Wildlife hunting, the Iceland way. This combo pairs a 1-hour puffin cruise from Lundey with a longer 3-hour whale search out in Faxaflói Bay, all starting and ending at Elding Whale Watching in Reykjavík.

I like that you stay comfortable even when the weather bites: heated indoor viewing plus loaner protective clothing. I also love the practical extras that help you see more—binoculars, large viewing windows, and live English commentary that helps you know what you’re looking at.

One drawback to plan around: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed in a fixed way. Even with a whale sighting guarantee, puffins can be fast and hard to focus on, especially if they’re farther out or moving through the water and air.

Key takeaways before you go

• Heated indoor saloon with big windows keeps the day pleasant in cold wind
• Protective gear and onboard comfort make rough weather feel manageable
• Two separate boats means two different vibes: small-boat puffins, larger-boat whales
• Live English narration helps you spot whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seabirds faster
• Whale sighting guarantee: if you don’t see cetaceans, you can try again free another day
• Small groups (max 30) keeps the experience from feeling chaotic on board

Entering Elding’s two-boat day: how this combo really feels

This is a classic Reykjavík summer plan: you trade a few hours of your day for a proper slice of Iceland’s coastal wildlife. The format is simple—first you chase puffins near their breeding habitat, then you switch gears and head out farther for whales and other cetaceans.

What makes it feel smart is the pacing. The puffin portion is shorter and more focused, and then you get a break in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour before the longer whale cruise. That structure also helps you reset if you’re getting cold or if the first boat is a rougher ride.

You’ll likely want to arrive ready for the elements. Even with heated spaces below decks, you’ll spend time on decks looking out for movement. Iceland’s wind can be sneaky that way.

Comfort that actually matters: heated windows, gear, and onboard perks

This tour isn’t just about going out on the water. It’s built around staying warm and seeing clearly.

You get protective clothing to help with wind and spray, and you’ll have access to a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows. That matters because spotting wildlife often means waiting for the right moment. When you’re not shivering, you can stay alert instead of constantly ducking inside.

A few other helpful points:

• Binoculars are provided, so you’re not forced to buy gear before you travel.
• Complimentary WiFi onboard is useful for quick updates, maps, or checking your camera settings.
• There’s an onboard Wildlife Exhibition you can access, which helps you make sense of what you’re seeing (and what you might miss).

On the food side, you should know the deal includes snacks or drinks only if they’re available on board. Food & drinks are not included, but you can typically purchase them, and some boats have hot drinks available to warm up during the ride.

Stop 1: Lundey puffin watching on the smaller boat

The puffin portion runs for about an hour and goes out on a smaller passenger boat. Your route targets up to one of three islands connected with puffin breeding season, usually where you’ll see thousands of puffins during peak activity.

Here’s the key reality: puffins are small and fast. You can borrow binoculars, but you still have to work for the view because they move quickly—cutting across the water, popping up, then disappearing again. A zoom camera can help, but even then, you’re chasing tiny bursts of motion rather than calm wildlife photography.

The upside is that the ride is short and focused. If you love seabirds, that one-hour window is usually the right length—long enough to see action, not so long that you start fading in the cold.

Potential drawback: some people find the viewing experience more crowded on small boats, and if you’re not positioned near the best windows, it can feel harder to track where birds are flying or landing. Also, top-deck access can be via a ladder on some boats, so consider how comfortable that is for your group.

Old Harbour break: the smartest way to spend your time between boats

Between the two cruises, you get a couple of hours in Reykjavík. You’ll have time to wander and grab lunch in the Old Harbour area.

This break is more than a convenience—it’s part of why the combo works. You can warm up on land, plan your next meeting point, and reset before the whale portion which is longer and goes farther out.

If you’re the type who gets motion-sick, this is also where you can do a lot of damage control. Some participants have been able to get seasickness tablets ahead of the whale watch, and timing matters. If you know you get queasy on boats, treat this gap as your moment to handle it.

Stop 2: Faxaflói Bay whale watching and the try-again guarantee

The whale cruise is about 3 hours, sailing out into Faxaflói Bay—often described as the biggest bay in Iceland. This is where your odds improve, because the crew searches for multiple types of cetaceans, including minke whales, humpback whales, porpoises, and dolphins.

What I really like here is the sighting guarantee. It doesn’t mean you’ll definitely see whales. It does mean the operator is willing to make it right if cetaceans aren’t spotted on your scheduled tour. That gives you a safety net on an experience that depends heavily on weather and animal movement.

The whale watch also tends to be more about learning how to scan than about watching one obvious target. Live English commentary helps you understand where to look—what horizon area matters, what surfacing patterns to watch for, and what different animals might look like at a distance.

And yes, there’s a big comfort factor on this leg too. The larger boat setup often feels steadier, and you’re more likely to find a warm spot while still keeping sightlines.

