Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

The best part of this outing is the change of scale. You start on a larger boat searching the open Atlantic for humpback and minke whales, then shift to a smaller craft that can edge closer to puffin islands. It feels like two wildlife trips in one, not a single ride with a rushed add-on.

I like the two distinct boats and the practical extras: free WiFi, seasickness tablets, and binoculars for the puffin trip. I also like the free return ticket if the whale count comes up empty. The main catch is that wildlife follows its own timetable. One recent trip had great whale sightings but had to cancel the puffin boat because of rough weather.

• Whales first, puffins later: The combo pairs a 2 to 3.5-hour whale cruise with a smaller puffin trip of about one hour.
• Two departure choices: Pick the 9:00 whale boat with the 12:30 puffin boat, or the 13:00 whale boat with the 17:00 puffin boat.
• A better puffin view: The specially designed smaller boat can get close to the islands, and binoculars are supplied.
• Helpful backup for empty water: You receive a free ticket to join the whale trip again if no whales are seen.
• Weather matters: The whale and puffin outings can be affected differently by sea conditions.
• Simple Old Harbour meeting point: Check in at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, arriving 30 minutes early.

Two Reykjavik Boat Trips, Not One Long Cruise

This experience gives you two separate departures from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. That point matters when you plan your day. You choose the whale-watching departure time, then join the matching puffin trip later.

The morning pairing is a 9:00 whale departure followed by puffins at 12:30. The afternoon choice leaves for whales at 13:00 and heads out for puffins at 17:00. The full booking is described as four hours, but the actual time aboard each boat is split between a longer whale outing and a shorter puffin outing.

I like this arrangement because each boat is suited to its job. The larger vessel has room for a longer run into the Atlantic, while the smaller puffin boat is built to maneuver close to the islands. You are not asking one boat to do everything.

The gap between trips also gives the schedule some breathing room. You will not be trying to leap from one dock to another with seconds to spare. Still, treat the two departures as separate tours. Follow the times carefully and stay near the harbour between them.

Leaving Geirsgata 11 for the Atlantic

Your day begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in the Old Harbour area. Arrive 30 minutes before departure. There is no pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Once aboard the larger whale-watching vessel, the trip moves away from the harbour and toward open water. The appeal is not only the animals. You get broad views of Reykjavik’s coastal setting, fresh sea air, and the feeling of leaving the city behind for a while.

Bring warm clothing and waterproof protection for your camera. Even on a pleasant day in Reykjavik, an exposed boat deck can feel cold. You will want layers rather than one heavy item, since you may move between indoor and outdoor areas while looking for wildlife.

The guides explain whale behavior and habitat as the boat travels. That background makes the waiting more useful. Instead of simply staring at the water, you learn what to watch for and why a distant blow, fin, or change in the surface might matter.

Looking for Humpback and Minke Whales

The whale trip lasts about two to three and a half hours. That range reflects the nature of the search. The crew may need time to reach areas where whales have been seen, and sightings cannot be scheduled like a museum visit.

The main targets are humpback whales and minke whales. A humpback may offer a more dramatic sight, while a minke can be quicker and harder to spot. The guides share information about the animals you encounter, including behavior and habitat, which helps you understand why a sighting may be brief or far from the boat.

There is a useful safety net if the sea stays empty: a free ticket to join the whale-watching trip again. That does not guarantee a whale on the second attempt, but it makes the $153 price easier to assess. You are paying for a serious search with a stated chance to return, not a guaranteed animal performance.

A recent outing produced many whales and left the guide Daniel with especially strong praise for his energy and friendly manner. That detail is worth noting because the guide shapes the experience during quiet stretches. A good explanation can keep the trip interesting when the water is doing very little.

At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. One five-star account still wished there had been more whales. That is not a contradiction. A trip can provide a good sighting and still leave a wildlife fan wanting more. The Atlantic sets the terms.

The Puffin Islands on a Smaller Boat

The puffin tour lasts about one hour and uses a smaller, specially designed boat. Its purpose is to get as close to the nearby islands as possible while giving you a good view of the colonies.

Puffins are small birds, so distance matters. The supplied binoculars are a real advantage here, especially if the birds are resting on rocky ledges or moving around the water. Bring your own pair if you already have one, but you do not need to buy or pack binoculars just for this outing.

The islands add a strong coastal backdrop to the wildlife viewing. You are not only looking at a bird in isolation. You see puffins in the setting where they live, with the boat, cliffs, and sea all part of the picture.

The smaller craft is also the more weather-sensitive part of the combo. On one trip, conditions were too rough for the puffin boat even though the whale outing went ahead and produced excellent sightings. This is the key practical warning: success on one tour does not guarantee that the second will operate.

The company tries to reduce the number of boats on the water for environmental reasons. At certain times of year, your trip may run on a shared boat with another activity partner. That can change the exact feel of the outing, but the stated reason is straightforward: fewer boats help keep the marine setting in better condition.

