Reykjavík Whales & Puffins
📍 Reykjavík, Iceland
4.5 ( 4,879 reviews)
See them in the wild
From
Duration6 hours
FitnessEasy
CancellationFree cancellation 24 hours before starting time.
🔒Secure payment
✅Instant confirmation
🏅EarthCheck
🏅World Cetacean Alliance Approved
Overview
wildlife highlights
Humpback Whale
Puffin
Why you'll love it
🔹 A conservation success
Commercial whaling in the 20th century killed around 2.9 million whales, with some populations, such as humpback whales, lost 90% of their global population. In 1986, commercial whaling was banned, and species were able to recover (although three countries continue to hunt whales - Japan, Norway and Iceland).
🔹 Support local communities
Whale watching is a major source of income for some communities, especially those around no-take Marine Protected Areas, where fishing and other commercial activities are banned. There are strict guidelines for responsible whale watching, which largely involve speed limits, never chasing the pod, never separating mother and calf, and not getting too close.
🔹 See them in their natural habitat
Seeing them in the vast ocean is an experience one’ll never forget. We believe responsible whale watching is a great way to educate the public about these majestic giants and to support their conservation.
What you will be doing
Arrival and Check-In
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.
Classic Whale Watching (3 hrs)
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
Free time in Reykjavík between tours (2 hrs.)
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.
Classic Puffin Watching (1 hr)
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.
Combo tour conclusion
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.
Things to know
AccessibilityChildren friendly
Fitness levelEasy
Tour languageEnglish
Licence requiredNone
- 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 / 11:00 Whale tour & 16:00 Puffin tour / 12:00 Puffin tour & 15:00 Whale tour / 14:00 Puffin tour & 17:00 Whale tour / 16:00 Puffin tour & 19:30 or 20:30 Whale tour. Please refer to the booking calendar to see what times are available on your preferred travel date.
Inclusions and Exclusions
✅ Included
- Guide
- 3-hour whale watching tour on a big boat
- 1-hour puffin tour on a smaller boat
- Free WiFi
- Use of warm overalls
- Toilet facilities
❌ Not included
- Meals
Where we'll meet
Meet up/Pick up location: Elding's ticket office, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, IS
Instruction: Meet 15min before departure time
ReturnThis trip returns to meeting point