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

The best part of this outing is its two very different views of Icelandic wildlife: a small boat near puffin islands, followed by a larger, steadier vessel searching the open bay. I like the free second whale trip if no cetacean appears, and I like having heated indoor seating when the North Atlantic turns cold. The marine-biologist guides add useful detail without turning the ride into a classroom.

The catch is simple: this is not one continuous cruise. You change boats and have about two hours ashore, and puffins can be tiny, quick, and farther away than photographs suggest. The whale portion is the stronger bet, while the puffin cruise depends heavily on season, sea conditions, and your expectations.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate boats: A smaller vessel takes you toward Lundey or another puffin island, while a larger boat heads into Faxaflói Bay for whales.
• A useful midday break: You have roughly 90 minutes to two hours for lunch, coffee, or a walk around the Old Harbour.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds, but sightings vary.
• Good cold-weather setup: Protective clothing, a heated saloon, large windows, and onboard refreshments help on a chilly day.
• Best camera advice: Bring real binoculars or a zoom lens if puffin photography matters to you. Phone cameras may struggle.
• Compact group size: The maximum is 30 people, though the smaller puffin boat can still feel crowded at full capacity.

Two boat trips, one wildlife-filled day

At $140 per person, this combination makes sense if you want both puffins and whales without arranging two separate bookings. You receive a one-hour puffin cruise and a three-hour whale-watching trip from Elding’s base at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

The timing gives the day a pleasant rhythm. You go out on the first boat, return to town, eat or stretch your legs, then head back to the harbor for the longer cruise. Some departures place the puffin trip around 1pm and the whale trip around 3pm, though you should check your confirmed schedule rather than assume those exact times.

I like this arrangement more than a long, uninterrupted wildlife cruise for most people. A four to six-hour stretch on the water can be tiring, especially in wind. The break lets you warm up, use the restroom, and get lunch before the more demanding search for whales.

It also creates one important planning issue. You must keep track of both departures and make sure you receive information for both tours at check-in. The staff and harbor signage help, but you should not simply walk away with the first ticket and assume the rest is automatic.

Lundey and the puffin cruise

The first boat heads toward Lundey or one of the nearby islands used by thousands of puffins during the breeding season. You do not land on the island. Instead, the boat approaches the nesting area while you watch from the deck or through the windows.

That distinction matters. Puffins are charming, but they are small birds. They fly quickly, sit low on the water, and may remain farther away than you expect. From the boat, you might see them perched on the island, bobbing in the sea, or flashing past in flight. The experience is about observing a wild colony without disturbing it, not walking among puffins.

Binoculars are available to borrow, though bringing your own pair is a smart move. A good zoom camera also helps. An ordinary phone may record little more than dark specks, even when the birds are plainly visible to your eyes.

The smaller vessel gives you a more direct approach to the island, but it is not necessarily a quiet birding boat. At full capacity, some people may find the seating tight. A few seats are inside without clear window access, and reaching the upper deck requires climbing a ladder. If you have limited mobility, or if you are bringing very young children, ask about the boat setup before you commit.

The puffin trip can be excellent in the right conditions. Some departures bring the boat close enough for repeated views, while others leave you wishing for a stronger lens. The season matters greatly. Puffins are associated with Iceland’s summer breeding period, but the number and position of birds can still vary from day to day.

I would treat this hour as a chance to see a colony in its natural setting, not as a guaranteed close-up animal encounter. If your main goal is a photograph suitable for framing, you may be disappointed. If you enjoy watching behavior, hearing about the birds, and being out on the water, the trip has real appeal.

Your Old Harbour break

After the puffin cruise, you return to Ægisgarður and have time on land before the whale boat leaves. The break is not wasted time. Reykjavik’s Old Harbour has restaurants and cafés, and you can also take a short walk along the waterfront.

Plan your meal carefully. Food and drinks are not included in the price, and the larger boat offers snacks and drinks rather than a full lunch. Eating before departure is especially sensible if you know you get hungry on long excursions.

This interval also helps with seasickness. You can take a breather, buy water, and decide how many layers you really need. One useful practical detail is to ask the Elding reception staff for the restroom code before leaving the harbor area.

Free parking has been noted as convenient at the harbor, but you should still allow time to find a space and reach the ticket desk. The meeting point is the Elding Whale Watching office at Ægisgarður 5c, and the tour finishes there as well. Pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be arranged for an additional fee.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The second trip uses a much larger boat and lasts about three hours. It travels into Faxaflói, the broad bay off Reykjavik, where the crew searches for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life.

The longer duration is necessary. The boat may spend considerable time reaching the area where animals are active, then move between sightings. You need patience here. A whale may surface for only a few seconds, and the best moment can happen on the opposite side of the boat.

