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

The best thing about this outing is its two-part design: you get a close look at Iceland’s summer seabirds, then head farther into Faxaflói Bay in search of whales. The puffin trip lasts about an hour, while the whale watch gives you three hours on a larger boat with indoor seating and wide windows. Puffins and whales require different boats, and this tour makes that clear once you know what to expect.

I especially like the free whale re-ride if no cetaceans appear, and the practical comfort of warm protective clothing, a heated saloon, and onboard binoculars. The guides are marine biology specialists who explain what you are seeing and help direct your eyes to a distant blow, fin, or fast-moving bird.

The main drawback is that the puffins may be farther away than you expect. You cannot land on the island, and the smaller boat can feel crowded, with some inside seats offering no direct window view. This is a wildlife outing, not a guaranteed close-up photo session.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate trips: A one-hour puffin cruise and a three-hour whale watch use different boats.
• Lundey and nearby islands: Puffins gather around the islands during breeding season, but you view them from the water.
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife: The search can include minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds.
• Comfort in rough weather: Waterproof protective clothing, a heated indoor saloon, and large windows make the longer trip easier.
• A useful whale guarantee: If you see no cetaceans, you can return for another whale trip free of charge.
• Plan your break: Allow roughly an hour and a half to two hours between trips for lunch, coffee, or a short walk around the Old Harbour.

Two boats, two very different wildlife outings

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but it combines two outings that would otherwise need to be booked separately. You receive about four hours of time at sea, plus a break on land between them. The value depends on how much you want to see wildlife and how comfortable you are with the fact that nature may not perform on schedule.

The tours begin and end at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity is offered in English, and the maximum group size is listed as 30 people. That is small enough for clear announcements, though the puffin boat can still feel tight when everyone moves outside to look at the birds.

The important planning detail is simple: this is not one continuous cruise. You board a smaller passenger boat for the puffins, return to the harbour, spend free time ashore, and then join a larger vessel for the whale watch. Check in carefully and make sure you receive information for both portions.

Lundey, where puffins gather near Reykjavik

The first trip heads toward Lundey or one of two other nearby islands used by thousands of puffins during breeding season. The boat does not land on the island. Instead, you circle or approach the nesting area and watch from the deck, using the supplied binoculars or your own camera.

Puffins are wonderfully odd birds, but they are small, quick, and often in the water or in flight. That matters. Even when many are present, they may appear as brief flashes of black and white unless the boat reaches a good viewing position. A phone camera will usually struggle, so bring a camera with a strong zoom if photographs matter to you.

The supplied binoculars are useful, though some reports describe them as basic. If you already own compact binoculars, pack them. They can make the difference between seeing a puffin clearly and spending the hour trying to identify a moving speck.

The boat itself deserves attention. Some departures use a smaller yacht-style vessel, and the upper deck may require climbing a ladder. Inside seats may not have direct windows, and crowded conditions can make it hard to step outside when the birds appear. If you need easy access or want a firm, unobstructed view, ask the ticket staff about the boat arrangement before departure.

Still, the puffin trip has real appeal. You see these birds in their natural setting, with Reykjavik behind you and the islands ahead. On a good day, puffins can gather on the water and fly close to the boat. Some outings have produced hundreds of birds, while others have offered only distant views. The timing of the season and the day’s conditions matter greatly.

Your Old Harbour break between departures

The pause between trips is one of the smarter features of this combination. You have around an hour and a half, sometimes closer to two hours depending on the schedule, to eat, warm up, use the facilities, or walk along the harbour.

The Old Harbour is a handy place for this break. You can ask the local staff for restaurant suggestions, though food is not included. The boats sell snacks and drinks, but a proper meal ashore is the better choice before the three-hour whale outing. One useful practical tip is to ask at the Elding reception for the restroom access code.

Use this gap as a reset rather than treating it as dead time. The puffin cruise is short and concentrated. The whale trip takes longer and can involve a substantial ride into Faxaflói Bay, so coffee, lunch, and an extra layer are worthwhile.

Pay attention to the departure time for the second boat. Since these are independent trips, a schedule change can leave you with more time in the harbour. That is manageable in central Reykjavik, but you should not wander too far.

Faxaflói Bay and the search for whales

The whale watch travels into Faxaflói, Iceland’s largest bay, looking for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises. It is a three-hour trip on a larger vessel, with more room to move around than on the puffin boat.

The guides do more than announce a sighting. They explain where to look and what clues to watch for, such as a blow, a curved back, or a fin appearing briefly on the surface. This guidance is valuable because the first sighting can be easy to miss. A whale may surface for only a moment, then vanish into a broad stretch of water.

The most successful outings have included several humpbacks, minke whales, pods of dolphins, and even a humpback mother with her calf. A minke whale has been seen breaching repeatedly, and some trips have produced a close pass beneath the boat. Those encounters are special, but they cannot be promised.

