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

This two-in-one wildlife day from Reykjavik is interesting because it gives you two different chances in the same half-day window: puffins first, then a longer whale search. I really like that you are not stuck outside in the cold, with protective gear and a heated indoor saloon for whale watching.

I also like the practical safety net on the whale portion, the sighting guarantee that lets you try again if cetaceans do not show. One thing to consider: puffins are small and fast, and on some days you may mainly get distant views rather than big, frame-filling photo moments.

Key things to know before you go

• Protective clothing plus heated indoor space means you can watch comfortably, even if the wind turns.
• Whale watching with a guarantee reduces the stress of wondering if you paid for nothing.
• Two separate boats and schedules gives you a clean break in Old Harbour between cruises.
• Binoculars are included for the puffin leg, and a zoom camera helps if birds are farther out.
• Onboard live English commentary makes the wildlife sightings more than random spotting.
• Smaller puffin boat dynamics can feel crowded for some people, and ladders can be involved if you want the top deck.

How the Reykjavik 2-boat combo actually plays out

This combo is built for one goal, maximizing wildlife time without turning your day into a travel puzzle. You start at Elding Whale Watching on Ægisgarður in central Reykjavik. Then you split your day between two different cruises on two different boats, with a break in between.

The timing is what makes it work well for most itineraries. You get about one hour for puffins on a smaller passenger boat, then a break in Old Harbour, and then about three hours on a larger boat for whales. Reviews and the tour structure both point to the same rhythm: puffins are quick and focused, whales are longer and more search-heavy.

Group size is kept modest, with a maximum of 30 travelers. That matters because wildlife watching is a game of scanning and repositioning, and smaller groups tend to move around without feeling like cattle drives. Still, both legs are shared boats, so you should expect standard boat-crowd behavior when something gets spotted.

If you are in Reykjavik for a short time and you want both species without planning separate days, this format is a smart use of time. If you are chasing a super close puffin experience above all else, you will want to manage expectations about distance and viewing angles.

Puffins at Lundey: what the 1-hour cruise feels like

Your puffin time happens near Lundey, sailing toward islands where puffins breed. In other words, this is not a random “maybe we’ll see birds” stop. It is a targeted run during breeding season when puffins are present in larger numbers.

On the water, your main job is simple: look and track. You will be offered binoculars, and you can bring a zoom camera if you want tighter shots when birds are farther out or flying across the scene. Puffins move fast, and they are small at sea level. The best results come from steady scanning and quick timing, not from waiting for one bird to pose.

This leg is also where I’d tell you to be extra realistic about what “seeing puffins” means. A few reviews noted that puffins can appear distant in the water or in flight. In plain terms, if your dream is puffins at arm’s length, this might not fully match it. You can still have fun here. It just helps to treat it like a “wildlife viewing in their habitat” experience, not an indoor exhibit.

One more practical consideration from real-world feedback: the smaller boat setup can be tight. Some seats may be indoors without big windows, and getting to an outdoor viewing area can involve climbing a ladder. If you are older, traveling with kids, or you just prefer smooth access, plan your comfort choices before you board.

What you likely will love most is the vibe. Puffins are adorable, and when a group finds action near the island, the whole boat tends to lock into the same goal, spotting, pointing, and comparing bird behavior.

Old Harbour in the middle: use the break for lunch and breathing room

Between the puffin and whale legs, you get free time in Reykjavik, around a couple of hours. This is not an afterthought. It is built into the experience so you can reset, warm up on land, and eat without having to rush.

Old Harbour is an easy place to do that. The practical win here is timing. Puffins are short, then you have a window to grab lunch, use restrooms on land, and walk for a bit. Reviews even described enjoying snacks and relaxing during the gap.

If you want a simple strategy, do this:

• Eat something filling before the whale boat heads out.
• Keep your layers easy to grab, because you will likely go from indoor warmth back to chilly wind.
• If you care about photos, take a quick walk in the harbor area so you have at least a few city shots as a backup to sea footage.

