Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion

The best part of this outing is the double bill: whales in open water, followed by puffins around low coastal islands. You get two very different views of Icelandic wildlife, one from a large vessel built for a longer sea trip and one from a smaller boat designed to get close to the puffin colonies.

I like the practical touches, especially binoculars on the puffin boat and a free return ticket if no whales are spotted. I also like that the guides explain animal behavior rather than simply pointing at the horizon. The main caution is simple: this is a sea trip, and bad weather or rough water can affect comfort and even the puffin portion.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate boat trips: The whale cruise and puffin outing have different departures, boats, and durations.
• Choose the whale departure: Pick either 09:00 with puffins at 12:30, or 13:00 with puffins at 17:00.
• Whale sightings are never guaranteed: Humpback and minke whales are the main targets, with a free return ticket if nothing is seen.
• The puffin boat gets close to the islands: This smaller vessel is specially designed for coastal viewing, and binoculars are supplied.
• Plan for Icelandic weather: Bring warm clothing, a waterproof camera, and motion sickness prevention.
• Good feedback on the guides: Daniel was singled out for an especially strong whale-watching experience, while the guides were praised for their enthusiasm.

Two kinds of wildlife from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This experience gives you a useful contrast. The whale trip takes you out toward the Atlantic on a larger vessel, where the aim is to cover open water and search for humpback and minke whales. The puffin outing stays closer to the nearby islands, where the smaller boat can approach the rocky colonies.

That change of scale matters. Whale watching is patient and wide-ranging. You may spend time scanning the sea, waiting for a blow, dorsal fin, or sudden movement. Puffin viewing is more focused. You look toward the islands, use the provided binoculars, and watch the birds gather along the coast.

Your guides provide live commentary in English, with information about the animals’ behavior and habitats. This adds useful context to a sighting. A whale is more than a shape on the water when you understand what you are looking for and why it may surface where it does.

The outing begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office at the Old Harbour. Arrive 30 minutes early. There is no pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

Picking the right departure pair

You choose the whale-watching departure when booking. The puffin trip is matched to it:

• Whale watching at 09:00, puffin tour at 12:30
• Whale watching at 13:00, puffin tour at 17:00

These are not one continuous cruise. They are two separate tours with two departures, so pay attention to the timing when planning your day.

The earlier pair gives you the whale cruise first and the puffin trip later in the day. The later pair lets you start at 13:00 and visit the islands at 17:00. The best choice depends on how you want to use your morning, though the weather can be a factor in any outdoor activity.

The stated total duration is four hours, but the individual trips have their own approximate lengths. The whale cruise lasts about two to three and a half hours. The puffin tour lasts about one hour. The space between the listed departures gives you time between boats, but do not treat the booking as a single four-hour cruise.

What the whale cruise is really like

The whale-watching portion uses a larger vessel and heads into the Atlantic. Its extra time on the water gives the crew a chance to search for humpback and minke whales in their natural setting.

This is not a wildlife show with a fixed schedule. You may see several whales, as one recent outing did, or you may get only limited sightings. One five-star account still wished there had been more whales, which is a useful reminder that a high rating does not mean every departure has the same animal activity.

The reward is the possibility of a genuine encounter. Humpbacks can make a strong impression simply by surfacing nearby, while minke whales are often harder to spot. The guides’ explanations help you stay engaged during the quiet stretches.

The boat has free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available. Snacks and drinks can be bought on board, but they are not included. Bring your own warm layers, and consider motion sickness prevention before the boat leaves if you know you are sensitive.

If no whales are seen, you receive a free ticket to join again. That is a useful safeguard, though it does not change the fact that your original outing may be quiet. Wildlife depends on conditions, animal movement, and the crew’s ability to find them.

The smaller boat and the puffin islands

The puffin tour is shorter and more intimate in feel because it uses a specially designed smaller boat. Its purpose is to get as close to the nearby islands as possible without turning the trip into a long open-sea search.

You will view puffin colonies against Iceland’s coastal scenery, with binoculars provided on board. Bring your own pair if you like, but you do not need to pack one to take part.

The one-hour length makes this portion easy to fit into a busy Reykjavik schedule. It also keeps the focus tight. You are not spending several hours on the water hoping for one bird. Instead, you visit the island area, watch the colonies, and listen to the guide explain the birds and their habitat.

Puffins are small, so binoculars are more than a nice extra. They help you see details that would otherwise blur into dark dots on a distant rock. A waterproof camera is also a sensible choice. You may find that a phone camera struggles with distance, weather, and moving birds.

Weather can change the plan

Iceland’s coastal weather deserves respect. The supplied information warns that, during certain times of year, the operator may share a boat with another activity partner to reduce the number of vessels on the water. That environmental choice may mean the exact boat setup is not always identical.

