Whales and puffins in one ticket sounds perfect. This Reykjavik two-boat combo pairs a quick puffin cruise with a longer whale search in Faxaflói Bay, and it keeps you comfortable with a heated indoor saloon and clear onboard explanations.

I also like the live, on-the-water commentary that helps you spot wildlife sooner, not later. The mix of a smaller boat for puffins and a larger ship for whales gives you two totally different viewing styles—both with big windows and real practical setup.

That said, the puffin portion is still a water-view situation. Puffins are small, fast, and often seen at a distance, so set your expectations to match how wild birds actually behave.

Key Points That Matter Before You Go

• Two separate boats, two separate missions: puffins first, whales after
• Heated indoor viewing with big windows: comfort matters in Iceland’s wind
• Protective gear plus binoculars: you’ll be prepared for cold spray
• Whale sighting guarantee (free try again): hedges your main risk
• Small group size up to 30: easier movement around the decks
• English live commentary plus WiFi onboard: helps you enjoy the downtime, too

Two Islands, One Efficient Day: Why This Combo Works

This is a smart-value day at sea because it treats Reykjavik wildlife like a schedule, not a roll of the dice. You get one short, focused outing for puffins around Lundey, then you switch gears and spend a longer chunk of time searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and other cetaceans.

The comfort side is a big part of why this combo feels worth the money. You’re not stuck outside the entire time. There’s a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, plus protective outerwear and binoculars so you can actually enjoy the hunt instead of just surviving it.

Timing also helps. The day is built so you don’t spend the whole trip cramped on the water. You’ll have a break back in the Old Harbour area between the two boat portions, which is perfect for lunch, warm drinks, and resetting your brain.

Stop 1 at Lundey: A 1-Hour Puffin Cruise From a Smaller Boat

The puffin part runs about an hour and is built around Lundey, an area tied to puffins during breeding season. The goal is simple: get you out near one to three islands used by the birds, so you can see them in their real habitat.

What I like here is that you’re not just watching from a random far point. The smaller boat setup is designed to get you closer to where the birds are active, and you can borrow binoculars for scanning. If you’re into photos, bring a zoom camera or plan on working with what you’ve got—puffins dart and pop up fast.

Now for the reality check. Puffins can be hard to photograph and hard to appreciate up close because they move quickly and they’re small at sea level. One common theme from people who didn’t love this section: it can feel like you’re looking at tiny dots rather than the full drama you imagined from ads.

There’s also the comfort variable. Some seating may be more crowded, and you may have to move between decks to get the best view. If you’re traveling with mobility concerns, it’s worth planning your expectations around stairs and deck access, since smaller boats can be less forgiving than bigger ships.

Old Harbour Break: Use the Time for Lunch and Reykjavik Strolls

Between the puffin cruise and the whale search, you get a couple of hours free in the Old Harbour area. That break is not wasted time. It’s where you turn a “tour day” into a real Reykjavik day.

Old Harbour is packed with places to eat, and this timing lets you do it without rushing. If you’re cold from the morning on the water, this is when you warm up properly—then you can head back toward the main whale departure spot with energy.

The practical upside: you’re less likely to feel exhausted when the longer whale portion starts. A 3-hour boat trip takes mental stamina. That mid-day pause is a nice buffer, especially if weather or seas make you feel tired.

Stop 3 in Faxaflói Bay: 3 Hours of Whale Watching and Cetacean Searching

The whale portion runs about 3 hours and takes you out into Faxaflói Bay, described as the biggest bay in Iceland. That matters because larger search areas can mean more opportunities to find the right water activity.

This outing targets species like minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. You’re not promised a guaranteed “you will see everything,” but you are given more structure than many whale trips because the company includes a whale sighting guarantee.

Here’s what that guarantee means in real life: if you don’t see cetaceans on your whale tour, you can try again another day for free. It’s a big deal because the whale portion is the part you’d normally fear wasting money on. With this policy, you’re not buying a “hope and pray” ticket—you’re buying into a second chance.

Comfort-wise, this larger boat portion is where the heated indoor saloon earns its keep. When wind kicks up, you’ll likely want the option to warm up without giving up the view. Big windows mean you can stay sheltered while scanning for blows and surfacing patterns.

Also, the onboard explanation helps you track what you’re looking for. You’ll spend less time wondering what you missed and more time knowing where to look next.

Gear and Onboard Extras: What You Should Actually Expect

This tour includes a lot of the “cold-weather survival” items you’d otherwise have to figure out on your own. You’ll get protective clothing and binoculars, plus access to a heated indoor saloon with large windows. There’s also complimentary WiFi onboard, so you can share photos faster or just pass the time.