Other departures have produced one distant whale, a few quick sightings, or no whale at all. The company’s guarantee helps here: if no cetaceans appear, you can take the whale trip again on a later day without paying for another ticket. That is one reason to schedule this tour early in your stay if your plans allow. You have a better chance to use the second attempt.

The guarantee applies to whale sightings, not to close views, a particular species, or a dramatic breach. Dolphins and porpoises may also appear, and the guides continue searching when conditions are difficult. You should think of the guarantee as protection against a blank trip, not as a promise of a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Warm clothing and a better chance of staying outside

Iceland’s summer can feel cold on open water, even when Reykjavik feels mild. Protective clothing is provided, and the larger boat has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. That combination lets you move outside for a sighting, then warm up without ending the trip early.

The indoor space is especially useful on the whale portion, which lasts three hours. On rougher afternoons, you may appreciate the chance to sit down with a hot drink or snack. Food and beverages cost extra, and the onboard selection is better suited to a quick bite than a full meal, so eat during the harbour break.

Complimentary WiFi is included, though the real reason to keep your phone out is to receive directions from the guide and capture a few photographs. Wildlife photography is unpredictable here. The boat may be moving, the animal may surface briefly, and the light can change quickly. Watch first, photograph second.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour by law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but anyone uncomfortable with ladders, boat motion, wind, or a long period on the water should ask questions before booking.

What the guides add to the experience

The live commentary is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The guides bring marine biology knowledge to the trip and explain the habits of puffins, whales, dolphins, and other wildlife in Icelandic waters.

That matters most when the animals are far away. A distant whale becomes easier to appreciate when you understand why it surfaced, how the guide found it, and what behavior to watch for next. The guides also direct people from one side of the boat to the other, reducing the chance that you miss an animal while looking in the wrong place.

The company has also provided photographs taken during the outing at no extra cost on some departures. You should not treat that as a replacement for your own camera, but it can be helpful when a fast puffin or distant whale defeats your phone.

The crew’s approach to the animals is another plus. The boats aim to observe wildlife without pushing too close or disrupting natural behavior. You may not get the nearest possible view, but that restraint is the right trade-off for a responsible wildlife outing.

Is the $140 price fair?

The price makes the most sense if you want both experiences and would otherwise pay for two separate excursions. You receive the one-hour puffin cruise, the three-hour whale watch, warm gear, binocular use, indoor seating, live commentary, WiFi, access to a wildlife exhibition, and the whale re-ride policy.

If your main goal is a close puffin photograph, the price may disappoint. You cannot step onto the island, and the birds may remain too far away for an ordinary phone. The puffin boat can also feel less comfortable when full.

If whales are your priority, the larger boat is the stronger part of the package. Three hours gives the crew time to search, and the re-ride reduces the financial risk of poor wildlife luck. You still need patience, but you are paying for time on the water, equipment, guidance, and a second chance, not a guaranteed show.

The current rating is 4.7 out of 5, with 93 percent of customers recommending the experience. That fits the pattern of the outing: the operation is well organized and the whale portion often earns the strongest response, while opinions of the puffin cruise depend heavily on distance, crowding, and expectations.

Who should book this combination?

I would choose this for a summer visit when you want a straightforward wildlife day from Reykjavik without arranging transport outside the city. It suits families, couples, and anyone who enjoys being on the water but wants a warm indoor retreat available.

It is also a good fit if you want to build flexibility into your schedule. Book early in your stay, and a missed whale sighting can potentially be corrected with the free return trip. The English commentary and clear harbour meeting point make it easy to add to a Reykjavik itinerary.

I would hesitate if you dislike boat motion, want guaranteed close views, or have limited patience for wildlife watching. The puffin portion may feel underwhelming if you expect to walk among the birds. If you want one boat and one uninterrupted outing, this package may also feel awkward because the two sections are separate.

The weather policy is sensible. Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want two different wildlife encounters, value a heated boat and protective gear, and can accept that wild animals set the timetable. The whale watch is the main value, especially with the free re-ride and the chance to see dolphins, minke whales, or humpbacks.

Book it early in your Iceland stay, pack real binoculars and a zoom camera, and use the harbour break for a proper meal. If puffins are your sole reason for going, manage your expectations or consider a different puffin option. If whales, sea air, and a well-run day on the water sound appealing, this is a solid Reykjavik 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 complete experience take?

The advertised duration is about four to six hours. The puffin trip lasts one hour, the whale watch lasts three hours, and you have free time between them.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

No. The puffin trip uses a smaller passenger boat, while the whale watch uses a larger boat.

Where do you see the puffins?

The boat sails toward Lundey or one of two other islands where puffins gather during breeding season. You view them from the water and do not land on the island.

What animals might appear during the whale watch?

The crew searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You can take the whale-watching trip again on another day free of charge under the whale guarantee.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, and you can also eat at one of the Old Harbour restaurants during the break.

Is protective clothing provided?

Yes. Protective clothing and access to a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows are included.

Can children join the tour?

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