Two boats. One wildlife mission. You’ll sail out of Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into the Atlantic to look for humpback whales and minke whales, then shift gears to puffin island time with the kind of scenery Iceland does best.

I love that the outing is guided, so you’re not just staring at the horizon and hoping. I love that the puffin leg aims for close-up viewing and comes with binoculars for clearer spotting.

One thing to plan for: the sea can move. This combo is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, even though complimentary tablets are available onboard.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• Two separate departures in one combo: you choose the whale watching departure time, then your puffin departure is paired to it
• Free onboard WiFi so you can post shots without turning it into a data-hungry mission
• Puffin viewing is on a smaller boat (about 1 hour) designed to get as close to the islands as possible
• Binoculars are provided on the puffin tour, plus you can bring your own
• Free ticket again if there are no sightings gives you a safety net when nature doesn’t cooperate
• Arrive 30 minutes early at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office to get settled fast

How the 09:00 or 13:00 Combo Fits a Half-Day in Reykjavik

This is a smart option if you want two wildlife experiences without eating your whole day. The combo pairs a whale watching cruise with a puffin excursion, but they run on two different boats with two departures. Your total time shows as 4 hours, yet you’re really doing two short-to-medium chunks rather than one long continuous tour.

You’ll pick one whale watching start time when booking:

• Whale Watching 09:00 paired with Puffin 12:30
• Whale Watching 13:00 paired with Puffin 17:00

That structure matters. If you’re the type who hates rushing, the later option can feel easier. If mornings are your best energy time, the earlier whale slot gives you the puffins later in the day. Either way, you’re not stuck waiting around all afternoon to get your close-up island time.

Also keep in mind: the meeting point is at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, and they ask you to arrive 30 minutes early. No pickup service is included, so build in time to get yourself there.

Setting Sail for Whale Watching on a Larger Vessel (2 to 3.5 Hours)

The whale portion is the longer ride, running about 2 to 3.5 hours on a larger vessel. You’ll sail out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and head into the Atlantic, with expert guides along for the ride.

What I like about this format is that it’s built for scanning and learning. With a larger boat and a longer window on the water, you get the time you need to track movement and listen for the guide’s explanation of what you’re seeing. That guided approach is a big deal in whale watching. Without it, spotting can feel random. With it, you have direction.

You’re specifically looking for humpback whales and minke whales. Even if you don’t get every sighting you hoped for, the tour includes a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings, which is a fair offer for a wildlife experience. One of the best practical takeaways is simple: if conditions are tough, the payout isn’t just in your photos. It’s also in the chance to go again.

One review noted that the weather was too poor for the boat used for the puffin part, but the whale watching still delivered. So if you’re planning your day around wildlife, the whale leg can be the more reliable anchor, depending on conditions.

And yes, the guides can make a difference. A named guide, Daniel, came up as genuinely great at explaining what’s going on. If you care about understanding the animals (not just spotting them), that kind of guide energy is worth your attention.

Puffin Islands on a Smaller Boat: Short, Close, and Photo-Friendly

The puffin portion is about 1 hour long and runs on a smaller boat. It’s designed to get you close to the islands, with a special setup meant for nearer viewing.

This is where the combo earns its keep. Whale watching gives you the big-water drama. Puffin viewing gives you the near-coast cuteness you can actually frame well. The boat choice matters because the puffin tour is built to reach the viewing zone as closely as possible, and that boosts what you can see in a short time.

You’ll get binoculars provided onboard for the puffin leg. Even if you bring your own, having extras available helps if your view is blocked or you’re switching between people who want a turn. Also, puffin time is shorter, so binoculars can save you from wasting that one hour on blurry sightings.

There’s one practical catch. The timing between departures means you’re bouncing from the whale cruise to the later puffin slot. Plan to grab something to drink or a snack off the water and then show up ready again.

And if weather changes things, it can change how puffins get delivered. In one example, the puffin leg didn’t happen because the conditions were too bad for the boat used for puffins. That doesn’t mean it’s always like that, but it’s a real-world consideration: your puffin plan can be more sensitive to sea state than the whale segment.

Guides, Wildlife Odds, and What to Watch for on the Water

This tour isn’t just about being on a boat. It’s about having someone help you interpret the scene. The guides share insights into the behaviors and habitats of the creatures you encounter, which helps you enjoy the experience even on days when you don’t land perfect sightings.

