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

Wildlife rewards patience here. This Reykjavik combo pairs a one-hour puffin cruise with a three-hour whale trip, giving you two very different views of Faxaflói Bay and its summer wildlife. I like the heated indoor saloon and supplied protective clothing, especially when Iceland’s weather turns brisk. I also like the whale sighting guarantee, which lets you ride again for free if the sea comes up empty. The main catch is that the puffins may be small and distant, and the two outings use separate boats.

At $140 per person, this is a serious chunk of a Reykjavik day. Still, you get four hours on the water, live English commentary, binoculars, WiFi, indoor shelter, and access to a wildlife exhibition. If you want both puffins and whales without arranging two separate bookings, the price can make sense, especially in the summer season.

The quick take

• Two boats, two moods: A smaller boat carries you toward puffin islands, while a larger vessel heads farther into Faxaflói Bay for whales.
• Puffin sightings depend on distance: You may see hundreds, but often from the water or in flight, so binoculars and a camera with real zoom help.
• The whale cruise gets the stronger marks: The larger boat offers more room, indoor seating, a café, protective overalls, and better comfort on a three-hour trip.
• A useful two-hour break: The gap between outings gives you time for lunch, coffee, a walk around Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, or a rest.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: Minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises are common targets, but sightings can be brief or absent.
• Best in the heart of summer: June through August generally gives you the best chance of seeing puffins and active marine life, though nature keeps its own schedule.

Two separate tours, not one long cruise

The first thing to understand is the structure. This is not one boat that looks for puffins and then heads offshore for whales. It is two separate excursions, with a break between them.

That arrangement has real advantages. You get a smaller vessel for the puffin outing and a larger, more comfortable boat for the longer whale search. The pause also keeps the day from feeling like four straight hours at sea.

It can also create confusion if you are expecting one continuous activity. Check in at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c and make sure you receive information for both parts. The outings may have different boarding instructions, and it is worth confirming the time and boat for the whale trip before walking away from the ticket desk.

The full experience usually takes about four to six hours, depending on the schedule and the time between departures. The wildlife trips themselves total four hours, with about an hour and a half of free time listed between them.

Puffin watching near Lundey

The puffin outing uses one of the smaller passenger boats and lasts about an hour. The boat heads toward Lundey or another nearby island used by puffins during breeding season. These islands are home to large colonies, and the setting is pleasing even when the birds refuse to pose for your camera.

You can borrow binoculars, but bring your own if you have a decent pair. The supplied binoculars are useful, though some people find their quality limited. A camera with a strong zoom is far more helpful than a standard phone camera. Even newer phones may struggle when a puffin is bobbing on the water or flashing past in flight.

The boat approaches the island, but you do not get off. That point matters. You are observing the birds from the water, not walking among burrows or standing beside a puffin colony. On a good day, you might see many birds perched on land, floating nearby, or flying in fast, awkward bursts. Puffins are charming but not especially cooperative subjects.

The viewing setup on the smaller boat has drawn mixed reactions. At full capacity, some seats may be inside without a clear window, and moving around can feel crowded when everyone wants the same side of the boat. Reaching the top deck requires climbing a ladder, which may not suit anyone with limited mobility or small children.

The best approach is to get outside early, keep your binoculars ready, and accept that the experience is about watching wild birds in their own space. If your main goal is a close portrait of a puffin, this may leave you wanting more. If you enjoy the setting, the boat ride, and the chance to watch a colony without disturbing it, the hour can be worthwhile.

The Old Harbour break

Between the two boat trips, you have roughly an hour and a half to fill. This is not dead time. Reykjavik’s Old Harbour is right at the meeting point, with restaurants and places to stop for lunch or a warm drink.

I like this pause because it gives you a chance to reset after the smaller boat. You can eat on land instead of relying on the snacks sold aboard the whale vessel. It also gives you time to walk around the harbor before the longer trip.

Keep an eye on the clock. The break is useful, but you should allow time to return to the correct departure point. If the schedule changes, the gap can become longer, so ask staff for clear instructions before leaving the dock area.

A practical tip is to ask at Elding reception for the restroom passcode. That small detail can save a search before or after a boat trip. Free parking is also available, which helps if you are using a rental car, though pickup and drop-off are not included. Paid transport can be arranged separately.

Whale watching across Faxaflói Bay

The whale trip is the main event for many people. It lasts about three hours and uses a larger boat suited to the longer ride into Faxaflói, Iceland’s broad bay.

The usual targets include minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Several outings have produced combinations of these animals, including pods of dolphins, breaching minke whales, and humpbacks with calves. One especially memorable sighting involved a mother and young humpback swimming close to the boat, though encounters like that are luck, not a promise.

The longer duration is useful because the animals may be some distance from Reykjavik. You spend part of the trip reaching the search area, then the crew works to locate signs of marine life. Once a whale appears, the guide points out where to look and helps you understand what you are seeing. That matters because a whale’s back can vanish almost as quickly as it appears.

You might see a humpback’s back and tail, a brief blow, or a minke surfacing several times. Dolphins may travel in a group and remain visible longer, while a whale can surface only once before disappearing. Keep watching the water even after the first sighting. The next appearance may happen behind you or several yards from the spot where you were looking.

