Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Reykjavik’s Old Harbour gives you a rare two-part wildlife outing: first, you head into the Atlantic for humpback and minke whales, then you switch to a smaller boat for a close look at puffin colonies. The whales are never guaranteed, but the free return ticket if none appear takes some sting out of the gamble.

I like the sensible mix of boats, since the large whale watching vessel gives you room and the smaller puffin boat can approach the islands more closely. I also like the practical touches, including free WiFi, binoculars on the puffin trip, and seasickness tablets. The main caution is the sea itself: people prone to motion sickness may find this a rough four hours, and bad weather can affect one part of the outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate departures: You choose a whale watching time, then join a later puffin cruise.
• Two boat types: Whale watching uses a larger vessel, while the puffin trip uses a smaller boat designed to get near the islands.
• Whale sightings are not certain: If no whales appear, you receive a free ticket to try again.
• The puffin trip lasts about one hour: Binoculars are provided, which helps you scan the colonies and shorelines.
• The schedule is fixed: Choose the 9:00 whale departure with the 12:30 puffin trip, or the 13:00 whale departure with the 17:00 puffin trip.
• Weather matters: A Swiss booking in August had to skip the puffin boat because conditions were too poor, even though the whale trip produced excellent sightings.

Two wildlife trips from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This is not one continuous cruise. It is a combo of two different tours, with two departures from the Old Harbour area. That detail matters more than it first appears, since you need to plan your day around a gap between boats rather than simply settling in for a single four hour ride.

You meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. Arrive 30 minutes early. The whale trip is the first departure in both schedule choices, and you select that time when booking:

• 9:00 whale watching, followed by puffin viewing at 12:30
• 13:00 whale watching, followed by puffin viewing at 17:00

The early option leaves more of the day open afterward. The later option may suit you if you want a slower morning, but it also keeps your afternoon tied up until the puffin trip ends.

The total activity is listed as four hours, though the whale cruise itself can last from about two to three and a half hours, and the puffin tour takes about one hour. The time between departures is part of the practical puzzle. You will need to manage that break yourself, and snacks or drinks are sold on board rather than included.

Setting out for humpback and minke whales

The first boat is a larger vessel built for the longer ride into the Atlantic. That extra space is useful in changing weather, since you can move around the boat to find a better view and step indoors when you need a break.

The guides explain whale behavior and habitat as you go. You are looking for humpback and minke whales in their natural setting, not animals performing on a schedule. That makes every sighting feel earned, but it also means patience is part of the deal.

A humpback may give you a dramatic surface appearance, while a minke whale can be quicker and harder to spot. The supplied information does not promise a particular number of animals, and one recent booking noted that there could have been more whales. That is a fair reminder that wildlife outings vary from day to day.

The company offers a free ticket to join again if no whales are seen. This is a meaningful benefit if your schedule allows a second attempt. It does not help much if you are leaving Reykjavik the same day, so keep your timing in mind before treating the guarantee as a complete safety net.

One August outing produced excellent whale sightings even though weather later prevented the puffin boat from running. That tells you two useful things. First, weather can affect the two trips differently. Second, a missed puffin cruise does not automatically mean the whale portion will be poor.

The smaller boat and Reykjavik’s puffin islands

After the whale trip, you return for the second departure and board a smaller boat for roughly one hour. This boat is specially designed to get as close to the nearby islands as possible, giving you a better angle on the puffin colonies than a large vessel would provide.

Puffins are small birds, and distance quickly turns them into dark specks against the coast. Binoculars are provided on this portion of the outing, which is a useful inclusion rather than a decorative extra. Bring your own pair if you already have one, but you are not dependent on it.

The puffin cruise is less about covering a lot of ocean and more about placing you near the islands and giving you time to watch. You will see the colonies against Iceland’s coastal backdrop while the guide explains the birds and their habitat.

The smaller boat may feel more exposed to the motion of the sea. If you already know you are prone to seasickness, this is the part to consider carefully. Seasickness tablets are available at no charge, but you should also bring your own motion sickness prevention if you normally need it.

What the guides add to the outing

The guides are there to explain what you are seeing, not simply point toward a fin or bird. Expect English language commentary about animal behavior and habitat during both parts of the outing.

One guide named Daniel received especially strong praise after a whale trip, with the booking describing him as excellent. That gives you a useful sense of the tone to expect when the guide is at his best: engaged, clear, and focused on helping you notice what is happening on the water.

Still, wildlife guiding always depends on conditions. A guide can explain how to identify a whale or where puffins gather, but cannot control the sea, visibility, or animal movements. I value that honest setup. It keeps the experience rooted in nature rather than turning it into a promise of a staged encounter.