What the $153 Price Really Buys

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap harbour ride. The value comes from the two-part format and the time spent on the water. You receive one longer whale search, one focused puffin trip, professional guides, binoculars for the puffin portion, WiFi, and seasickness tablets if needed.

The free return ticket for no whale sightings also improves the deal. Wildlife tours always carry some risk, and this policy gives you another chance rather than treating an empty sea as the end of the story.

You still need to budget for snacks and drinks, which are sold aboard rather than included. If you prefer to control your food costs, plan ahead before you check in, but do not expect meals to be part of the ticket.

The price makes the most sense for someone who genuinely wants both animals. If puffins are your main goal, you may find the whale portion more time and money than you need. If you want a broad wildlife outing from Reykjavik and value the chance to try again for whales, the combo has a stronger case.

Staying Comfortable on Open Water

Seasickness is the biggest comfort issue. The activity is specifically not suited to people prone to motion sickness, and the boat spends time in Atlantic waters rather than staying inside a sheltered harbour.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, but you should bring your own prevention if you already know what works for you. The supplied tablets are a helpful extra, not a promise that rough water will feel easy.

Wear warm clothing and consider waterproof layers. A waterproof camera is listed among the recommended items, and that advice is practical. Sea spray, damp weather, and wet hands are all possible concerns when you are watching from outside.

Free WiFi is available aboard. It will not replace looking up from the deck, of course, but it can be useful for keeping in touch during the longer whale trip. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

The trip is guided in English. The guide’s explanations are part of the value, especially when sightings are distant or the boat is waiting. Daniel has received particular praise for his work, although guide assignments can vary.

Choosing the Morning or Afternoon Schedule

The morning option leaves at 9:00 for whales and continues with puffins at 12:30. This choice gets the wildlife portion done earlier, leaving the rest of your day open after the second boat.

The afternoon option departs for whales at 13:00 and visits puffin islands at 17:00. This can fit better if you have a slow morning or another Reykjavik plan before the harbour. The tradeoff is that your wildlife outing occupies the later part of the day.

You are choosing the whale departure when you book. The puffin time is paired with it, so do not assume you can mix the 9:00 whale boat with the 17:00 puffin trip.

I would choose based on your wider schedule and your tolerance for weather changes, not on the hope that one time guarantees better sightings. The animals and sea conditions are not controlled by the clock.

Who Will Get the Most From This Outing

This combo suits you if you want two different kinds of wildlife viewing in one Reykjavik plan. It is especially good for first-time visitors who want to see the city’s nearby marine life without arranging separate transport outside the capital.

Families and casual nature fans may enjoy the variety. The whale boat offers a longer search with guide commentary, while the puffin ride is shorter and more focused. The change keeps the outing from feeling like one repetitive cruise.

Dedicated bird watchers should appreciate the close approach to the islands and the supplied binoculars. Dedicated whale watchers should value the longer vessel, the guide commentary, and the free return option if no whales appear.

It is less suitable if you dislike open water, suffer easily from seasickness, need a guaranteed animal sighting, or want a tightly controlled schedule. The puffin portion may be cancelled for weather even when the whale trip continues.

Practical Details Before You Reserve

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11 at the Special Tours ticket office. Arrive 30 minutes early, since pickup is not included and you need to check in at the harbour.

The experience has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Iceland plans may shift, though you still need to keep both boat times clear once you choose a combo.

English is the stated tour language. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board. Pets and smoking are not permitted.

The booking includes two separate tours with two departures. Keep that detail in front of you when planning your day, especially if you have a restaurant booking, airport transfer, or another activity near the same time.

Should You Book the Whale and Puffin Combo?

Book it if seeing both whales and puffins is a priority and you can accept a little uncertainty. The larger boat, smaller puffin craft, onboard binoculars, helpful guides, and free whale return ticket make the $153 fare easier to justify than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would be most cautious if you are prone to seasickness or if your schedule cannot handle a weather change. The whale trip and puffin trip do not always share the same conditions, as shown by the possibility of whales going ahead while puffins are cancelled.

For the best fit, choose your time carefully, arrive early at Geirsgata 11, dress warmly, and think of the day as a wildlife search rather than a guaranteed show. If that sounds right to you, this is a strong way to put Reykjavik’s Atlantic setting and bird islands into one well-organized outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the departure time.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup service is not included, so you need to reach the Old Harbour meeting point yourself.

Which departure times are available?

You can choose a 9:00 whale-watching departure with a 12:30 puffin departure, or a 13:00 whale-watching departure with a 17:00 puffin departure.

Am I booking one tour or two?

You are booking two separate tours with two separate departures. The whale-watching departure time is the time you select when booking.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The whale-watching boat portion lasts approximately two to three and a half hours.

How long is the puffin tour?

The puffin boat portion lasts approximately 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?

Yes. Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour. A specially designed smaller boat is also used to get close to the islands.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board and are not included in the price.

Can the puffin trip be affected by weather?

Yes. The puffin trip may be affected by sea conditions, and it can be cancelled even if the whale-watching trip operates.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available on board.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying immediately?

Yes. Reserve now and pay later is available.