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

Faxafloi Bay gives you two very different wildlife outings in one booking: a longer search for whales and dolphins, followed by a smaller boat ride around Akurey, where puffins gather in season. The best moments can be wonderfully close, but nature sets the schedule. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, or spend hours watching empty water.

I like the two-tour price and the freedom to choose which trip comes first. I also like the practical touches: blankets and binoculars on the puffin boat, warm overalls and Wi-Fi on the whale vessel, plus guides such as Jo, Lucas, Blanca, and Patrick who have been singled out for sharp eyes and clear explanations.

The main catch is simple: puffins are protected wildlife, not a staged show. The boat cannot land on Akurey and may need to keep its distance, so binoculars can be essential. Whale sightings are never assured, and the larger boat may feel crowded when everyone heads outside.

At a glance: what this Iceland wildlife combo includes

• Two separate boat trips: A longer whale-watching cruise and a shorter puffin cruise operate as separate outings, often on different vessels.
• Akurey island viewing: You circle the rocky island by boat and look for puffins, Arctic terns, black guillemots, northern fulmars, and other seabirds.
• Wildlife search in Faxafloi Bay: Common targets include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.
• Useful cold-weather gear: The whale cruise supplies warm overalls, while the puffin boat provides soft blankets and binoculars.
• Flexible order: You can choose which tour to take first, subject to the confirmed sailing times.
• A second chance for whales: If no whales appear in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Two boats, two very different wildlife experiences

The first thing to understand is that this is not one continuous cruise with a puffin stop along the way. It is a bundle of two separate excursions. One uses a larger whale-watching vessel and heads farther into Faxafloi Bay. The other uses a smaller boat for a close circuit around Akurey.

The combined time is listed at about four hours and 30 minutes, though the exact rhythm can change. Some schedules put roughly three hours toward whale watching and about an hour toward puffins. Others leave only a short gap between the two trips. Confirm your sailing times with Special Tours before you go, and do not assume the order shown at booking will be the order you take.

That separation is useful. The whale cruise gives you a longer search area and more room to move around. The puffin boat feels more intimate and focused. It also means you should think of the package as two modest wildlife outings, not a single deluxe adventure with guaranteed sightings.

Leaving Reykjavik from the Old Harbour

The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik, close to public transportation. If you choose hotel pickup, that service costs extra and must be arranged through the supplier. Without pickup, plan to reach the meeting point on your own and allow time to find the correct vessel.

The whale-watching boat is described as comfortable, with indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, onboard commentary, free Wi-Fi, and warm overalls. That combination matters in Iceland. Even a calm day can feel cold once the boat leaves the harbor, and the overalls make it easier to spend time outside without turning the trip into a test of endurance.

A few departures have had rough water. Staff may offer motion-sickness tablets, ginger candy, or sick bags, and they can warn you about conditions before departure. If you are prone to seasickness, take that warning seriously. The whale trip travels farther from shore than the puffin outing, and a smooth Reykjavik morning does not guarantee a smooth bay.

Whale watching in Faxafloi Bay

The whale cruise is the longer and less predictable half of the day. Your guide scans the water and explains whale behavior while the captain works with other boats to locate activity. The aim is usually to find minke whales and humpbacks, with white-beaked dolphins and porpoises also possible.

When the search works, it can be excellent. Humpbacks may show their backs, tails, or powerful blows. Minke whales can appear more briefly, sometimes offering only a fin or a quick roll. Dolphins may travel in groups near the boat, giving you repeated chances to watch the surface even when whales remain hidden.

Good guiding makes a real difference here. Jo and Lucas have been praised for keeping the commentary lively while pointing out humpback and minke sightings. Blanca has been noted for spotting whales, dolphins, and birds quickly. Other guides, including Patrick on the puffin boat, have been described as funny and clear. Since wildlife can surface for only a few seconds, a guide with a sharp eye is worth more than a long speech.

Still, you need the right expectations. Several outings have seen no whales, while others have found four humpbacks or several kinds of whale in one trip. Dolphins and porpoises may save a quiet whale day, but they are not a substitute if whales are your main goal. The operator offers a complimentary whale cruise if no whales are spotted, which softens the risk, though it may not help if your Iceland schedule is tight.

The boat’s size brings both comfort and a drawback. You have indoor shelter, more seating, and room to warm up. But when a whale appears, many people head outside at once. One practical complaint has been that the upper viewing area did not offer enough seats. If photography matters to you, arrive at the outdoor area early and keep your expectations realistic. A moving boat, cold wind, distance, and sudden surfacing make sharp close-up photographs difficult.

Akurey and the puffin cruise

The puffin outing is shorter, quieter, and more targeted. You board a smaller boat and head toward Akurey, a rocky island used by puffins and other seabirds. The captain circles the island so you can view the birds from several angles without going ashore.

That no-landing rule is important. Akurey is a protected breeding area, so you stay on the boat. This protects the birds, but it also controls how close you can get. On some trips, puffins gather in large numbers near the island. On others, you may mainly see birds flying, floating, or appearing as small shapes against the rocks.

