Two boats, one wild day.

This Iceland Super Saver bundles puffin watching and whale watching from Reykjavik, so you get more chances to spot real animals instead of just ocean views. I like that you can usually choose which part you do first, and that both trips build in comfort touches like warm gear and onboard narration to make the time fly by.

My favorite perks are practical and easy to appreciate. First, the puffin cruise comes with binoculars included, plus a guide’s talk that helps you actually track the birds as they come and go. Second, the whale-watching portion includes warm overalls (and even free Wi-Fi), which matters because Iceland wind has a talent for finding gaps in your clothing.

The main drawback is expectation management. Whales are never guaranteed, and some days the puffin boat can feel more distant than you’d hoped for tight photos, especially with crowds on the smaller vessel.

Key highlights worth planning for

• Discounted two-tour combo with flexible order, so you’re not stuck with one schedule
• Binoculars included on the puffin cruise, making it easier to spot puffins fast
• Akurey island loop for prime viewing points (and you’ll see birds from the water, not on land)
• Warm overalls plus on-water commentary on the whale cruise, plus free Wi-Fi
• Chance at a whale-free day backup: a complimentary ticket if no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay

Reykjavik Super Saver: why this combo feels like smarter value

At about $156.19 per person for roughly 4 hours 30 minutes, you’re paying for two separate wildlife experiences in one go. The value isn’t only the bundle price. It’s that you’re stacking two ecosystems in one morning or afternoon: the bird action around Akurey and the marine-life search in Faxafloi Bay.

You also get to treat the day like a plan with options. The itinerary is built as a two-part swap: a puffin cruise on one kind of boat, then a whale-watching cruise on another. That matters because puffins usually reward patience and scanning, while whales reward wider sea coverage and steady searching. Doing both reduces the odds that one single activity will feel like a gamble.

And the group size is capped at 33 travelers. It’s not tiny, but it helps keep the experience from turning into a full-on cattle car situation once you’re out on the water.

Meeting Point at Geirsgata 11: getting oriented fast

Both tours are set to start and end at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík. That’s convenient because you’re not stuck with a confusing multi-stop day. It also means you can plan the rest of your Reykjavik time around a known home base.

You may have hotel pickup available if you book it with the supplier (extra fees apply). If you don’t add transfers, you’re still near public transportation, so you can get there under your own steam.

One detail you should take seriously: you’ll need to reconfirm cruise times with the supplier using your voucher details. Wildlife days are weather-dependent, and timing can shift. Doing that reconfirm step keeps you from arriving to an empty dock and a very grumpy mood.

Puffin Cruise to Akurey: included binoculars and real bird-tracking

The puffin portion starts with getting comfortable and getting informed. You’ll find a seat on board, warm yourself with a provided blanket, and listen to narration that explains puffin behavior and physiology. That background is not fluff. When you understand how and when puffins hunt and return, you spot them sooner—and you waste less time staring at the water like it’s going to start talking back.

As the boat nears the island, you can look out the windows and watch puffins take off and come and go. When the birds are active, it’s a real show: you’ll see them pop up and plunge underwater to chase fish, then reappear with fish-bound momentum.

The big practical win: you get binoculars included. Guides encourage you to use them to scan for puffins and for other seabirds too, such as Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars. I’d call that a “skill-building” feature. You’re not just hoping. You’re learning how to search.

You land at the rocky shores of Akurey, then the boat circles the island for extra viewing angles. Important reality check: you won’t walk onto the puffin island itself. Bird breeding grounds are protected, and you’ll watch from the water instead.

How close you feel to the birds can vary. Some people found the boat couldn’t get close enough for the kind of up-close views they wanted, even with binoculars. On the other hand, others loved how many puffins they saw actively moving around the island. Sea state, bird behavior, and time of day can shift what you get.

Guide-style matters here too. In the puffin segment, I saw multiple examples of guides who were funny and clear in English, including Patrick, described as informative and a hoot. That kind of guide makes the short tour feel longer because you’re not just watching—you’re decoding what you’re looking at.

Photo and viewing tips that actually help

• Bring your own binoculars if you care about getting consistent views. On smaller boats, there can be sharing, and that slows you down when you’re trying to lock onto a bird fast.
• Plan to shoot from wherever you can see the island best during the circle. The best viewing spot can change as the boat repositions.
• Go in expecting “puffins are busy,” not “puffins are posing.” You’re watching wildlife rhythms.

Whale-Watching in Faxafloi Bay: scanning, warm gear, and what you might see

After the puffin portion, you switch gears to whale watching. If you selected pickup, you’ll be collected from your Reykjavik hotel and head to the Old Harbour area to board the boat.

Once you’re out in Faxafloi Bay, the experience becomes a kind of patient sea-work. Your guide helps scan the open water while onboard commentary explains what to look for. The target species are minke whales and humpback whales. You may also spot marine life like white-beaked dolphins and porpoises.

Comfort is part of the deal here. The whale cruise includes warm overalls, and several people noted that the ride stayed manageable even when the wind and cold showed up. One review also mentioned wet suits being provided, so if conditions feel extra chilly, don’t assume you’re on your own.

And if seas get rough, the crew does prep. Some departures include a heads-up about sea conditions. People reported getting ginger candy and even sick bags, plus optional motion-sickness pills. If you’re the type who gets queasy easily, take the pills early instead of waiting until you’re already unwell.

