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

Seeing a puffin lift off the water and a humpback whale surface in the same day makes this two-part boat trip a strong choice for a summer day in Reykjavik. You cruise to a breeding island on a smaller boat, then head farther into Faxaflói Bay on a larger vessel to look for whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

I like the easy break between tours, which gives you time for lunch around the Old Harbour. I also like the practical comfort: waterproof overalls, a heated saloon, large windows, binoculars, and guides with marine biology backgrounds. The catch is simple: puffins can be far away, and wild whales do not perform on command.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate cruises: The puffin and whale trips use different boats and are not one continuous excursion.
• Lundey and nearby islands: The small boat approaches a breeding island, but you stay on board and view puffins from the water.
• Three hours in Faxaflói Bay: The whale cruise searches for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises.
• A useful whale guarantee: If you see no cetaceans, you can take the whale tour again free of charge on another day.
• A comfortable setup: Protective clothing, indoor heating, large viewing windows, WiFi, and binoculars are included.
• Plan for a camera with reach: Puffins are quick and often distant, so a phone may not produce satisfying photographs.

Two boats, two moods, one wildlife day

This is best understood as a small bird cruise followed by a proper whale-watching trip. The two experiences have different rhythms, different boats, and different expectations.

The puffin cruise lasts about an hour. It stays close to the islands where puffins gather during breeding season. The whale cruise lasts about three hours and travels farther across Faxaflói Bay, Iceland’s broad bay west of Reykjavik.

That split can be a benefit. You get a short, focused bird trip, then a pause on land before the longer cruise. It also means you can grab food, walk around the harbor, and warm up before going back to sea.

The advertised duration is roughly four to six hours, depending on the exact departure times and conditions. A common schedule leaves about an hour and a half to two hours between the boats. Check your tickets carefully at the Elding desk so you receive details for both portions.

Lundey: puffins from a smaller boat

The first cruise heads toward Lundey or one of two other islands used by breeding puffins. These rocky islands are home to thousands of birds during the nesting season, and the boat gives you a view of the colony without landing on the island.

That last point matters. You do not step ashore, walk among burrows, or hold a puffin. The boat approaches the island, and you watch from the deck with borrowed binoculars or your own camera.

Puffins are charming but surprisingly difficult to photograph. They are small, fast, and often moving between the water and the cliffs. Some sit on the sea or gather on the island, while others flash past in flight. The viewing distance can feel disappointing if you expected a close portrait.

I would bring the best zoom camera you have. Borrowed binoculars are available, though the supplied pair may not give you a crisp view. A phone can show you the general scene, but it may struggle with a puffin far out on the water.

The boat can feel crowded when full. Some seating is inside, and not every indoor seat provides a clear window view. Reaching the top deck may involve a ladder, so this part is less suitable for anyone who finds ladders or tight spaces difficult.

Still, conditions vary. On a good day, the boat gets close enough for a rewarding look at birds on the island and in the water. The puffin experience is strongest if you treat it as a chance to watch a wild colony, not as a guaranteed close-up photo session.

Your Old Harbour pause between cruises

The time between boats is one of the most useful features of this package. Instead of spending several hours continuously at sea, you return to Reykjavik and get a chance to reset.

The Elding departure point is at Ægisgarður 5c in the Old Harbour. From there, you can find restaurants and cafés for lunch, ask the local staff for a recommendation, or simply take a short walk along the waterfront.

I would eat before the whale cruise rather than depend on the onboard selection. Food and drinks are not included, and the boat café offers snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate rather than a full meal. The pause also gives you a chance to use a proper restroom, since the onboard facilities are not the main reason to book a boat tour.

Free parking is available according to the supplied details, and the harbor is near public transportation. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be arranged for an extra fee.

Pay attention to the meeting instructions. Since the package consists of two independent trips, you need to know the time and ticket details for each one. It is easy to think you have booked one long outing, but the company operates the puffin and whale portions separately.

Faxaflói Bay: the main event for many people

The larger boat carries you into Faxaflói Bay for about three hours. The crew searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other marine life, while seabirds add movement to the open water.

The first part of the trip can involve travel away from the harbor before the search area is reached. That explains why three hours is useful. Once the boat is in the right part of the bay, the guide can scan a wide area and give the captain time to work with changing sightings.

The guides use live English commentary to explain what you are seeing and where to look. This is not a passive ride. The guide may direct your attention to a fin, blow, dark back, or sudden movement, which can make the difference between seeing an animal and missing it.

The strongest possible encounter is close enough to make the whole boat go quiet. Humpback whales may surface near the vessel, and a mother and calf can create a particularly memorable sight. Minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises may also appear, though the animals decide how long they stay visible.

You should keep your eyes moving and your camera ready, but do not stare only at the water through a screen. A whale can surface for a brief moment, and the best part may be the sight of its body rolling below the surface rather than a perfect photograph.

The boat has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. Protective waterproof clothing is supplied, and this makes a real difference in Iceland’s wind. You can move between indoor warmth and outdoor viewing instead of choosing between comfort and a clear view.

