fit if you value interpretation. The guides explain animal behavior, and the trip gives you context for Iceland’s seabirds and marine life instead of offering only a boat ride.

You may want to skip it if you get seasick easily, dislike cold wind, or need guaranteed close views. The whale boat can encounter rough seas, and the puffin boat cannot enter the protected island or force the birds to come closer.

Bring warm layers, gloves, a hat, and motion-sickness medication if you need it. Keep your schedule flexible enough to handle the separate boats and possible timing changes. Hotel transfer is available for an extra fee, but the activity ends back at the Old Harbour meeting point if you arrange your own transport.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver?

I would book it if you want two types of wildlife viewing in one Reykjavik outing and you understand that nature decides the result. The whale cruise offers the bigger payoff, with the chance to see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises across several hours. The puffin cruise is the more dependable visual experience, but the birds may remain distant.

For the best chance at a satisfying day, treat the trip as time on the water rather than a guaranteed animal show. Enjoy the seabirds, the bay, the guide’s explanations, and the changing conditions. If you see a humpback breach or puffins close to the boat, you have received a bonus that no schedule can promise.

FAQ

How long does the combined tour last?

The activity lasts approximately four and a half hours. The whale-watching portion may take about two and a half to three hours, while the puffin cruise is shorter. Exact timings can vary, so reconfirm them with the supplier.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, near the Old Harbour. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Can I choose which tour I take first?

Yes. The package allows flexibility in the order of the whale-watching cruise and puffin cruise, depending on the available schedule.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and return are available to purchase separately through the supplier for an extra fee.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Whale sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see any whales in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

What equipment is included?

The whale cruise includes free Wi-Fi and warm overalls. The puffin cruise includes binoculars, and blankets are provided for warmth.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

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