The boat supplies binoculars, and they are especially helpful when the vessel cannot approach closely. Bring your own pair if you have them. The supplied equipment is a useful inclusion, but it may not be enough for every person to use one continuously, particularly on a full departure.

You can also look for Arctic terns, black guillemots, northern fulmars, and other seabirds. The guide explains puffin behavior and physiology, including how the birds handle life at sea and return to the island. A strong guide can turn a short ride into a worthwhile lesson. Patrick, in particular, has been praised for mixing humor with clear information.

The puffin trip is not designed for a close portrait session. You may get a good view as birds fly near the boat, but you should not expect to walk among nesting puffins or watch them from land. I would call it a good introduction to puffin habitat, not a guaranteed close encounter.

Warmth, comfort, and the small practical details

I like that each boat addresses the weather in a different way. The whale vessel provides warm overalls, while the puffin boat offers a soft blanket and a warm indoor cabin. You should still wear proper layers, a hat, and gloves. The supplied gear helps, but it does not replace warm clothing.

The whale boat includes free Wi-Fi, which is handy for checking plans after the cruise or sharing a quick message. Food and drinks are not included, though snacks may be available for purchase on the whale vessel. Eat beforehand if you know you get hungry on boat trips, especially since the combined outing can fill much of a morning.

The group limit is listed as 33 people, but the feel can differ by vessel. The larger whale boat may feel busy around a sighting, while the small puffin craft can feel crowded simply because there is less space. If you want a quiet, private wildlife trip, this is not that product. If you want an organized way to get onto the bay without arranging two separate bookings, it offers good convenience.

The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The tour itself is offered in English. That app can help with orientation and added information, but your live guide remains the main source of commentary during the sailing.

Is the $156.19 price good value?

At $156.19 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. The value depends on how much you want both wildlife outings.

Booking the pair together saves you the trouble of arranging two separate departures and gives you access to both a longer whale search and a dedicated puffin circuit. The whale cruise includes warm overalls and Wi-Fi, while the puffin boat includes binoculars and a blanket. The possible whale retry also adds some protection if the bay is quiet.

The package is less attractive if you mainly want close puffin photographs. The puffin portion is brief, and the boat may remain far enough from Akurey that the birds look small without binoculars. It is also less attractive if your schedule cannot accommodate a second whale trip after a no-sighting outing.

I see the strongest value for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a simple wildlife day from Reykjavik. Children may enjoy the variety, especially when dolphins appear or puffins gather in large numbers. Dedicated bird photographers and serious whale watchers may prefer a longer specialist tour with more time devoted to one subject.

Guides make the difference

Wildlife tours depend on the captain, guide, and conditions. A good guide keeps you watching the right patch of water, explains what you are seeing without filling every quiet moment, and tells you when a sighting is likely to vanish.

The strongest named guides connected with these trips include Jo, Lucas, Blanca, and Patrick. Jo and Lucas have been praised for finding whales and keeping the trip informative. Blanca has been noted for quickly pointing out several kinds of wildlife. Patrick’s puffin commentary has been remembered for its humor and easy-to-follow delivery.

Guide quality can vary, and clear English is important on a fast-moving wildlife trip. If you have trouble following a guide, you may miss a brief surfacing or a detail about the birds. The special app and the onboard commentary help, but neither can replace a guide who speaks clearly and points decisively.

Timing, cancellation, and who should book

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Poor weather can cancel the experience, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would book this package if you want a practical introduction to Reykjavik’s marine life and can accept uncertainty. It gives you two distinct boats, a good chance of seeing seabirds, and a real possibility of whales or dolphins. I would not book it expecting every animal to come close or every hour at sea to produce a sighting.

Because the order can vary, keep the rest of your day flexible. Do not place a timed museum visit, airport transfer, or long-distance bus immediately after the stated end time. The listed duration is approximate, and weather or wildlife conditions can affect the pace.

My booking advice

I like this combo best for visitors who want variety more than a perfect photograph. The puffin trip offers a special look at protected island habitat, while the whale cruise gives you a longer chance to see large marine animals and dolphins. The warm gear, free Wi-Fi, included binoculars, and whale retry make the package more practical than its price alone suggests.

Book it if you can enjoy the boat ride even when the animals stay hidden. Skip it if you need guaranteed whales, close puffin views, or a quiet private outing. For most first-time visitors with half a day to spare, it is a sensible way to get onto Faxafloi Bay, as long as you treat wildlife sightings as a gift rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the combined experience last?

The listed duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes. The whale and puffin trips are separate outings, and the exact timing can vary.

Can I choose which tour comes first?

Yes. The experience allows flexibility in the order of the two tours, but you need to reconfirm the cruise times with Special Tours.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and return are available to purchase separately through the supplier.

Are binoculars provided for the puffin cruise?

Yes. Binoculars are included on the puffin cruise. You may also bring your own if you prefer not to share the supplied equipment.

What warm equipment is included?

The whale-watching cruise provides warm overalls. The puffin cruise provides a soft blanket and has a warm cabin.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, puffins, Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

If you do not spot whales in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.