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

Review · WHALE WATCHING

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

4.0 · 110 reviews 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) From $156 Operated by Special Tours Iceland · Bookable on Viator
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Whales and puffins in one Reykjavik outing. This combo is fun because it mixes binoculars on the puffin leg with warm overalls on the whale-watching cruise, plus live narration that helps you spot what you came for. You also get flexibility to choose the order of your two tours.

The main thing to keep in mind is that whale sightings are never guaranteed. If conditions are rough or the whales do not come close that day, you may still enjoy the boat ride and wildlife, but the payoff depends on nature.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

  • Akurey puffin focus with a guided, narration-heavy approach to spotting birds
  • Binoculars included for the puffin cruise, making it easier to find birds fast
  • Warm overalls and motion help on the whale-watching cruise (plus snacks may be available for purchase)
  • Faxafloi Bay whale odds for minke and humpback whales, with other marine life in the mix
  • Complimentary whale ticket if no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay
  • Max 33 travelers, so the boat can feel crowded at busy times, especially on the bigger whale vessel

Puffin colonies by boat and by buggy, other trips

Getting To Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik, and What to Expect First

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Getting To Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik, and What to Expect First
Your day starts at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which is handy if you like to plan your own post-cruise lunch or explore on foot. The listing also notes that this is near public transportation, so you do not have to rely on a taxi if you are staying centrally.

After you book, you get confirmation at the time of booking. Still, you will need to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier, using the details in your voucher. Do this early, because Iceland schedules and weather patterns can move faster than people expect.

If you add transfers, hotel pickup is available for an extra fee. If you select it, you may also have a transfer waiting after the puffin portion. Either way, the day is designed around two separate boat legs, not one continuous cruise.

The Value Math: Why This $156.19 Bundle Can Be a Smart Buy

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - The Value Math: Why This $156.19 Bundle Can Be a Smart Buy
At $156.19 per person for roughly 4 hours 30 minutes, the appeal here is simple: you stack two wildlife experiences that are usually sold separately. You pay once, then you get a puffin-focused outing to Akurey and a whale-focused outing in Faxafloi Bay.

What makes the price feel more reasonable is that both legs include practical gear that improves your odds of actually seeing the wildlife:

  • Puffin leg includes binoculars
  • Whale leg includes warm overalls
  • Whale leg includes free Wi-Fi
  • Both legs include guided narration to point your eyes in the right direction

You are not just buying boat time. You are buying time plus tools plus expert scanning. And with the whale part, there is an added safety net: if whales are not spotted in Faxafloi Bay, you get a complimentary ticket for another whale-watching cruise.

Whale Watching in Faxafloi Bay: Scanning for Minke, Humpbacks, and Dolphins

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Whale Watching in Faxafloi Bay: Scanning for Minke, Humpbacks, and Dolphins
The whale-watching portion begins with travel from Reykjavik, typically to the Old Harbour area where you board. You get a boat experience with onboard commentary, and the guide helps scan the open seas for sightings.

The target species are specifically minke whales and humpback whales. You might also see other marine life, including white-beaked dolphins and porpoises. In practice, this part of the trip tends to feel longer than the puffin leg, because you are farther out and you are actively searching.

Two comfort details matter a lot for this bay:

  1. The cruise includes warm overalls, which are a big deal when the wind finds your jacket seams.
  2. They note the day requires good weather, but when seas get bumpy, the operator provides help. You may see passengers handed ginger candy and sick bags, and some departures also mention sea-sickness pills on board.

Also, the whale boat can feel crowded because the group limit is up to 33 travelers and whale ships are built to move people. If you are prone to seasickness, you will want a position where you feel the least rocking, and you will want warm layers that cover your legs and neck.

One more note on the human factor: some guides are excellent with clear English, and others can be harder to follow for part of the trip. That said, the job of the guide is still the same, point the spotting scope, call out activity, and keep you oriented.

Other Reykjavik outings that keep coming up in our notes

The Akurey Puffin Cruise: Binocular Time at a Protected Breeding Spot

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - The Akurey Puffin Cruise: Binocular Time at a Protected Breeding Spot
The puffin portion is the quick, intense bird experience. You board, settle into your seat, and get warm protection with a provided blanket. As you approach the island, you get narration about puffin behavior and physiology, which turns a simple bird spotting session into something you can actually understand while you watch.

Your goal is to spot puffins as they dive for fish. You will likely see more than just puffins too. The bird list includes Arctic terns, black guillemots, and northern fulmars. When the birds are active, the whole sea looks alive.

Then you reach Akurey, and the boat circles the island for more viewing angles. Here is the practical truth that surprises many people: you are generally not going to walk onto puffin breeding islands. These islands are protected breeding ground, and the operation stays on the water. That means you are seeing puffins from the sea, not from a close shoreline.

