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

Puffins and whales make this a strong Iceland summer outing, but remember that it is two separate boat trips, not one combined cruise. You first spend about an hour near Lundey or another puffin island, then return to Reykjavik for free time before boarding a larger vessel for three hours in Faxaflói Bay.

I like the wildlife guarantee: if you see no cetaceans, you can take the whale trip again for free. I also like the practical comfort of heated indoor seating, large viewing windows, waterproof clothing, and live English commentary. The main catch is that puffins are often farther away than photographs suggest, and sightings depend heavily on season, weather, and animal behavior.

Key details at a glance

• Two boats, two outings: A smaller boat handles the one-hour puffin trip, while a larger vessel carries you into Faxaflói Bay for whale watching.
• A useful break in the middle: You usually have time to eat at the Old Harbour, walk around Reykjavik, or warm up before the longer cruise.
• Best summer timing: Puffins are present in greatest numbers during their breeding season, while whale sightings can vary from excellent to very limited.
• Comfort in rough weather: You can use protective clothing and a heated saloon with large windows, though the sea may still feel lively.
• Good wildlife coverage: The search includes minke whales, humpbacks, porpoises, dolphins, and seabirds.
• Free second chance for whales: No cetaceans means you can return another day without paying again for the whale portion.

Why this outing works better than a standard harbor cruise

This experience gives you two very different views of Icelandic wildlife. The puffin trip is short and local, with the boat edging toward a breeding island. The whale trip is longer and more open, taking you across Faxaflói Bay in search of larger animals.

I like that the break between tours is built into the day. You are not trapped on one boat for four or five hours, waiting for the scenery to change. You can get lunch, visit the harbor, use the restroom, or simply sit indoors with a coffee before heading back out.

The tradeoff is that the combination can feel less tidy than its name suggests. You must check in for both tours, keep track of two departure times, and change boats. If you expect a single vessel with puffins and whales together, you may be disappointed. Elding also offers other wildlife options, including a RIB or zodiac trip that combines the two subjects in one outing, but that is a different experience.

The puffin boat to Lundey

The first cruise lasts about one hour. A smaller passenger boat takes you toward Lundey or one of two other islands that host large puffin colonies during breeding season. The boat does not let you walk on the island. You watch from the water, using the binoculars supplied by Elding or your own zoom camera.

That detail matters. Puffins are small, quick birds. They may sit on the water, fly low over the waves, or gather on the island at a distance. On a good day, you can see many of them. On a less favorable day, you may see birds but struggle to appreciate their bright bills or capture useful photographs.

I would bring your own binoculars if you have a decent pair. The loaners are helpful, but some visitors found them limited. A phone camera usually will not produce satisfying puffin photographs from this distance, so a camera with a strong zoom gives you a better chance.

The puffin outing has a split personality. Some people get close enough to see large numbers of birds around the island and on the water. Others find the boat crowded, especially when everyone moves outside at once. The upper deck may require climbing a ladder, and some seats inside do not have windows. If you have limited mobility, or if you are traveling with very young children, ask about the seating and boat arrangement before booking.

The small vessel can also feel less comfortable for serious bird watching than expected. It is designed for a short harbor and island trip, not for quiet hours with a field guide. Still, the one-hour length keeps the weaker parts from dragging on.

A useful pause at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Between the two cruises, you get roughly an hour and a half of free time. This is one of the most practical parts of the package. Reykjavik’s Old Harbour has restaurants nearby, and you can ask Elding staff for suggestions.

Eat before the whale cruise if you can. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, but the selection is better suited to snacks than a full meal. Coffee and hot chocolate can help on a chilly afternoon, but you will be happier starting the longer trip with lunch already taken care of.

The pause also gives you time to walk around the harbor and see Reykjavik from land. Several people appreciated being able to stretch their legs before the three-hour outing. If the tours are rescheduled because of weather, however, the waiting period can become less convenient. Keep your schedule flexible and do not plan a tight reservation immediately afterward.

One small practical tip: ask at the Elding reception desk for the restroom code. It is useful before the first boat, during the break, and again when you return.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The second outing uses a much larger boat and lasts about three hours. You travel into Faxaflói, Iceland’s broad bay, while the crew searches for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises. The vessel has a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, plus outdoor viewing areas for those who want a clearer sight line.

The longer duration is necessary. You may spend about an hour getting out toward the areas where animals are active, then wait and scan the water. A whale may appear for only a few seconds. A dolphin pod can vanish almost as quickly. The guide’s job is to spot the movement, point you toward it, and explain what to watch for.

This is where the live commentary earns its place. The guides share facts about puffins, whales, seabirds, and Icelandic waters, and they help you understand the difference between a blow, a dorsal fin, a back, and a tail. Good direction matters because wildlife rarely appears exactly where you are looking.

Sightings can be spectacular. The strongest accounts include several humpbacks, dolphins, minke whales, and a mother with her calf. A humpback surfacing close to the boat can turn the whole outing into a memorable Iceland moment. At other times, you may see one whale briefly, or no whale at all. That uncertainty is not a flaw in the crew. These are wild animals, and the bay does not operate on a timetable.

