Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik worth booking?
Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik is a 4.5-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $74 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (11)
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- From
- $74 per person
Delight in the wonders of Iceland's wildlife as we set sail into Faxaflói bay, seeking out Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins, Harbour porpoises, and even the elusive Killer whales. Revel in the panoramic vistas of Reyk
What you get
About this experience
Delight in the wonders of Iceland's wildlife as we set sail into Faxaflói bay, seeking out Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins, Harbour porpoises, and even the elusive Killer whales. Revel in the panoramic vistas of Reykjavik's majestic mountains and picturesque islands while being surrounded by an array of captivating bird species. Your specially crafted vessel, Skúlaskeið (“Old Skúli“), offers an intimate experience perfect for observing puffins up close as we navigate the shallow waters near their nesting grounds. Please note that this combo booking includes two different and separate tours with two departures. Puffin Tour: conducted on a smaller boat, approximately 1 hour in duration. Whale Watching: conducted on a larger vessel, approximately 3 to 3.5 hours in duration. When booking, you are choosing the whale watching departure time. Here are the available combos: Whale Watching 09:00 departure & Puffin 12:30 departure Whale Watching 13:00 departure & Puffin 17:00 departure
What's included
Included
- Puffin tour: Specially designed boat to get as close to the islands as possible
- Free WiFi on board
- Free ticket to join again in case of no sightings
- Puffin tour: Binoculars are provided on board
- Experienced and professional guides
- Complimentary seasickness tablets available
Not included
- Pick up service is not included
What you'll see and do
Old Harbour
Your adventure begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where you’ll board one of our comfortable whale watching boats. As you set sail into Faxaflói Bay, take in panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains while the crew shares insights about Iceland’s marine wildlife and natural environment.
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Faxafloi Bay
Your adventure begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where you’ll board one of our comfortable whale watching boats. As you set sail into Faxaflói Bay, take in panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains while the crew shares insights about Iceland’s marine wildlife and natural environment.
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Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
As you depart or return to the harbour, enjoy views of Harpa, Reykjavík’s iconic glass concert hall. Its shimmering façade reflects the light of the bay, making it one of Iceland’s most photographed landmarks.
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Sail to Akurey Island, known for its lively puffin colonies. From the boat, you’ll get excellent views of puffins in their natural habitat—perched on cliffs or gliding above the waves. Binoculars are provided for an even closer look.
30 minutes here
Mount Esja
On clear days, admire breathtaking views of Mount Esja rising behind Reykjavík and, in the distance, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula — often called “Iceland in Miniature” for its diverse landscapes and volcanic peaks.
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Old Harbour
After few hours at sea, the tour concludes back at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Warm up with complimentary overalls and enjoy a hot drink on board as you reflect on your unforgettable whale watching experience.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reykjavik
Meet us at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, for your upcoming tour. Please arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet us at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, for your upcoming tour. Please arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Reykjavik Sailors
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing Nature Sightings
This was a two-part tour and both were amazing! Our guide for the Puffin tour knew A LOT about puffins and was very thoughtful and engaging. Our guide for the Whale Watching tour was excellent at sighting whales and so we enjoyed an afternoon of frolicking humpback whales. This tour was worth the price we paid and I would highly recommend it!
via Tripadvisor
Whales close by the boat.
What more to expect, seeing a Minky and three Humpack Whales besides Harbour Porpoise up close. For bird lovers there are different kond of seagulls and gunnets.
via Viator
exciting
Well organized and saw three humpback whales! Worth the time and the money
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for your great review! We're delighted to hear you found the tour well organised and that you were lucky enough to see three humpback whales. It means a lot to know you felt the experience was worth both your time and money. We hope to welcome you on board again for another memorable adventure! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors Team
via Tripadvisor
Great Nature Trip for a reasonable price
This was a great trip. We saw four whales and some dolphins. It was beautiful weather too. We lucked out. No puffins but we didn't expect to see them on this kind of big boat anyway. We saw the whales bubble netting and overall there was a lot of action. I usually get sea sick but I took two bonine. It was rough and rocky but much less so than in Monterey california. I recommend this trip highly. Its a nice boat with food and comfortable areas. I never went inside at all and sat on the top deck becasuse there was constant action.
Response from the operator: Hello, We're delighted to hear that you had such an incredible trip. Seeing four whales, dolphins, and even witnessing bubble-net feeding is truly a special experience and one that many wildlife enthusiasts dream of seeing. It's wonderful that the weather cooperated and that there was so much activity throughout the tour. We're also pleased to hear that you found the boat comfortable and enjoyed the onboard facilities, even though the wildlife kept you happily occupied on the top deck the whole time! Thank you for sharing your seasickness tips with future travellers as well. Sea conditions can vary, but we're glad you were able to enjoy the excursion comfortably. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
via Tripadvisor
Whale and puffin watching
Friendly crew. Saw humpback breach and Minsk whales. Also puffin colony. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Hello, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had the chance to see a humpback whale breaching, minke whales, and a puffin colony—what an amazing combination of wildlife sightings! We're also pleased that our crew helped make your experience memorable. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another unforgettable adventure! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $74 to $147
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik cost?
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Prices start at $74 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik take?
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Plan for about 4.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 4.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater, Reykjavík Small group Walking Tour - by CityWalk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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