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

Wildlife does not follow a timetable. That is part of the fun. This Reykjavik combo pairs a one-hour puffin cruise with a longer whale-watching trip in Faxaflói Bay, giving you two chances to see Icelandic wildlife in its natural setting. I like the warm indoor saloon, loaner binoculars, and live commentary from marine biologists. I also like the whale guarantee, which lets you try again free if no cetaceans appear.

The main caution is simple: puffins can be small and far away, and whales may surface for only a few seconds. The two cruises use different boats, too, so this is not one continuous wildlife ride. Still, with a 4.7 rating from 59 reviews and 93 percent of customers recommending it, this is a well-run choice for a summer day in Reykjavik.

Key points before you book

• Two separate boat trips: A smaller boat visits a puffin island, then a larger vessel heads into Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins.
• A useful break between cruises: You usually have about 90 minutes to two hours for lunch, coffee, or a walk around Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.
• Warmth is built in: Protective clothing, a heated indoor saloon, and large windows make the outing easier in Iceland’s changeable weather.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed: You may see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and hundreds of puffins, but the animals decide the schedule.
• The whale guarantee has real value: If you see no cetaceans, you can return for another whale-watching trip at no charge.
• Bring better optics for puffins: Loaner binoculars are available, but a personal pair and a zoom camera can make a big difference.

Two boats, two very different wildlife trips

This experience works best if you understand what you are buying. It is two independent excursions, not one boat circling an island before continuing into the open bay.

The first trip lasts about an hour and uses a smaller passenger boat. It heads toward Lundey or one of the other nearby islands where puffins gather during breeding season. After returning to the harbor, you have free time before meeting for the whale cruise. The second trip lasts about three hours and uses a larger boat built for a longer ride into Faxaflói Bay.

That arrangement has a practical benefit. You are not trapped on a boat all day, and you can eat on land between outings. The drawback is that a schedule change or weather delay can create extra waiting time. Check the exact departure times carefully and make sure you receive information for both trips at check-in.

The puffin cruise to Lundey

The puffin portion is short, close to Reykjavik, and focused on getting near a breeding island without landing on it. You stay aboard the boat while the crew positions you near the nesting area. During the breeding season, the islands can hold thousands of puffins.

This is a good outing for seeing puffin behavior rather than handling a close encounter. You may watch birds bobbing on the water, flying low, or disappearing into burrows on the island. Puffins are quick, and their black-and-white coloring can blend into the dark rock and water. A bird that looks clear to the naked eye may appear surprisingly small in a photograph.

The boat provides binoculars, though the available pairs are not always strong enough for satisfying views. I would bring your own if you have them. A phone camera may record a blur unless the birds come close, so a camera with a proper zoom lens is a better tool.

The boat’s layout deserves attention. Some seating is inside, and the upper deck may require climbing a ladder. At full capacity, the small vessel can feel crowded, particularly when everyone moves outside at once. If you have limited mobility, are traveling with a young child, or want plenty of room to photograph birds, ask about the boat arrangement before booking.

Some outings bring the boat close enough for excellent views, while others leave you watching from farther away. That difference comes from bird behavior, weather, sea conditions, and the position of the colony. You should book this part for the chance to see puffins in their natural home, not for a guaranteed close-up portrait.

Old Harbour gives you time to reset

Between the two cruises, you generally have about an hour and a half, sometimes closer to two hours, in or around Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is not dead time. It is a useful pause after the smaller boat and before the longer trip.

The harbor area has restaurants and places to buy a proper meal. Food and drinks are not included, and the larger whale boat mainly offers snacks and drinks for purchase, so eating on land is the smarter plan. You can also take a short walk, look around the harbor, or simply warm up before heading back to the meeting point.

This break makes the combo easier than one long continuous cruise. You can stretch your legs and avoid spending five hours at sea. On the other hand, it also means you need to watch the clock. The second boat will not wait for a leisurely lunch.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

The whale cruise is the stronger part of the package for many people. The larger boat travels into Faxaflói Bay, Iceland’s broad bay west of Reykjavik, where the crew searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seabirds.

Three hours may sound long, but the time allows the boat to travel out to likely viewing areas and then remain there long enough for the crew to search properly. A whale can surface once, vanish, and reappear several minutes later in a different direction. The guide helps you scan the water instead of staring randomly at every wave.

The most exciting sightings can be brief. You may see a humpback’s back, a blow, a tail, or a whale surfacing near the boat. A few fortunate departures have included a mother and calf close to the vessel, several humpbacks, breaching minke whales, dolphins, and even a sea lion. Other trips produce only a distant whale or no whale at all.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the operation. These are wild animals, and a responsible crew should not chase them aggressively for a better photograph. The best outings balance patience with respect for the animals. The crew has been praised for keeping a sensible distance while still giving passengers a good chance to see what is happening.

