Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Whales and puffins in the same morning can feel unreal. This combo tour in Reykjavik runs on two different boats and two different wildlife styles, with warm overalls on the bird side and whale spotting from the big Andrea boat. I especially like the way guides keep the focus practical, from using binoculars for puffins to calling out likely whale behavior in Faxaflói Bay. If you’re unlucky with marine wildlife on whale day, there is a backup option. The main drawback is that, like all ocean tours, conditions can affect how close and how active animals feel on your specific outing.

You get two very different experiences back-to-back, and that’s the real magic. On the puffin cruise you travel on a small boat called Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli) with a shallow draft, which helps you get nearer to the little island areas where puffins hang out. On the whale cruise you sail from Reykjavik toward Faxaflói Bay on a larger, family-friendly vessel, with indoor seating and onboard snacks available. One thing to consider: the tours are dependent on weather, so the day’s route and timing are at the captains’ discretion for safety and comfort.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli): small-boat puffin watching that can get close to the islands
• Whales in Faxaflói Bay: common sightings include minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and harbor porpoises
• Warm gear included: inside seating plus overalls so you can actually enjoy the ride
• Binoculars for puffins: a big help since puffins are small and fast
• Sightings promise for puffins: 100% sightings guarantee for the puffin tour
• No-whale fallback: if whales are not spotted, you get another ticket for free

Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, Two Boats, One Big Wildlife Plan

This is one of those rare Reykjavik activities where you can do real wildlife watching without spending your whole day on the water. The combo is priced at $153 per person and runs about 4 hours total, but what you’re actually buying is time efficiency plus two different tools for spotting animals: a small boat for puffins and a larger boat designed for whale watching.

Here’s how I think about the value. Puffins are relatively predictable because they return to their island habitat and fly around actively, so you get a strong chance of seeing them up close. Whales, by contrast, are always a moving question mark. The tour balances that risk by including a free return ticket if no whales are spotted, which takes some of the sting out of rough luck.

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s old harbor. From there, the day breaks into two cruises (you come back to the harbor between them for a quick changeover). That matters because it keeps the experience structured, not chaotic. You are not stuck on one boat for hours, watching the same horizon and hoping.

Classic vs Express Whale Watching: How to Choose Your Time Wisely

The whale part has two styles: classic and express. The classic whale cruise runs about 3 to 3.5 hours and is operated on the Andrea boat. The express whale option uses a faster boat and typically shortens the whale portion to about 2 to 2.5 hours while keeping the same amount of time in the whale-watching area.

So what should you choose?

• If you hate extra travel time on the water, the express option can feel like a smarter use of your limited time in Reykjavik.
• If you’re traveling with kids or you simply want a more relaxed pace, classic can be fine. It gives you a longer overall whale experience on the water.

Also, scheduling matters. The tour day can start in different ways:

• The 9:00 AM departure starts with classic whale watching, then puffins at 12:30 PM.
• The 10:00 AM departure starts with express whale watching, then puffins at 12:30 PM.
• The 12:30 PM departure begins with puffin watching, then express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

Even if you’re doing the combo, it helps to know the “two separate tours” reality. You don’t have to force both parts onto the same day, and the company treats them as linked but distinct activities. That flexibility can be useful if your weather looks questionable that afternoon.

Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli) Puffin Express: Getting Close Without Chasing

The puffin cruise is the small-boat highlight for many people, and I get why. You board a vessel called Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli), which has a shallow draught. Translation: the boat can get nearer to the small island areas where puffins live, and that increases your chances of clear, satisfying views.

The experience also includes binoculars for the puffin tour. That detail is more important than it sounds. Puffins are small, quick, and often farther than your eyes can comfortably track. With binoculars, you trade guessing for actually seeing details like their faces, flight patterns, and how they move around the colony.

