Wildlife time on the water beats guesswork. This two-boat combo pairs a Lundey puffin sail with a longer whale hunt in Faxaflói Bay, plus heated indoor windows and onboard commentary in English. I like the plan because you are not locked into one species, and I like the comfort because the boats include protective gear and a warm viewing area.

There is one drawback to weigh: puffins can be quick and small, and visibility depends on wind and what the birds are doing that day, so the puffin portion may feel less satisfying if you want close-up photos.

Key things that make this combo tour work

• Heated indoor saloon with big windows so you can stay warm while scanning for wildlife
• Protective clothing and binoculars included, which helps when conditions get cold and choppy
• Two separate boats with a built-in break between them, so you can reset in Old Harbour
• Live English commentary that helps you know where to look and what you are actually seeing
• Whale sighting guarantee means you can try again another day for free if you see no cetaceans

Reykjavik on the clock: a two-boat wildlife day

This is the kind of tour that makes sense in Iceland because wildlife is never fully predictable. You do not just cross your fingers and hope for one lucky moment. Instead, the day gives you two shots at different animals, on two different boats, in two different waters.

The whole experience runs about 4 to 6 hours. You start at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, and you come back to the same meeting point at the end. The group stays small by cruise-ship standards, with a maximum of 30 travelers, and the commentary is in English.

The “two-in-one” format also helps with pacing. After the puffins, you get time back in Reykjavik to eat, stretch your legs, and decide how you want to spend the rest of your afternoon before the whale boat heads out again.

Price and value: what you get for $140

At $140 per person, this is not the cheapest thing you can do from Reykjavik. The value comes from stacking several practical benefits into one ticket, instead of paying for comfort and guidance separately.

Here is what that price covers:

• Two tours: 1 hour for puffins on a smaller boat, plus about 3 hours for whales on a larger boat
• Use of protective clothing and binoculars (this matters in Iceland wind, even in summer)
• Heated indoor viewing area with large windows
• WiFi onboard, so you can check maps or message home
• Wildlife exhibition access with the operator
• Whale guarantee or you can try again for free if no cetaceans are seen

If you care about maximizing your odds, this setup is smart. You are paying for more search time across different habitats, plus guidance that turns sightings into something you can actually track.

Stop 1: Lundey puffin watching on the smaller boat

Lundey is where you go for puffins during breeding season. The puffin portion is about 1 hour, and you sail out on a smaller passenger boat toward one of three islands that are home to thousands of puffins.

What you are likely to do out there:

• scan from the boat using provided binoculars (helpful, but you may still want your own)
• borrow gear or bring a zoom camera if you want better results
• watch for puffins in motion, both on the water and flying between spots

This part is popular because puffins are funny-looking and busy. Even when you do not get close-up views, you still tend to get that wow feeling from the sheer number of birds.

A heads-up before you decide if this is for you: puffins are small and fast. They can be farther out than you expect, and photos can be harder than the marketing photos suggest. Some people find the puffin boat crowded, with seats inside that have limited or no windows. If you want to keep eyes on birds quickly, you may prefer being on the outside deck, but access to higher views can mean climbing a ladder depending on how the boat is set up.

My practical take: if puffins are your top goal, bring your own binoculars and a camera with decent zoom. If you want puffins as part of a broader wildlife day, this works well.

Old Harbour reset: how the downtime fits the day

Between the puffin sail and the whale boat, you get about 1 hour 30 minutes in Old Harbour. This matters more than it sounds. Whale watching can be long and cold, and puffins can be mentally tiring too because you are constantly scanning.

Use this break to:

• grab lunch at Old Harbour, where there are plenty of restaurants around
• warm up if you are running on jet lag
• pace yourself before the second boat

One smart tip is to time your snack so you are not rushed when you return to the meeting point. You will want to stay alert for spotting, and you do not want to start the whale portion hungry and distracted.

Stop 2: Faxaflói Bay whale watching on the larger ship

The whale watching leg is about 3 hours and runs out into Faxaflói Bay, which is described as Iceland’s biggest bay. The search includes species you can hope to see in these waters, like minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

This is where the tour’s comfort features really earn their keep. The larger whale boat includes a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, plus protective gear. That combination makes a huge difference if the wind picks up.

Also, the tour includes an important safety net: a sighting guarantee. If you do not see cetaceans on your whale watch, you can try again another day free of charge. That does not guarantee a whale, but it does protect you from the worst-case scenario.

From real-world experience, whale sightings can be intense but fleeting. Humpbacks can surface and disappear fast, and you need to keep your eyes moving. The best part of this operator is the onboard guidance: you get live commentary in English and staff help point out where to look so you do not miss the short moments.

