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

Wildlife is never on your schedule. That is exactly what makes this Reykjavik combo interesting: one outing takes you toward Faxaflói Bay in search of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, while the other circles Akurey island for puffins and seabirds. I like the two-tour discount and the freedom to choose which cruise comes first. I also like that binoculars, warm overalls on the whale boat, blankets, and Wi-Fi are included.

The catch is simple: wild animals make no promises. You could see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and large groups of puffins, or spend much of the trip scanning empty water. The puffin boat can also feel crowded, and the birds may remain too far away for a clear photograph.

For about $156.19 per person, this is a sensible way to sample two of Iceland’s best-known wildlife outings without booking them separately. Just come prepared for cold air, moving water, and the possibility that your finest sighting will be a puffin racing past the boat like a tiny black-and-white torpedo.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat trips: You change vessels between the longer whale cruise and the shorter puffin outing.
• Akurey is viewed from the water: You circle the protected island but do not go ashore.
• Whales are not guaranteed: A free return whale-watching ticket is offered if none are seen in Faxaflói Bay.
• Warm clothing matters: Blankets help on the puffin cruise, while the whale boat provides warm overalls.
• Guides can make the difference: Captains and guides such as Patrick, Blanca, Jo, and Lucas have earned especially warm praise for clear explanations and sharp eyes.
• The departure point is central: Both tours use the meeting point at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik, with hotel pickup available for an added fee.

How the Iceland Super Saver is arranged

This is not one long cruise with a puffin stop. It is a package of two distinct excursions, usually totaling about four and a half hours. You take a larger whale-watching vessel for the open bay and a smaller boat for the puffin cruise.

The order is flexible, which helps you fit the experience around a Reykjavik sightseeing day. You need to reconfirm the cruise times with Special Tours after booking, so do not treat the first available schedule as final until you check the voucher instructions.

The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and public transportation. Hotel pickup and return can be purchased separately. If you are staying within walking distance of the harbour, meeting there yourself is likely the simpler and cheaper choice.

The group limit is listed as 33 people, though the puffin vessel is smaller and can feel full. That matters because wildlife viewing depends on your position at the rail. If you want the best sightline, arrive ready to board and pay attention to where the guide directs people.

The whale cruise across Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching portion is the longer and more substantial half of the package. You board a comfortable vessel at the Old Harbour, collect warm overalls, and head out across Faxaflói Bay with an onboard guide scanning for movement.

The usual targets include minke whales and humpback whales. You may also see white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Some outings produce several strong sightings, including humpbacks showing their backs or tails, while others bring only a distant fin or a brief blow.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the boat or crew. It is the basic condition of wildlife watching. A guide can read the water, communicate with other boats, and know where animals have recently appeared, but nobody can order a whale to surface beside the vessel.

The best guides keep you interested even during quiet stretches. Jo and Lucas have been praised for combining useful information with good timing, while Blanca has been singled out for spotting whales, dolphins, and birds. One especially successful outing included humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins. Another produced four humpbacks. Those are memorable results, but they should be treated as luck, not a promise.

You may spend a long period watching the sea before anything appears. One passenger saw only a couple of minke whales but still enjoyed the views and the change of pace from land sightseeing. Another saw dolphins and porpoises instead of whales and still considered the trip worthwhile.

The vessel itself receives mixed but generally positive comments. It is described as comfortable, warm, and smooth in calm conditions. On a crowded sailing, however, the upper viewing area may not have enough seats for everyone who wants an unobstructed view.

Sea conditions and staying comfortable

Iceland’s weather can change fast, and the bay can be rough. The crew may warn you about conditions before departure, and motion-sickness tablets, ginger candy, or sick bags may be available. If you are prone to seasickness, use that warning seriously rather than trying to prove your toughness to the North Atlantic.

Warm overalls are supplied on the whale cruise. They help, but you should still wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, and clothing that can handle wind. The puffin boat provides a soft blanket for the cabin, where you can warm up while the guide explains puffin behavior and body features.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the whale boat, and the Special Tours app offers information in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The live guide remains important, though, because the useful part is not only learning facts. It is having someone point toward the small dark shape that appears for two seconds and then vanishes.

Food and drinks are not included. Snacks may be available for purchase on the whale vessel, but you should eat beforehand or bring a suitable snack if your booking rules allow it. There is no reason to let hunger make a slow wildlife search feel even slower.

Akurey and the puffin cruise

The puffin trip is shorter, usually around an hour, and uses a smaller boat. That smaller size gives the outing a more intimate feel and lets you circle Akurey, a rocky island used by puffins and other seabirds.