Guides on the puffin side are known for bird-life storytelling and clear directions on where to look. Several reviews mention guides like Patrick, and one guest described Patrick with lots of energy and humor. Another guest specifically praised how the guide helped with spotting and understanding puffin behavior. Even if you only catch a few moments where the birds line up, the guide guidance helps you make those moments count.

A useful heads-up from the real-world side of the experience: you might not always get to feel like you’re “at the island doorstep.” A couple reviews mention that you may see puffins at a distance or that the boat can feel packed. Still, the strong theme is that the sightings are active. You can expect puffins flying around you and working the colony area, plus other seabirds. One review even noted black guillemots among the mix.

The Andrea Whale Cruise in Faxaflói Bay: Species to Watch for

When you switch to the whale cruise, you move to a big boat experience on the Andrea. This is the classic whale watching setup, described as the biggest whale watching boat in Iceland, and it is both educational and interactive. It’s also family-friendly, with a cafeteria onboard, which is handy on colder days when you want something warm without leaving the boat.

Faxaflói Bay is the whale playground for this itinerary. The most common whale and mammal sightings you can hope for include:

• minke whales
• humpback whales
• white-beaked dolphins
• harbor porpoises

What I love about this part of the tour is the way the viewing works as a system. You’re not just staring out. Guides point things out, and you shift from scanning to tracking. Reviews frequently mention humpbacks in action, including breeching and flukes and close passes. One guest described the whales doing fin slapping, which is the kind of behavior that makes everyone on deck suddenly quiet and then start whispering, pointing, and laughing at the same time.

If you’re hoping for a “documentary moment,” set expectations realistically. This is wildlife. Sometimes whales are active, sometimes they keep their distance. The tour helps by committing to finding them, and it adds safety and comfort considerations through the captains’ judgment.

A bonus possibility: one review mentioned an extra stop that included watching orcas. That doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed, but it tells you that the team keeps an eye out for more than the most typical targets when conditions allow.

What You Actually Get Included: Warmth, Gear, and Better Viewing

This combo is built around making the cold manageable, and that shows in what’s included.

You get:

• warm inside seating
• warm overalls from the crew
• binoculars for the puffin portion
• guide on both tours
• 100% sightings guarantee for the puffin tour

The overalls are the big deal. Several reviews call them fabulous, warm, and helpful for staying dry enough to enjoy the show. If you’ve ever tried whale watching while wearing “just Iceland fashion,” you know the problem. Wind plus wet spray plus cold air turns a fun outing into a shivering workout. These overalls are meant to prevent that, so you can focus on wildlife instead of weather math.

Binoculars are the other quiet hero. You can still take photos with a phone, but puffins can be tricky to capture sharply. Reviews specifically mention that cell phone photos can be hard for puffins, and binoculars make the viewing better even if your camera game is solid.

One more practical note: hot drinks and refreshments are not included, but they are available for purchase. So plan to budget a little for warm beverages if you get cold fast.

Weather and Captains’ Decisions: Why This Tour Can Change

You are on the ocean. That means the day can change, even when you booked in advance. The tour is dependent on correct weather conditions, and captains decide based on many years of experience, always keeping passenger safety and comfort in mind.

Here’s how that can affect your day in plain language:

• The route or timing can adjust for better conditions.
• Whale sightings can be lower at some times of the year, and chances are best during the summer months (April to September).
• If seas are rough, the ride can feel more active, especially on the smaller boat.

If you get motion sickness, it’s smart to come prepared. One guest noted that on a choppier day, there was mention of sea sickness pills onboard. You might not need them, but if you are cautious, ask the crew what options are available once you’re onboard.

Also, know this: if the whales are not spotted, you get another ticket for free. That’s not a promise that whales will perform for you, but it is real protection against a totally empty whale day.

Comfort on the Boats: Seating, Crowds, and Camera Reality

There are two different boat vibes here.