The crew’s approach is respectful. Boats do not simply charge toward animals to force a close encounter. That means you may sometimes wish for a nearer view, but giving marine life room is the right trade-off. The experience feels better when the sighting comes from patient observation rather than pursuit.

Comfort on the larger boat

The whale vessel is better suited to a long outing than the smaller puffin boat. It has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, protective waterproof and windproof clothing, and space to move around.

I would still wear warm layers. The overalls help, but Icelandic wind can cut through clothing once you spend time outdoors. Gloves and a hat are sensible additions, especially if you plan to stay on deck for the best views.

A café sells coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks. Food and drinks are not part of the $140 price, and the selection may be limited, so eat a proper meal during the harbor break. Hot coffee can be welcome after a cold spell outside, but it should not be your only plan for lunch.

Free WiFi is available onboard, though you will probably get more from watching the sea than checking your phone. The boat also includes indoor viewing areas, which are important if the weather worsens or you need a break from the motion.

Children under 13 must wear life vests by law for the entire tour. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people. Still, the puffin boat’s ladder and changing sea conditions are worth considering if you have mobility concerns.

Guides, wildlife facts, and the human side

Live commentary is provided in English throughout the trips. The guides explain puffin behavior, whale movements, and other wildlife found in Icelandic waters. Marine biology training among the guides adds useful context, particularly when an animal appears for only a few seconds.

Good guiding makes a real difference here. Instead of simply announcing a whale, the guide can direct your attention to the right part of the bay and explain what to watch for next. That help is valuable when a group of people is scanning a wide stretch of gray water.

The commentary also gives you more to take away when the animals are shy. You may not get a dramatic breach or a whale beside the boat, but you can still learn how the crew reads the water and why sightings vary from day to day.

The company sometimes provides photographs taken during the outing at no extra charge. These can be useful, particularly for puffins, which are often too distant or quick for a phone camera. Ask the crew how photos are shared on your departure, since the exact process is not specified in the tour details.

How good is the wildlife value?

The advertised $140 price buys access to two different wildlife settings, not a guaranteed parade of animals. That distinction is important.

The whale guarantee improves the value. If you do not see a whale, you can take the whale trip again for free on another day. You still need enough time in Reykjavik to use that option, and the guarantee does not turn a quiet sea into a busy one. It does, however, reduce the risk of paying for a single unsuccessful attempt.

The guarantee applies to whales, while puffin sightings are not presented with the same promise. Puffins are seasonal and tied to breeding colonies. Late summer can be less reliable, and even when birds are present, they may be far from the boat.

For the best odds, book this early in your Iceland stay. If the whale search produces nothing, you have a chance to use the free return trip later. June through August is generally the strongest period for this combination, but conditions can vary from one year to the next.

The tour receives a 4.7 rating, with 93 percent of customers recommending it. Those numbers suggest a well-run operation, but they do not erase the central fact that you are watching wild animals. Expect opportunity, not a staged show.

Weather, cancellations, and planning

The tour requires good weather. Strong wind can cancel or alter the outing, and the operator will offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Icelandic time.

Plan to arrive at Elding Whale Watching in Ægisgarður 5c, Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup and drop-off are not included, though paid arrangements are available.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is small enough for clear instructions, but the experience can still feel busy on the smaller puffin boat, especially when everyone gathers on the same side.

Who should book it?

I would choose this for someone who wants a simple wildlife day from Reykjavik and likes the idea of combining birds and marine mammals. It also suits you if you appreciate having an indoor retreat, protective gear, and an English-speaking guide rather than managing a bare-bones boat ride.

Families can find plenty to enjoy, though young children must wear life vests, and the puffin boat’s ladder may be awkward. Anyone prone to seasickness should ask staff about tablets before departure. Rough afternoon seas have affected some outings, so bring medication if you normally need it.

Serious bird photographers should think twice. The puffin cruise may put you near the colony, but not necessarily close enough for strong images. Bring a proper zoom lens and claim an outdoor position early.

If you care most about whales, dolphins, and boat comfort, you may prefer to book the whale trip alone. The puffin portion is the weaker part for anyone expecting close-up encounters. If you want a compact introduction to Icelandic wildlife and like having two chances for different kinds of sightings, the combo earns its place.

Should you book this Reykjavik wildlife combo?

Book it if you can accept nature’s terms. The whale trip is the stronger value, thanks to the larger boat, longer time on the bay, better indoor facilities, and free repeat trip if no whale appears. The puffin cruise adds variety, but it can feel underwhelming when birds sit far from the boat or when the smaller vessel fills up.

For a summer visit, I would schedule it near the start of your stay and keep your plans flexible around the weather. Eat during the Old Harbour break, bring warm layers and a real camera zoom, confirm both boat times, and treat every sighting as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Do that, and this can become one of the most memorable ways to see Reykjavik from the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the full experience last?

The combined experience takes approximately four to six hours. The puffin cruise lasts about one hour, the whale trip lasts about three hours, and you have free time between them.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

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

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

You can take the whale watching trip again for free on another day under the whale sighting guarantee.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can purchase snacks and drinks onboard the whale watching boat. The Old Harbour break is a good time to eat lunch.

Is protective clothing provided?

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

What language is the commentary in?

The live onboard commentary is provided in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.

Can the tour be canceled for weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.