Binoculars are included, and that is a real advantage because puffins can be busy, and fast motion makes long-range spotting tricky. Still, there is a common friction point: if you get stuck with shared binoculars or you want your own stable view, you might wish you brought your own binoculars. You can still have a great time without them, but having your own set keeps you from waiting, and it helps you lock onto a bird before it vanishes underwater.

Order Flexibility: How to Choose the Best Rhythm for Your Day

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Order Flexibility: How to Choose the Best Rhythm for Your Day
The big perk of this super-saver is that you can take the tours in an order that fits your energy. That matters in Iceland, because weather can change the feeling of the day.

If you choose whale watching first, you start with the longer sea leg, and you can use that time to get your sea legs and settle in with the onboard explanations. If you choose puffins first, you get the shorter, bird-focused blast while conditions may still feel manageable. Either way, you will switch boats between legs.

Plan around two realities:

  • Wildlife sightings depend on the animals, not your schedule
  • Sea conditions can change how comfortable you feel

Since you will reconfirm times anyway, you can also sanity-check the weather forecast closer to departure. Even then, you cannot control wind and swell, so your goal is to show up dressed for it.

Gear, Clothing, and Small Moves That Make a Big Difference

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Gear, Clothing, and Small Moves That Make a Big Difference
This is an outdoors day, even though you are mostly on boats. Warm layers are the whole game, and the operator recommends warm clothes. The whale leg includes warm overalls, but you still want a base layer that traps heat, plus gloves and a hat if you get cold easily.

For the puffin cruise, you get a blanket, but wind off the water is sneaky. Wear layers you can add or remove. If you pack for Reykjavik weather, think: windproof outer layer, warm mid-layer, and something that covers your ears.

If you are worried about seasickness, this is the part where I give you a no-drama recommendation: bring your preferred motion solution and use it early if you know you get sick. Some departures provide ginger candy, sick bags, and mention sea-sickness pills, but your own method is still the safest plan for your body.

Other practical tips:

  • Bring a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch. You will be photographing from a cold, damp deck.
  • Arrive a bit early so you are not rushing in windy conditions.
  • If you have your own binoculars, bring them. The provided pair helps, but your own gives you control.

Booking Smart: Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Might Skip It

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Booking Smart: Who This Tour Fits Best, and Who Might Skip It
This bundle is best for people who want two Iceland wildlife hits in one half-day and do not want to choose between puffins and whales. If you love nature, enjoy guided spotting, and you are comfortable with outdoor weather, you will probably feel like you got your money’s worth.

It is also a good pick for families, because the puffin content is approachable and the whale portion includes warm gear and guidance. Keep expectations realistic, though. Some days whales show off, and some days you mostly get dolphins and scenery.

If you are the type who needs guaranteed whale sightings, consider tempering expectations. There is a complimentary ticket option if no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay, but you still have to be willing to sail again and work around scheduling.

Also, if you hate crowds and you know big boats bother you, be aware the whale vessel can feel packed depending on the departure. The puffin boat is described as smaller and closer to the island, which can feel more satisfying for bird viewing, but it is still a guided boat ride with limited personal space.

Final Take: Should You Book This Reykjavik Super Saver?

Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik - Final Take: Should You Book This Reykjavik Super Saver?
If you want a practical, value-forward way to do both Reykjavik whale watching and a puffin cruise to Akurey, this bundle makes sense. The included gear is genuinely useful, and the structure of two different boat legs means you are not just repeating the same experience.

Book it if:

  • You want to maximize your time in Reykjavik
  • You care about guided spotting and narration
  • You are willing to bundle up for wind and cold
  • You would be happy even with “fewer whales, more dolphins” outcomes

Skip it or book more cautiously if:

  • You are on a tight schedule where a complimentary whale ticket would not help
  • You strongly prefer guaranteed sightings
  • You are extremely sensitive to motion and cannot medicate or dress for bumpy water

In Iceland, the best day is the one you are prepared for. This combo gives you a strong shot at both puffins and whales, and it does so with real help once you are on the water.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the Iceland Super Saver take?

The combined experience runs about 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

What wildlife are you likely to see during the whale-watching portion?

On the whale-watching cruise in Faxafloi Bay, you look for minke whales and humpback whales. You may also spot white-beaked dolphins and porpoises.

What equipment is included for the puffin cruise?

The puffin cruise includes binoculars to help you spot puffins and other seabirds.

Is Wi-Fi included?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is included on the whale-watching cruise.

Is food and drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if no whales are spotted in Faxafloi Bay?

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

Are hotel pickups and transfers included?

Hotel pickup and transfers are available to book separately with extra fees. If you select the option, you may have pickup in Reykjavik and a transfer waiting after the puffin portion.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

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