A day of Atlantic wildlife starts right in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This combo is interesting because you’re doing two different boat experiences back-to-back: a larger whale cruise for humpbacks and minke whales, then a smaller puffin boat that’s designed to work close to the islands. I also like the practical extras—free WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets—so you can focus on the spotting, not the setup.

One thing to consider: sightings are nature-dependent. If whales or puffins aren’t around (or if conditions change), you may not see as much as you hoped—though you do get a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Old Harbour departures make the whole day feel simple and central
• Humpback and minke whale search on a larger vessel gives you real range on the water
• Puffins up close on a smaller, specially designed boat for island approach
• Expert guides in English who explain what you’re seeing while you scan the horizon
• On-board comfort supports with free WiFi and seasickness tablets
• A practical plan if the wildlife window is quiet via a free re-join ticket when there are no sightings

Why This Whale + Puffin Combo Makes Sense in Reykjavik

This is a smart way to use one day in Iceland if your goal is simple: sea mammals, then seabirds close-up. The order matters too. After a whale cruise, your eyes are already trained for wildlife—suddenly the puffin islands feel like the next level of cute.

You’re also buying two different experiences, not just two stops. The whale portion is about finding animals in open water—more searching, more patience, more horizon time. The puffin portion is about precision: a smaller boat that can get nearer to the islands so you have a better shot at seeing puffins in their colonies against the coast.

And yes, you’re paying $153 per person for a reason. It’s not only the boat ride; it’s the guiding, the spotting support, and the chance to repeat if sightings don’t happen.

Old Harbour Check-In at Geirsgata 11 (Do This First)

Your day starts at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer matters because this kind of tour runs on tight timing—when the boats leave, they leave.

There’s no pickup service, so you’ll want to be able to get yourself there comfortably. Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area is built for walking, but you still don’t want to show up late when the weather and the wind are doing their thing.

What to have ready:

• Warm clothing (layering beats guessing)
• A waterproof camera (spray and mist happen)
• Your binoculars if you like using your own (puffin boat also provides binoculars)
• Motion sickness prevention if you’re even a little sensitive

Two rules to note: no pets and no smoking. If you’re bringing kids, you’ll appreciate the clear boundaries and the faster boarding flow.

Whale Watching Cruise: Searching for Humpbacks and Minke Whales

For the whale portion, you choose your departure time when booking. There are two options:

• Whale Watching 09:00 + Puffin 12:30
• Whale Watching 13:00 + Puffin 17:00

The whale cruise runs about 2 to 3.5 hours on a larger vessel. That larger boat size isn’t just for comfort—it usually gives you better footing when conditions are choppier, and it can support longer, wider scanning as the crew looks for activity.

Here’s what the spotting focus is:

• Humpback whales
• Minke whales

You’ll be with expert guides, and the guide’s job isn’t just to row—it’s to help you understand what you’re seeing. Expect explanations around whale behavior and habitat so your sightings feel more like a conversation with nature, not just luck.

What I’d watch for (practical spotting behavior, not guarantees):

• Where the crew is pointing (their attention direction often beats guesswork)
• Surface activity near the boat’s path
• How quickly the group shifts location—when whales surface, the “search picture” can change fast

One more thing: the cruise is timed as a wildlife hunt, not a sightseeing loop. So if you’re hoping for a relaxed “see the harbor then take photos,” this part is more focused on finding animals in the Atlantic.

Puffin Islands on a Smaller Boat: Getting Close to the Colonies

After the whale portion, you switch gears for the puffins. The puffin tour is about 1 hour and runs on a smaller boat, designed to get as close to the islands as possible.

This is the portion I think most people remember. Puffins are cute enough from a distance, but up close you notice the details: how they move, how they interact with the colony, and how the islands look when seabirds are actively using them.

What’s included:

• Binoculars on board for puffin viewing
• A boat that’s built for island approach, which matters a lot in a place like Iceland where the coastline and conditions can be tricky

Your guide will talk about puffin behavior and habitat too. That’s useful because puffin watching turns from random spotting into pattern recognition—why you’re seeing them where you are, and what “normal” looks like for the colony.

Catching puffins is not always automatic. Iceland weather can change quickly, and one important real-world note from past participants: on rougher days, you might end up doing whale watching only if puffin operations can’t run the way they planned.

If that happens to you, don’t treat it as a failure. The whale cruise can still be exceptional, and you still have the built-in idea of trying again if there are no sightings.

The Guides and On-Board Extras That Improve Your Chances

Iceland wildlife tours live and die on two things: finding animals, and making it feel worth your time even if sightings are slow. This one does both through the combo of professional guidance and practical comfort.

On-board basics included:

• Professional, experienced guides (English)
• Free WiFi on board
• Complimentary seasickness tablets
• Puffin boat binoculars

Free WiFi is oddly helpful here. When you’re scanning for long minutes, it’s nice to send a quick message, check timing, or look up weather context while you wait. It doesn’t replace the ocean view—but it makes the downtime feel less like dead time.