This break also solves a common problem with wildlife tours. You are not doing two cruises back-to-back with no mental recovery time. You can be more present for the whales, which is when your attention really pays off.

Faxaflói Bay whale watching: the 3-hour search with a real safety net

The whale portion runs out into Faxaflói Bay, the biggest bay in Iceland. Here the tour is looking for minke whales, humpback whales, plus porpoises and dolphins. This is where you should shift from “bird spotting” to “marine mammal tracking,” because cetacean sightings often come in bursts.

Expect a mix of scanning and repositioning. One of the best things about this cruise is the live onboard commentary in English. Guides talk while they search, so you learn what you are looking for and where to focus your eyes. That turns the whole experience into something you can actually participate in, instead of sitting and hoping.

You also have a built-in safety net. The whale tour has a sighting guarantee. If cetaceans do not show up on your whale portion, you can try again another day for free. That does not remove the uncertainty of wildlife. It just removes the worst feeling, paying and feeling like the sea delivered nothing.

I’d also tell you how to frame expectations. Even with good guides and careful searching, whales can be quick to surface. Several reviews described sightings that lasted seconds or required fast attention. That is normal. The goal is to be ready, eyes open, and not blink the moment the spout appears.

You might see one of the classic highlights too. Some people reported humpback whales, including a mother and calf, which is the kind of rare moment you remember for years. Others saw dolphins in larger numbers, plus sea birds along the way. Even when the “main whale” is brief, the overall mix of marine wildlife often keeps the trip exciting.

Finally, the whale boat typically feels more stable and roomier than the puffin boat, which is a comfort factor if you get motion-sensitive.

Comfort and onboard perks: why heated viewing matters

This is not a bare-bones boat experience. You are given protective clothing and you can use a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. That is the underrated superpower in Iceland. Wind, spray, and cold take energy away. Heat lets you stay focused on the animals longer.

The tour also includes complimentary WiFi onboard. It is not the reason you book, but it is useful if you want to share a photo, check maps, or just send a quick message while you warm up.

Binoculars are part of the included package for the puffin leg. For the whale portion, the viewing setup plus commentary usually does the heavy lifting. If you care about photos, bring a camera or phone with enough zoom ability. Several reviews suggested that puffins are difficult to photograph because they are small and quick, so better optics can help.

There’s also an included wildlife exhibition. Think of it as a pre-viewing primer. Even if you know nothing about Icelandic marine life, you’ll likely leave with more context than you started with.

And then there are the small morale boosts. A number of reviews mentioned photos sent after the tour at no extra cost. That is not something I’d treat as guaranteed, but it is a nice bonus if it happens for your sailing.

One more comfort note: food and drinks are available to purchase on board, not included. Bring a plan. If you hate making decisions on a moving boat, consider eating before you board and then buy only a warm drink if you want it.

Spotting odds, boat crowding, and how to photograph smarter

Iceland wildlife is not a vending machine. You pay for time on the water and expert searching, not a guarantee of everything. Still, this specific structure improves your odds because you are doing two targeted legs.

For puffins, Lundey can deliver real action, but they are small. A few reviews described puffins being visible mainly at distance, flying or swimming, which makes photos tough. The best way to deal with that is to pick your goal before you go:

• If your goal is a “look at them in habitat” experience, you’ll likely feel happy even without perfect close-ups.
• If your goal is sharp puffin portraits, you will want your best camera settings, and you should expect that speed wins over patience.

For whales, your odds depend on conditions and time in the bay. The guides do a lot to help you track what matters. The guarantee helps you emotionally, but you still want to be prepared to see whales only briefly. That means keeping your eyes up and your gear ready when something surfaces.

Crowding is another variable. On the puffin boat, some reviews mentioned seats inside without windows and a feeling of crowding when trying to move outside for a better view. On the whale boat, reviews described it as more comfortable and spacious.