WiFi is included, and food and drinks are available to buy. The whale boat is larger and more spacious than the puffin vessel, which makes the longer cruise easier to handle.

What the wildlife guarantee really gives you

The whale guarantee is a meaningful safety net, but it is not a promise that whales will appear on your scheduled departure. If you see no cetaceans, you can take the whale trip again free of charge on another day.

That works best if you book early in your Reykjavik stay. A later departure gives you room to use the return trip if the bay is quiet. If this is your final afternoon in Iceland, the guarantee has less practical value.

There is no equivalent promise of a close puffin encounter. Puffin numbers and behavior change with the season, weather, and daily conditions. The breeding season is the key period, and late summer can be less predictable. One August outing may produce hundreds of birds, while another may offer only distant glimpses.

Weather can also cancel the entire experience. If poor conditions make the trip unsafe or impractical, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is a sea excursion, so a flexible schedule helps.

Guides, comfort, and wildlife manners

The guides have marine biology backgrounds and explain the animals with clear, lively commentary. That adds value beyond simply riding out into the bay. You learn about puffins, whales, and Icelandic waters while the crew searches.

The company also sends photographs taken during some outings free of charge. Those images can be especially helpful on the puffin cruise, when distance and movement make your own camera work difficult.

The crew’s approach to wildlife is another reason I would consider this operator. The boat keeps a respectful distance rather than chasing animals for a dramatic photograph. You may get fewer close pictures, but the animals’ behavior comes first.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour under Icelandic law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The maximum group size is 30 people, though the smaller puffin boat can still feel crowded at capacity.

If you are prone to seasickness, ask the ticket staff about tablets before departure. Rough afternoon seas have made medication useful for some passengers. The best practical plan is to eat lightly, bring layers, use the provided protective clothing, and spend time indoors when needed.

Is $140 a fair price?

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap harbor activity. The value depends on whether you genuinely want both puffins and whales.

Buying two separate outings would take more planning, and this package handles the basic arrangement through one operator. You receive the two boat trips, protective gear, binoculars, indoor heated seating, WiFi, live commentary, access to the wildlife exhibition, and the whale retry policy.

The price is easiest to justify when you see several kinds of wildlife. A day with puffins, dolphins, and humpback whales can feel worth every dollar. The value is less convincing if you mainly want close puffin photographs, since the birds may remain distant.

You are also paying for time and flexibility. The break lets you eat and explore the harbor, while the whale guarantee reduces some risk if the main cruise produces no cetaceans. I would book this package for the full wildlife experience, not as a cheap way to fill an hour.

Who should book this combination

This suits you if you want a gentle introduction to Iceland’s marine life without arranging multiple companies. Families, first-time visitors, bird lovers, and anyone who enjoys being on the water will find plenty to like.

It is particularly useful for a summer itinerary, when puffins are present on breeding islands and whale-watching conditions may offer good chances. Book it early in your trip if you want the option of using the whale guarantee.

You may prefer a different format if your main goal is an intense, close-to-the-water ride. The combo uses a small passenger boat for puffins and a larger boat for whales. A separate RIB or zodiac option is available from the operator for people who want a different style of outing.

I would also think twice if you need a guaranteed close view of puffins. The birds are wild, the boat cannot land on the island, and the viewing area can be crowded. For a relaxed day with indoor shelter and a longer search for whales, though, the larger boat is a good match.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, and confirm both tour times at the ticket desk. Do not assume one boarding pass covers every detail of both trips.

Wear warm layers even in summer. The supplied overalls help block wind and water, but your own hat and gloves can still be useful. Bring binoculars if you have a good pair, and carry a camera with optical zoom if puffin photographs matter to you.

Keep the break between cruises free of a long meal or distant sightseeing. Delays, harbor walking, and the need to check in again can make a short gap disappear quickly.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, and changes are not accepted inside that 24-hour window.

Should you book the whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want a well-organized day that combines two very different wildlife trips, and if you can accept that nature sets the schedule. The whale cruise is the stronger part for many people because it lasts longer, uses a more comfortable boat, and covers a wider bay.

The puffin trip adds real value during the breeding season, especially when the colony is active and conditions bring birds close to the boat. Just bring realistic expectations: you will watch from the water, not walk among puffins, and a zoom lens helps.

For the best odds, schedule this early in your stay, keep the next day flexible, and think of the $140 as payment for time on Icelandic waters rather than a guaranteed wildlife checklist. If whales, dolphins, puffins, and a little sea air sound like the right kind of Reykjavik day, this is a sensible choice.

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 combined experience last?

The listed duration is approximately four to six hours. It includes a one-hour puffin cruise, free time between trips, and a three-hour whale-watching cruise.

Are the puffin and whale tours on the same boat?

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

What animals might I see?

The whale cruise searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The puffin trip visits islands where puffins gather during breeding season.

What happens if I see no whales?

If you see no cetaceans, you can take the whale-watching tour again free of charge on another day.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase on board. You also have free time at the Old Harbour between the two cruises, when you can buy lunch.

What is included to keep me warm?

Protective clothing is provided, and the larger whale-watching boat has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. Binoculars, WiFi, English commentary, and access to the wildlife exhibition are also included.