Puffins and whales in one easy Reykjavik stretch. You get a heated indoor saloon for comfort at sea and a whale guarantee that lets you try again if cetaceans don’t show up. The trade-off: the puffin portion is short, and you may end up watching from a bit of a distance (plus the smaller boat can feel tight, depending on where you’re seated).

This is a 4 to 6 hour combo that splits your day into two separate outings. You’ll start at Elding Whale Watching, do a puffin run out of Lundey, then reset with time in Old Harbour before heading back out into Faxaflói Bay for the longer whale hunt.

Key things to know before you go

• Heated indoor viewing with large windows makes cold wind feel way less dramatic.
• Two different boats, two different vibes: smaller puffin boat vs. larger whale boat.
• On-board commentary in English helps you spot what matters fast.
• Use protective gear and binoculars so you’re not stuck squinting through the weather.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed for puffins, but the whale trip includes a re-try if no cetaceans are seen.

Two-in-one wildlife cruising from Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s sea life is the whole point of this day. And instead of forcing you to choose between birds and whales, this combo gives you both in one ticket. The structure is simple: puffins first, whales second. That order also helps your eyes. Birds feel busy and quick. Whales tend to be slower and more “wait, breathe, then suddenly… there they are.”

I like that the experience is built for real North Atlantic conditions. You’re not just bundled up and told to hope. You get protective clothing and an indoor viewing area so you can switch between fresh air and warmth without missing the action.

One more detail that matters: the group size is capped at 30. That’s not tiny, but it usually keeps the tour from turning into a wall of elbows, at least on the whale boat.

How the heated saloon and protective gear change the experience

On paper, whale watching sounds like a weather problem. In practice, this tour treats weather like a real factor. You’ll have protective gear plus an indoor saloon with large viewing windows. That means if the wind picks up, you can still watch without turning the trip into a nonstop coat-juggling act.

Here’s what that does for your comfort and your focus:

• You can stay present. When you’re cold, you miss details.
• You can actually look for patterns. With live on-board commentary, you’ll learn what to scan for and where.
• You can rotate between inside and outside instead of committing to freezing for hours.

And yes, it’s also a morale boost. Waiting for whales is a lot easier when you’re not battling numb fingers the whole time.

Stop 1: Lundey puffin watching on the smaller boat

The puffin part is a 1-hour outing that sails to one of up to three islands where puffins gather in breeding season. This is the part of the trip that feels most like “bird safari.” You’ll borrow binoculars, and you can bring a zoom lens/camera if you want to get sharper views.

What to expect:

• Puffins can be close to the island, but they’re also small and fast.
• You’ll likely do more scanning than stalking.
• Your best views come from staying ready—when a puffin pops into sight, you want your eyes already moving.

A real-world consideration: the smaller boat can feel more crowded, and some seating may be inside rather than right at the outer windows. If you’re hoping for big, frame-filling puffin close-ups, adjust your expectations. Even on a good day, they can be farther out than you’d imagine from promo photos.

Another small but important point: access to higher viewing spots can involve climbing up from the main area. If you have mobility concerns, it’s worth thinking about how that might feel for you on a moving boat.

The Old Harbour break: lunch, reset, and a quick Reykjavik breather

Between the puffin and whale outings, you get a free chunk of time back on land. Think about roughly 1.5 hours. This is perfect for a proper lunch at Old Harbour instead of trying to eat while you’re still in full sea-scan mode.

What I like about this break:

• You can warm up your body and your brain.
• You can re-check your camera settings before the longer whale portion.
• Old Harbour is a good place to walk off the “still on the boat” feeling.

Practical tip: eat something before you head back out, because food on board is not included (it’s available for purchase). If you’re the type who gets seasick, having a calmer stomach going into the whale search can help.

Stop 2: Faxaflói Bay whale watching on the larger boat

This is the main event: a 3-hour cruise into Faxaflói Bay, described as Iceland’s biggest bay. The goal is to spot cetaceans—minke whales, humpback whales, plus porpoises and dolphins.

Two things make this whale section stand out for me:

• You’re on a larger boat, which usually helps with comfort when the sea gets a bit pushy.
• There’s a sighting guarantee. If cetaceans aren’t spotted on your whale tour, you can try again another day free of charge.

Yes, that guarantee is only meaningful if the company can run it, and whales still don’t follow schedules. But it’s the kind of safety net that gives you peace of mind—especially if you’re only in Reykjavik for a short time.

When whales show up, the rhythm changes. Instead of scanning constantly, you focus on the pattern the guide tells you to watch—surface activity, blow location, and movement direction. The on-board commentary helps you understand what you’re seeing, and it also keeps everyone looking at the same clues rather than wandering off to chase individual sightings.

And if your day is a good one? This is where you can get memorable moments. I’ve seen plenty of wildlife reports from Iceland that sound almost too perfect—mother and calf whale behavior, repeated breaching, dolphins moving with the boat. This is the tour that’s designed to give you those “wait… did you see that?” flashes.

