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

This Reykjavik outing pairs two very different sea trips: a short cruise toward a puffin island, followed by a longer search for whales in Faxaflói Bay. The wildlife is wild, fast, and sometimes frustratingly far away, but the chance to see a humpback, dolphins, minke whales, and hundreds of puffins in one day is a fine reason to get out on the water.

I like the two separate boats, since the small vessel suits the puffin trip and the larger ship gives you more room for a three-hour whale search. I also like the free whale re-ride, which takes some sting out of an empty sea. The main catch is simple: puffins may be distant, and whale sightings are never guaranteed, especially late in the season or in poor weather.

Key points to know:

• Two boats, two trips: A one-hour puffin cruise and a separate three-hour whale-watching trip.
• Built-in break: You usually have about 90 minutes to eat, use the harbor facilities, or stroll between departures.
• Wildlife varies: You could see puffins, dolphins, minke whales, humpbacks, porpoises, seabirds, and possibly a sea lion, but no sighting is certain.
• Comfort matters: Protective clothing, a heated indoor saloon, large windows, and onboard refreshments help with Iceland’s changeable weather.
• Best for flexible wildlife fans: The experience works well if you value time on the water and expert commentary more than guaranteed close-up photographs.
• Group size: The tour has a maximum of 30 participants, though the smaller puffin boat may feel crowded when everyone moves outside.

Start at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your day begins at Elding Whale Watching, at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity returns to this same meeting point, and the harbor’s restaurants and waterfront paths make the break between boats useful rather than wasted.

This is not one continuous cruise. You board one boat for puffins, return to the harbor, then join another boat for whales. Make sure you receive information or tickets for both portions at check-in. One of the practical complaints about this type of arrangement is easy to avoid: confirm the schedule before leaving the ticket desk.

The timing can vary, but the usual shape is a one-hour puffin trip, roughly 90 minutes on land, and then a three-hour whale excursion. That makes this a four to six-hour commitment once boarding and transitions are included. I would avoid booking a tight activity immediately afterward.

The harbor is also the right place to think about food. Food and drinks are not included, though purchases are available onboard. The break is long enough for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants, and I would eat properly before the whale trip. Onboard cafés offer drinks and snacks, but you should not count on a full meal.

The Lundey Puffin Cruise Takes You Close, Not Onto the Island

The first boat heads toward Lundey or another nearby island used by puffins during breeding season. The operator may choose one of three islands, depending on conditions and where the birds are active. You do not land. The point is to circle or approach the nesting area while keeping the birds undisturbed.

That distinction matters. Puffins are small, quick, and often sit on the water or fly in short bursts. From a boat, they can look like dark specks unless you have a good zoom lens or binoculars. The crew provides binoculars, but the quality may not satisfy serious bird watchers. If puffins are a main goal, bring your own binoculars and the best camera you have.

The payoff can be excellent. On a good day, you may see large numbers on the island and in the water. Some outings have produced hundreds of puffins, while other departures have found only a few distant birds. August can still be productive, but the season is not equally strong every day, and late-season conditions may reduce the number of birds around the nesting sites.

The boat itself deserves attention. It is smaller than the whale-watching ship, but some departures can feel crowded when everyone heads to the outside viewing areas. Seats inside may not all have direct window views, and reaching an upper deck may involve a ladder. If you have limited mobility, are traveling with a very young child, or want a calm bird-watching setup, ask about the boat arrangement before you commit.

This part suits you best if you enjoy watching animal behavior rather than collecting perfect photos. You might see puffins gliding on the water, flying with their rapid wingbeats, or gathering around the island. You might also spend much of the hour trying to keep one in view. That is normal for a wild-bird cruise, but the advertising-style image of a close puffin portrait is not a safe expectation.

Use the Harbor Break for Food and a Reset

After the puffin trip, you return to Old Harbour for a break of about an hour and a half. This pause is one of the strongest features of the package. You can grab lunch, walk along the waterfront, warm up, and use the restroom before the longer voyage.

Ask the staff for a restaurant suggestion if you do not know the harbor. The company also provides access to restroom facilities, and you can ask reception for the toilet code. That small bit of preparation is useful before spending three hours at sea.

The gap also makes the day less tiring. You are not trapped on one boat for four straight hours, and you can decide how much time you want to spend outside during the second trip. If your puffin departure is rescheduled, though, the break may become longer or less predictable. Keep some flexibility in your plans.

Faxaflói Bay Requires Patience

The whale boat heads into Faxaflói, the large bay off Reykjavik. This is the longer and more substantial part of the day. The boat may spend about an hour reaching productive waters, then circle through areas where minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises may appear.

The wait is part of the experience. A whale may surface for only a few seconds, and you need to watch the water rather than stare at one fixed point. A good guide will direct your attention, point out where to look, and explain the difference between a blow, a dorsal fin, a back, and a tail. The marine biologist guides are especially helpful here because they connect each sighting with facts about the animals and Icelandic waters.

You could see one whale briefly, or several animals over a long period. Humpbacks have been seen close to the boat, including a mother and calf, while other trips have produced minke whales, pods of dolphins, and only a single distant whale. Some outings have had several humpbacks and hundreds of birds. The range is wide because these are free-ranging animals, not performers following a schedule.

