Discover Reykjavík’s vibrant wildlife on two exciting tours! Cruise to small islands near the city to see thousands of puffins, then hop aboard the whale watching tour to encounter Iceland’s giants!
The combo consists of two tours - a puffin tour on a smaller boat where we take you to one of the three islands just off Reykjavík where each year thousands of birds come to breed and a whale watching tour that takes you further into the bay to see the incredible whales and dolphins that live in our bay.
Puffin watching is an enjoyable and easy adventure on a boat. Our captains will navigate to one of three nearby islands, Akurey, Engey, or Lundey, based on the tides and conditions. These islands are renowned for their rich birdlife, and in addition to puffins, you can spot other species such as eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots, and cormorants. The rocky shores of the islands offer a perfect backdrop, and our experienced captains will find the best spots for you to observe the puffins up close in their natural habitat. If the weather allows, we might turn off the engines to let you fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings and listen to the calls of the birds. Throughout the 1-hour tour, the crew will share fascinating facts and stories about the puffins and the surrounding environment.
The whale watching tour is an exhilarating 3-hour journey into the bay, where the summer season brings the wildlife to its peak. This is the prime time to see Minke whales, along with white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises, thriving in their natural environment. As you venture further into the bay, you’ll have the opportunity to witness these majestic creatures up close. The crew will provide insightful commentary throughout the tour, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the marine life that inhabits the area. The whale watching tour is not only a chance to see these incredible animals but also to learn more about their behaviours and the ecosystem they inhabit.
Remember to dress according to weather. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes.
The total duration of this combo tour is approximately 6 hours and it consists of two separate tours; Classic Whale Watching (3 hours) and Classic Puffin Watching (1 hr). After the first tour, you have about a 2 hours of free time to explore Reykjavík, enjoy a leisurely lunch, or simply relax before the next tour starts.
Departure times are as follows: 09:00 Whale tour & 14:00 Puffin tour / 10:00 Puffin tour & 13:00 Whale tour / 12:00 Puffin tour & 15:00 Whale tour / 16:00 Puffin tour & 20:30 Whale tour. Please refer to the booking calendar to see what times are available on your preferred travel date.
Would you rather see both whales and puffins in one go? Try our Premium Whale & Puffin Watching tour instead and enjoy the thrill of speed, puffins and whale watching in a single, seamless adventure on a RIB boat!
Please make sure to arrive at the Elding ticket office at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík at least 15 min. before your first tour is scheduled to depart. Check-in and receive your boarding tickets for both the puffin and whale watching tours. Meet the crew and receive a brief overview of the day's schedule.
Depending on your selected departure time, you will either start with the Classic Whale Watching (3 hrs.) or the Classic Puffin Watching (1 hr.). Upon booking, you will receive further instructions on the exact departure times for each tour.
Classic Whale Watching: Board the larger boat located by our floating 'Visitor Centre' and set sail into Faxaflói Bay. Experience the excitement of spotting minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Listen to informative commentary from the crew about the marine life and the bay's ecosystem. Take in the stunning views of the Icelandic coastline as you explore the bay. Return to the harbor around 3 hrs. later
Spend two hours in between the tours exploring Reykjavík at your own pace. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the local restaurants or wander around the Old Harbour area, visit nearby attractions, or relax and take in the scenery.
Depending on your selected departure time, you will either start with the Classic Whale Watching (3 hrs.) or the Classic Puffin Watching (1 hr.). Upon booking, you will receive further instructions on the exact departure times for each tour.
Classic Puffin Watching: Board the smaller boat on the floating pier for your puffin watching adventure. Sail to one of the three islands (Akurey, Engey, or Lundey) known for their vibrant birdlife. Enjoy up-close views of puffins and other seabirds such as eider ducks, arctic terns, guillemots, and cormorants. Learn interesting facts and stories about the puffins and their habitat from the crew. Return to the harbor around 1 hr. later.
Disembark from the second boat and conclude your sea adventure and feel free to continue exploring Reykjavík on your own. The city offers many attractions, shops, and restaurants to enjoy. If you would like transportation back to your hotel, please visit our ticket office for more information.
We hope you had a memorable experience with us and enjoyed your time exploring the incredible wildlife of Reykjavík.