You remain on the boat. The island is a protected breeding site, so landing is not part of the experience. That is good for the birds, even if it means you cannot walk among nesting puffins or get the close portraits some people expect.

As you approach, look for puffins flying low over the water, gathering near the island, or returning with fish. Binoculars are provided, and they are useful. You may also spot Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars.

This is where expectations matter most. Some outings bring large numbers of active puffins and excellent views. On others, the boat cannot get close enough for much more than a good look through binoculars. Tides and sea conditions affect how near the boat can approach, and the crew must respect the birds and the protected shoreline.

One guide, Patrick, has been praised for mixing humor with clear information. That kind of presentation works well on a short trip, especially for children. The puffin cruise has also been a favorite part of the day for families, including an eight-year-old who preferred the small boat and the close look at Akurey.

Still, the small boat has a tradeoff. If it is full, you may have to share the best viewing positions, and some people find the short journey too crowded. Bring your own binoculars if you have them. The boat supplies binoculars, but there may not be enough for every person to use one continuously.

What you might see, and what you might miss

The strongest reason to book both outings is that the animals are different and the odds are spread across two settings. The whale cruise covers a wide area of open water, while the puffin trip focuses on a known island colony.

You may see whales breaching, but you should not plan on it. More often, a sighting means a blow of air, a curved back, a fin, or a tail slipping below the surface. That can still be thrilling, especially when the guide tracks the animal and helps you understand what you are seeing.

Dolphins can be more active and easier to spot than whales. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises may travel near the boat, adding movement during a quiet period. Seabirds are common on both outings, so birdwatchers may find more to watch than the name of the tour suggests.

Puffins are charming but small. The boat does not land on Akurey, and it may not reach close enough for a sharp phone photograph. If your main goal is a close-up puffin portrait, this package may disappoint. If your goal is to see puffins in their natural setting while learning why the island is protected, it makes more sense.

The experience also offers a useful lesson in responsible wildlife viewing. The crew follows the IceWhale code of conduct and tries to approach animals without treating them like a staged show. You may not always get the perfect photograph, but the distance protects the animals and keeps the outing more respectful.

Is $156.19 good value?

At $156.19, the package is not cheap, but it can be good value if you want both types of wildlife outing. You receive two cruises, binocular access, warm overalls on the whale boat, a blanket on the puffin vessel, Wi-Fi, and a replacement whale ticket if the main cruise sees no whales.

The value is weaker if you only care about puffins. The puffin portion is short, and some people see the birds at a distance. It is also weaker if you expect guaranteed whales or dramatic close encounters.

The combination works best for someone who would otherwise book both tours independently. It saves planning time and gives you flexibility with the order. The average booking lead time is about 85 days, so popular dates may fill well ahead of an Iceland visit. That is useful to know if your schedule is fixed.

Hotel transfers cost extra. If you add pickup and return, factor that into the real price. The central meeting point is practical for many people staying in Reykjavik, so you may not need the additional service.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, which is important for a sea outing in Iceland.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the package to families, first-time visitors, bird lovers, and anyone who wants a relaxed half-day on the water. Children may especially enjoy the puffin boat, where the island and birds are easier to understand than a long search across open water.

It also suits people who like guided nature outings but do not want to arrange separate transport. The guides add useful context about puffin populations, whale behavior, bird species, and the bay itself.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or need guaranteed photographic results. The whale boat can be rough, the puffin boat can be crowded, and wildlife may remain distant.

If you have only one free morning, this combo gives you a broad sample of Iceland’s marine life. If you have several days in Reykjavik, you might prefer to book whale watching alone and spend your remaining time on land-based sights. The puffin cruise is a pleasant extra, but it is not essential for everyone.

Should you book the puffin and whale combo?

Book it if you accept wildlife on its own terms and want two different boat experiences for one half-day price. The best days can be excellent, with humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and busy puffins all making an appearance.

Do not book it expecting a wildlife performance. You may see only distant whales, birds circling Akurey, or dolphins replacing the whales you hoped for. I would choose this package for the variety, the practical extras, and the chance of a memorable sighting, not for a guaranteed close encounter.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, near the Old Harbour and public transportation.

How long does the full experience take?

The combined experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes, although the exact timing can vary by sailing schedule and conditions.

Can I choose which tour I take first?

Yes. The package gives you flexibility to choose the order of the whale-watching cruise and puffin cruise.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and return are available to purchase separately through the supplier for an additional fee.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Whale sightings are not guaranteed. If no whales are seen in Faxaflói Bay, you receive a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

What equipment and clothing are provided?

The puffin cruise provides binoculars and a soft blanket. The whale-watching cruise provides warm overalls and free Wi-Fi. Warm clothing is still recommended.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.