A whale-and-puffin combo is a rare Reykjavik score. This tour pairs a 1-hour puffin cruise in the Lundey area with a longer 3-hour whale hunt in Faxaflói Bay, so you get two chances to spot Iceland’s best-known seabirds and marine mammals.

I like that the boats are built for real sea conditions: heated indoor viewing and protective gear help you stay comfortable while you scan the water. I also like the on-board live commentary, which keeps you focused on what you’re actually looking for (not just hoping for luck).

One thing to keep in mind: puffins can be fast and small at distance, so don’t expect every moment to turn into perfect photos. If wildlife doesn’t show exactly how you hoped, the whale portion has a safety net, but the puffin portion does not.

Key Points Before You Go

• Heated indoor saloon + viewing windows so you’re not stuck outside the whole time.
• Protective clothing and binoculars included, which helps when weather swings fast.
• Two separate boats and two separate wildlife zones: Lundey for puffins, Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins.
• Whale sighting guarantee: if you don’t spot cetaceans, you can try again another day free of charge.
• A real break in Old Harbour between cruises, so you’re not just sitting on the dock.
• Small group size (max 30 travelers) for a more controlled experience at sea.

What You’re Actually Buying: Two Hunts, Two Different Seas

This isn’t a single cruise where you casually “maybe” see things. You’re getting two distinct outings on different boats, matched to different animals and different viewing styles.

The puffin part is built for quick scanning and sharp lookout work. You sail toward islands in the Lundey area where puffins gather during breeding season, and you use onboard binoculars (or your own zoom camera) to pick birds out against rock, waves, and sky.

The whale part is a longer push into Faxaflói Bay, where the odds improve because you’re out longer and searching a larger area. You’re specifically looking for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins, and you do it with a sighting guarantee that matters. In practice, this makes the whale side feel less like gambling and more like a planned wildlife mission.

Price and Value: Why This Combo Can Be Worth It

At $140 per person for about 4 to 6 hours, you’re paying for two guided boat experiences, gear, and an extra guarantee on the whale component. That’s the key point for value: you’re not just buying two tickets—you’re buying infrastructure that helps you see more (heated spaces, protective gear, binoculars) plus a follow-up option if the whales don’t show.

Food isn’t included. That’s common on Iceland boat tours, but it means you should plan your timing. Between cruises you’ll have time in Old Harbour, which is a smart built-in chance to eat somewhere warm and sit down without rushing. If you go in with an empty stomach, you’ll end up relying on snacks onboard later.

Also note the tour is in English. If you want to understand the wildlife behavior instead of just being told to look, that language support is a real part of the price.

Step One: Puffin Watching Near Lundey (1 Hour on a Smaller Boat)

This part runs on a smaller passenger boat and is designed for proximity to the Lundey islands during breeding season. Your goal is to spot puffins perched on rock and moving in short bursts—along with their quick flights overhead.

You’ll sail up to one of three islands that host thousands of puffins in season. You can borrow binoculars, and the tour also encourages a zoom camera if you want better close-ups. That advice is practical: puffins are small, and when they’re on or above the water you often need magnification to separate them from waves and distant rock lines.

What I like about this first stop is the energy shift. Puffin watching feels lighter and more visual than the whale portion. You’re not scanning for a “needle in the haystack” as much as you’re watching a busy seabird stage.

Possible drawback: visibility can be tough. Puffins may be at a distance in the water or flying, and not every angle will line up with your camera. If you’re the type who wants near-instant “wow” close-ups, keep your expectations flexible.

The Middle Break in Old Harbour: Use It Like a Pro

Between the two boat rides you get a couple of hours of free time—with the listing mentioning time in the Old Harbour area. This is where you can turn a boat day into a proper Reykjavik day.

Here’s how to use it well:

• Aim for lunch while you’re near the harbor—warm food beats waiting until you’re back on the water.
• Walk a little before the whale cruise so you don’t feel “stuck in boat mode.”
• If you like photographing city scenes, this is your window. The waterfront around Old Harbour gives you an easy contrast to the open sea.

Because the puffin and whale portions are on different boats, this gap also helps you reset your brain. By the time you’re back onboard for the whale search, you’ll usually be better at spotting behavior patterns—like surfacing routines and where birds tend to gather.

Step Two: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay (3 Hours of Search Time)

The whale cruise sails into Faxaflói Bay, described as the biggest bay in Iceland. Longer time on the water is not a small detail—it’s often the difference between “we saw something once” and “we got a real look.”

You’re targeting minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. That variety matters because it changes what you look for on the water: different species show differently, and the guide commentary helps you interpret what you’re seeing instead of guessing.

The Whale Sighting Guarantee (Why It Changes the Mood)

This tour includes a sighting guarantee: if you don’t see cetaceans, you can try again another day free of charge. That’s a big deal for two reasons.

First, it reduces the pressure on the day you go out. Wildlife depends on weather, sea state, and animals being where you’re searching. Second, it gives you a practical backup if conditions are rough or the whales simply aren’t in the area that day.

