Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

Seeing hundreds of puffins crowding a small island is a fine warm-up for a whale hunt in Faxaflói Bay. This combo uses Old Skúli, a shallow-draft boat that can approach puffin islands closely, then the roomy Andrea, Iceland’s largest whale-watching boat, for the longer trip offshore.

I like the two different boats, because each suits its job, and I like the crew’s strong naturalist focus. Guides such as Patrick, Alex, Oscar, and Celine have been praised for clear explanations and good humor. The main catch is simple: puffins are fairly dependable in season, but whales follow their own timetable, and rough seas can cancel a sailing.

Key points to know before booking

• Puffins on Old Skúli: The small boat’s shallow draft brings you close to the islands, though you still need binoculars for the best views.
• Whales from the Andrea: The spacious ship has indoor seating, a cafeteria, warm overalls, and room to move around while watching.
• Species you may see: Minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises are common possibilities in Faxaflói Bay.
• A useful sighting guarantee: If the puffin tour does not see puffins, you receive a free ticket to try again. If no whales are seen, the whale trip can also be repeated.
• Best season: April through September gives you the strongest whale-watching odds, while puffins are seasonal birds and are especially associated with the summer period.
• Two separate tours: You can take both on one day or schedule them on different days, which helps if your Reykjavík plans are tight.

Two boats, two very different wildlife trips

This is not one continuous cruise. It is a pair of separate outings from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, each built around a different animal and a different kind of boat ride.

The puffin trip uses Skúlaskeið, nicknamed Old Skúli. Its shallow draft lets it approach the small islands where puffins breed. That matters because the birds are small, quick, and often resting on rocky ground or skimming low over the water. You may see them flying, swimming, or carrying food, along with other seabirds such as black guillemots and gulls.

The whale trip uses the Andrea on the classic sailing, or a faster boat if you choose the express option. The Andrea is a large, spacious vessel with warm indoor seating and a cafeteria. That makes it the easier choice for families, anyone who dislikes cramped boats, or anyone who wants a place to warm up between sightings.

You can book the puffin and whale trips on the same day, but you do not have to. That flexibility is useful if you want to spread the boat rides around Reykjavík sightseeing or avoid putting all your wildlife hopes into one weather-dependent morning.

The puffin cruise from Reykjavík Old Harbor

The puffin outing is usually the shorter and more intimate part of the day. The ride to the islands can take about 20 minutes, followed by time near the colonies and a return ride. The full outing is commonly around an hour, though exact timing can vary.

Old Skúli is well suited to this work. A shallow-draft boat can get closer to the islands than a large ship, but close does not mean touching distance. The crew needs to keep a respectful gap from the nesting birds, and the boat may rock as you watch.

That is why the included binoculars matter. Puffins can look like colorful little dots from the boat, even when the colony is nearby. You can request binoculars during the trip, and they make it much easier to see the birds’ bright bills, quick wingbeats, and habit of bobbing on the water.

The most useful advice is to watch first and photograph second. Several people have found puffins hard to capture with a phone, partly because the birds move fast and partly because a rocking boat makes sharp pictures difficult. Binoculars give you a far better view than a phone screen.

The guide adds real value here. A good puffin guide points out behavior that you might otherwise miss, explains the bird’s place in Reykjavík’s coastal ecosystem, and identifies other seabirds around the islands. Patrick, sometimes introduced with the playful nickname Patrick Pirate Puffin, has been singled out for entertaining stories, science-based facts, and an easy way with children.

You may see hundreds of puffins around the islands during the right part of the season. The exact number varies, and late-season trips can have fewer birds, but the puffin guarantee offers some peace of mind. If the puffin tour fails to find any, you receive a free ticket to try again.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

The whale trip is the bigger part of the experience and the one with more uncertainty. Faxaflói Bay can produce remarkable sightings, including humpbacks feeding near the boat, minke whales surfacing, dolphins traveling beside the vessel, and harbor porpoises appearing briefly in the waves.

Humpback whales often provide the most dramatic moments. You might see a tail lifting from the water, a pectoral fin slapping the surface, a blow followed by a long back, or a whale rolling as it feeds. A full breach is possible in nature, but it should never be treated as the expected result.

The classic option aboard Andrea lasts about three to three and a half hours. The ship is the biggest whale-watching boat in Iceland, with a roomy layout, inside seating, warm overalls, and a cafeteria where you can buy drinks and snacks.

That size is useful in rougher water. You have more room to move, and you can change position as the crew calls out a sighting. It also helps if some people in your group want to stay inside while others prefer the outdoor decks.

The express option leaves one hour later and uses a faster boat. It reaches the whale-watching area sooner, but the whale portion lasts about two to two and a half hours. You still spend the same amount of time in the viewing area, so the shorter total duration comes from the faster journey rather than less time looking for whales.

I would choose express if you have limited time in Reykjavík or prefer to spend less time in transit. I would choose the classic Andrea trip if comfort, indoor space, and a cafeteria matter more than getting offshore quickly.

The guides work hard to turn scattered sightings into a worthwhile outing. Celine has been praised for energetic explanations about how to spot whales and why they behave as they do. Alex has been noted for sharing marine facts while keeping watch for active humpbacks. Oscar and other crew members have also been praised for clear narration and humor.

That guide work matters because whale watching involves long stretches of scanning. A trained spotter can direct your eyes toward the right patch of water, explain the difference between a blow and a wave, and help you understand why a whale surfaced where it did.

What sightings are realistic?

The strongest whale trips can be extraordinary. Groups have seen more than 15 humpbacks, several minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and whales close enough for clear views of backs, fins, and flukes. Other outings have produced just a few tails, sprays, or distant surfacings.

