Two-In-One: Whale & Puffin Watching Tours from Reykjavik

The appeal is simple: you get two different wildlife trips for $140, with puffins near Lundey first and whales in Faxaflói Bay later. The boats, pace, and viewing style differ, so this feels more like a full day at sea than one rushed cruise.

I like the heated indoor saloon and loaner protective clothing, especially when Iceland’s wind turns sharp. I also like the whale sighting guarantee: if the three-hour search comes up empty, you can try the whale tour again for free on another day.

The main thing to understand is that these are two separate excursions, not one boat trip. Puffins may sit farther away than you expect, and they are tiny, quick birds. You’ll want realistic hopes, good timing, and perhaps a camera with real zoom.

At a Glance: What You Get for $140

• Two boats, two wildlife habitats: A smaller passenger boat visits puffin islands, while a larger vessel searches the open bay for whales and dolphins.
• A useful break in Reykjavik: The gap between trips gives you time for lunch, coffee, a walk around the Old Harbour, or a warm indoor rest.
• Marine biologist guides: Live English commentary adds facts about puffins, whales, and Icelandic waters rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.
• Warmth without extra packing: Protective clothing, binoculars, and a heated indoor viewing area are included.
• A real whale backup plan: No cetaceans means a free return whale trip, though the guarantee does not promise puffins.
• Small animals, big viewing challenge: Puffins can be close to the islands yet still hard to photograph from a moving boat.

Two Trips, Not One Combined Cruise

The day begins at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The operator caps this activity at 30 people, though the two boats feel different in size and layout.

The puffin trip lasts about an hour. After returning to the harbour, you have roughly an hour and a half before the whale cruise, followed by a three-hour trip into Faxaflói Bay. In practice, the whole experience takes around four to six hours, depending on the exact departure times and boat schedule.

That split arrangement is worth understanding before you book. Some people like having a proper break between wildlife trips. You can eat, stretch your legs, and look around the harbour instead of spending five hours continuously on a boat. Others may prefer a single outing without having to check in twice or keep track of separate tickets.

At check-in, make sure you receive information for both portions. Since the trips operate independently, it is wise to confirm the time and boat for the whale cruise before leaving the ticket desk.

Puffin Watching Near Lundey

The first cruise heads toward one of up to three islands used by puffins during breeding season. Lundey is the named stop here, though the exact island depends on conditions and where the birds are gathered.

You do not land on the island. The boat approaches the colony, and you watch from the water. Elding provides binoculars, but the equipment may not give you the sharpest view. I would bring your own binoculars if you have them, especially if spotting small birds matters to you.

Puffins are wonderfully odd creatures, graceful underwater and much less elegant in flight. They can sit on the sea, cluster on the island, or flash past the boat in a quick burst of wings. That movement makes them fun to watch but difficult to photograph.

This is the part of the combo most likely to divide opinion. On a good day, you might see hundreds of puffins on the island and water. On another day, the birds may seem distant, and even a phone camera with a strong digital zoom may produce little more than dark specks.

The boat itself also matters. The smaller puffin vessel can offer a closer approach, but some seats may be inside without direct windows. The upper deck may require climbing a ladder, which is worth considering if you have limited mobility or are traveling with a small child. At full capacity, moving around to find a clear viewing position may feel crowded.

I would treat this as a chance to observe a wild colony, not a close-up animal encounter. If your main goal is a crisp puffin portrait, bring a proper zoom camera and accept that the birds will not pose. The value lies in seeing them in their island habitat, with a guide explaining their behavior and the local marine setting.

The Old Harbour Break

Between the boats, you have about 90 minutes in Reykjavik. This is not dead time. It is a practical part of the experience.

You can find lunch at one of the Old Harbour restaurants, grab a drink, or simply walk along the waterfront. The pause also gives you a chance to use a restroom, check the weather, and add a layer before the longer trip.

Food and drinks are not included. Snacks and hot coffee or hot chocolate are available on the larger whale boat, but I would eat a proper meal during the harbour break. A three-hour sea trip is much easier when you are warm, fed, and not relying on a small onboard snack.

The harbour is also useful if the weather changes. You can spend the interval indoors rather than standing on the dock, and you have time to ask staff about clothing, seasickness tablets, or the whale departure. One useful practical detail: the reception can provide the restroom passcode.

Whale Watching Across Faxaflói Bay

The second portion uses a larger boat and lasts about three hours. The route heads into Faxaflói, Iceland’s broad bay, in search of minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

Do not expect constant action. A fair part of the trip is the ride out to the area where wildlife may be feeding. That travel time is part of the experience, with changing views back toward Reykjavik and open water ahead. Once the crew finds animals, the captain and guide position the boat while the guide points out where to look.

This guidance makes a real difference. A whale may surface for only a few seconds, and a guide who calls out the direction and timing can save you from staring at the wrong patch of water. Humpbacks may show a back, blow, tail, or pale underside. Minke whales can be more elusive, while dolphins and porpoises may appear in groups.

Sightings range from a single brief whale appearance to several humpbacks, dolphins, and other sea life. Some outings produce a memorable mother and calf encounter. Others offer one small whale or a quick glimpse that is easy to miss if you blink.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the boat operation. These are wild animals, and no company can control the timing of a surfacing whale. The whale guarantee helps with the biggest disappointment: if you see no cetaceans at all, you can return another day at no charge. It does not guarantee a close approach, a particular species, or a dramatic breach.

Book this early in your Reykjavik stay if possible. If weather or luck works against you, the free retry is only useful if you still have another day available.

Warm Clothing, Indoor Views, and Sea Conditions

I like the practical setup on the whale boat. You can borrow windproof and waterproof protective clothing, and the heated indoor saloon has large viewing windows. Complimentary WiFi is available onboard, though wildlife watching is the reason to keep your eyes outside.

The warm clothing helps, but I would still dress in layers. The open deck can feel much colder than the harbour, and standing still while waiting for a blow makes the chill more noticeable. You can move between the outside viewing areas and the heated saloon as needed.

The sea may be rough, particularly later in the day. Seasickness tablets are available before departure, according to the supplied experience details, so ask the staff if you are concerned. The larger boat offers more room and indoor shelter than the puffin boat, but no vessel removes the motion of the North Atlantic.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the full duration of the tour by Icelandic law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the ladder to the upper deck on the smaller puffin boat may be awkward for some visitors.

Guides Who Help You See More

The guides are marine biologists, and their role goes beyond announcing a whale after it surfaces. They explain what to watch for, identify different animals, and share facts about puffins, whales, and Icelandic waters.

That live commentary is especially useful for first-time whale watchers. A guide can tell you to look for a blow, a dark fin, a ripple that moves against the wind, or a group of birds gathering over feeding fish. The same help matters with puffins, since the birds can blend into the island and water at a distance.

The commentary is in English. There is also access to a wildlife exhibition, which adds context before or after the boats. If you enjoy natural science, this educational side gives the $140 price more weight than a simple ride around the bay.

The crew’s approach to wildlife is another strength. The boat aims to observe animals without forcing them to change their behavior. That means you may not always get the closest possible view, but it is the right trade-off for a responsible wildlife trip.

Is the $140 Price Fair?

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap harbour activity. The price makes more sense when you separate the two experiences: a one-hour puffin cruise, a three-hour whale search, warm protective gear, binocular use, indoor seating, commentary, WiFi, and the whale retry option.

The value is strongest if you genuinely want both birds and whales. Booking two unrelated boat trips could cost more, and this combination gives you a planned break in the middle. The free whale retry also protects part of your investment if the sea produces no cetaceans.

The value is weaker if you mainly want puffins. You cannot land on the island, and the birds may remain too far away for satisfying photographs. A separate whale tour may be the better choice if whales are your priority, especially since the whale portion receives the stronger praise from the supplied comments.

Photos taken by the company may be sent to you after the trip at no extra charge, which is helpful when your own camera struggles with fast-moving birds or distant whales. Still, I would see these as a pleasant extra, not a reason to book.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would choose this combo if you want a broad introduction to Icelandic sea life and like the idea of spending part of the day on the water. It suits families, couples, photographers with suitable equipment, and anyone who enjoys learning as much as looking.

It is also a good choice for people who prefer a less frantic schedule. The harbour interval gives you time to eat and reset before the longer boat trip. The heated saloon means you do not have to remain outside for three hours.

You may want to choose something else if you need guaranteed close views, dislike boat motion, or have difficulty climbing a ladder. Puffin photography can be frustrating, and whale sightings can be brief even when the crew works hard to find them.

The experience is offered in English, starts and ends at the Elding meeting point, and is near public transportation. Pickup and drop-off can be arranged for a fee, but they are not included. Free parking is available according to the supplied practical details.

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can cancel the activity, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

My Take: Book It for the Two-Part Day

I would book this tour early in a summer Iceland visit if I wanted both puffins and whales without arranging two separate operators. The whale guarantee, heated indoor space, helpful marine biologist guides, and built-in lunch break make it a well-planned day.

I would not book it expecting a petting-zoo view of puffins or a nonstop parade of whales. Wildlife watching rewards patience, and the best outing may give you dolphins, several humpbacks, or a mother and calf, while another produces only a fleeting sighting.

Choose this combo when the whole sea experience matters to you. If you care only about close puffin photographs, or if whale watching is your one must-do activity, spend your money more narrowly. For everyone else, $140 buys a solid chance to see two very different sides of Iceland’s coastal wildlife, with a sensible backup if the whales refuse to cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How long does the full experience last?

The activity takes approximately four to six hours. It includes a one-hour puffin trip, about 90 minutes of free time, and a three-hour whale watching trip.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

No. The puffin and whale portions are separate tours using different boats. The puffin trip uses a smaller passenger boat, and the whale trip uses a larger boat.

What animals might I see?

The puffin trip visits breeding-season puffin islands. The whale trip searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

The whale sighting guarantee lets you take the whale watching tour again for free on another day if no cetaceans are seen.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price. You can buy food and drinks onboard, and the break at the Old Harbour gives you time to eat at a restaurant.

Are warm clothes and binoculars provided?

Yes. Protective clothing and binoculars are available for use. The larger whale boat also has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows.

Can children join the tour?

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children under 13 are legally required to wear life vests for the entire tour.