The seasickness tablets are a big deal if you’re even mildly prone to motion sickness. And the tour’s guidance is clear: it’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you know you’ll struggle, take that seriously. Ask yourself if you can handle choppy Atlantic water realistically—not bravely.

Also pay attention to how the operator manages the water traffic. There’s a note that during certain times of the year, trips may be delivered on a shared boat with another activity partner to keep environmental impact down. That’s generally the kind of compromise that helps the ecosystem and keeps boats fewer on the water.

And one more smart included perk: there’s a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings. It won’t magically create whales—but it does protect your money if the wildlife window is quiet.

Timing: How the 09:00 and 13:00 Departure Options Affect Your Day

The combo runs on two possible schedules, and your timing choice changes the feel of the day.

Option A:

• Whale watching 09:00
• Puffin tour 12:30

Option B:

• Whale watching 13:00
• Puffin tour 17:00

Both options keep the experience as a two-part day. But the morning option tends to feel more energetic—more daylight hours, more time to relax between boats. The afternoon option can feel calmer if you want a slower start, but you’re more dependent on evening conditions.

Between the two tours, remember:

• There is no pickup, so you’ll handle your own movement
• Snacks and beverages are sold on board, so you might plan around what you’ll want to buy while you’re out there
• You’ll want to keep your gear dry between departures, especially if you’re using a waterproof camera

If you’re the type who likes to walk and browse, the Old Harbour area is a good place to kill time. If you’re not, keep it simple: warm layers, snacks ready, and enough downtime to reset your body before the puffin boat ride.

What $153 Covers (and Whether It’s Good Value)

At $153 per person, this combo isn’t the cheapest wildlife tour in Iceland. But it also isn’t paying for just one attraction. You’re getting:

• Two separate boat tours on the same day
• A larger vessel whale cruise (about 2 to 3.5 hours)
• A smaller vessel puffin excursion (about 1 hour)
• Guiding in English
• Puffin viewing support with binoculars
• Free WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets
• A free re-join ticket if there are no sightings

So the real value question is: can you actually fit both whale and puffins into your Iceland schedule? If you can, this combo can be better value than booking each portion separately, because you’re stacking wildlife time without wasting a full extra half-day.

Also, the puffin tour isn’t just “go look at birds.” It’s a boat built to get closer to the islands. That added approach angle is where you usually see the difference between distant bird watching and actually enjoying the colony view.

If you can only do one thing (and you’re choosing between whales and puffins), I’d consider your personality. Whale watching rewards patience and scanning. Puffin watching rewards being ready to stop what you’re doing and focus instantly when the boat lines up with birds.

This combo lets you enjoy both ways.

Who This Tour Best Fits (and Who Should Skip It)

I’d book this if:

• You want both whales and puffins in one day
• You’re comfortable scanning and waiting a bit for wildlife
• You appreciate an English guide who explains what’s happening
• You like the idea of puffins up close rather than from far offshore

I would skip it if:

• You’re prone to seasickness. The tour isn’t suited to that, and Atlantic conditions can be unpredictable.
• You only want a “guaranteed highlight” with zero waiting. Wildlife has no guarantees. The tour’s support helps, but it can’t promise whales on command.

One small real-world note from past experiences: sometimes puffin operations can be affected by conditions, meaning you might do the whale portion without the puffin segment that day. If that would be a dealbreaker for you, you might want to consider booking these experiences separately so you can choose your day with more flexibility.

Final Call: Should You Book This Reykjavik Whale Watching and Puffin Excursion?

I think this is a strong choice if your Iceland wishlist includes humpback whales, minke whales, and puffins—and you want to do it without adding extra travel days. The combo works because it gives you two types of wildlife time: wider Atlantic search, then closer island viewing designed for puffin colonies.

You should book if:

• You can handle boat time and cold weather
• You’ll use the comfort helpers (especially seasickness tablets)
• You want the practical included extras like WiFi and provided binoculars for the puffin portion

Don’t book if:

• Seasickness is a serious issue for you
• You need puffins as a strict must-have and can’t tolerate the possibility of weather-related changes to the puffin boat

If you go in expecting a wildlife experience—not a theme-park guarantee—you’ll likely feel very satisfied by this day’s mix of wild ocean energy and adorable puffin proximity.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office. Arrive 30 minutes early.

How long is the whale watching part and when does it run?

The whale watching portion is about 2 to 3.5 hours. You choose either a 09:00 or 13:00 departure time.

How long is the puffin tour?

The puffin tour is on a smaller boat and is about 1 hour. It connects to either the 12:30 or 17:00 departure option.

What’s included on board?

Included items include experienced English-speaking guides, free WiFi, complimentary seasickness tablets, puffin tour binoculars, and a specially designed boat for getting close to the islands.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board.

Is pick-up service included?

No. Pick up service is not included, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point.