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

Puffins in one boat, whales in the next. This Reykjavik super saver bundles two wildlife outings into one short day, with order flexibility and a focus on local guidance. You’ll get narration for puffin behavior, plus onboard scouting for whales, dolphins, and seabirds, all while staying warm in provided layers. One thing to keep in mind: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and your best views may depend on sea conditions and where the animals choose to surface.

I really like that the puffin half includes binoculars, so you can actually track activity on the water and around the island. I also like the whale half’s practical onboard setup, including warm overalls and free Wi-Fi on the cruise boat, which makes a cold, gray sea day feel a lot more manageable.

The main drawback is simple. If you need whales close-up and on schedule, plan for a possibility of fewer or distant sightings, and some departures end up whale-free even though there is a safety net ticket option.

Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Book

• Discounted bundle, flexible order: you can choose which tour comes first.
• Binoculars included for puffins: helpful when birds are busy offshore and you are watching from the water.
• Warm overalls and blankets: you are not left figuring out cold-weather gear at the dock.
• Local guide scanning matters: the whale boat relies on active spotting in open water.
• Akurey is viewed from the boat: you get the best vantage points around the island, but you do not go onto breeding islands.
• No-whales safety net: the operator offers a complimentary whale-watching ticket if you do not spot any in Faxafloi Bay.

A Reykjavik Super Saver That Fits a Short Day

This is a 4 hour 30 minute combo tour based in Reykjavik, built for people who want the big Iceland wildlife hits without losing an entire day to logistics. The price, $156.19 per person, can feel like a lot until you realize you are paying for two distinct outings: one focused on puffins and one focused on whales and dolphins.

That timing is part of the value. You do not have to choose between birds and whales, and you do not have to make a whole separate day of travel. You also have the option to take the tours in the order you prefer, which helps if you are trying to match your energy level to sea conditions.

One practical note I take seriously: you will need to reconfirm cruise times with the supplier after booking. That small step helps you avoid the common Iceland stress, where a schedule can shift slightly with weather.

Where You Start, What Happens First, and How Big the Groups Feel

You meet at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. The start location is a good sign if you are using public transport, because it is described as near public transportation.

The group size cap is 33 travelers, which is not tiny, but it is also not the huge cattle-boat vibe that can make wildlife spotting harder. In real life, smaller groups usually mean fewer people fighting for a good angle at the rail.

You will also use the Special Tours app, available in English plus several other languages. That matters because Iceland wildlife is easier to understand when you know what you are actually looking at. The app can support the narration you hear on board, so you are not just “watching stuff,” you are learning behaviors and patterns.

On the puffin side you get a provided blanket while you ride and listen to narration. On the whale side you get warm overalls. In both cases, the cold factor is handled for you, which is a big deal in Reykjavik weather.

Puffin Cruise to Akurey: Binoculars, Island Vantage Points, and What You Can Expect to See

The puffin portion focuses on a rocky bird zone called Akurey. You approach the island and you get narrated info about puffin behavior and physiology, so the whole trip makes sense instead of feeling like a drive-by of random birds.

As you near the island, you watch puffins dive for fish. Then you use the included binoculars to spot details. This is one of the most praised elements because it turns puffin viewing into active looking. You are not waiting for luck, you are scanning for movement, wing flashes, and the fast bobbing rhythm that gives puffins away.

Your route includes circling the island for additional vantage points. That matters because puffins are not always in the same pocket of water. They move, and the wind can shuffle what is easiest to see from the boat.

You can also expect to look for other seabirds, including Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars. This is a nice bonus because even if puffins are quieter in one section of water, the sea often still holds activity.

The one expectation you should set up front: you are viewing from the boat. Multiple accounts highlight that the island itself is not where you go. Those are protected breeding areas, which means the experience is about the best viewing angles from offshore, not walking up and getting hand-held selfies inches from a nest.

Whale Watching in Faxafloi Bay: Spotting Minke and Humpback, Plus Dolphins

After the puffin half, the day shifts to whale watching in Faxafloi Bay. You travel by boat from the Old Harbour. If you add pickup with your booking, you are taken from your Reykjavik hotel, then delivered to the harbor.

On the whale cruise, you are on a vessel described as luxurious, and the experience is guided with onboard commentary. Your guide helps scan open water for sightings, and the target species you should hope for are minke whales and humpback whales.

You might also see other marine life such as white-beaked dolphins and porpoises. Even when whales are delayed, dolphins and porpoises can still pop up around the boat, which helps the day feel alive rather than like long silence.

The whale part includes free Wi-Fi on board. That is not what you came for, but it can help if you want to share photos or look up what you are seeing in real time.

Cold and sea comfort are handled too. Warm overalls are included, and some departures provide motion-sickness help like ginger candy or sea-sickness pills. If you are sensitive to rocking water, take it seriously. The tour can be smooth on calm days, but it can also turn rough, and Iceland weather has a habit of changing its mind quickly.

