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

Wildlife rarely follows a script. This Reykjavik combo makes the most of your time with two separate boat trips, one for puffins and one for whales, plus a useful break in the Old Harbour between them. I like the heated indoor saloon, loaner binoculars, protective clothing, and live English commentary. I also like the whale guarantee, which lets you ride again for free if the first outing finds no cetaceans.

The main caution is simple: puffins can be small and distant, and whale sightings can be brief. The puffin boat may feel crowded when full, especially if you want an outside view, and the whale portion depends entirely on wild animals cooperating.

Five things to know before you book

• Two boats, not one combined cruise: The puffin trip uses a smaller passenger boat, while the whale search uses a larger vessel.
• A built-in Old Harbour break: You get about 90 minutes between trips for lunch, coffee, or a short walk.
• Best in the summer season: Puffins are present around the breeding islands during their seasonal stay, while whale and dolphin sightings vary by day.
• Comfort matters at sea: Protective clothing, indoor heating, large viewing windows, and onboard snacks make the longer outing easier.
• The whale guarantee has real value: If no cetacean appears, you can try the whale tour again on another day at no extra charge.

Two wildlife trips for one Reykjavik outing

This experience costs about $140 per person and takes roughly four to six hours, depending on the precise schedule. It is not one long cruise with puffins and whales on the same route. You take two separate excursions from Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

That arrangement is both a strength and a weakness. You get a boat suited to each job, rather than asking one vessel to handle close island viewing and a longer trip into Faxaflói Bay. The tradeoff is a longer day and the need to keep track of both departure times.

I like the format for a first visit to Reykjavik. It gives you a look at the city from the water, a chance to see two different kinds of wildlife, and a break on land instead of forcing you to sit at sea for five or six straight hours.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 59 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. That points to a strong overall operation, but it does not change the central rule of wildlife trips: you are buying a well-run search, not a guaranteed animal encounter, except for the free return offer if the whale trip finds no cetaceans.

The puffin boat and Lundey island

The first outing lasts about one hour. A smaller passenger boat carries you toward Lundey or one of two other nearby islands used by puffins during breeding season. The crew aims to position the boat near the birds without disturbing them.

Puffins are charming, but they are not large, slow-moving subjects. They sit low on the water, fly quickly, and may remain farther away than promotional photographs suggest. Some outings bring you close enough to see many birds clearly. On others, you may rely heavily on binoculars.

You can borrow binoculars, which is helpful, though bringing your own pair is sensible if you care about detail. A zoom camera is also useful. Phone cameras may record little more than dark specks, particularly when the birds are flying or sitting offshore.

The boat design deserves attention. Some people enjoy the smaller vessel and its closer approach to the islands. Others find it less suited to bird watching when it reaches full capacity. Seats inside may not have windows, and moving to the upper deck requires climbing a ladder. If you have limited mobility, or if you are visiting with a small child or an older relative, ask about the boat setup before you commit.

The puffin trip is best for people who enjoy the setting and the act of looking. You will see the islands, seabirds, and the working harbor from the water. It is less suitable if your main goal is a close, portrait-quality photograph of a puffin.

The timing of your visit matters. Puffins are seasonal, and the number visible can change. Late summer may produce a disappointing showing in some years, even when the crew works hard to find birds. A strong outing can bring hundreds into view, while another may offer only scattered birds at a distance.

A useful 90-minute pause in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The gap between the two boat trips is one of the smartest parts of this package. You generally have about an hour and a half on land, although the precise timetable can vary.

Use it for lunch at the Old Harbour, where you can choose from several restaurants. You can also walk, warm up, use the facilities, or simply rest before the longer whale trip. I would eat before boarding the larger boat because the onboard cafe focuses on drinks and light snacks rather than a full meal.

This pause also makes the day less tiring. A three-hour whale search can feel long if you have already spent hours in rough water. Here, you get a chance to reset and check the weather before heading out again.

Pay attention to your tickets and instructions. Since the trips use different boats, confirm that you have details for both portions at check-in. The operator’s desk is at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c. The activity ends back there as well.

Free parking is convenient, and the harbor is near public transportation. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be arranged for an extra fee. Confirmation arrives when you book.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

The second trip lasts about three hours and uses a larger boat. It heads into Faxaflói, the broad bay north of Reykjavik, in search of minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other marine life.

The size of the boat makes this part feel more comfortable than the puffin outing. You can use the heated indoor saloon, look through large windows, or go outside in the protective clothing provided. On a calm day, you may move between the warm interior and the open deck as sightings develop.

The guides provide live commentary in English. The strongest part of that commentary is practical: you learn where to look, how to spot a blow, and why the boat is changing direction. Several of the guides are marine biologists, so the information covers more than simple animal identification. You can also use complimentary WiFi and visit the wildlife exhibition.