Wildlife exhibition and onboard extras that make the day smoother

This combo isn’t only about what happens outside. You also get access to a wildlife exhibition, which is a nice way to start the day with context. It helps you know what you’re looking at and why it matters, even before you head out onto the water.

On board, you’ll have complimentary WiFi. You’ll also find live commentary in English, which makes a difference when you’re trying to spot quick movements against a gray sea.

And for comfort, remember: protective gear and the heated indoor saloon aren’t small add-ons. They’re what allow most people to enjoy the full time instead of calling it early because they’re uncomfortable.

Value check: is $140 worth it?

At $140 per person, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But it is strong value if you care about two categories of wildlife in one organized day.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• You’re buying two separate outings: 1 hour for puffins and 3 hours for whales.
• Included gear reduces the cost you’d otherwise spend (and the hassle of dressing for sea conditions yourself).
• You have a sighting guarantee for the whale portion, which is rare and meaningful.
• The heated indoor space is part of the product, not just a nice bonus.

What’s not included is also worth planning for. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board, but you’ll want to budget for that. If you prefer to eat well without paying on a moving boat, plan to have lunch during the Old Harbour break.

Also, this combo is often booked about 60 days in advance on average. That’s not just a sales tactic. It suggests it’s a popular “must-do” format, so booking early can help you lock in a time that fits your trip.

Who this tour suits best (and when you might want another option)

This combo is a great fit if you:

• Want whales and puffins without doing two full day trips.
• Like having structure—two timed outings with a land break.
• Appreciate guidance. Spotting wildlife is easier when someone helps you read the water.
• Are okay with the fact that wildlife viewing is real life. If whales or puffins don’t cooperate, you don’t just get nothing.

It may feel less ideal if you:

• Expect guaranteed close-up puffin views. Puffins are small, fast, and often seen from a distance.
• Don’t like crowded spaces. The smaller boat can have more crowding pressure, and some seating choices may be less ideal for bird watching.
• Have trouble with ladders or steps to reach higher decks on the puffin boat.

If you’re traveling with kids, the good news is that most travelers can participate, but children under 13 must wear life vests by law for the duration of the tour. That’s normal here, but it’s still worth factoring into how you pack and how your child handles safety gear.

If the sea is rough, you’ll likely want to take sea-sickness precautions. Some guests have been helped by planning ahead with medication before departure, and the boat crew can advise how to handle it.

Practical tips to get more from your viewing time

Wildlife tours live and die by your habits once you’re on board. Here’s how to stack the odds in your favor:

• Dress in layers even if you’ll use protective clothing. You’ll be happier moving between inside warmth and outside wind.
• If you want puffin photos, bring a camera with a solid zoom and be ready to shoot quickly. Puffins don’t pose.
• When the guide points out activity, commit. Don’t drift toward the next “maybe.” The best sightings often follow a guide’s scanning pattern.
• For whales, stay patient. The whale portion is longer for a reason. It’s about waiting for the water to do its thing.
• Eat before boarding the whale boat if you can. Motion is easier on a calmer stomach.
• Bring binoculars only if you love using your own. Binoculars are provided, and you’ll usually get good use out of them without overpacking.

Should you book this two-in-one combo from Reykjavik?

If you want the best shot at both whales and puffins in a single day, I think this is a smart booking. The heated indoor saloon, protective clothing, English commentary, and the whale re-try option make it a safer bet than a bare-bones wildlife boat.

My only caution is about the puffin expectations. If your dream is huge, close, easy-to-photograph puffins, this combo may still surprise you in a good way—but puffins can be small and quick, and the smaller boat experience can vary based on seating and day conditions.

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys the process—scanning, learning, and being flexible about wildlife—this is worth your time and your money. Just don’t treat it like a guaranteed video-ready wildlife show. Treat it like a guided day at sea where comfort and guidance help you catch the real moments when they happen.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik whales and puffins combo tour?

The total experience runs about 4 to 6 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What wildlife can you see?

On the puffin portion you look for puffins on breeding-season islands near Lundey. On the whale portion you search for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the live on-board commentary is provided in English.

What’s included in the price?

You get two tours (about 1 hour for puffins and about 3 hours for whales), use of protective clothing and binoculars, access to a heated indoor saloon with large windows, complimentary WiFi onboard, live commentary in English, access to a wildlife exhibition, and a whale re-try guarantee if cetaceans aren’t seen.

What if you don’t see whales?

The whale portion has a sighting guarantee. If you don’t see cetaceans on your whale tour, you can try again another day free of charge.

Do I need to bring binoculars or camera gear?

Binoculars are available for you to use. If you want better puffin photos, the tour experience also works well with a zoom camera, but it isn’t required.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board, but they’re not included.

Do kids need life vests?

Children under 13 are required by law to wear life-vests for the duration of the tour.

Is pickup or dropoff included?

No. Pickup and dropoff aren’t included, but they may be arranged for a fee.