You also get free Wi-Fi on the whale cruise. It’s not the main reason to book, but it’s useful if you want to check messages, look up wildlife context, or just stay sane while you wait for a blow or tail slap to appear.

Guide examples from real trips include Jo and Lucas (credited for sharp searching and entertaining commentary) and Blanca (praised for pointing things out clearly). English quality can vary, though—so if you’re sensitive to language barriers, consider using the Special Tours app during the trip as an extra layer.

If you don’t see whales, there’s a safety net

Wildlife doesn’t follow calendars. Still, there is one promise built into the experience: if no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise. That’s a big deal for value, because it reduces the fear of paying for hours on the water and getting skunked.

Photo reality check: what distance limits mean here

This is where many people either love it or feel let down—so I’d set your camera mindset early.

First, whales can be far away even when you’re doing everything right. Some days you get humpbacks closer to the boat. Other days you only see fins and tails at a distance. That’s the nature of open-water wildlife.

Second, puffins are viewable in large numbers around Akurey, but you still have constraints. You’re not walking onto breeding islands, and the boat can’t always close for photography. People noted that sometimes puffins are best spotted as they fly by or pop in and out of view, which makes binoculars more useful than trying to zoom a shaky phone shot.

The operator also frames their approach around wildlife guidelines, including following the IceWhale code of conduct for encounters. In plain language: you’re not going to see unsafe crowding or engine-chasing. That respect can keep wildlife behavior natural, but it can also limit how close you get.

My practical advice: don’t plan your vacation photos around a guarantee. Plan around “I’ll get great moments when I’m in the right place at the right time, and I’ll learn to see more even when animals are shy.”

Weather, seas, and what to wear so you’re actually comfortable

Iceland doesn’t care that you came for wildlife. You need to dress for wind, spray, and long stretches waiting for the next sighting.

The tour includes warmth in key spots:

• Puffin cruise: a provided blanket
• Whale cruise: warm overalls
• Cold/sickness support: ginger candy, sick bags, and optional motion-sickness pills on rougher days (reported in feedback)

Still, warm clothing is recommended, and I agree. I’d treat it like a “layers plus waterproof outer” day. If you hate the feeling of wet cold, bring a hat and gloves even if you think June is warm. The wind off the water can make it feel colder fast.

Also remember: the experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. That’s not something you can control, so plan to keep your schedule flexible.

Included extras that make a difference more than you’d think

This is a bundle that doesn’t just say the magic words wildlife. It also includes small details that help you stay comfortable and engaged.

Here’s what you should expect as part of the ride:

• Binoculars on the puffin cruise
• Warm overalls on the whale-watching cruise
• Free Wi-Fi on the whale cruise
• The Special Tours app, available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese

The app being multi-language is useful because onboard commentary can move at a quick pace, especially when guides are trying to get everyone’s attention at the same time.

And with up to 33 travelers, you’re unlikely to feel totally lost. Still, if you’re aiming for the best views during whale scanning, you’ll want to choose your spot smartly. Some people specifically requested more seating up top on crowded days, so it’s worth positioning yourself for sightlines early.

Who this tour combo suits best

This Super Saver is a strong fit if you want maximum wildlife time with minimal logistics fuss. It’s also ideal if you have limited Reykjavik time and want both birds and marine mammals in the same day.

Families often enjoy it because it’s structured, narrated, and active without requiring hiking. One parent shared that a child loved the puffin part after hearing facts from the guide and seeing birds in their natural behavior.

It’s also a good match if you like a guided search. The success of whale watching depends on spotting patterns: blow timing, surfacing angles, and how whales move through a bay. A guide doing the scanning helps you notice what you might miss on your own.

Where you should be careful is if whales are your one and only must-see. Even with the complimentary ticket policy, some days will still feel “more dolphins than whales” or “whales in the distance only.” Puffins are the safer bet for seeing lots of birds, while whales are the bigger wildcard.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching?

I’d book this if you want a compact Reykjavik wildlife day and you’re happy to work with nature instead of demanding perfect results. At about $156 for both parts, the included binoculars, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, and the whale backup ticket for a no-whales day add real value, not just marketing.

Book with the right mindset. Expect puffins to be active and plentiful at Akurey, but remember you’re viewing them from the boat. For whales, plan for possibility: sometimes you get humpbacks up close, sometimes you get a shorter “best we can do today” sighting window.

If that sounds like your kind of day, this combo is a solid choice. If you need guaranteed whales at close range for your photos, you should look for options that better match that expectation, because wild animals don’t do checklists.

FAQ

Where is the tour meeting point?

It starts at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The duration is listed as about 4 hours 30 minutes.

Does the price include hotel pickup or transfers?

Hotel transfers are not included. Hotel pickup is available to book directly with the supplier for an extra fee.

What wildlife can you expect to see?

For puffins, you’ll look for puffins and other seabirds like Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars. For whale watching, you might see minke and humpback whales, plus white-beaked dolphins and porpoises.

Are binoculars and warm clothing included?

Yes. Binoculars are included on the puffin cruise. The whale-watching cruise includes warm overalls (and a provided blanket is mentioned for the puffin part).

Is Wi-Fi available during the whale-watching tour?

Yes. There is free Wi-Fi on the whale-watching cruise.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.

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