On the puffin cruise, the boat is small and designed for getting close. That can be great for sightings, but it also means fewer spots and more movement. Reviews mention packed conditions and note that if you sit outside, you might not catch every word of the guide. So if you want the full story, aim for inside seating when you can.

On the whale cruise, the Andrea is bigger with indoor seating and more space. Reviews highlight that the service is organized and that the ride is comfortable for most people. The cafeteria feature also helps. It’s easier to warm up and stay put while you scan for spouts, flukes, and surfacing behavior.

Camera reality check: puffins can zoom around fast, so a phone can struggle. Binoculars still give you a richer experience even if you do not get a perfect photo. For whales, a bigger boat and clearer guidance can help you line up shots when animals come closer.

Price and Value: Is $153 Worth It for This Reykjavik Wildlife Combo?

At $153 per person for about 4 hours, this isn’t a budget bargain. But it also isn’t a single, random shot in the dark. You’re paying for two targeted experiences, warm gear, and risk reduction on the puffin side.

The value case looks strongest if:

• You want both puffins and whales without spending an entire day planning around separate tours.
• You appreciate included warmth and viewing tools, especially overalls and binoculars.
• You are traveling in peak months and want the best chance of whale activity plus active puffin sightings.

On the other hand, if your top priority is whales only, and you’re the type who hates cold and wind on a boat, you might consider focusing on just the whale portion. A few reviews mention that the puffin part can feel shorter or less close than expected, so you’re not guaranteed to feel “right on top” of the colony.

Still, the puffin guarantee is a big part of the value math. Even when whales are shy, your day does not fully collapse.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This combo works especially well for:

• First-timers in Reykjavik who want a wildlife hit without a full-day drive
• Families, since the whale cruise is described as family-friendly and spacious
• People who get cold easily, thanks to overalls and warm inside seating
• Travelers who love a guided approach, with help spotting what matters instead of guessing

It may be less ideal if:

• You are extremely sensitive to boat motion and you do not prepare for cold wind and spray
• You expect guaranteed whale show behavior every time, like a nature documentary moment
• You mainly want puffins at extreme closeness for photography, because sightings and positioning depend on conditions

Should You Book This Reykjavik Whales and Puffins Combo?

If you want two kinds of Iceland ocean wildlife in one half-day, I’d book it. The included warm overalls and binoculars remove a lot of friction that can ruin a boat outing. The puffin tour also comes with a 100% sightings promise, which gives your time real credibility.

I’d also book if you are okay with wildlife being unpredictable on the whale side, because you get a free return ticket if whales are not spotted. That safety net makes the cost feel less risky.

My final advice is simple: dress for wet cold, choose the express option if you want to reduce travel time to the whale area, and treat this as a guided wildlife outing, not a guaranteed performance show. Do that, and you’re set up for a memorable Reykjavik day.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

Meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavik’s old harbor.

How long is the Reykjavik whales and puffins express combo tour?

The duration is listed as 4 hours.

What’s included in the price?

This combo includes the cruise trip(s), warm inside seating, warm overalls, binoculars for the puffin tour, a guide on both tours, and a 100% sightings guarantee for the puffin tour. Hot drinks and refreshments are not included.

Is there a guarantee if whales are not spotted?

Yes. If there are no whales spotted on the whale watching portion, you get another ticket for free.

What boat do you use for puffin watching?

The puffin tour is on a small boat named Skúlaskeið (Old Skúli), described as having a shallow draught to help you get close to the small islands where puffins live.

What boat is used for the whale watching portion?

The classic whale watching tour is operated on the Andrea boat.

Can I choose an express whale watching option?

Yes. You can switch to an express whale watching option that leaves 1 hour later on a faster boat. The express whale watching portion is listed as 2 to 2.5 hours, with the same amount of time in the whale watching area.

When is puffin watching relative to the whale tour?

The listed schedule options include puffins at 12:30 PM after the 9:00 AM classic or 10:00 AM express whale departure, or puffins first at 12:30 PM followed by express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide is English.