Whales and puffins, right from Reykjavik, is a rare combo. This two-in-one day stacks a short puffin cruise with a longer whale search, and it keeps you comfortable with heated indoor space plus protective gear. I also like the live onboard narration in English, so you are not just scanning the sea, you are learning what you are actually looking for.

One heads-up: puffins are fast and small, and in open water they can be harder to see clearly than the photos make them look. Even with binoculars, expect some sightings to be distant, especially late in the season.

Lundey puffins, Faxaflói whales: how this combo really works

This is not one single boat trip. It is two separate outings on two different passenger boats, run back-to-back with a break in town. The timing matters because you are doing both wildlife styles: a tighter puffin hunt around breeding islands, then a wider whale route in Iceland’s biggest bay system.

Value-wise, I think the real payoff is the combination of comfort and chances. You get heated indoor viewing with large windows, protective clothing, binocular access, and WiFi onboard. On the whale side, there is also a sighting guarantee that lets you try again on another day if you do not spot cetaceans.

What makes this tour a comfort win in Iceland

Iceland weather can change fast. The best thing here is that the company plans for that. You are given protective clothing for time on deck, and you can retreat to a heated indoor saloon with big windows when wind or spray starts to sting.

A few practical details I appreciate:

• You are not stuck out in the cold the whole time. You can rotate, warm up, then go back out for the best sightlines.
• The live English commentary keeps you oriented. You get pointers on what to look for and where to focus as the crew works the area.
• The whale hunt includes a guarantee, so the day does not end with a shrug if the ocean stays quiet.

Also, the group size is capped at 30. That does not eliminate crowding on smaller boats, but it does help keep the experience feeling controlled rather than chaotic.

Puffin watching from Lundey: small boats, big vibes, distant birds

The puffin half starts with a shorter ride on a smaller passenger boat to islands near Lundey. During breeding season, this is one of those places where puffins show up in numbers, and you sail to up to three islands the crew targets during the trip.

What you should expect at sea:

• You will be using binoculars (or your own zoom camera) to pick out puffins on the water and in flight.
• You may get closer than you expect, but the birds are still wild. Quick head movements and bursts of wings can make them tough to photograph.
• Your best views often come in brief windows, so the onboard rhythm matters. When the crew calls out positions, you want to act fast.

A real point to consider is sightline. Some boats and seating layouts can feel crowded, especially in indoor sections without windows. If you want the top deck for sightings, note that getting up there may involve climbing a ladder, so it might not be ideal for very young kids or anyone who dislikes stairs.

Binoculars are helpful, but at least one visitor experience called them out as not perfect. If puffins are your priority and photos are important to you, consider bringing your own binoculars or a camera with solid zoom.

The Old Harbour break: your built-in decompression time

Between the two boats, you get a pause in Reykjavik. This is the part I always look for on combo trips because it prevents the day from turning into one long blur.

You typically have time to:

• Grab lunch in Old Harbour, where there are plenty of restaurant options.
• Reset your gear, use the restroom, and warm up.
• Walk a bit along the harbor before the second boarding.

I like this break because it lets you switch mental gears. Puffin spotting rewards patience and scanning. Whale spotting rewards longer attention and focus. A couple of hours in town gives you that reset, without you having to plan anything complicated.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay: the wider search and the guarantee

The whale segment runs on a larger boat from Faxaflói Bay, in search of minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins. This is where the day stretches out, because the route covers more water and the crew works a broader area.

Two things make this part feel more reassuring than a simple single-boat whale tour:

1. The heated indoor saloon and protective clothing help you stay outside longer if you want.
2. There is a whale sighting guarantee. If cetaceans are not spotted during your tour, you can try again another day free of charge.

What I would tell you to manage your expectations on:

• Whales do not show on a schedule. Even in good conditions, you might see a whale for a short stretch, then nothing for a bit.
• When sighting happens, you need to stay alert. The payoff can be dramatic, but timing is everything.

On the positive side, multiple experiences described very memorable encounters, including humpbacks, a mother and calf moment, and pods of dolphins. One person also highlighted humpback behavior like visible white belly flashes after a close pass. In plain terms: if the ocean cooperates, this is where the day can become unforgettable.