The Reality Check, and the No-Whales Plan

Here is the honest part. Whale sightings are wild-animal events, so you might get whales close-up, distant, or not at all. The operator’s promise is a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise if you do not spot any whales in Faxafloi Bay during your trip.

That makes the whale half less risky than a strict one-and-done outing, as long as you are in Reykjavik long enough to use the replacement cruise.

Guides, Narration, and How It Changes What You Notice

A wildlife cruise lives or dies on the human layer. I love that this tour is heavy on instruction, not just entertainment. On the puffin cruise, narration covers what puffins do and why they do it, so spotting birds becomes a process you can follow.

On the whale boat, the guide’s job is to point, scan, and explain what to watch for when whales surface. That is the difference between seeing a whale once and repeatedly catching the rhythm of what whales are doing.

In the accounts shared, guide names come up like Jo and Lucas on whale trips, and Patrick or Blanca on puffin boats. You cannot count on the same people, but those names are a hint that the company tends to staff real wildlife storytellers, not just someone reading a script.

One practical takeaway: even when guides have different English styles, pay attention to the repeated instructions about where to look and when. You will see more if you follow their scan pattern, not if you just watch whatever corner of the sea calls to you.

Price and Value: What Makes This a Bargain, and What Could Feel Like a Letdown

At $156.19, this combo is best understood as a trade between value and expectation.

Value wins:

• You are paying for two experiences in one ticket.
• Binoculars on the puffin cruise are included.
• You get warm overalls on the whale cruise, and a blanket on the puffin portion.
• There is a complimentary rebook ticket if whales do not show in Faxafloi Bay.

Value risks:

• No whales can happen, even with good guides and active searching.
• Puffin viewing can be more about motion and binocular tracking than about getting right up close for photos.
• Some feedback points to boat crowding on the puffin side, which can affect how long you can comfortably spot details without sharing limited viewing space.

I think this is still a strong deal for the right type of traveler. If you want guaranteed close-up wildlife photography, plan to spend less time expecting perfect views and more time appreciating the chance to see these species in their real environment.

Packing Tips That Match Iceland Weather and This Tour Style

You will want to dress for wind and spray. The tour recommends warm clothes, and that is not a suggestion, it is the whole game.

Here is what helps most for this specific combo:

• Warm base layers plus an insulated jacket.
• Gloves and a hat, because wind on the water is different from land.
• Waterproof outer layer if you have one, because sea mist is common in Reykjavik.
• Bring a small day bag for layers and phone protection.
• If you are picky about viewing clarity, you might consider bringing your own binoculars, since sharing included binoculars can be a squeeze on crowded boats.

If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. Even though overalls and blankets help, rocking water affects people differently. Some departures offer motion-sickness support, but it is smart to bring your own preference too, just in case.

Also, charge your camera early and keep it handy. Wildlife moments are fast, especially puffin dives.

Who This Puffin and Whale Combo Is Best For

This tour shines for:

• First-timers to Reykjavik who want both puffins and whales without a full-day time commitment.
• Budget-minded travelers who like the idea of a discounted bundle.
• Families and groups, since the format includes warm gear, narration, and multiple chances for wildlife sightings.

You might not love it if:

• You need whales guaranteed, or you get very frustrated when sightings are distant.
• You expect to walk around a puffin breeding island. You will not, and that restriction is part of how the experience stays ethical and protective of nesting birds.
• You are extremely sensitive to crowds, since boat sizes vary by segment and some days feel tighter than others.

Should You Book This Iceland Super Saver From Reykjavik?

If you want a compact Reykjavik wildlife day with real instruction, provided warmth, and binocular support, I think this is an excellent pick. The key reason is that it covers two iconic species experiences, puffins and whales, in about half a day, and it gives you a plan if whales do not appear.

If your top priority is whale close-ups only, add a bit of caution. The ocean decides a lot, and some outings are dolphin heavy rather than whale heavy. Still, the complimentary rebooking ticket reduces the downside.

My call: book it if you can handle Iceland weather, dress warmly, and treat wildlife sightings as a bonus that comes with learning and good scouting. Skip it only if you are unwilling to accept the wild part of the deal.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included for the whale-watching part?

Hotel transfers are not included in the base price. Pickup is available to book directly with the supplier for an extra fee.

What gear do I get for puffin and whale watching?

For the puffin cruise you get binoculars. For the whale-watching cruise you get warm overalls. The puffin portion also includes a soft provided blanket.

Where do the puffins and whales portion take place?

Puffins are watched around Akurey. Whale watching happens in Faxafloi Bay, with boarding from the Old Harbour.

How long is the combined tour?

The duration is listed as approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

What happens if you do not see whales?

In the unlikely event that you don’t spot any whales in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Can I cancel, and what if the tour is canceled due to weather?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.