The whale guarantee improves the value. If you see no cetaceans, Elding lets you try the whale trip again for free on another day. It is especially useful to book this early in your Iceland stay, since you need time to use the second chance. The guarantee does not promise a close approach or a particular species, but it does reduce the risk of paying for a blank outing.

Warm clothes, windows, and the sea

Iceland’s summer weather can shift quickly. The boats provide protective clothing, and the larger vessel has heated indoor seating. You can move between the saloon and outdoor decks as conditions change.

Do not treat the protective gear as a substitute for warm layers. Bring a hat, gloves, and waterproof footwear if you have them. The wind on the water can feel much colder than the temperature in central Reykjavik.

The boat is generally comfortable, but the bay can be rough. Seasickness tablets may be available from the staff, and taking precautions makes sense if you are sensitive to motion. Looking at the horizon and staying outside in fresh air can help, but no method works for everyone.

Children under 13 must wear life jackets for the full tour by law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is capped at 30 participants, though the smaller puffin boat may feel crowded when everyone gathers on deck.

Complimentary WiFi is available on board, and you also get access to a wildlife exhibition. Elding may take photographs during the outing and send them afterward at no extra cost. Those images can be useful, especially for puffins that sit too far away for a phone camera.

Timing, seasons, and realistic expectations

The puffin portion is most appealing during the breeding season, when the islands are home to thousands of birds. Even then, the number you see and how close they appear can vary. Late summer can produce a disappointing puffin trip if birds have moved on or spend more time away from the usual viewing spots.

Whale watching has no guaranteed season of success either, although summer generally offers the best conditions for this type of outing. Some departures produce multiple humpbacks and dolphins. Others produce a short glimpse or no whale at all. The crew may work hard, circle an area, and follow a whale respectfully, but they cannot make it surface on command.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you book. If you need guaranteed close-up wildlife photography, this is not the right activity. If you enjoy being outdoors, watching the sea, and learning how guides track animals, the experience has more to offer than a simple checklist of species.

The stated duration is about four to six hours, including the two cruises and the break. Allow the full block of time. Weather can affect departure times, and the day may run longer if arrangements change.

The $140 price and what you receive

At $140 per person, this is not a cheap harbor activity. You are paying for two admissions, two boats, several hours of crew time, protective clothing, binocular access, live commentary, WiFi, and the whale retry policy.

The value is strongest if you want both puffins and whales and prefer to keep your day centered in Reykjavik. You avoid arranging separate bookings and get a built-in break between the outings. The price also looks better if you use the whale guarantee, since a second whale trip would otherwise require another purchase.

The value is weaker if puffins are your only priority. The birds may be distant, the small boat can feel crowded, and you cannot step onto the island. You may prefer a different puffin option if getting closer for photography matters most.

It is also not ideal if you have only one free afternoon. The whales may not appear, and the puffin cruise may not deliver the close view you imagined. In that case, you are paying for time on the water and expert searching rather than a guaranteed animal encounter.

Who should book this Elding combination?

I would choose this for a first Iceland visit in summer, especially if you have at least one flexible day in Reykjavik. It suits families, couples, photographers with proper zoom equipment, and anyone who likes natural history but does not want a strenuous excursion.

It is a good fit if you value patient wildlife watching over instant results. You may see dolphins racing beside the boat, a minke whale surfacing, or a humpback showing its tail. You may also spend long stretches scanning empty water. That is the honest nature of the activity.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, struggle with motion sickness, need a quiet bird-watching platform, or expect puffins to fill the frame of your phone. Older adults and families with small children should ask about the smaller boat’s ladder and seating before committing.

The English-speaking crew adds real value. The guides explain what is happening and help you look in the right place, rather than leaving you to stare at a wide bay and hope for a fin.

Booking and cancellation basics

Elding’s meeting point is at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, and the activity ends there. Pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be arranged for an extra fee. The harbor is near public transportation, and parking is available.

You receive confirmation when you book. The tour is offered in English, and advance demand is fairly strong, with bookings often made about 60 days ahead. Reserve early if your Iceland dates are fixed, but keep a weather backup in mind.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded. If poor weather cancels the activity, Elding offers another date or a full refund.

Should you book the two-in-one tour?

Book it if you want a convenient summer wildlife day with a strong chance of seeing something interesting, plus a free retry if the whale search fails. The warm saloon, loaner gear, helpful guides, and break in Reykjavik make the long day manageable.

Skip it if your main goal is a close puffin photograph or a single, tightly organized cruise. The puffin boat is the weaker half for some people, and the animals may remain distant. For the best odds, book early in your stay, bring real binoculars and a zoom camera, eat during the harbor break, and treat every sighting as a gift from wild Iceland rather than a scheduled performance.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

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

How long does the full experience take?

The complete outing takes approximately four to six hours, including the one-hour puffin cruise, free time at the Old Harbour, and the three-hour whale-watching trip.

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 separate outings with free time between them.

What animals might I see?

The whale trip searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The puffin trip visits islands where large breeding colonies gather during the season. Other seabirds may also be visible.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

Elding’s whale guarantee lets you take the whale-watching tour again for free if you see no cetaceans. Booking early in your Iceland stay gives you the best chance to use this option.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board, but eating lunch during the break at the Old Harbour is recommended.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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