If you want a simple approach to viewing:

• Wear your warm layers and use the heated area when needed.
• Move strategically. When someone spots something, do not sprint randomly. Focus on where you can see the horizon and where people are already gathered.
• Give yourself time to cool down between spotting flurries. The experience lasts hours, and cold fatigue makes it harder to enjoy.

Value check: is 140 dollars a fair deal?

At $140 per person, you are paying for two cruises and the infrastructure that makes them bearable. You are not just buying boat time. You are getting:

• A 1-hour puffin tour and a 3-hour whale tour
• Protective clothing and binocular use
• Heated indoor viewing during whale watching
• Complimentary WiFi onboard
• A whale sighting guarantee
• Access to a wildlife exhibition

The big value driver here is the whale guarantee. That is the part that turns the price from a gamble into a more reasonable bet. It also means you are paying for an experience designed to search actively, not just to take you out and hope.

The other value driver is comfort. A heated viewing area and protective gear can easily be the difference between enjoying your photos and leaving miserable. When the weather is windy, that comfort saves the day.

The main cost you should plan for is food and drinks, which are not included. If you treat meals as part of your harbor break, you can keep onboard spending down. You can also buy warm drinks on the boat if you want.

So who gets the best value? People who want both puffins and whales in one Reykjavik day, and people who hate planning too many separate activities. If you already have a strong whale day booked, this combo might be less necessary. If you are trying to cover both species with limited time, it makes sense.

Who this combo tour suits best

This is a great fit if you:

• Want whales and puffins in the same half-day from Reykjavik
• Prefer guided wildlife spotting with live English commentary
• Like the idea of a heated indoor space for cold weather
• Are traveling with limited time and want one organized plan

It is less ideal if you:

• Feel upset when wildlife views are distant and quick. Puffins can be small in frame, and whales can be brief.
• Strongly dislike tighter layouts. Some people found the puffin boat setup crowded, with seating that may limit clear outdoor viewing.
• Need easy, step-free access to upper viewing decks. A ladder might be involved for top deck access on the smaller boat.

If you are flexible and you go with the right mindset, you will likely enjoy the day even when nature keeps things fast.

Should you book this two-in-one whale and puffin tour?

Yes, I think you should book it if you want maximum wildlife time with practical comfort. The combo format is efficient, the live commentary makes sightings more meaningful, and the whale sighting guarantee removes a big chunk of the usual uncertainty.

I would hesitate only if puffins at close range are your top priority, because these cruises focus on island habitat viewing from the water, and distance can happen. If you can accept that puffins are tiny and speedy, and you are ready for whales that may appear for seconds, this is a very solid Reykjavik option.

If you have never done whale watching before, this tour is also a good first step. You are not going in blind. You get warm shelter, gear, and guides who work the search. Just remember the Iceland rule of the sea, your job is to keep looking, and the ocean decides how dramatic it feels that day.

FAQ

What animals does this tour look for?

The whale portion searches Faxaflói Bay for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The puffin portion sails toward islands near Lundey during breeding season where thousands of puffins may be present.

How long does the two-in-one tour take?

It runs about 4 to 6 hours total. You’ll spend about 1 hour on the puffin watching cruise, then about 3 hours on the whale watching cruise, with a free break in between.

Where do I meet, and where does it end?

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included, and what should I plan to pay for?

Included are two tours (the 1-hour puffin tour and the 3-hour whale tour), protective clothing, binocular use, a heated indoor saloon with viewing windows, complimentary WiFi onboard, the whale guarantee, and access to a wildlife exhibition. Food and drinks are not included, and you can purchase them onboard. Pickup and dropoff are not included, though they can be arranged for a fee.

What happens if you do not see whales?

The whale portion includes a sighting guarantee. If no cetaceans are seen on your tour, you can ride again another day for free.

Do kids need life vests?

Yes. Children under 13 are required by law to wear life-vests for the duration of the tour. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is offered in English.