Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Two very different boats make this Reykjavík wildlife outing work. The small Skúlaskeið, better known as Old Skúli, slips close to puffin islands, while the large Andrea heads into Faxaflói Bay in search of humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises. Puffins are guaranteed, and whale sightings come with a free return ticket if the bay stays quiet.

I like the warm overalls and indoor seating, since Icelandic weather can turn a pleasant boat ride into a cold one fast. I also like the choice between the spacious three-hour Andrea trip and the quicker express boat, which spends the same amount of time in the whale-watching area. The main drawback is nature itself: puffins are often easy to find, but whales can be shy, and the puffin boat may feel crowded when many people are trying to watch or photograph the birds.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate cruises from Reykjavík Old Harbor: You can take both on one day or split them between different days.
• Old Skúli reaches the puffin islands: Its shallow draught lets the boat approach the small islands more closely than a large vessel can.
• Whale watching uses two boat choices: The classic Andrea trip lasts about three to three and a half hours, while the express option takes two to two and a half hours.
• Typical whale sightings include humpbacks and minkes: White-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises are also common in Faxaflói Bay.
• You get practical cold-weather help: Warm overalls, indoor seating, and binoculars for the puffin cruise are included.
• The whale guarantee reduces the risk: If no whales are spotted, you receive another whale-watching ticket at no extra cost.

Two wildlife trips, one Reykjavík harbor

This is not one blended cruise. It is a pair of separate excursions sold together by Special Tours Iceland, both leaving from the company office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor.

That distinction matters when you plan your day. The combo takes about four hours when completed in one stretch, but the exact order depends on your departure. The 9:00 AM option uses the classic whale cruise first, followed by the 12:30 PM Puffin Express. The 10:00 AM option uses the express whale boat first, also followed by puffins at 12:30 PM. The 12:30 PM departure starts with puffins, then sends you out for express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

You do not have to take both cruises on the same day. That flexibility is useful if you have a full Reykjavík schedule, though the package works best when you want a half-day focused on the sea.

Old Skúli and Reykjavík’s puffin islands

The puffin trip is the shorter and more predictable part of the outing. Old Skúli is a small boat with a shallow draught, allowing it to approach the low islands where puffins breed. The ride to the islands takes roughly 20 minutes, followed by time near the birds and a return ride to the harbor.

You are not promised a hand-held puffin encounter. The boat keeps a respectful distance from the nesting areas, and some trips do not get as close as people expect. Still, the islands can hold hundreds or even tens of thousands of birds, depending on the season and conditions. You may see puffins flying, swimming, and scrambling around the island, along with other seabirds such as black guillemots and gulls.

This is a good example of why binoculars matter. They are available for the puffin cruise, and they make a real difference when the birds settle on the island rather than flying near the boat. A phone can capture the general scene, but puffins are small, quick, and often too far away for a sharp picture.

The crew gives you facts about puffin behavior and the bird colonies around Reykjavík. Patrick, known on some departures as Patrick Pirate Puffin, has been especially entertaining, mixing science with jokes. Guides such as him can turn what might be a quick bird-viewing stop into a more useful lesson about the birds you are seeing.

The timing of your visit matters. Puffin numbers are strongest during the breeding season, generally in the warmer months. Near the end of the season, you may still see plenty of birds, but conditions can change. The tour includes a 100 percent puffin sighting guarantee, which makes this half of the package less of a gamble than whale watching.

Whale watching aboard Andrea

The classic whale trip uses Andrea, described as Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat. It is spacious, family-friendly, and fitted with a cafeteria, which gives you somewhere to warm up and buy drinks or snacks during the trip.

The boat ride out to the whale area can take about an hour, with the full classic trip lasting three to three and a half hours. That longer time on the water gives the crew a good chance to search different parts of Faxaflói Bay. You may spend time scanning the water for a blow, a fin, a tail, or a sudden splash before the boat slows near active animals.

Minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises are the usual targets. The best outings can produce a busy show: humpbacks feeding, slapping fins, rolling on their backs, or raising their flukes; minkes surfacing nearby; and dolphins moving beside the boat.

Exceptional sightings have included more than 15 humpbacks, several minke whales, and groups of dolphins. Those days are possible, but you should not treat them as the standard. A more typical successful trip may bring a few surfacings, distant blows, or brief views of tails. Wildlife does not perform on a schedule, and the crew cannot control where the animals go.

The guides play an important part here. A good spotter gets the group looking in the right direction before the whale disappears. Guides including Alex, Oscar, and Celine have been praised for clear explanations, quick directions, humor, and enthusiasm for marine life. The educational side is more than filler. It helps you understand why you are watching for a certain shape or movement instead of simply staring at gray water.

The express boat and when it makes sense

The express whale option takes you to the viewing area faster. It lasts about two to two and a half hours, compared with three to three and a half hours on the classic tour, but you spend the same amount of time in the actual whale-watching area.

I see this as a useful choice if you want to reduce the time spent traveling across open water. It can also suit you if you have limited time in Reykjavík or prefer a faster route to the main search area. The classic Andrea trip, on the other hand, gives you a larger boat, more room, indoor seating, and a cafeteria.

The express boat is not automatically better. Faster boats can feel livelier on the water, and the shorter trip may offer fewer minutes in transit for warming up or relaxing. If you care most about space and comfort, choose the classic option. If getting to the search area quickly matters more, the express departure is sensible.