In a practical sense, the guarantee makes this a safer bet than many “one-and-done” whale cruises.

How the Onboard Comfort Supports Better Wildlife Viewing

You’ll have access to a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows on the whale portion. Even with gear, cold wind can shrink your attention. Heated seating keeps you scanning longer, and windows let you watch without constantly going in and out.

The tour also includes protective clothing. That’s the kind of inclusion that feels obvious only after you’ve been on a windy boat: it helps you last longer without getting miserable.

Onboard Comfort: Heated Spaces, Gear, and Wi‑Fi

This is where the operator makes a smart, low-drama choice. The tour includes:

• Protective clothing (so you can handle spray and wind)
• A heated indoor saloon with big windows (so you can watch comfortably)
• Complimentary Wi‑Fi onboard
• A wildlife exhibition access option
• Live English commentary during the rides

That combo matters because you’ll get more out of the trip if you can stay focused and warm. When you’re comfortable, you’re more likely to notice patterns—the way birds react, where surface activity clusters, and how guides point out promising directions.

Wi‑Fi sounds like a small add-on until you realize it helps families and groups coordinate photos and messages during the break. Also, it’s useful if you’re trying to kill time between stops without draining your phone battery in cold weather.

What Guides Do: Commentary That Keeps You Oriented

Live commentary is one of those things that separates a cruise from an experience. The whale portion especially relies on good searching: you need to look in the right places at the right time.

The tour includes excellent live commentary in English, and guides are clearly attentive to both animals and passengers. I also appreciate that some boats in this category offer warm drinks and snacks, but food details aren’t included in the core package. Plan on buying snacks onboard if you need them, and treat lunch in Old Harbour as your main meal.

One more small tip that helps: when the guide tells you where to look, don’t “wait until you see something.” Actually shift your attention with them. A lot of wildlife viewing is about timing, and being ready helps you catch brief surfacing moments.

Photos, Binoculars, and Reality Checks

Let’s talk camera expectations without ruining your fun.

Binoculars are included, and they can seriously improve what you see on both puffin and whale portions. But binoculars have limits—puffins are small, and they move fast. Your best results usually come from:

• Staying alert when the boat changes direction
• Using zoom if you have it (especially for puffins)
• Photographing when birds cluster or when surfacing activity happens

If you’re hoping for nonstop close-ups, you might get frustrated. If you’re happy with “I got the shot when it counted,” you’ll probably be pleased.

Also, don’t underestimate the value of just watching. Even when the phone camera struggles, the human eye can catch motion and behavior that photos miss.

Weather, Seas, and What to Wear

This tour is weather-dependent. If conditions are too rough, the experience can be canceled and you’ll be offered another date or a refund.

So dress like you’re going to be outside, because you might need to move around the boat even with indoor seating. The tour provides protective clothing, which helps a lot. Still, bring layers you’re comfortable in for cold wind and occasional spray.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s smart to prepare. Seas can vary by hour and bay conditions, and a little prevention goes a long way.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Option)

This combo tour works best if you want variety—birds in the near shore setting and whales out in the bay. It’s also a strong choice if you’re short on time in Reykjavik but want two wildlife experiences rather than choosing only one.

You’ll probably enjoy it if:

• You love the idea of a short puffin cruise plus a longer whale hunt
• You want indoor warmth and viewing windows
• You’d like the whale guarantee as a backup plan
• You’re comfortable with wildlife unpredictability

If your top priority is guaranteed close-up puffins, you may find the puffin part frustrating when birds are distant or flying. The puffin cruise is still adorable, but it’s not a controlled “sit and watch” situation.

FAQ

FAQ

Is food included on the tour?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, and you’ll also have time to eat in Old Harbour between the two parts.

How long are the puffin and whale parts?

The puffin watching portion is about 1 hour, and the whale watching portion is about 3 hours. The full combo is listed as approximately 4 to 6 hours total.

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

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

Are binoculars and protective clothing included?

Yes. The tour includes use of protective clothing and binoculars.

What wildlife are you looking for?

For puffins, you’re sailing near islands in the Lundey area during breeding season. For whales, the tour searches Faxaflói Bay for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

Is there a guarantee for seeing whales?

Yes. The whale watching portion has a sighting guarantee, and if you don’t see cetaceans, you can try again another day free of charge.

Do kids need life-vests?

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

Should You Book This Two-In-One Whale and Puffin Tour?

I’d book this if you want the best shot at two kinds of wildlife in one day and you like having comfort built in. Heated indoor viewing, protective gear, and binoculars make a real difference when Iceland weather changes fast. And the whale sighting guarantee turns the whale portion into a much calmer decision, since you’re not locked into a single outcome.

I’d think twice if puffins are the only thing you care about, because puffins can be far away and fast, and that part isn’t set up with a same-day backup guarantee. In that case, you might prefer a plan focused only on puffins.

If you can accept that wildlife is wild—and you’re happy to look, wait, and use the tools you’re given—this is a smart value play for a Reykjavik sea day.