Onboard details that actually matter: gear, windows, WiFi, and snacks

The comfort layer is not just marketing. It changes how much of the tour you actually enjoy.

Here is what is included and why it matters:

• Heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows: you can keep sighting without freezing.
• Protective clothing and use of binoculars: makes deck time survivable in wind.
• Complimentary WiFi onboard: helpful for quick message checks while you wait for the crew to scan.
• Live commentary in English: keeps you from guessing and helps you understand behavior, not just species names.
• Access to a wildlife exhibition: a nice touch if you want a little extra context before or after you hit the water.

Food is not included, but snacks and drinks are available to purchase onboard. A couple of experiences also noted coffee and hot options being available, which is a lifesaver if you are getting colder than you planned.

If seas look rough, it is smart to prepare for motion. One visitor mentioned asking ahead about seasickness help, and it was available. If you get even mild nausea, I would plan to bring your own backup remedy too, just in case.

Photos and the after-moment: what you can do with your sightings

One thing I like about this operator is that you are not just sent away with foggy memories. Some experiences described the crew sending photos after the trip at no charge.

I cannot promise every departure includes that, but it is worth checking when you check in. If you care about capturing puffins or quick whale moments, ask if they provide photo downloads for your outing. It is a simple way to turn brief sightings into something you can actually keep.

Price and value: why $140 can make sense here

At about $140 per person, you are paying for more than boat time. You are paying for:

• Two different outings (puffin cruise plus longer whale search)
• Protective clothing and binocular access
• Heated indoor viewing on both segments
• Live onboard commentary
• Whale guarantee if cetaceans are not seen
• A small-group cap and onboard WiFi

So is it expensive? Yes, compared with a basic sightseeing cruise. But in Iceland, the real variable is whether wildlife shows up at all. The whale guarantee is the value lever that changes the risk math. Even if the whale portion is the main goal, you still get the puffin half, plus a good break in Reykjavik.

If you are on a tight schedule and you want both kinds of wildlife without coordinating separate day plans, this combo tends to be a good deal.

Who should book this combo from Reykjavik

This tour fits best if you:

• Want one day that covers both birds and whales
• Like structured guiding, not just wandering around on a boat
• Care about comfort and heated shelter while scanning for animals
• Are okay with the fact that wildlife is wildlife, not a theme park

It may be less ideal if:

• You are expecting guaranteed close-up puffin views. Puffins are quick, and spotting can be distant.
• You dislike crowds on smaller boats. Some seating areas can feel tight when boats fill to capacity.
• You have mobility limits that make stair access difficult for viewing decks on smaller boats.

For families, the tour notes that children under 13 must wear life vests by law. That is a comfort and safety win, even if it takes a bit of extra preparation.

My take: should you book this whale and puffin combo?

Book it if you want a high-chance wildlife day from Reykjavik and you value comfort, clear guidance, and a whale guarantee. The puffin cruise gives you a focused chance at breeding islands, and the whale portion is the longer, bigger-water hunt where the guarantee matters most.

Hold off or adjust expectations if puffins are your only priority and you want guaranteed close photography. Plan for distance views and fast movement. If you can, aim for earlier in the summer season, because later in the year you might run into quieter wildlife activity.

If you want my simple decision rule: if you would still feel happy after seeing dolphins, porpoises, and at least some puffins, this is a great use of time. If you need puffins in perfect close-up photos to justify the day, you may want to compare options and be more selective.

FAQ

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

It runs about 4 to 6 hours total.

What wildlife will I be looking for?

You will search for puffins on the Lundey portion, and for minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins on the whale watching portion.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

The combo includes two tours (about 1 hour puffin watching and about 3 hours whale watching), use of protective clothing and binoculars, a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, complimentary onboard WiFi, live English commentary, and access to a wildlife exhibition. Whale viewing also includes a sighting guarantee.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard.

What is the whale viewing guarantee?

If you do not see cetaceans on the whale watching tour, you can ride again another day free of charge.

Where do I meet and where does the tour end?

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

Is pickup or dropoff included?

No. Pickup and dropoff are not included, but you can arrange them for a fee.

Do children need to wear a life vest?

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