One more small advantage: the whale portion tends to feel more comfortable for longer viewing. The boat is larger, and people often report that it feels spacious compared to the smaller puffin vessel.

Wildlife spotting tips that actually help

Iceland wildlife tours are as much about technique as luck. Here are ways to get more from this specific setup.

Warm up your senses

• Use the heated indoor area if you get chilled, but keep stepping outside (or switching sides) when you can. Watching through windows is convenient, yet open air can make it easier to track movement.
• Use the binoculars early. Do not wait until the moment you see something, because it takes a few minutes to line up properly.

Plan your camera expectations

• Puffins can be hard to photograph because they move quickly and stay small at a distance. If you are aiming for crisp images, expect to work for it.
• If you rely on a phone camera only, you might end up with documentation shots more than “perfect” photos.

Watch the guide’s scan patterns

• Guides and crew point out where to look. That is not just trivia, it helps you know what behavior to search for. When you see birds change their rhythm or you spot feeding activity, it is often a cue for other wildlife nearby.

If seas are rough, prepare

• Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, and there are snacks and hot options you can buy if you need them.
• If you get motion sickness easily, ask ahead of time if seasickness help is available. Some people have been offered tablets before heading out.

Comfort and boat realities: what to expect day-to-day

This tour includes gear and comfort, but boat setups can still vary by which part of the day you are on.

On the puffin boat, some reviews note:

• a potentially crowded layout at maximum occupancy
• indoor seats that may not have windows
• access to higher viewing areas requiring climbing a ladder

On the whale boat, the vibe tends to be smoother:

• heated indoor viewing with large windows
• more room for long scanning

Both boats are part of the same day plan, so you should mentally switch modes:

• Puffins: fast scanning, lots of quick motion, shorter time
• Whales: steadier patience, longer viewing, and more reliance on guide direction

Also note that the operator includes a protective clothing setup. Even if you think you are fine with a jacket, the wind can cut through on open water. The gear is there for a reason.

Who this combo tour fits best

This is a great match if you want a “try for everything” wildlife day without doubling the cost with separate bookings.

You will probably enjoy it most if:

• you like wildlife but want a balanced day, puffins plus whales
• you appreciate live guidance instead of wandering around on your own
• you want comfort features like heated indoor windows and protective clothing
• you are visiting during peak summer and you want a solid shot at sightings

It may be less ideal if:

• puffins are your only goal and you expect guaranteed close viewing
• you have mobility concerns related to reaching upper decks on the smaller boat
• you are coming late in the season, when sightings can be fewer or more distant

If your main goal is whales above everything, the whale portion is the star. The puffin sail is still fun, but it is less controllable in terms of how close they come.

Photo perks and onboard extras

One of the nicest touches for many people is that the operator sends photos taken during the day at no extra cost. If you get at least some good moments, that can rescue your trip from the “I saw it but I could not capture it” problem.

You also get onboard WiFi, which is useful if you want to keep family updated or quickly look up what you just saw. And you have access to the wildlife exhibition with the operator, which is a nice add-on for understanding what you are spotting out on the water.

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

I would book it if you want your Reykjavik sea day to feel efficient and you like the idea of covering two different wildlife targets in one morning to afternoon schedule. The heated indoor viewing, protective clothing, English commentary, and especially the whale guarantee make it feel like a tour designed for real conditions, not just good weather daydreams.

I would pause if your top priority is guaranteed close-up puffins. Puffins can be small, fast, and distant from the boat, and the puffin portion can be more about enjoying the scene and less about getting perfect photos.

My final decision rule:

• If you are okay with wildlife being wildlife and you want the best odds across puffins and whales, this is a strong pick.
• If you want only one species and you are picky about distance for photos, you might be happier choosing a single-focused whale or puffin option.

If you do book, go in warm, bring your own binoculars if you can, and trust the crew when they tell you where to look. That is usually what turns a good trip into a memorable one.

FAQ

How long is the two-in-one whale and puffin watching tour?

It runs about 4 to 6 hours total, with a 1 hour puffin watching portion and about a 3 hour whale watching portion, plus time in between.

Where does the puffin watching part happen?

The puffin tour sails from Reykjavik toward Lundey, heading to islands where puffins are present during breeding season.

What happens during the whale watching part?

You sail out into Faxaflói Bay in search of minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins, with a live English commentary during the ride.

Is there a whale sighting guarantee?

Yes. If you do not see cetaceans on the whale watching portion, you can try again another day free of charge.

What is included in the ticket price?

You get both tours, use of protective clothing and binoculars, a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, complimentary WiFi onboard, live commentary in English, access to a wildlife exhibition, and the whale guarantee.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board.

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

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

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are there any rules for children on the tour?

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