Real-world expectations you should hold:

• You might see more than one type of marine wildlife, including dolphins and porpoises.
• Whale sightings can be brief. When you spot a blow, you often have a short window to track movement before the animal changes position.

Getting the most from the day: your strategy for seeing wildlife

If your goal is maximizing sightings, think like a spotter, not a spectator.

1) Dress for motion and spray, not just temperature. Protective gear helps, but wind + sea mist can still find gaps.

2) Stay flexible on where you stand or sit. If you notice activity near the bow or one side of the boat, move when it’s safe and practical. Wildlife can appear in a different quadrant fast.

3) Use the commentary as a tool. When guides explain what to look for, it turns a random horizon into a guided search.

4) If you’re chasing photos, plan for fast subjects. Puffins can dart and flutter, and whales can appear and disappear quickly. A zoom lens is helpful, but technique matters more than gear.

Also, this tour can involve schedule adjustments if weather is rough. Iceland wind is real, and if conditions don’t allow safe operations, you should expect quick communication and possibly a reschedule. If your itinerary is tight, give yourself buffer time in Reykjavík.

Price and value: why $140 can be a smart spend

At about $140 per person for roughly 4–6 hours, this combo is not a budget throwaway. But it does offer real value for Iceland in summer.

Here’s why:

• You get two separate wildlife experiences in one day instead of paying for a single leg.
• Comfort features are included (heated indoor viewing, protective clothing), which can make the difference between enjoying the day and feeling miserable.
• The whale portion has a sighting guarantee, which directly protects your money if whales aren’t seen.
• You’re not just handed tickets and left alone. Live onboard commentary helps you interpret what wildlife is doing—valuable when animals are far away.

The puffin portion is shorter and can feel less rewarding to some people if the birds aren’t close enough for easy photos. That’s the main place where you might feel you paid for “time on a boat” more than “close-up birds.” If you’re very photo-focused on puffins, you may want to compare your expectations with what can realistically happen at sea level.

Who should book this combo, and who should consider alternatives

This is a great match if:

• You want a day that covers both seabirds and whales without committing to an all-day whale-only plan.
• You appreciate comfort tools like heated indoor viewing and protective clothing.
• You like guided wildlife watching with live narration that makes the scanning easier.

It may not be the best fit if:

• You’re mainly trying to capture crystal-clear puffin photos up close. Puffins are small, and distance can be part of the experience.
• Climbing onto higher viewing areas or navigating crowded small-boat seating could be an issue for you or someone in your group.
• Your trip dates are narrow and you hate the idea of a weather-driven reschedule. (Good news: the operator’s communication is usually prompt, but the sea still decides.)

If you’re traveling with kids, note that children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests during the tour. That’s a safety plus, but it also means you’ll want to plan for how your child tolerates wearing a vest for the full time they’re on board.

Practical tips you’ll thank yourself for

Here are a few small things that can improve your day a lot:

• Eat before you go if you’re sensitive to boat food options. Some cruises focus on snacks rather than full meals.
• Use Old Harbour time to take a proper break. The gap is there for a reason: warm up, stretch, and reset.
• Bring your camera and clean it off. Sea spray happens.
• If you have motion sickness, treat it proactively. Some guides have helped passengers with seasickness tablets ahead of the whale watch.
• Confirm your meeting point and plan to be there early. The activity starts at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, Reykjavík, and ends back there.

Should you book Two-In-One Whale & Puffin Watching from Reykjavik?

I’d book this if you want the best chance of seeing multiple kinds of wildlife in one practical outing—puffins first, whales second—with the comfort level that keeps you from getting worn down by Iceland’s weather.

I would think twice if puffin photography is your top priority, because puffins can be distant and fast. Also keep in mind this is a two-boat format: you’ll feel that change in seating, viewing angle, and overall motion between the puffin and whale portions.

If you’re flexible and excited by the idea of scanning the sea with a guide helping you read the water, this combo can be a standout day in Reykjavík.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. It also ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the Two-In-One whale and puffin experience?

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

What’s included with the ticket?

You get two tours (puffin and whale watching), use of protective clothing and binoculars, access to a heated indoor saloon with large viewing windows, complimentary WiFi onboard, live commentary in English, access to a Wildlife Exhibition, and a whale sighting guarantee (try again free if cetaceans aren’t seen).

Do I need to pay for food and drinks?

Food & drinks are not included. You can purchase them onboard.

Is pickup or dropoff included?

No. Pickup/dropoff is not included, and it can be arranged for a fee.

Are whales guaranteed to be seen?

A whale sighting guarantee applies to the whale watching portion. If you don’t see cetaceans on the tour, you can try again another day free of charge.

What should kids bring or wear?

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

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes, this activity is offered in English.

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