The guides help by pointing out where to look and explaining what you are seeing. The live commentary is in English, and several guides have marine biology backgrounds. That matters because the trip becomes more than a hunt for a fin. You learn how to distinguish a whale blow from a seabird, why a humpback may show its tail, and how the crew tries to watch animals without disrupting their behavior.

The most commonly listed targets are minke whales, humpbacks, porpoises, and dolphins. Actual sightings can range from a single brief appearance to several humpbacks, dolphins, and a whale calf. One especially fortunate outing included a mother and young humpback close to the boat, while another produced a minke whale breaching several times.

Those moments are thrilling, but they are not the normal promise of the tour. On a less active day, you might see one whale briefly or spend much of the ride looking at empty water. The company’s whale guarantee gives you another chance at no charge if you see no cetaceans at all, but it does not guarantee a close encounter or a particular species.

I recommend scheduling this early in your Reykjavik stay if your plans allow. If the bay is quiet, you have a better chance of using the free return trip. You will need to confirm the conditions and availability with the operator, but the guarantee has more practical value when you still have days left in Iceland.

Warm clothing, windows, and the boat experience

Icelandic weather can change quickly, even in summer. Elding provides protective clothing, and the whale boat has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. You can go outside for a clearer view, then return inside when the wind becomes unpleasant.

The larger boat is generally the more comfortable part of the outing. It has room to move, indoor shelter, WiFi, a café area, and access to a wildlife exhibition. Hot coffee and hot chocolate may be available for purchase, along with snacks, but you should not count on a substantial meal.

Bring layers anyway. Provided overalls help block wind and spray, but warm socks, a hat, and gloves remain useful. The sea can feel much colder than the Reykjavik waterfront.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour under Icelandic law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the smaller boat’s ladder and cramped viewing areas deserve attention if you have mobility concerns.

The advertised maximum is 30 people. That is a manageable number for the full activity, though the puffin boat can feel busy when everyone moves outside at once. If a clear view matters to you, get ready to move calmly and share the rail rather than expecting a private viewing spot.

How much value do you get for $140?

The price is fair if you want both types of wildlife and value a simple harbor-based plan. You are paying for four to six hours of activity, two boats, protective clothing, binocular access, guides, indoor shelter, WiFi, the wildlife exhibition, and a whale sighting guarantee.

The value is less obvious if you mainly want puffins. The first cruise is only an hour, and the birds may be distant. You could also decide that the long whale trip is too much if you are not particularly interested in marine life.

I see the whale portion as carrying most of the price. Three hours on the larger boat gives you time to reach the bay and wait for animals to surface. The free retry reduces some risk, especially during a multi-day stay.

The combination also saves you from arranging two separate outings and gives you a built-in harbor break. That convenience is worth something in Reykjavik, where weather, transport, and changing schedules can complicate a tightly packed day.

The best and weakest parts of the experience

The strongest feature is the crew’s approach. The guides give live explanations, help you spot animals, and work to keep a respectful distance. Several especially good outings included dolphins, minke whales, humpbacks, puffins, and even a sea lion.

The whale boat earns the most consistent praise for space and comfort. It is easier to move around, has indoor viewing, and gives you several hours to search rather than rushing back to port.

The weakest feature is the puffin boat when it reaches capacity. Some seating may not offer a clear view, and climbing to the upper deck is not easy for everyone. If your priority is bird photography, a smaller or faster boat option may suit you better, but this package specifically uses the smaller passenger vessel described here.

Weather can also cancel or alter the outing. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this Reykjavik tour?

I would choose this experience if you want a straightforward summer wildlife day and can accept that nature sets the schedule. It suits families, couples, photographers with proper equipment, and anyone who likes having indoor shelter available.

It is particularly useful early in an Iceland visit because of the whale retry policy. It also suits people who prefer one harbor meeting point instead of coordinating separate operators around Reykjavik.

I would think twice if you need close puffin views, dislike waiting at sea, or have difficulty with ladders and crowded decks. In that case, book the whale portion only if possible, or ask Elding about another boat format before paying.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want both puffins and whales and understand that the puffins may be distant. The whale trip, heated indoor saloon, thoughtful commentary, and free second attempt make the $140 price reasonable.

Book with realistic expectations. You are watching wild animals from boats, not visiting an aquarium. If you can enjoy a passing fin, a sudden blow, a flock of puffins, and the changing view of Reykjavik from the bay, this is a well-organized way to spend part of a summer day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How long does the full experience last?

The combined activity takes approximately four to six hours, including the two tours and the break between them.

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.

How long is the puffin cruise?

The puffin-watching portion lasts about one hour.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The whale trip lasts about three hours.

What animals might I see?

The tours search for puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other wildlife.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

The tour includes a sighting guarantee. If you do not see a cetacean, you can take the whale trip again for free on another day.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase, but they are not included in the tour price. You have free time in the Old Harbour between trips.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live onboard commentary is in English.