Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Puffins crowd the rocky island of Akurey, while whales may surface out in Faxafloi Bay. This two-cruise bundle pairs a short puffin outing with a longer search for marine life, giving you two very different views of Iceland’s wildlife from the water.

I like that you can choose which cruise to take first, and that the practical comforts are covered: the whale boat has warm overalls and Wi-Fi, while binoculars are provided on the puffin cruise. Guides such as Patrick, Blanca, Jo and Lucas have led trips, though you won’t know your guide in advance.

The main caveat is simple: wildlife is wild. You may see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins and plenty of puffins, or spend much of your time scanning the water for distant fins and birds. The puffin boat cannot land on the protected island, and viewing distance can vary.

At a glance

• Two trips, two boats: A longer whale-watching cruise and a shorter puffin boat ride are combined in one booking.
• Akurey is a protected breeding ground: You circle the rocky island from the water rather than going ashore.
• Whales are not guaranteed: If none appear in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.
• Warm layers matter: Overalls are provided on the whale boat, but you should still dress for cold, windy conditions.
• The order is flexible: You can choose which cruise comes first, but reconfirm departure times with the operator.
• The price is $156.19 per person: It is best value if you want both wildlife trips, not if you only care about one.

Two boats make this a pair of outings

The Super Saver is not one continuous cruise with a change of scenery. It combines two separate trips, often on different boats, with a return to the harbour between them. The full experience takes about four and a half hours, though the exact schedule depends on which cruise you take first and the departure times you confirm.

The whale-watching trip is the longer outing, generally around two and a half to three hours at sea. The puffin cruise is much shorter, about an hour, and uses a smaller boat to circle Akurey. Some schedules may leave a short break between trips; plan for the full half-day rather than expecting a quick add-on.

The flexibility to pick the order is useful if you are fitting this around other Reykjavik plans. Still, check the precise timing before you book. You need to reconfirm both cruise times with Special Tours Iceland, and a change in order or a gap between boats can affect what you do before lunch or later in the day.

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup and return transfers are available for an extra charge, but are not included in the listed price.

On the longer search across Faxafloi Bay

The whale cruise heads from the Old Harbour into Faxafloi Bay, where guides and crew scan for minke and humpback whales. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises are also possible. The guide provides commentary about the animals, and the crew may communicate with other boats to help locate wildlife.

The boat ride is part of the experience. From the water, Reykjavik recedes and the bay opens up around you. On a clear, calm day, watching the sea and waiting for a blow, back or tail can be a pleasure in its own right. But it is still a search, not a scheduled animal encounter.

Even a successful sighting may be brief or distant. You might see a whale’s back or fin, or a puff of breath, without getting the dramatic tail slap people hope to photograph. Some trips see several whales and dolphins; others see dolphins but no whales. The operator offers a complimentary return ticket if the cruise does not find any whales, a helpful fallback, though it does not turn a missed sighting into a same-day one.

The included warm overalls help against the cold and wind on deck. Free Wi-Fi is available on the whale boat, and some departures have snacks for purchase, but food and drinks are not included. Motion-sickness pills may be available, but do not count on that as a substitute for planning ahead if you know you are prone to seasickness. Rough seas can make the trip uncomfortable, and the operator may tell you about conditions before departure.

The whale boat is larger than the puffin vessel. That gives you a warm cabin and space to get out of the wind, though the number of people on deck can affect your view. One useful approach is to move between the cabin and outside viewing areas as conditions allow. If photographing wildlife matters to you, keep your camera ready: sightings can be quick, and animals may not stay near the boat.

Around Akurey with puffins and seabirds

The puffin cruise takes you around Akurey, a rocky island close to Reykjavik that serves as a breeding ground. The boat circles the shore for viewing opportunities while the guide explains puffin behavior and physiology. Binoculars are included, and you can also look for Arctic terns, black guillemots and northern fulmars.