Warm clothing helps, but do not underdress

Warm overalls are supplied, and indoor seating is available. Those are useful inclusions, not minor extras. Wind over the bay can make the temperature feel much lower than it does on land, especially when you are standing outside waiting for a whale to surface.

Still, bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes. The overalls protect you from cold and spray, but they do not replace layers, gloves, or sensible footwear. A waterproof outer layer is also wise. One successful outing can involve long periods outside, then a quick return indoors to warm up.

If the sea is rough, the crew decides whether it is safe and comfortable to sail. That judgment is based on weather and sea conditions, and a cancellation can happen even when the forecast looked acceptable earlier. A past trip was cancelled for rough seas, with clear communication and an automatic refund when rescheduling was not possible.

Sea sickness is another practical concern. The water may be calm, or it may become choppy once the boat reaches the open bay. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare before departure and ask the crew about available help. The boat’s indoor areas give you shelter, but they cannot remove the movement of the sea.

What the scenery and wildlife actually feel like

The setting is part of the appeal. You leave the Old Harbor, pass out into open water, and look back toward Reykjavík and the surrounding coast. The views make the ride worthwhile even during the quiet stretches when no animal appears.

The puffin trip feels close and lively because the boat is small and the birds are concentrated around the islands. You may hear them before you get a good look, then watch them skim low across the water or vanish into the colony. The scene is more about observing a wild bird community than posing for a close-up photograph.

The whale cruise is slower in a different way. You scan, wait, and learn to read the water. A blow may appear for only a few seconds. A humpback might surface several times, then disappear for several minutes. That rhythm can be thrilling, but it also tests your patience.

If you need constant action, this may not be your ideal excursion. If you like the feeling of searching for wildlife and want guides who explain what is happening, it offers a strong introduction to Iceland’s marine life.

Is the $153 price fair?

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Icelandic boat trips can be expensive, and the price deserves a closer look.

You are paying for two separate cruises, two guides, boat crews, indoor seating, warm overalls, and binoculars for the puffin trip. The whale rebooking promise also has real value. If the first trip produces no whales, you can try again without buying another ticket, assuming your schedule allows it.

The package is strongest value for someone who genuinely wants both wildlife experiences. Booking separate trips may cost more, and combining them saves time and harbor transfers. It is less convincing if you mainly want whales and have little interest in puffins, or if you are visiting outside the best whale season.

The best period for whale watching is generally April through September. Sightings are still possible at other times, but the odds may be lower. Puffins are tied more closely to their breeding season, so check the timing if seeing the birds is your main reason for booking.

I would also factor in your schedule. A four-hour wildlife block is reasonable for a Reykjavík day, but the tours return to the harbor between activities, and the timing is fixed. Leave enough room around the excursion rather than arranging another time-sensitive activity immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this combo most?

This tour suits families well because the Andrea is spacious, the crew provides warm overalls, and the guides make the wildlife easy to understand. Children may find the puffins more immediately appealing, while older children and adults often get more from the whale search.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Icelandic sea life without traveling far from Reykjavík. You can see puffins, search for whales, and possibly spot dolphins or porpoises in one half-day.

Photographers should set expectations carefully. The puffins can be hard to photograph with a phone, and the boat may rock while you are trying to frame a shot. Binoculars are more useful than a high-powered camera for simply seeing the birds well. For whales, a fast camera and patience help, but there is no promise that an animal will surface close to your side of the boat.

This is a less suitable choice if you dislike open water, become seasick easily, or need a guaranteed whale encounter. The free return ticket softens the uncertainty, but it cannot make wildlife appear on command.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. The guide language is English, and a live guide is provided on both cruises.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather can affect sailing, so keep some flexibility in your Iceland itinerary. The crew makes the final decision to sail with passenger safety and comfort in mind.

If you are choosing between the three listed departure patterns, use the 12:30 PM start if you prefer to see puffins first. Choose 9:00 AM for the classic whale cruise, or 10:00 AM for the faster whale option before the puffin trip. The order can change how you feel about the day, especially if you are more excited about one animal than the other.

Should you book this Reykjavík wildlife cruise?

Book it if you want both puffins and whales, value warm equipment and clear guiding, and can accept that whale watching is never certain. The strongest parts are the shallow-draft Old Skúli, the choice of whale boat, the high chance of seeing puffins, and the free return whale ticket.

Choose the express boat if you want to reach Faxaflói Bay quickly. Choose Andrea if you prefer space, indoor comfort, and a cafeteria. Bring layers, use the binoculars, and treat the whale sightings as a bonus from nature rather than a guaranteed show.

For a single half-day from Reykjavík, this is a well-planned way to meet Iceland’s sea life. Just remember that the puffins are the dependable stars, while the whales decide how much of the performance you get.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík’s Old Harbor.

How long does the combo tour last?

The full combo takes about four hours. The classic whale trip lasts about three to three and a half hours, while the express whale trip lasts about two to two and a half hours. The puffin cruise takes about one hour.

Can I take the two cruises on different days?

Yes. The whale and puffin trips are separate tours, so you do not have to take them on the same day.

Which boats are used?

The puffin trip uses the small Skúlaskeið, called Old Skúli. The classic whale trip uses Andrea, a large whale-watching boat. You can also choose an express whale boat.

What animals might I see?

Common whale-watching sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. The puffin trip focuses on puffins and can also include other seabirds.

What is included to keep me warm?

Warm overalls and warm indoor seating are included. You should still bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes.

What happens if no whales appear?

You receive another whale-watching ticket for free if no whales are spotted. The tour can also be affected by weather and sea conditions, with the captain making the final decision about sailing.