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

Two boats, one wild day of sightings. This puffin plus whale outing splits your time between puffins near Lundey and bigger whale chances out in Faxafloi Bay, with heated indoor viewing and live English commentary the whole way.

I like how the crew keeps your attention on what matters out on the water, not just facts after the fact. I also like the whale guarantee, which gives you a free chance on another day if you miss cetaceans.

One possible drawback: puffins are small and fast, and on some days they can sit farther away than you’d hope, so you’ll want patience and a camera plan.

Key things to know before you go

• Two separate experiences on two boats so you get puffins first, then switch to a larger vessel for whales.
• Heated, indoor viewing with big windows, so cold weather is less of a decision-maker.
• Protective gear and binoculars are provided, which helps you stay comfortable and spot wildlife faster.
• Live onboard English commentary guides your eyes, which makes a huge difference when animals are fleeting.
• Whale re-try guarantee means you are not stuck with one shot only if whales do not show up.

Why this combo tour is a smart use of half a day

Iceland’s wildlife watching can be unpredictable. Wind, waves, and the animals’ own timing decide a lot of the outcome, and no tour operator can control that. What this combo tour does well is give you two chances at wildlife in one booking, instead of betting everything on one species.

You start with puffins near their breeding islands and then move on to deeper whale watching in Faxafloi Bay. That pacing matters because it prevents your brain from doing that tired mode where you feel you have already seen everything. Plus, the tour is structured so you get a proper break in Reykjavik between the two boats.

And yes, the comfort helps. Heated indoor spaces and provided gear take the edge off those windy coastal moments when you’d rather not be shivering for hours.

Getting to Elding Whale Watching and what to do before boarding

Your meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the same spot, so you are not scrambling for transport afterward.

This matters because you can treat the day like an easy itinerary: arrive, check in, gear up, go do the water part, then come back to town. The tour has a maximum of 30 travelers, which usually means the boats feel more manageable than the giant cattle-car style on some excursions.

Before you step onto either boat, do two practical things. First, plan your clothing for wind, not just air temperature. Second, decide how you want to view wildlife: binoculars are provided, but if you have your own zoom camera, bring it since puffins move fast.

Lundey puffins: the smaller boat stop that sets the tone

Stop 1 takes you out to Lundey for about 1 hour of puffin watching from a smaller passenger boat. You sail toward one of three puffin islands that hold thousands of puffins during breeding season. This is the moment for quick scanning, because puffins can pop up, fly, or skim the water in bursts.

You can borrow binoculars on board, and you can also bring a zoom camera if you want tighter shots. Expect the viewing to be “look hard and look often,” not “sit back and wait for a parade.” Puffins are compact and energetic, and wildlife is rarely still for long.

What I really like about this first stop is the learning vibe. The live English commentary helps you understand what you are actually seeing, from behavior to habitat. That guidance makes the whole experience feel more like observing a real ecosystem instead of chasing highlights.

Possible drawback here is simple: because this is a smaller boat and the puffins are wild, you may get mostly distant views depending on where the birds are that day. Even when you see them, photos can be harder if the birds are farther out or moving fast through choppy water.

Old Harbour break: use the time wisely between boats

Between the puffin cruise and the whale cruise, you get a break in Reykjavik. The schedule lists time around Old Harbour (about 1 hour 30 minutes), which is long enough for lunch and a quick reset.

This in-between block is more than downtime. It’s where you can warm up, eat something real, and get back to normal life before the longer time on the whale boat. If you are traveling with anyone who gets motion sick, this break is a lifesaver. It also keeps you from feeling like your only mission for the day is sitting on a deck.

Practical tip: eat before you head out for the whale segment if you can. Several people describe the whale watching time as the part where you end up staying focused on spotting moments, and snacks do not always feel like a full meal when the sea state is active.

Old Harbour is also a nice area to walk off the salt wind. It gives you a chance to enjoy Reykjavik while your boat time is still fresh in your mind.

Faxafloi Bay whales: the larger-boat 3-hour search

Stop 3 is your whale watching segment, lasting about 3 hours. You sail out into Faxaflói Bay, described as the biggest bay in Iceland. The search focuses on minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

Here’s why this portion is worth your attention: it is not just a short “drive-by” hunt. You have time to follow patterns, reposition, and keep eyes on the water for the brief surfacing moments that make whale watching feel magical.

The tour also includes a sighting guarantee. If you do not see cetaceans on your whale watching tour, you can try again another day free of charge. This is one of the most valuable items in the whole package because it protects you from the one thing you cannot plan for, a no-show.

On the whale boat, you’ll benefit from the heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. That matters because you do not have to stay exposed to wind while scanning for blows and dorsal fins. Many people wait outside anyway for the “real deck view,” but having indoor space means you can switch without giving up the search.

And if conditions are rough, plan to be patient. A humpback might be in view for a moment, then gone. If you are watching with your eyes only, you can miss it. If you also listen and scan where the crew tells you, your odds feel better.