The environmental arrangement is also worth noting. At certain times of year, the boat may be shared with another activity partner so fewer boats are on the water. That can mean the exact operating setup varies, but the reason is practical: reduce the number of vessels around the wildlife and help keep the area in good condition.

Weather, seasickness, and what to bring

I would pack for cold, wet, and windy conditions even if Reykjavik looks calm when you leave the ticket office. The recommended list is straightforward:

• Warm clothing
• A waterproof camera
• Binoculars
• Motion sickness prevention

Layering is the sensible approach. You can remove a layer if conditions are mild, but you cannot create warmth once you are out at sea. A waterproof camera or protective cover matters because spray and weather can arrive without warning.

Free WiFi is available on board. That is handy for sending a quick message or checking plans, but it should not be the reason you book. The main attraction is the water and wildlife, and mobile service or WiFi should be treated as a bonus.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. The experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, a clear warning you should take seriously rather than brush aside. Tablets are available, but the boat motion remains part of the experience.

Weather can affect the schedule or one section of the combo. The August example in the supplied information is a good illustration: the puffin boat could not operate in poor weather, while the whale trip still went ahead and delivered strong sightings. Leave room in your plans if seeing both species is especially important to you.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not a budget harbor ride. The value depends on how much you want the puffin and whale experiences together, and on whether you can use the free return option if the whales do not cooperate.

You are paying for two boats, professional guides, the longer whale search, the smaller puffin vessel, binoculars for the puffin portion, WiFi, and access to seasickness tablets. The two boat styles are important. A large vessel is suited to the longer Atlantic trip, while the smaller craft is intended to get closer to the islands.

The price feels easier to justify if you already planned to book both activities separately. It is less compelling if you only want a quick look at puffins or if rough water is likely to keep you indoors. You also need to budget for food and drinks, since those are sold separately.

The free repeat whale ticket adds practical value, but only if you have enough time in Reykjavik for another departure. If this is your last day in Iceland, the promise may not be useful. Check your schedule before booking, especially if your flight or onward transfer is close.

Who will enjoy this combo most?

I would recommend it to you if wildlife is a main reason for visiting Iceland and you want two different kinds of encounters in one booking. It suits people who are happy to spend several hours around the water, listen to a guide, and accept that nature does not follow a timetable.

It is also a good fit if you want a puffin outing with a smaller boat rather than a large sightseeing vessel. The binoculars and closer approach to the islands give that hour a clear purpose.

Families and first time whale watchers may appreciate the mix of practical support and onboard commentary, though the sea conditions can change the mood quickly. Anyone sensitive to motion should think twice, especially because the combo includes both a longer boat ride and a smaller craft.

Photographers should bring protection for their equipment and keep expectations realistic. You may get a striking whale photo, a puffin close-up, or only a fleeting view. The waterproof camera advice is there for good reason, but no camera can guarantee a wildlife shot.

Booking details that affect your day

Book the whale departure time, not the puffin departure separately. The matching times are fixed at 9:00 and 12:30, or 13:00 and 17:00. The booking therefore commits you to a pair of tours with two departures.

Meet at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office, and arrive 30 minutes before the relevant departure. Pick up service is not included, so make your own way to the meeting point.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those policies give you some flexibility, which is useful when weather is a concern.

The experience is conducted in English. If the provider shares the boat with another activity partner during certain periods, that is part of the effort to limit the total number of boats on the water.

Should you book the whale and puffin combo?

Book this tour if you want a full wildlife day from Reykjavik and can handle open water. The best reasons are the two contrasting boats, the smaller craft near the puffin islands, and the free repeat ticket if no whales appear.

Think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have a tight travel schedule, or need guaranteed sightings. Even a strong guide such as Daniel cannot order whales to surface, and rough weather may affect one part of the plan.

For most wildlife-focused visitors with flexible timing, the combo offers a solid way to see Icelandic marine life without arranging two separate bookings. Pack warm layers, protect your camera, arrive early, and treat the animals as wild creatures rather than scheduled performers. That is the right mindset for this outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure at the meeting point.

What departure combinations are available?

You can choose whale watching at 9:00 followed by the puffin tour at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 followed by the puffin tour at 17:00.

Which departure time do I choose when booking?

You choose the whale watching departure time. The matching puffin departure is part of the selected combo.

Are the whale and puffin trips separate tours?

Yes. The combo includes two different tours with two departures.

How long is the whale watching trip?

The whale watching portion takes approximately two to three and a half hours.

How long is the puffin tour?

The puffin tour lasts approximately one hour.

What happens if no whales are seen?

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

Are binoculars provided?

Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour. You are also advised to bring binoculars if you have them.

Is transport from my accommodation included?

No. Pick up service is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself.