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

Reykjavik’s whale and puffin combo gives you two very different views of Icelandic wildlife in one outing. A small boat heads toward Lundey or another breeding island for puffins, then a larger vessel searches Faxaflói Bay for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. You do not land on the island, and the animals remain wild, fast, and sometimes frustratingly far away.

I like the two-hour break between boats, which gives you time for lunch and a walk around the Old Harbour. I also like the warm indoor saloon, loaner protective clothing, live English commentary, and the whale sighting guarantee. The main catch is simple: the puffins can be difficult to see clearly, and wildlife sightings are never certain.

Quick take: what makes this combo useful

• Two separate boats: A smaller vessel handles the one-hour puffin trip, while a larger boat spends about three hours searching for whales.
• Lundey and Faxaflói Bay: You visit the waters around a puffin-breeding island, then head farther into Iceland’s biggest bay.
• Warmth when the weather turns: Protective clothing and a heated indoor saloon with large windows make the trip more manageable in cold or windy weather.
• A practical time gap: The break between tours is long enough for food, coffee, and a short Old Harbour stroll.
• A second chance for whales: If you do not see a whale, you can ride again free of charge on another day.
• Small-group limit: The activity lists a maximum of 30 people, though the puffin boat can feel crowded at full capacity.

Two wildlife trips, not one long cruise

The first thing to understand is that this is not one boat making one loop. It is a package of two independent excursions, often using different vessels and separate departure times. That arrangement can be a benefit, since each boat suits its job, but you need to pay attention at check-in.

The puffin trip uses a smaller passenger boat. The whale portion uses a larger boat built for a longer outing into Faxaflói Bay. You return to Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik after the second trip.

Allow four to six hours overall. The actual listed sailing time is about four hours, but the gap between departures and the time spent checking in can make the outing longer. Your exact schedule may vary, so confirm both departure times and make sure you receive information for both parts. One useful practical detail: ask the Elding reception desk for the restroom access code before setting off.

Lundey: puffins from the water

The puffin cruise lasts about one hour and heads toward one of up to three islands used by thousands of puffins during breeding season. Lundey is the named stop, and the boat gets close enough for a good look by boat standards, but you do not step ashore.

That last point matters. This is a protected wildlife viewing trip, not a walk among puffin burrows. You watch from the deck or through the boat’s windows, often using binoculars. Elding supplies binoculars, though you may find your own pair more useful. A camera with a strong zoom is also a big help.

Puffins are small birds. They sit low on the water, fly quickly, and may gather at a distance from the boat. Even when many are present, a phone camera can turn them into tiny black-and-white specks. The birds can also be less numerous later in the season, so a mid-August trip may not produce the same sight as an early summer outing.

The best moments come when a puffin is close to the boat or when a group lifts off together. You may see birds on the island, on the sea, or flying between the two. The guides point out where to look and explain the birds’ habits, which adds much more than simply circling an island.

There is one comfort issue to consider. The smaller boat may have interior seating with limited window access, and getting to an upper deck can involve a ladder. At full capacity, people trying to move outside can make the viewing area feel cramped. If puffins are your main goal, ask about the boat and seating arrangement before booking, especially if climbing or standing for long periods is difficult.

Your Old Harbour break between departures

The gap between the two cruises is one of the smartest features of the package. You have roughly an hour and a half to two hours between outings, depending on the day’s schedule. That is enough time to eat, warm up, use the restroom, or take a short walk around the harbor.

Food is not included. Restaurants and cafés around the Old Harbour provide the easiest meal option, and Elding staff can suggest places. The larger whale boat also sells coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks, but you will be better prepared if you eat something substantial before the longer cruise.

This break also makes the day less tiring. You are not trapped on a boat for four straight hours, and you can reset before the more serious whale search. If the weather is rough, the pause gives you a chance to decide how many layers you really need.

The tradeoff is that a delayed or rescheduled departure can leave you with unexpected free time. Keep your plans flexible and avoid booking a tight museum visit, meal reservation, or airport transfer immediately after the cruise.

Faxaflói Bay: the longer whale search

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours. The boat heads into Faxaflói, the large bay west of Reykjavik, in search of minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. You might also see seabirds and other marine life.

The larger vessel is better suited to this part of the day. It offers a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, outdoor viewing areas, protective overalls, WiFi, and a café selling drinks and snacks. You can move between the warm cabin and the open deck, which is useful because whale sightings can happen on any side of the boat.

A guide provides live English commentary throughout the trip. The strongest part of this service is not just identifying a whale, but telling you where to look and what to watch for. A humpback’s back may appear for only a moment before the animal disappears again. A fin, splash, or blow can be easy to miss unless someone directs your attention.

The boat may spend a long time reaching the area where whales are active. That is why three hours is not excessive. You need patience. Some outings produce several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and even a mother with a calf. Other trips may result in one brief sighting, or no whale at all.

The guarantee helps with that uncertainty. If no whale is seen, you can take the whale-watching trip again free of charge on another day. It does not guarantee a close encounter, a certain species, or an immediate replacement if your schedule does not allow a second outing. For the best use of the guarantee, book this early in your Iceland stay.

What the wildlife encounters are really like

The most dramatic possibility is a humpback surfacing close to the boat. A mother and calf traveling together can create a memorable sight, and a whale showing its white underside is a rare treat. Dolphins may travel in groups, while minke whales can appear and vanish with surprising speed.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The boat does not control the animals. You may see a whale’s back for a second and then wait several minutes for another appearance. Puffins can be even harder to appreciate from a distance because they are small and quick.

The crew’s approach is a strength. The boat operators are described as giving wildlife room rather than crowding animals for a better photograph. That may mean you do not get the closest possible view, but it is the right tradeoff for a responsible encounter.

Bring patience and warm layers even when the forecast looks mild. Wind on the water can feel much colder than conditions on shore. The supplied overalls help, but you will still appreciate a hat, gloves, and sensible footwear.

Comfort, group size, and family details

The activity lists a maximum of 30 people. That suggests a more manageable group than many large harbor cruises, though the smaller puffin boat may feel crowded when everyone wants the same outside viewpoint.

The large whale boat is the more comfortable vessel for a long outing. Its indoor saloon, broad windows, and protective gear give you a place to warm up without giving up the chance to watch. On rough days, you can also ask for seasickness tablets before departure, as the operator has provided them to passengers.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the whole tour by Icelandic law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The puffin boat’s ladder to the upper deck is the main physical point to consider, so ask staff about seating if you have mobility concerns.

Pickup and drop-off are not included. You can arrange transportation for an added fee, but the meeting point is near public transportation in Reykjavik. Free parking has also been available at the harbor, though you should confirm current parking conditions before driving.

Is $140 a fair price?

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a half-day in Reykjavik. Its value depends on what you want.

If you already plan to take a whale cruise, adding the puffin trip gives you a second wildlife experience and makes the harbor visit more worthwhile. You also receive protective clothing, binocular use, indoor heating, WiFi, live commentary, access to the Wildlife Exhibition, and the whale guarantee. Those extras reduce the risk of paying for a boat ride with no whale sighting.

The puffin portion is harder to value. You may see hundreds of birds, but you may also see only a few at a distance. Some people find the short boat trip charming and worthwhile simply for being on the water near a breeding island. Others want close photographs and feel disappointed because the boat cannot land and the birds move so quickly.

The package is strongest in June through August, the main Icelandic summer period and the time when puffins are present for breeding. Even then, nature sets the schedule. Late-season conditions can produce fewer puffins, and rough weather can reduce the quality of both parts.

Booking and cancellation details to keep in mind

You receive confirmation when booking. The meeting and return point is Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The experience is offered in English.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Because the two trips are separate, check your tickets carefully at the harbor. Make sure the ticket agent knows you have booked the combo and that you have departure information for both boats. This small check can prevent confusion later.

Who should book this Reykjavik wildlife combo?

I would choose this trip if you want two kinds of wildlife in one half-day and like the idea of a break between outings. It suits families, first-time visitors to Iceland, photographers with a proper zoom lens, and anyone who prefers a large heated boat for whale watching.

It is also a good early-trip choice. If whales fail to appear, the free return option gives you time to try again before leaving Iceland. The live commentary adds value even on a slow day, especially if you enjoy learning about marine life and local waters.

I would hesitate if your only goal is a close puffin photograph. You may prefer a different type of puffin outing, such as a faster RIB or zodiac trip, or a land-based viewpoint where birds can sometimes be easier to see. This combo is a wildlife search, not a guaranteed photo session.

At 4.7 out of 5 from 59 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it, the package has a strong overall record. But the split experience is important: the whale trip tends to offer the better boat, longer viewing time, and stronger sense of value, while the puffin trip is more dependent on distance, crowding, season, and luck.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a well-organized Icelandic sea outing with warm facilities, helpful guides, a useful whale guarantee, and enough free time for lunch between boats. Start early in your stay, bring a camera with real zoom, and keep your expectations natural rather than cinematic.

Skip the combo if puffins are your sole priority or if you dislike the uncertainty of wildlife watching. For most people, though, the chance to see dolphins, minke whales, humpbacks, and puffins, all while getting a different view of Reykjavik from the water, makes the $140 worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour leave from?

Both parts meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at this meeting point.

How long does the entire experience take?

Allow about four to six hours. The puffin cruise lasts about one hour, the whale-watching cruise lasts about three hours, and there is free time between the two trips.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

No. They are two separate tours using different boats. The puffin trip uses a smaller passenger boat, while the whale trip uses a larger vessel.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other wildlife. Sightings are not guaranteed, except that you can ride the whale tour again free if no whale is seen.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though they are available to purchase on board. You can also eat at restaurants around Reykjavik’s Old Harbour during the break.

What is provided to keep passengers warm?

You can use protective clothing, and the larger whale-watching boat has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. Binoculars are also available to borrow.

Can children and service animals join?

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests for the full duration of the tour.