Onboard comfort, gear, and the value of real guidance

A lot of tours say they are comfortable. This one is specific about why comfort matters: you get protective clothing and heated indoor viewing. The goal is simple. You stay warm enough to focus on spotting, not warm enough to be bored.

The indoor saloon has large windows, and there is complimentary WiFi onboard. WiFi is not the reason you came to Iceland, but it’s useful if you want to message family, check a map, or post a quick update when you’re back in town. It also makes waiting between sightings feel less like time loss.

The tour includes access to a wildlife exhibition, which helps you connect names and behaviors to what you see during the boat time. That kind of context is underrated because it changes how you look at the water.

One of the biggest praise points from real experience is the live commentary. Guides provide excellent English narration, and that matters because whales and puffins are often visible in tiny windows of time. When you hear what you’re looking for and where to look, you waste less energy guessing.

Comfort note based on what you might encounter: some boats and viewing layouts can feel crowded, especially on smaller vessels. If you are sensitive to crowds or want quiet space, this is worth factoring into your expectations for the puffin segment.

Photography and spotting tips so you catch the short moments

If you care about photos, here’s the mindset that will save you disappointment. Wildlife watching is not a studio session. Even with the best camera, whales and puffins are fast, and sightings can be brief.

For puffins, bring a realistic expectation. They are small and they flutter. Use binoculars to confirm you have the bird in view, then try your camera once you see movement patterns. If your goal is sharp shots, a strong zoom lens helps, but timing matters even more than magnification.

For whales, set yourself up to avoid missing the surfacing. Keep your eyes on the water and your attention guided by the crew. The crew experience is part of why this tour scores well, because they help you scan the most likely areas instead of random cruising.

Also: dress for wet wind, not dry sunshine. Even with protective gear provided, you can still get chilled from sea spray. If you are doing this in a shoulder season or on a windy day, prioritize waterproof layers.

Value check: does $140 make sense for a two-boat day?

At $140 per person, this is not a budget activity. So the value question is not just the price, it’s what you get for that price.

You are buying:

• A 1-hour puffin cruise on a smaller boat
• A 3-hour whale cruise on a larger boat
• Protective clothing and binoculars
• Heated indoor viewing and WiFi onboard
• Live English commentary plus wildlife exhibition access
• A whale guarantee that gives you a free re-try if cetaceans do not appear

That guarantee alone changes the math. If you are booking for one whale outing only, you can lose the day to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Here, the operator builds in a safety net.

The split-day format also adds value. You get a full Reykjavik break between boats, so the day does not feel like one long slog. And because you’re on a larger vessel for whales, you get better comfort and sustained searching time than many short half-hour tours.

One more value point: the tour is capped at 30 travelers. That tends to keep the experience from feeling like a chaotic scramble for deck space.

So is it worth it? If you want both puffins and whales and you appreciate guidance and comfort, yes, this feels like strong value for Iceland in summer.

Who should book this, and who might want a different plan

This combo is ideal if you:

• Want the best odds by targeting two kinds of wildlife in one go
• Value heated indoor spaces and provided protective gear
• Prefer active guidance, not just sitting quietly and hoping
• Are traveling in English and want live onboard storytelling

It may not be ideal if you:

• Want puffins mainly for close-up photography, since puffins can be farther away depending on conditions
• Strongly dislike crowds, especially on smaller boats
• Have mobility limits that make stairs or shifting decks harder, because smaller-boat viewing can involve more movement

If you’re a whale-first person, you can still enjoy the puffin portion as a fun warm-up. But your decision should be based on whales too, since the longer segment is where your time and comfort investment concentrates.

Should you book this two-in-one Elding tour?

Book it if you want a smart, comfort-first wildlife day that targets both puffins and whales, with real reassurance built in via the whale re-try guarantee. The heated saloon, gear, and live English commentary all work together so you can focus on spotting instead of fighting the weather.

Skip it only if puffin viewing close-up is your top priority. In that case, you might find this combo’s puffin segment less satisfying on days when birds are distant and quick.

If your schedule allows, I’d choose this tour rather than trying to squeeze in separate activities yourself. Two boats, one plan, and a meaningful shot at whales in Faxaflói Bay is a very solid half-day in Reykjavik.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Two-in-One Whale and Puffin Watching Tours?

The whale and puffin combo runs about 4 to 6 hours total.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $140.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

What happens during the puffin part of the tour?

You’ll do an approximately 1-hour puffin watching cruise to islands around Lundey during breeding season, with binoculars available.

What happens during the whale part of the tour?

You’ll do an approximately 3-hour whale watching cruise in Faxaflói Bay, looking for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

Is the tour language English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Are protective clothes and binoculars included?

Yes. The tour includes protective clothing and binoculars.

Is there heated indoor space onboard?

Yes, there is a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, but they are not included.

What’s the whale guarantee?

The whale portion includes a sighting guarantee. If you do not see cetaceans on your tour, you can try again another day free of charge.

Is there a cancellation option?

Yes. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the experience requires good weather.