Whales and puffins happen here in one trip. From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you head out into the Atlantic for real wildlife viewing, then shift to puffin colonies on nearby islands.

I especially liked the chance to spot humpback whales and minke whales with guides who point out what you’re actually looking at. I also loved that the puffin stop is designed to get you close enough to see their activity clearly.

One key consideration: the sea is part of the experience. If you’re prone to seasickness, this tour is not for you, and you’ll want your warm layers and motion prep ready.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Reykjavik Whale + Puffin Combo

• Old Harbour departure: you start right where Reykjavik feels most maritime, rolling out into the Atlantic instead of doing a long transfer.
• Humpbacks and minke whales, with guide-led spotting: the guides help you interpret behavior so you’re not just scanning for spouts.
• Puffins on a smaller, closer-to-shore boat: the puffin segment uses a smaller vessel built for getting near the islands.
• Built-in viewing support: binoculars are provided for the puffin tour, and free WiFi keeps you connected between sightings.
• A rare safety net for wildlife disappointments: you get a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings.
• A real weather dependency: if conditions are tough, plans can adjust on the water.

Old Harbour to Atlantic: Your Departure Sets the Tone

I love how this trip begins in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. It’s not a faceless meeting point. It feels like the city is actively turning outward toward the sea, and once you’re on board, that mood stays with you.

You’ll meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, and the best move is to arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer matters because boarding is easier when you’re not rushing, and you’ll want time to get your layers on before you feel the wind.

From there, you cruise into the Atlantic Ocean as the coastline slides by. Iceland does that thing where the scenery changes with the light, so even if you’re not whale-spotting yet, you’re still getting a “we’re really out here” sense of place.

Whale Watching at Sea: How You’ll Actually See Humpbacks and Minke Whales

The whale watching portion runs about 2 to 3.5 hours on a larger vessel. This timing is long enough for the crew to search strategically, but not so long that you feel trapped onboard.

What I find most helpful is that this isn’t just a boat ride where you’re handed your phone and told good luck. Your guide is there with you, sharing what you should look for—whale behavior and habitat details that make the sightings feel earned instead of random.

You’re specifically hunting humpback whales and minke whales. Those are not “guaranteed on every outing” animals, but the tour’s structure is built for real wildlife watching rather than a quick drive-by.

A small but important practical point: if the sea is choppy, your viewing experience changes. You’ll want that warm clothing, eye-level patience, and motion sickness prevention ready. The tour provides complimentary seasickness tablets, which is great if you’re the type who needs a little help getting comfortable quickly.

And here’s the honest reality: on some days, weather can limit what the operation can do for later stops. One guide-led sailing example you might hear about is a day where rougher conditions reduced the chance to make it for puffins, while whales still came through. So if puffins don’t happen, it doesn’t automatically mean the whole day is a loss.

The Puffin Island Stop: Why the Smaller Boat Changes Everything

After the whale segment, you’ll switch to the puffin excursion. This part is about 1 hour and uses a smaller boat.

That small-boat approach is the whole point. The vessel is specially designed to get as close to the islands as possible, which matters because puffins are small, active, and best seen when you don’t need to squint from far offshore.

They also provide binoculars for the puffin tour. If you bring your own, you’ll still be happy—especially if you like dialing in your focus—but having theirs means you’re not forced to pack extra gear just for this trip.

Once you reach the island area, the experience shifts from roaming in search mode to a more concentrated viewing moment. You’ll see puffins against the coastal backdrop, and the change in scenery is part of the payoff: open ocean whale watching, then tight, energetic puffin viewing closer to shore.

One more practical detail: snacks and beverages are sold onboard. That’s useful during long gaps between departures, but it also means you shouldn’t plan on a full meal included with your ticket.

Guides and On-Board Guidance: What Makes This Tour Feel Less Random

The biggest quality signal here is the guide role. You’re not just watching nature; you’re learning how to read it in real time.

The guides share insights into whale behaviors and habitats while you’re out at sea, so when you spot movement or a surfacing pattern, you’re more likely to understand what’s happening. That turns the day from a checklist into a story you can actually follow.

English is the live guide language, so you won’t be stuck translating your way through announcements. And if you’re lucky, you might get a guide like Daniel—one guest specifically called out his enthusiasm and performance.

Also, the trip includes free WiFi on board. It’s not essential for whale watching, but it’s handy while you’re waiting, regrouping, or sharing photos with minimal fuss.

Combo Timing: Two Separate Tours, Two Departures to Plan For

Here’s how the combo works in real life: you book your whale watching departure time, and the puffin tour follows as a separate departure.

You have two pairing options:

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

So yes, it’s one combo price and one overall experience—but it plays out as two distinct tours on the same day with different start times. That means you should plan for a stretch of time between them where you’ll be off the water (and likely hungry and bundled up).