Both experiences are normal. This is a wildlife search, not a staged show. Even on a trip with no major whale display, seeing a minke surface or dolphins pace the boat can be satisfying. Still, you should book with the right expectation: the crew can search well, but nobody can order a whale to appear.

The free return policy helps. If the whale tour sees nothing, you receive another ticket to try again. A replacement trip is useful if you have an extra day in Reykjavík, but it is less helpful if you are leaving the city immediately.

The puffin guarantee is stronger in practical terms because the birds live on breeding islands. The whale guarantee is more weather and wildlife dependent, so check your schedule before treating it as a true second chance.

Weather, warmth, and motion on the water

Iceland’s summer air can feel mild on land and sharply cold on the water. Bring warm clothing and comfortable layers even if Reykjavík feels pleasant when you leave the harbor.

The crew supplies warm overalls, and they are more than a nice extra. They help block wind and spray, letting you stay outside longer without turning the trip into a test of endurance. You also have warm indoor seating, which gives you a break when the weather turns unpleasant.

Rough seas are a genuine concern. A past sailing was canceled because of heavy conditions, with clear communication and an automatic refund for the canceled whale portion. On another trip, the sea became choppy enough to make several people seasick before the boat slowed down near the whales.

If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly and ask the crew about available seasickness medicine. The captains decide whether to sail based on weather, safety, and passenger comfort. That may disrupt your schedule, but it is the right call for an exposed bay.

The puffin ride is shorter and often gentler, though even a calm day can bring some boat movement. If you want the least demanding introduction to the water, the puffin trip is the easier starting point.

Timing the combo without confusion

The departure choices require a little attention.

• The 9:00 AM departure uses classic whale watching first, followed by the Puffin Express at 12:30 PM.
• The 10:00 AM departure uses express whale watching first, followed by the puffin trip at 12:30 PM.
• The 12:30 PM departure starts with puffins, followed by express whale watching at 2:00 PM.

The full combo is advertised as four hours, but the two outings are separate. You return to the harbor between them, with time to change boats and prepare for the next guide. Do not expect one uninterrupted cruise.

That break can be useful. You can step ashore, stretch your legs, and buy something warm before the next trip. It also means you should keep an eye on the meeting instructions and return promptly to the Special Tours office at the Old Harbor.

If your hotel, museum visit, or airport transfer is fixed, check the exact departure pattern before booking. The 12:30 PM start may fit better after a morning in Reykjavík, while the morning options leave more of the afternoon free.

Is the $153 price fair?

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap harbor activity. Iceland’s boat tours cost more than many similar wildlife outings elsewhere, and the price can feel high if the whales stay distant.

The value improves if you want both animals and would otherwise book two separate excursions. You receive two boats, two guides, warm seating, overalls, binoculars for the puffin trip, and the chance to repeat a wildlife tour if nothing appears. The Andrea’s size and onboard cafeteria also add comfort during the longer whale search.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a close-up puffin photograph. Puffins remain wild, the boat cannot approach the island without limits, and the birds may still be farther away than you expect. You may see hundreds, but you will not be walking among them or holding one.

I think the combo works best for someone who values the full coastal experience: seabirds, open water, marine mammals, guide commentary, and the chance of a memorable sighting. If your budget is tight, choose the whale trip alone if whales are your main goal, or the puffin outing alone if you want a shorter and more predictable trip.

Who will enjoy this most?

Families should find the combo approachable. Andrea is spacious, the guides explain things clearly, and the puffin trip adds a shorter boat ride with plenty of visual interest. Children may especially enjoy the puffins, dolphins, and the guides’ humor.

It also suits first-time whale watchers. You do not need to know species in advance because the crew explains what to look for and points out activity. The indoor seating and supplied overalls make it easier for you to focus on the animals rather than the cold.

Photographers should bring realistic expectations. The scenery and wildlife can produce excellent pictures, but puffins are difficult to photograph with a phone, and whales surface unpredictably. A camera with a long lens may help, but no equipment replaces timing and luck.

This is less suitable if you dislike boat motion, have only a narrow window before a flight, or need guaranteed close animal contact. Nature decides the quality of the day, and even an excellent crew cannot change that.

Should you book the Reykjavík whales and puffins combo?

I would book it if you want the best chance to see two kinds of Icelandic wildlife in one half-day and can accept that the whale portion may be quiet. The puffin trip supplies a more dependable target in season, while the whale cruise offers the bigger payoff when the bay is active.

Choose the classic Andrea sailing for room, warmth, and a relaxed pace. Choose express if you want to reach the whale area sooner and spend less total time aboard. Bring layers, use the binoculars, and keep your camera ready, but give your attention to the guides and the animals rather than chasing the perfect photograph.

Book during the April to September whale-watching window when possible, with the strongest puffin activity tied to its seasonal presence. If a humpback breaches beside the boat, you will have a story to tell. If the whales stay shy, the puffin islands, careful crew, and free retry policy still give the outing a solid foundation.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

How long does the combo tour last?

The advertised duration is four hours. The two parts are separate tours, with a return to the harbor between them.

Which animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.

What boat is used for puffin watching?

The puffin trip uses Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skúli. Its shallow draft allows it to approach the small islands where puffins live.

What is the difference between classic and express whale watching?

The classic trip uses the Andrea and lasts about three to three and a half hours. The express option uses a faster boat and lasts about two to two and a half hours, while keeping the same amount of time in the whale-watching area.

What happens if no animals are seen?

If no puffins are spotted, you receive a free ticket for another puffin tour. If no whales are spotted, you receive another whale-watching ticket to try again.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable clothes. Warm overalls and indoor seating are provided, and binoculars are available for the puffin tour. Hot drinks and refreshments cost extra.