The whale guarantee helps soften the risk. If you see no cetaceans, you can take the whale tour again for free on another day. It is especially useful to book this experience early in your Reykjavik stay, since you need time to use the second chance. The guarantee does not promise a close encounter, a particular species, or perfect weather.

Guides who make the water easier to read

The live commentary is one of the package’s best features. Guides with marine biology backgrounds explain the animals, the bay, and the waters around Iceland. They also point out where to look, which matters when a whale surfaces for only a moment.

Good guiding changes the experience from a silent hunt for bumps on the horizon into an active search. You learn to watch for a blow, a dark back, a change in seabird activity, or a group of dolphins cutting across the water. The commentary also gives you something useful to focus on during quieter stretches.

The staff has earned praise for clear directions and organized departures. Check-in takes place at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The same location is used when the activity ends. Free WiFi is available on board, and a wildlife exhibition adds a small indoor element before or after the cruises.

Comfort in Icelandic weather

The boats are designed to give you options. You can go outside for the clearest view, then return to the heated indoor saloon with large windows when the wind gets sharp. Protective waterproof clothing is available, which is useful even in summer because conditions on the bay can feel much colder than conditions in town.

The larger whale boat has more room than the puffin boat and is generally the more comfortable place to spend time. It also has a café or bar area for hot drinks and snacks. Do not count on that as a full meal. Eat before the whale trip if you know you get hungry at sea.

Rough water is possible. One useful tip from the experience is to ask at reception about seasickness tablets before departure. You should also dress in layers and wear shoes with a secure sole. The heated saloon helps, but you will want to step outside when the guide spots an animal.

Children under 13 must wear life vests by law for the entire tour. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the ladder on the smaller boat and the movement of the sea may matter if you have mobility concerns.

Is the $140 price fair?

At about $140 per person, the price is not small, but you are paying for two separate excursions, a full whale cruise, protective clothing, binocular use, onboard commentary, WiFi, and access to the wildlife exhibition. The whale guarantee adds value because a poor sighting day does not automatically mean losing the entire cost.

The package is also cheaper in time and planning than arranging two unrelated operators yourself. You get one meeting location and a built-in harbor break. The organized setup matters in Reykjavik, where weather can disrupt boat schedules.

The value drops if your main goal is a close puffin photograph. The puffin cruise may place you near the nesting island, but the birds can still be too distant for a phone camera. If puffins are your top priority, ask about other Elding options, including the separate RIB or zodiac experience mentioned by the operator.

For whale lovers, the price is easier to defend. Three hours on the bay gives the crew time to search, and the free return trip reduces the gamble. You are still buying a chance to see wild animals, not a staged show.

Best time to take this tour

The puffin portion depends heavily on the breeding season. Summer is the natural time to consider this combo, and June through August can offer strong conditions for both puffins and whales. Even in August, though, sightings can vary from one day to the next.

Booking early in your Iceland visit is smart. If the sea is rough, the weather turns poor, or no whales appear, you have a better chance of using another date. The operator may cancel for bad weather and offer a different date or a full refund.

The free cancellation rule is also useful: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this combo?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad introduction to Iceland’s sea life and like the idea of combining two outings in one day. It suits couples, families, photographers who understand the limits of wildlife photography, and anyone with enough time in Reykjavik to use the whale guarantee if needed.

It is less suitable if you dislike cold, motion, or waiting for animals to appear. It may also disappoint you if advertisements have led you to expect puffins perched close beside the boat. The birds are wild, small, and fast.

The combination works particularly well for first-time visitors. You get a view of Reykjavik from the water, a chance to see seabirds close to their breeding grounds, and a longer search for whales and dolphins. The guides add useful context without turning the trip into a lecture.

Should you book the Elding two-in-one tour?

Book it if you want two chances at wildlife, value a warm boat and clear guiding, and can accept that nature controls the result. The whale guarantee and the free time between cruises make the package practical, while the larger boat provides a comfortable base for a serious search in Faxaflói Bay.

If puffins are your one essential sight, consider booking a puffin-specific option instead, or treat this cruise as a chance to see the colony from the water. If you have only one day in Reykjavik and want a good-value wildlife outing, this combo is a sound choice. Just bring patience, warm layers, and realistic expectations.

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 entire experience take?

The two boat trips take about four hours in total: one hour for puffin watching and three hours for whale watching. With the break between them, plan on roughly four to six hours overall.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

No. The puffin trip uses a smaller passenger boat, while the whale-watching trip uses a larger boat. They are two separate excursions.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other wildlife and seabirds in the bay.

What happens if I see no whales?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

Protective clothing is available, and the larger boat has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they can be purchased on board. You also have time between trips to eat at one of the restaurants around the Old Harbour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.