The strongest wildlife moments come without warning. A humpback may roll beside the boat, show its white underside, or surface just behind you. Dolphins may travel in a group and vanish as quickly as they arrived. A guide once described a mother and young whale encounter as an unusually special event, which is a useful reminder that even experienced crews cannot promise the same scene twice.

The company offers a whale guarantee: if you do not see cetaceans, you can take the whale trip again free on another day. This is valuable if you are staying in Reykjavik for several nights. It is less useful if this is your final afternoon in Iceland, so book early in your trip when possible.

Comfort Is Better on the Whale Boat

I like the larger whale-watching vessel for the practical details. You can borrow protective clothing, use the heated indoor saloon, and watch through large windows if the wind becomes unpleasant. The boat also has WiFi and a café selling coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks.

The indoor space is not a substitute for being outside. Visibility is generally better from the deck, and you will want to move around when the crew spots wildlife. Still, having a warm place to recover is important in Iceland, especially when the wind picks up. Bring layers even if the forecast looks mild.

Children under 13 must wear life vests by law for the duration of the tour. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is near public transportation, but pickup and drop-off are not included. They can be arranged for an additional fee.

The maximum group size is 30. That is a manageable number for a guided wildlife trip, though the puffin portion may feel tighter than the whale portion because of the smaller boat and concentrated viewing areas.

The Guides Make the Difference

The live English commentary is more than background narration. The guides explain what you are seeing, where to look, and why the boat is changing course. That matters when a whale appears for only a few seconds or a puffin disappears into a busy group of seabirds.

The crew’s conduct around wildlife is also important. The boat should not crowd animals or force them to change direction. A respectful approach can mean fewer dramatic close passes, but it gives you a better chance of seeing natural behavior rather than a frightened animal fleeing a boat.

Expect the guides to be warm, clear, and enthusiastic about marine life. Several guides are marine biologists, which adds useful depth to the commentary without turning the excursion into a classroom lecture. The best moments come when a guide spots something before you do and calmly directs the whole boat to it.

An onboard Wildlife Exhibition is included as well. It gives you another way to learn about the animals and can be useful if weather delays part of the schedule.

What the $140 Price Really Buys

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride. You are paying for two separate excursions, boat crews, live commentary, binocular use, protective clothing, indoor heated seating, the wildlife exhibition, and the whale re-ride policy.

The value is strongest if you want both types of wildlife and have enough time in Reykjavik to try the whale trip again. Paying separately for two outings may cost more, and the combined format gives you a built-in harbor break. It also reduces the planning work of finding two operators and coordinating their departure points.

The value is weaker if you mainly want close puffin photographs. The birds may be too far away, and the smaller boat may not provide an ideal viewing position when full. It is also weaker if your schedule allows only one attempt at whale watching, since the guarantee requires another available day.

I would treat the price as reasonable for a full half-day on the water, not as a payment for guaranteed animals. You are buying access, equipment, crew effort, and a strong chance of sightings. Nature decides the final result.

Best Season, Weather, and Sightings

Puffins are present around the breeding islands during the nesting season, but numbers and viewing distance change. You may see hundreds, or only a handful. The birds are most rewarding when you have binoculars and patience.

Whales, dolphins, and porpoises are also wild animals. Some trips produce repeated humpback sightings and active dolphins, while others offer only a brief glimpse. Rough weather can cancel the trip, and the operator will offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

I would choose a day early in your Reykjavik stay. That gives you time to use the whale guarantee if the bay is empty and leaves room to reschedule after bad weather. Canceling on your own is free up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I recommend this package if you:

• Want two kinds of wildlife in one organized day.
• Enjoy being on the water even when sightings take time.
• Have a flexible Reykjavik schedule.
• Appreciate guides who explain animal behavior.
• Prefer a larger, warmer whale boat for the longer trip.
• Are happy to watch puffins from a distance rather than land beside them.

I would think twice if you need guaranteed close views, have severe motion sensitivity, or dislike switching boats. The trip can also disappoint photographers who expect phone-quality puffin images. Bring a real zoom camera if the birds are a priority.

Should You Book the Whale and Puffin Combo?

Book it if you want a well-organized day at sea and can accept the uncertainty that comes with wild animals. The whale portion is the stronger half for most people because the boat is more comfortable, the trip is longer, and the potential sightings are more dramatic.

The puffin cruise still earns its place if you are visiting during the breeding season and want to see the birds in their natural setting. Just keep your expectations realistic: you approach the island, but you do not land, and the puffins may be distant.

For the best odds, book early in your Iceland stay, bring binoculars, eat during the harbor break, and dress for wind. At $140, it is a fair choice for wildlife fans who value the chance of a memorable encounter more than certainty.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour begin?

It begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this one cruise or two separate tours?

It is two separate tours on two different boats. The puffin trip lasts about one hour on a smaller boat, followed by a three-hour whale-watching trip on a larger boat.

How much time do I have between the two tours?

You generally have about 90 minutes between the puffin and whale trips. You can use that time for lunch, a walk around Old Harbour, or a short rest.

What animals might I see?

The tours search for puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine life. Sightings are not guaranteed because the animals are wild.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

The whale guarantee lets you take the whale-watching trip again free of charge on another day. This works best if you are staying in Reykjavik long enough to return.

Are clothing and binoculars provided?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

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