A whale may surface once and disappear for several minutes. A dolphin pod can move quickly across the bay. A humpback may show its back, tail, or white underside for only a moment. The guide’s ability to direct your eyes matters more than a constant stream of action.

Sightings described on this route include minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and large numbers of seabirds. A mother and calf humpback encounter can be extraordinary, but it is not a normal promise of the trip. On a less active day, you may see one whale briefly, or no whale at all.

That is where the free whale rebooking offer helps. If you do not see a cetacean, you can return another day without paying for another whale trip. Book this early in your Reykjavik stay if possible. The offer is most useful when your schedule allows a second attempt.

Warm clothing, snacks, and rough-water comfort

I like the practical gear here. Iceland’s summer can still feel cold on open water, and wind can turn a pleasant day into a chilly one within minutes. Protective clothing and the heated indoor area mean you do not have to stay exposed for the full three-hour search.

The boat sells food and drinks, including hot coffee and hot chocolate. Snacks are available, but you should not treat the cafe as lunch. Eat during the Old Harbour break and bring any needed medication or personal supplies with you.

Seas can be rough, particularly during the afternoon. Seasickness tablets may be available from the operator before departure, but it is wise to ask at the ticket desk rather than assume. Staying warm and choosing the indoor saloon when conditions worsen can make a major difference.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour by law. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The maximum group size is 30, although the smaller puffin boat can still feel tight when everyone wants an outside view.

What the price means at $140

At $140, this is not the cheapest way to see one type of wildlife. The value improves if you want both puffins and whales and would otherwise book separate trips.

Your price includes the one-hour puffin tour, the three-hour whale tour, binocular use, protective clothing, the heated saloon, WiFi, English commentary, and access to the wildlife exhibition. It also includes the whale rebooking promise, which has practical worth when conditions or animal behavior work against you.

The break between trips saves you from arranging separate transport and gives you time to eat near the harbor. The operator also sends photographs taken during some outings at no extra cost, according to the experience described by the company. That can help when your own camera cannot capture distant or fast-moving birds.

The weaker value comes if you mainly want close puffin views. You cannot get off on the island, and the birds may be too distant for easy photography. In that case, a separate whale trip may suit you better, or you may prefer a different puffin format, such as a RIB option offered by the same company.

Choosing the right season and expectations

Summer is the sensible time for this outing because puffins gather around their breeding islands then. June through August generally offers the strongest chance of seeing them, but no date guarantees a large flock at close range.

Whale sightings also change from day to day. One outing may produce several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Another may offer only a brief sighting. Even a successful trip can involve long stretches of scanning open water.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the crew’s effort. It is the nature of watching wild animals. The guides can search, share information, and position the boat carefully, but they cannot make a whale surface beside you.

The weather adds another variable. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. 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 will enjoy this combo most

I would choose this for a first Reykjavik visit, especially if you want a broad introduction to Icelandic sea life without arranging several separate bookings. It suits families, couples, photographers with proper zoom equipment, and anyone who enjoys being on the water even when sightings are brief.

It is also a good choice if you have flexibility early in your trip. The whale guarantee gives you a second chance, but only if you have another day available.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, need guaranteed close views, or have trouble climbing a ladder on the smaller puffin vessel. The puffin portion is not a walk on the island, and the whale portion may involve long periods of waiting.

The tour is offered in English. The staff are described as friendly and organized, with clear signs and check-in instructions. Still, confirm both boat times and ticket details before leaving the harbor desk.

Should you book the whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want variety, comfort, and a serious chance at both types of wildlife. The whale trip is the stronger part for most people because the larger boat, warm interior, skilled guides, and free rebooking offer reduce the risk of a disappointing day.

Treat the puffin cruise as a seasonal bird-watching trip, not a guaranteed close-up photo session. Bring binoculars or a zoom camera, eat during the harbor break, and leave room in your schedule for a second whale outing if needed.

If that sounds fair, the $140 price is reasonable for two well-organized trips and a full half-day on the water. If your priority is only puffins, book a different format. If you want a comfortable introduction to Reykjavik’s marine life, this combination is a solid choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

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

How long does the full experience take?

The listed duration is approximately four to six hours. The schedule includes a one-hour puffin trip, about 90 minutes of free time, and a three-hour whale-watching trip.

Are the puffin and whale trips on the same boat?

No. The puffin outing uses a smaller passenger boat, while the whale-watching outing uses a larger boat.

What wildlife might I see?

The route searches for puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other seabirds.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

You can take the whale-watching tour again on another day at no extra charge.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, and the Old Harbour break gives you time to eat at a restaurant.

Is protective clothing provided?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.