A few extra notes from real-world experience people shared:

• The onboard binoculars are useful, but they may not be the best quality if you’re picky about optics. If bird photography is a priority, bring your own or a better zoom option.
• The operator sometimes sends photos taken during the day, which is a nice fallback when conditions make spotting tough.
• The marine-focused crew and captain approach wildlife in a careful way, aiming to observe without messing with natural behavior.

One more “small but meaningful” included item: access to a Wildlife Exhibition. That’s helpful if you like learning before you go out, or if weather shifts and you end up spending more time indoors.

Wildlife Reality Check: Setting Expectations for Puffins vs Whales

This combo is built on two different kinds of wildlife viewing.

Puffins are fast, compact, and often seen at distance from the water. Even when there are “thousands,” you may see them as quick movements and scattered landings until you get your timing and scanning right. That’s not a failure of the tour—it’s just bird behavior.

Whales are bigger and usually easier to notice once you’re in the right area. You may not see them constantly, but when you do, it can be intense. Some folks described moments like a humpback whale swimming under the boat, and others highlighted dolphins repeatedly showing up around the ship. That kind of sequence is what makes the 3-hour whale window feel long in the best way.

So if you’re choosing based on a single dream animal, adjust your priorities:

• If whales are the main goal, this combo is a strong fit because the whale tour includes a try-again guarantee.
• If puffins are the main goal, you’ll likely enjoy the outing most if you’re okay with watching from the sea and using binoculars to really work the view.

Practical Logistics: Meeting Point, Group Size, and Timing

You start and end back at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavík. The tour is offered in English, with a maximum of 30 people, which helps keep the group manageable on deck.

The overall duration is about 4 to 6 hours, depending on how the day runs and any adjustments needed. Confirmation is received at booking time, and service animals are allowed.

Two timing tips that keep the day smooth:

• Plan to eat before the whale portion starts. Food & drinks are available to purchase onboard, but it’s easier if you’re not hungry the moment you’re heading out.
• If you’re coming early in your trip, you’ll have more flexibility to deal with weather delays.

Children under 13 are required by law to wear life-vests for the duration of the tour, so pack that expectation into your family planning.

Value for Money: Is $140 Worth It?

At $140 per person, you’re paying for two boat outings plus the gear and comfort that make Iceland weather tolerable. The value angle is strongest because:

• You get both puffin and whale experiences instead of choosing just one.
• You’re provided protective clothing, binoculars, and heated indoor viewing.
• The whale tour has a sighting guarantee with a free try again if whales don’t show.

Where value can shift is in what you personally need to feel satisfied. If you want close-up puffins as your main must-see, this combo can feel like it doesn’t deliver the fantasy version. If you’re happy to enjoy puffins from the water and focus your hope on the whales portion, the structure fits much better.

Also, the combo saves you time compared with booking two separate days across different operators. This is one of those “efficient but not rushed” setups.

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

This is a great match if you:

• want both puffins and whales without spending multiple full days
• care about warmth and shelter, not just raw outdoor time
• like marine facts and running commentary that helps you interpret what you’re seeing
• want a backup plan if whales don’t appear the first day

It may not be the best match if you:

• expect puffins to be close enough for easy, frame-filling photos every time
• have trouble with ladder access and deck movement on smaller boats
• are traveling in a period where wildlife activity is lower than usual

Should You Book the Two-In-One Whale & Puffin Tour?

Yes, I’d book it if your top priority is a well-run wildlife day with real comfort and a hedge on the biggest uncertainty: whales. The heated indoor saloon, protective gear, and onboard commentary do the heavy lifting for enjoyment, while the whale sighting guarantee removes a lot of the usual risk.

If your only non-negotiable is puffins at very close range, you’ll want to think carefully. This day can still be adorable and fun, but puffins are small, fast, and often seen from a distance. For most people, that’s a fair trade for getting whales and dolphins too.

If you can only do one day on the water in Reykjavík, this combo is a strong choice—especially because you get two chances to see Iceland’s wildlife stars, plus warmth while you wait for them to show up.

FAQ

How long is the whole experience?

The combined outing typically lasts about 4 to 6 hours, including the puffin cruise, the time between the two boats, and the longer whale watching portion.

What animals can I expect to see?

The puffin portion is aimed at seeing puffins near Lundey during breeding season. The whale watching portion searches for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

Is this one single boat tour or two parts?

It’s two separate tours on two different boats: a 1-hour puffin watching cruise on a smaller boat and a 3-hour whale watching cruise on a larger boat.

What’s included on the boats?

You get protective clothing and binoculars, a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, complimentary WiFi onboard, live English commentary, and access to a Wildlife Exhibition. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board.

What happens if I don’t see whales?

The whale watching portion has a sighting guarantee. If you don’t see cetaceans on your tour, you can try 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.

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