To make the day easier:

• Keep your warm layer ready for both boats.
• Bring a waterproof camera setup or protective pouch.
• Think about how you’ll use the gap time. Reykjavik is walkable, but you don’t want to waste your puffin window in the wrong place.

This structure can actually be a plus. You get two “shots” at wildlife viewing, and the puffin timing lets you focus on puffins right after the whale portion rather than trying to bounce between scattered stops.

Comfort, Gear, and Sea Reality: What to Bring (and What Helps)

This is a tour where Icelandic weather matters quickly. You’ll want warm clothing and something waterproof for your camera. Wind off the water can make the air feel colder than you expected, even if the city looked mild when you left.

You should also bring:

• Waterproof camera gear
• Binoculars (even though puffin binoculars are provided onboard)
• Motion sickness prevention

One nice layer of support: complimentary seasickness tablets are available on the whale side. Still, if you’re truly prone to seasickness, the tour states you’re not suitable for it. That isn’t the kind of risk worth “toughing out.”

Also note:

• Pets aren’t allowed.
• Smoking isn’t allowed.

These rules keep the experience cleaner and quieter, and they help on a boat where space is limited.

And yes, you’ll likely want to keep your phone handy—but don’t let it steal your attention from the guide’s spotting cues and your own eyes. Spouts and surface patterns can be quick.

Price and Value: Is This $153 Ticket Worth It?

At $153 per person, you’re paying for two things at once: a multi-hour whale search and a closer-to-shore puffin viewing segment. That’s the value logic—this isn’t just a single boat ride.

Here’s what makes the price feel more fair than it might at first glance:

• Professional guides on the water for both segments.
• Free WiFi onboard, plus complimentary seasickness tablets.
• Binoculars provided for the puffin tour.
• A closer-to-island setup for puffins via a specially designed boat.
• A rare bonus: a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings.

That last item is big. Wildlife viewing always has uncertainty. When a tour builds in a chance to come back, the cost feels less like a gamble.

Snack and beverage sales are extra, but you can plan around that. And there’s no pickup service included, so your value depends on your ability to reach the meeting point efficiently.

Overall, I see this as a strong option if you want both whales and puffins without turning your schedule into a logistical nightmare.

When Weather Changes Plans: How to Think About the Risks

Wildlife tours in Iceland have a simple rule: conditions matter.

The operation may adjust during certain times of the year to keep the environment pristine, including using a shared boat with another activity partner. That’s not a deal-breaker; it’s a sign they’re trying to reduce pressure on the water.

More importantly, rougher weather can affect what portions of the trip are practical. There’s an example of a day where the puffin part didn’t happen because conditions weren’t suitable for the boat used for puffin viewing, yet the whales were still excellent.

So how should you mentally frame it? Think of it this way:

• You’re buying guided time at sea with strong efforts to find whales.
• Puffins are highly likely when conditions cooperate, but you should be ready for that segment to be sensitive to sea state.

The good news is the tour includes the free return option if you get no sightings. That doesn’t remove the unpredictability, but it reduces the “all money, no wildlife” sting.

Who Should Book This Reykjavik Whale Watching and Puffin Combo?

Book this if:

• You want both whales and puffins in one day with guided help.
• You enjoy wildlife watching where understanding behavior matters.
• You’re prepared to dress for wind and cold and give the sea your patience.
• You like the idea of extra support like seasickness tablets and a return ticket if nothing is spotted.

Consider skipping or choosing a gentler option if:

• You’re prone to seasickness. The tour explicitly says it’s not suitable for you.
• You hate weather uncertainty. Even with great crews, the ocean is the boss.

If you’re visiting Reykjavik for a short stay and want an experience that feels like Iceland’s wild side rather than another “look at a view” stop, this combo fits well.

Should You Book It?

Yes, I’d book this if you can handle boats and cold. The guide-led spotting, the puffin setup designed to get you close, and the free return ticket for no sightings make this feel like a thoughtful wildlife experience rather than just transportation to a chance.

The only “no” is for people who know they’ll be miserable on the water. If that’s you, don’t gamble your day. If it’s not, this is one of the more rewarding ways to see Iceland’s animals without sacrificing your whole schedule.

FAQ

What animals will I see on this tour?

You’ll look for humpback whales and minke whales during the whale watching portion, and you’ll visit islands for puffin colonies during the puffin portion.

How long are the whale watching and puffin parts?

The whale watching portion runs about 2 to 3.5 hours, and the puffin tour is approximately 1 hour.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office.

Do I need to worry about seasickness?

If you’re prone to seasickness, the tour is not suitable. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, and you should bring motion sickness prevention if you need it.

Is WiFi available on board?

Yes. Free WiFi is provided on board.

Are binoculars provided for puffin viewing?

Yes. Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board.

Are there different departure times for the combo?

Yes. You choose the whale watching departure time when booking. Available combinations are 09:00 with puffins at 12:30, or 13:00 with puffins at 17:00.