Weather can also affect what runs. During one outing, the puffin boat could not operate because conditions were too poor for that vessel, while the whale trip went ahead and produced excellent sightings. This tells you two things: the whale and puffin portions are genuinely separate, and a successful whale cruise does not guarantee that the puffin trip will operate.

Pack as if the harbor is warm and the open water is not. Warm clothing is listed as essential, and waterproof gear is sensible even when the sky looks calm at the ticket office. The operator provides seasickness tablets, but people prone to motion sickness are specifically advised against this activity.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. Food and drinks are not included, though snacks and beverages are sold on board.

What makes the price worthwhile

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride. The value comes from combining two distinct wildlife experiences and including the practical extras that can otherwise add up.

You get an experienced English-speaking guide, the larger whale vessel, the smaller puffin boat, binoculars for the puffin portion, WiFi, and access to seasickness tablets. You also have the option of returning for free if the whale search produces no sightings.

The combination is strongest for someone who wants both species and has a full half-day available. Buying two separate activities could cost more, and combining them saves you from arranging another trip out of Reykjavik’s harbor.

The value is weaker if you only care about whales. The puffin tour is a separate part of the booking, and you are paying for both. It is also less attractive if you dislike boats or need guaranteed animal sightings. No wildlife cruise can promise that.

A rating of 4.8 from 35 reviews supports the idea that the package often works well, but the individual experiences vary. One outing saw many whales and puffins, while another had a very good whale trip but lost the puffin portion to weather. That is the honest tradeoff with nature-based activities.

Guide quality and the human side of the trip

The guides are central to this experience. They explain behavior and habitat in English, helping you understand what you are seeing instead of leaving you to stare at open water with cold fingers.

Daniel received specific praise after a whale-watching trip that produced excellent sightings. The guides were also described as enthusiastic during a combined whale and puffin outing. That enthusiasm matters here because wildlife viewing includes pauses, scanning, and waiting.

I would listen closely to the safety and weather guidance at the start. Your guide can help you understand where to stand, how to use the viewing areas, and what signs to watch for. On the puffin trip, the commentary can also make the island visit feel more meaningful than a quick photo stop.

The language offered is English. If you need another language, this activity may not be the right fit.

Who should book this combination

This outing suits you best if you want a convenient wildlife day without leaving Reykjavik by coach. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who want to see whales and puffins but do not want to arrange two separate harbor bookings.

It also suits photographers and bird fans, provided you accept that weather and wildlife are unpredictable. The puffin boat’s close approach and supplied binoculars are helpful for anyone who wants a better look at the colonies.

Families and casual sightseers may enjoy the variety, but the sea conditions matter. If you are prone to seasickness, the activity is specifically listed as unsuitable. The free tablets may help some people, but you should not count on them as a complete solution.

You should also think about the timing. The 09:00 whale departure requires an early start and leaves the puffin tour at 12:30. The 13:00 option is slower in the morning, with puffins at 17:00. Both choices require you to keep the relevant part of the day open.

Booking details that matter

Meet at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office, and arrive 30 minutes before departure. Pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the Old Harbour on your own.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Reykjavik schedule is still shifting.

The tour provider is Reykjavik Sailors. Boats may be shared with another activity partner at certain times of year as part of an effort to keep fewer vessels on the water. That may be a small change in how the day feels, but it supports the goal of reducing pressure on the marine setting.

Should you book it?

I would book this if you want both whales and puffins, can handle a boat ride, and have enough flexibility for changing weather. The two boats give you a better range of wildlife viewing than a single cruise, and the free return ticket offers some protection against an empty whale search.

I would skip it if seasickness is a serious concern, if you need a guaranteed sighting, or if you only want whales. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded Reykjavik wildlife outing with a fair set of practical extras, strong guide involvement, and a clear understanding that nature keeps its own timetable.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

What departure times are available?

You can choose whale watching at 09:00 with the puffin tour at 12:30, or whale watching at 13:00 with the puffin tour at 17:00.

Which departure time do I select when booking?

You select the whale-watching departure time. The puffin departure is paired with it.

Are the whale and puffin trips separate tours?

Yes. The booking includes two different tours with two separate departures.

How long is each boat trip?

The whale-watching trip lasts approximately two to three and a half hours. The puffin tour lasts approximately one hour.

What animals might I see?

The whale trip looks for humpback and minke whales. The puffin trip visits nearby islands where puffin colonies can be viewed.

Are binoculars provided?

Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour. You should bring your own binoculars for the whale trip if you want them there.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching trip again if no sightings are made.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board but are not included in the price.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point at Geirsgata 11.

Is the activity suitable for people prone to seasickness?

It is listed as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, but you should bring your preferred motion sickness prevention as well.