There is a good reason the boat stays offshore: the island is protected, and visitors do not go ashore. That preserves the birds’ nesting habitat, but it also means your view depends on where the boat can safely and respectfully position itself. At times puffins are visible on the island or flying low over the water; at other times you may be relying on binoculars to pick them out.

The puffin trip is often the more immediate of the two outings. You have a clear destination and a shorter ride, and the smaller vessel can offer a closer angle on the island than the larger whale boat. Still, close-up views are not guaranteed. Some people find the birds plentiful but distant, and the short duration can feel abrupt if you hoped to watch them for longer.

The small boat also has less room than the whale vessel. The activity’s stated maximum is 33 participants, but on a compact boat even a modest group can make it harder to find an unobstructed spot. If the puffins are your priority, be ready to watch carefully and use the supplied binoculars rather than expecting a close approach or landing.

Guides can make this short trip more rewarding by pointing out birds and explaining what you are seeing. Patrick has been praised for mixing humor with clear information, but guides change from departure to departure. English is the listed language for the tour, and the Special Tours app is also available in German, French, Spanish and Chinese.

What the $156.19 price buys you

At $156.19 per person, the bundle makes sense if you want both a whale search and a dedicated puffin outing. It saves the effort of arranging two separate tours, includes binoculars for the puffin cruise and warm overalls for the whale trip, and lets you choose the order. You also have a complimentary repeat whale cruise available if the first trip sees no whales.

The value is less clear if you only want one kind of wildlife. The whale cruise takes up most of the time, and the puffin boat is a brief second outing. Puffins may also be visible from the whale boat, but the dedicated puffin trip gives you a smaller vessel, a closer look at Akurey and commentary focused on the birds. If your budget is tight and your main goal is whales, compare the cost of a whale-only cruise before choosing the bundle.

Think of the price as paying for two chances to experience Iceland’s marine life, not two guaranteed close encounters. Calm seas and good sightings can make it feel like excellent value. If animals stay far away, the boat ride and guide’s commentary still provide an outing, but the price may feel high for the wildlife you actually see.

Who will get the most from this half-day

This works well for visitors who want to spend a half-day on the water and are content with the uncertainty of wildlife watching. It suits families who enjoy boats and birds, and the combination can be a good fit if you want both a broad bay cruise and a focused look at puffins without arranging separate bookings.

It is also a reasonable choice for anyone keen to see whales but willing to accept that a complimentary return ticket is the backup, not a promise of a sighting on the day. If you need close-up photographs, have little patience for waiting, or are strongly affected by rough seas, think carefully before booking both trips.

You can book hotel pickup directly with the operator for an extra fee. Otherwise, make your way to Geirsgata 11. Confirmation is provided at booking, but you still need to reconfirm the cruise times using the details on your voucher.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Warm clothes are recommended even though the whale cruise supplies overalls.

Should you book this tour?

Book the combo if you want both puffins and a chance at whales, enjoy being at sea, and can accept that nature sets the schedule. The guides, included gear and two different boat trips make it a practical way to sample Reykjavik’s wildlife.

Skip the bundle if you want guaranteed close views or only care about one species. For many people, the puffin cruise is the more distinctive and predictable part, while the whale trip brings the bigger potential payoff and the bigger uncertainty. Check the times, dress warmly and treat the bay itself as part of the outing.

FAQ

How long does the combined tour take?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes. It includes two separate boat trips, and the exact timing depends on the order and departure times you confirm.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Can I choose which cruise comes first?

Yes. The order is flexible, but you need to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier using the details on your voucher.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and return transfers can be booked directly with the supplier for an extra fee.

What wildlife might I see?

The whale cruise looks for minke and humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and porpoises. On the puffin cruise, you may see puffins, Arctic terns, black guillemots and northern fulmars.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. If the cruise does not spot any whales in Faxafloi Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Are warm clothes and binoculars provided?

Warm overalls are provided on the whale-watching cruise, and binoculars are provided on the puffin cruise. Warm clothing is still recommended.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Snacks may be available to purchase on the whale boat.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity has a stated maximum of 33 participants.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund.