Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

Whales first, puffins up close. This combo tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour sends you out for humpback and minke whale spotting, then later you head toward the islands to see puffin colonies with the Atlantic and coastal backdrop in view.

I especially like the way the guides frame what you’re seeing, from behavior to habitat, so the trip feels like real wildlife education, not just a cruise. I also love the comfort extras, like free WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets, which can make the difference between stressed and totally relaxed on deck.

One possible drawback: this is a genuine boat experience on the North Atlantic, and it is not suitable if you’re prone to seasickness.

Key points that make this trip worth your time

• Old Harbour departure sets you up for open-water whale watching right away
• Two different legs, two boats (larger vessel for whales, smaller craft for puffins)
• Binocular help on the puffin leg plus a boat designed to get close to the islands
• On-board guidance in English that connects sightings to real behavior and habitat
• Free re-join ticket if there are no sightings, so you are not stuck feeling cheated

Choosing the Whale and Puffin Combo: two departures, two boats

This is sold as a combo, but it’s not one continuous ride. You book a whale watching departure time, and then you add the puffin tour at a separate departure later. That matters for planning, because you’ll treat it like two mini outings rather than one long loop.

You have two combo schedules to pick from:

• Whale watching at 09:00, then puffins at 12:30
• Whale watching at 13:00, then puffins at 17:00

When you arrive to start, you’ll meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office. The practical tip here is to show up 30 minutes early so you’re not sprinting around the harbor while the boat is preparing to leave.

The boats also differ on purpose. The whale watching runs on a larger vessel for about 2 to 3.5 hours. The puffin tour uses a smaller boat for about 1 hour, designed to get close to the islands where you’ll look for the colonies.

If you like a clear plan and you’re okay with switching boats and timing, this combo structure is a plus. If you want one single departure, this may feel like more moving parts than you expected.

Reykjavik Old Harbour to the Atlantic: what whale watching feels like

The whale watching portion starts from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, which is a good choice because you get straight to open water. Once you’re out, the whole experience changes tone. You go from city views and harbor noise to wide ocean space, salt air, and the focused quiet of people scanning the horizon.

The trip is built around spotting humpback whales and minke whales in their natural habitat. Even if you don’t get a whale right away, the day is still useful because the guide’s job is to help you identify what you’re looking at, and what whale behavior can look like from the boat.

A smart point to remember: whale watching is always weather and timing dependent. That does not mean the trip is unreliable, just that wildlife spotting is never a factory line. This is why the included free ticket to join again if there are no sightings is such good value. You’re buying the chance, and the operator offers a safety net if conditions do not cooperate.

Also, there’s free WiFi on board. It’s not the reason you book, but it’s handy if you want to share a photo fast or keep the rest of your trip organized while you’re waiting for the boat to slow down and scan.

One more comfort note: if the sea is lively, that can hit even experienced travelers. The tour provides complimentary seasickness tablets, which I think is a thoughtful add-on. Take them early rather than waiting until you feel bad, if you’re someone who tends to get queasy.

Puffin islands on a smaller boat: getting close to the colonies

After the whale leg, the puffin tour is where the experience gets more intimate. You switch to a smaller boat for an approximately 1 hour outing, aimed at visiting nearby islands where puffin colonies live.

The big advantage here is in the design and approach. The puffin boat is specially built to get as close to the islands as possible, which changes your odds. Puffins are small, fast, and easy to miss at long distance. A close approach means more time actually watching, and less time just thinking, I hope they’re over there somewhere.

On this leg, binoculars are provided on board. I like that because it removes one more item from your gear list. Still, if you have your own binoculars, bring them. If you don’t, you’ll have what you need to see the birds up close.

Expect the islands to look like postcard Iceland, coastal scenery plus dark rock and open water. Puffins against that backdrop are the kind of wildlife scene that makes you forget about your phone for a minute, because the whole point is to watch the birds in their everyday routine.

There’s also a reality check worth mentioning. The puffin segment may be harder to run if conditions make it unsafe or environmentally restricted at certain times of the year. The operator notes that trips can be delivered on a shared boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons, and that fewer boats are on the water to help keep things pristine. That’s a good sign for responsible operations, even if it means the experience is not always perfectly exclusive.

Guides on board: the difference between seeing and understanding

For wildlife tours, the guide can turn a good outing into a great one. On this combo, guides explain behaviors and habitats, which helps you make sense of what you’re noticing.

You’ll be sailing with a live tour guide in English, and that matters because it helps you understand not only what species you’re seeing, but what the activity you’re observing might mean. For example, spotting a whale is exciting, but it’s more satisfying when you can connect sightings to behavior rather than just excitement.

One useful detail I picked up from the experiences shared during past departures: a whale watching guide named Daniel stood out for being really great and top notch. That kind of guide energy is exactly what you want when you are scanning water for the smallest clues.

And on the puffin side, the same idea applies. You’re not just getting a photo opportunity. You’re going to islands where the birds live, and the guide context helps you watch like it’s wildlife, not like it’s a show.

If you’re picky about value, this is where you feel it most. Wildlife tours can look similar from far away, but strong guidance changes your experience from random luck into active observation.

Gear and comfort checklist for cold wind and spray

This tour is simple, but you’ll enjoy it more if you prepare like you’re going outside in Iceland weather, not like you’re going to a mild day trip.

Bring:

• Warm clothing (layers beat bulky)
• A waterproof camera if you want sharp photos without stressing about mist
• Binoculars if you own them (and on the puffin leg you’ll also have binocular help provided)
• Motion sickness prevention if you tend to feel queasy

The tour also explicitly provides seasickness tablets, which is great. Still, I’d treat that as backup support, not your only plan.

Practical comfort points that matter on boats:

• Keep an eye on how windy it is. Even in good weather, wind makes you feel colder fast.
• Wear shoes you can stand in comfortably for a while, because you’ll likely be repositioning as the boat changes speed or direction for spotting.
• Expect spray. A waterproof camera or a sealed phone option can save your day.

Rules are straightforward: no pets and no smoking. That keeps the air and space comfortable for everyone scanning the water.

Price and value at around $153 per person

At about $153 per person for the combo experience, you’re paying for more than a ride. You’re paying for:

• guided wildlife spotting (whales plus puffins)
• two different boats matched to two different types of viewing
• added onboard comfort like free WiFi and seasickness tablets
• a meaningful contingency, a free ticket to re-join if there are no sightings

Is $153 cheap? No, it’s not. But in Iceland, whale and puffin trips are a high-cost, high-demand activity, because you’re using time, fuel, and expertise to look for animals in open water.

The value calculation gets better when you think about opportunity cost. If you try to do whale watching and puffins separately on your own, you’ll still be dealing with weather timing, you’ll likely spend extra time coordinating, and you may end up paying more for two separate bookings. This combo keeps the plan in one place, and it gives you a chance to do the whale portion and then get the closer puffin viewing that a smaller boat provides.

The best value lever is the free re-join ticket. Wildlife spotting can be inconsistent. Having a do-over option turns the price from a gamble into a fair purchase of your best effort plus a fallback.

Timing tips: how to plan your day around the departures

Because the combo uses two separate departures, your day rhythm matters. You’ll either do the whale tour in the morning and puffins around midday, or the whale tour in the early afternoon and puffins in the early evening.

Here’s how you can think about the choice:

• If you pick the 09:00 whale departure, you get your main wildlife excitement first and then shift to puffins later, around 12:30. This can feel like an efficient sequence.
• If you pick the 13:00 whale departure, you leave more flexibility in the morning for other Reykjavik activities, then end with the puffin tour at 17:00.

Also, the meeting point is always Geirsgata 11 at the Special Tours ticket office. Arriving early gives you time to check in, find the right line, and settle without stress.

One more planning note: puffin viewing is tied to local conditions and operational choices for the season. If conditions affect routes, the experience can shift. The operator also mentions shared boats can happen at certain times for environmental reasons. So keep your day flexible in your expectations, even if you have a fixed departure time.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale and puffin combo?

You should book this if you want two wildlife experiences in one structured plan, and you like the idea that the puffin portion is set up for close viewing with a smaller, island-hugging boat. I also think it’s a strong choice if you appreciate guidance, because the trip is built around learning behaviors and habitat, not just scanning.

Book it with caution if you are strongly prone to seasickness. The tour explicitly says it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and you’re spending time on boats in open water.

If you’re aiming for value, the included free re-join ticket for no sightings is one of the best safety nets you can get. Add the seasickness tablets, and it feels like they are trying to protect your comfort and your money.

My final take: this is a classic Reykjavik wildlife day that makes sense if you show up dressed for the elements, keep your expectations realistic about spotting, and go with the right mindset. When the Atlantic cooperates, you get whales out on the horizon and puffins close enough to make you understand why people fall in love with Iceland’s bird life.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point.

How long is the whale watching and puffin part?

Whale watching is about 2 to 3.5 hours. The puffin tour is approximately 1 hour on a smaller boat.

What’s included on board?

Included items are experienced guides, free WiFi on board, complimentary seasickness tablets, binoculars provided on the puffin tour, and a specially designed boat for getting close to the islands during the puffin part.

Do I get any help if there are no sightings?

Yes. There is a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board.

Is pick up included?

No pickup service is included.