Iceland Wildlife Exploration: Discounted Puffin Cruise and Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Embark on an unforgettable wildlife exploration in Iceland with a discounted puffin cruise and whale-watching tour from Reykjavik. Get up close to majestic puffins and search for minke whales and humpbacks in Faxaflói Bay. Book now and save!

Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

Puffin Express Cruise to Akurey from Reykjavik (1 Hour)

Select your choice of departure time, then after hotel pickup, board a comfortable boat for your cruise to Akurey, an island off the coast of Reykjavik that is known for its puffin population.

On board, snuggle up in one of the provided blankets and listen as your guide shares fascinating facts about the puffins that nest on the island between May and August. As you draw closer, peer through a pair of the boat’s binoculars for a closer look at these seabirds as they dive into the sea for food. You may also spot northern fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns and black guillemots.

After 15 minutes, arrive at the rocky shores of Akurey. Circle around the island for more observation time, then let the peace and quiet wash over you when the captain turns the engines off.

Your tour then concludes with a drop-off back at your hotel.

Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik (2.5 or 3.5 Hours)

Choose from a leisurely 3.5-hour cruise or an express 2.5-hour high-speed boat version, then begin with a hotel pickup. Hop inside a comfortable transfer vehicle and travel to Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, where you’ll board your luxurious, whale-watching boat.

Find yourself a spot on deck and pull on a pair of provided overalls to shield you from the cold, then listen as your guide explains what species of marine life you can expect to see during your cruise.

As your boat breaks away from land, look out for harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and humpback whales. With 90% whale-spotting success, this Faxaflói Bay cruise provides a fantastic chance to see whales. In the unlikely event that you don’t spot a whale, you will receive a complimentary ticket for another boat ride.

If you feel cold during your cruise, make for the cozy inside viewing area, where you can defrost with hot chocolate, coffee, tea and snacks (own expense). After 2.5 or 3.5 hours, your experience ends with a drop-off back at your hotel.

Please note: You can choose to take the tours on the same day, or across separate days during your Iceland vacation.

Points of Interest

  • Special Tours
What's Included
  • Binoculars provided during puffin cruise
  • Complimentary warm overalls for whale-watching
  • Access to Special Tours App in multiple languages (NEW)
  • Free Wi-Fi available on whale-watching cruise
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel transfers (available to purchase separately)
Additional Information

Experience the magical wildlife of Iceland with this Reykjavik Super Saver deal; a 1-hour puffin cruise combined with a 2.5- or 3.5-hour whale-watching excursion at a special rate. Choose the days and sequence for your tours, then dress warmly and head to the port. Sail around the craggy coast of Akurey island marveling as puffins gather and dive to the ocean for food. Afterwards, embark on the whale-watching trip, cruising through Faxaflói Bay on a quest to spot minke whales, humpbacks, and more.

For the 9:00 departure, you’ll start with a 3-3.5 hour whale watching tour before embarking on the Puffin Express.

With the 10:00 departure, you’ll first go onto an express 2-2.5 hour whale watching tour before boarding the Puffin Express.

If you choose the 12:30 departure, your adventure begins with the Puffin Express, followed by an express 2-2.5 whale watching tour.

  • Warm clothes recommended
  • Please note: You will need to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier, refer to voucher for further details
  • Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (extra fees apply).
Location
Geirsgata 11
Geirsgata
Special Tours Ticket Office
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(101 Ratings)
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Kathryn_p
Aug 14, 2024
Great Experience Whale Watching and Puffins - Great experience tour guide very knowledgeable tour operators where great informed us off the need to come back and join a different boat for the puffins, warned us the weather was rough sickness tablets available if required. Saw 4 humpback whales dolphin's. Great experience wrap up warm!
Review provided by Viator
Joycm98ti
Aug 2, 2024
Lots of flukes!! - Fantastic whale watch. We literally saw so many humpbacks that I lost count. Great crew and guide on the boat! Lots of fun!! Gorgeous scenery too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jack_m
Jul 9, 2024
Our narrator was fun, and... - Our narrator was fun, and knew how much to talk and how much not to. only saw a couple of minke whales, plus many white-beaked dolphins, but it was still great to be on the water and get a differfent perspective of Iceland.
Review provided by Viator
961j_liak
Jun 27, 2024
Amazing experience - We had a great time on the tour and our guide (Blanca) was very informative and was easy to listen to her, she obviously enjoys what she does and cares for these animals which is a very good thing. 🥰 We were lucky enough to see all the animals we wanted: fiat of course we could spot some cute puffins hanging out, saw a couple of minkie whales, dolphins. Its true that i didnt have high hopes (i didnt think we would see any whales and such) but I’m very pleased that I was wrong. Honestly, good job guys :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Redrex
Jun 25, 2024
Fantastic - Fantastic experience. Did the 3 hour whale watching first and it was more than we could have expected! We felt blessed to have seen 4 species - humpback whales (breaching x 4 times!), minke whales, harbour porpoises and white beaked dolphins. The guide was brilliant (sorry can't remember her name - 9.00am Tue 18.06 trip). The boat was large and with only approx 35 people on the tour gave plenty of room to view easily. Coveralls were provided if needed. I've seen a few bad reviews but, honestly, we cannot find anything negative to write. Maybe we were lucky with the showing we saw but nothing is guaranteed with nature. Returned to harbour and transferred to smaller boat to do the 1 hour puffin island trip. Again, guide was very informative. Binoculars handed out for a better view. Plenty of puffins, both on the island and flying around us. We were still buzzing from the whales we saw to truly appreciate the puffins but still a wonderful trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Happiness05720704672
Jun 24, 2024
Great experience - The tour was wonderful. We saw so many Dolphins and Whales as well. Also we went by the small island and saw so many puffins. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emily
Apr 29, 2024
Excellent tour!! - I did a combined tour of whales and puffins and I was not disappointed!! Our guides Massimiliano and Alice were outstanding!! They were so knowledgeable and you could tell they loved their jobs! We were able to see about 6 different species thanks to their teamwork. I had a wonderful time and would take this tour again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joey_b
Aug 26, 2023
Great Trip - A lot of fun. Unfortunately we did not see any whales, but we did see dolphins. The tour guide was very funny. We did see a lot of puffins on the second part of the tour. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Joste2005
Aug 21, 2023
Wonderful tour! - The guides for both the whale watching tour and puffin cruise were incredibly knowledgeable and the boat captains were great at communicating with other tours to find as many whales/puffins as possible.
Review provided by Viator
Judith_t
May 17, 2024
50% awesome 50% disappointing - Definitely the Puffin tour. Both our Captain (from Poland) and young Spanish crew member were delightful, full of information. Only 2 other Danish ladies, also friendly. And to see all the puffins and other birds in their natural habitat was amazing. Whale watching disappointing, think I saw a bit of a Winke Whale. Boat crowded. Need more seats up top
Review provided by Viator