I also like that the guides don’t treat your trip like a lottery ticket. They give you context while you’re out there. When you know what you’re looking for, you tend to enjoy the ride more. That’s especially true in whale watching, where distance can make you doubt your own eyes.

A theme from the feedback is how enthusiastic the guides can be, with people calling out both the whale and puffin segments as worth the combo. One person specifically liked doing both because the puffin tour ends up being a closer, more satisfying follow-up after the whale portion.

One more practical tip: if you’re trying to maximize results, keep your expectations flexible. Wildlife is wildlife. What you can control is how you prepare: warm clothes, motion sickness prevention, and bringing the tools you’ll actually use (camera and binoculars).

WiFi, Seasickness Help, and Packing for Iceland Wind

Iceland boat time has two enemies: cold and motion. The tour addresses both, and you should use the help they provide.

Here’s what you can expect onboard:

• Free WiFi on board (useful for mapping, messaging, or sharing without draining your phone too fast)
• Complimentary seasickness tablets available
• Guides present during both parts of the combo

And here’s what you should bring:

• Warm clothing
• Waterproof camera (or a waterproof cover at minimum)
• Binoculars
• Motion sickness prevention (even if you plan to use the onboard tablets)

This is also not a pet-friendly outing and you shouldn’t light anything onboard. Pets aren’t allowed, and smoking isn’t allowed.

Now, the honest caution: the activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Tablets are great, but they’re not a guarantee. If you know boats reliably knock you out, skip this one. There are better ways to experience wildlife from shore.

Price Breakdown: Where the $153 Goes and Why It Can Be Good Value

At $153 per person for the combo, you’re paying for more than a ride. You’re paying for guided wildlife time in two different formats: larger-boat whale watching plus a smaller-boat puffin approach that aims for close island viewing.

What supports the value:

• Experienced, professional guides for both legs
• A free ticket to join again if there are no sightings (this is a meaningful risk reducer)
• Free onboard WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets
• Puffin tour extras that help you see better: binoculars provided and a boat designed to get close
• Puffin tour is about 1 hour, so you’re not losing half a day to logistics

What’s not included:

• Snacks and beverages are sold onboard
• Pick up service is not included

To decide if this is worth it for you, think like this: you’re paying for your chance to see two different kinds of Iceland wildlife using two different boat styles, plus guided interpretation. If you’re just looking for one wildlife moment, you might feel it’s pricier. If you want a full wildlife checklist in one day, it starts to feel more reasonable, especially with the free re-join ticket option.

Who Should Book This and Who Should Skip It

This combo is a strong match if you:

• Want both whales and puffins, not just one
• Like guided explanations and want help figuring out what you’re seeing
• Are comfortable dressing warm and spending time outdoors on moving water
• Want a close-up puffin experience, since the puffin leg is designed to get near the islands

You should rethink it if you:

• Get seasick easily. The tour is explicitly not suitable for people prone to seasickness.
• Expect snacks to be included. You’ll need to plan for food and drinks separately, since they’re sold onboard.

Also, if you’re traveling during certain times of year, keep in mind the operator may run on a shared boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons, with the goal of fewer boats on the water. That shouldn’t ruin your experience, but it can affect how crowded your boat feels.

Bottom Line: Should You Book the Reykjavik Whale Watching and Puffin Combo?

I’d book this if you want maximum wildlife variety with a clear plan. The structure is practical: choose the whale departure time, then get paired puffins later. The included extras are the difference between a good boat day and a smooth one, especially seasickness help, binoculars on the puffin leg, and that free ticket option if sightings don’t happen.

I’d hold back only if motion sickness is a guaranteed problem for you. Otherwise, prepare for a real North Atlantic outing: warm layers, waterproof camera, and a flexible mindset.

If you want whales plus puffins in one efficient swing, this is an easy decision.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whale watching and puffin combo?

The total duration is listed as 4 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You start at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, and you should arrive 30 minutes early.

Are seasickness tablets provided?

Yes. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard.

How long is the puffin tour and what boat is used?

The puffin tour is about 1 hour and is conducted on a smaller boat designed to get as close to the islands as possible.

What if there are no whale sightings?

The tour includes a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings.

Is pickup included?

No. Pick up service is not included.

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