THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a single day off Reykjavík’s Old Harbour chasing puffin colonies and humpback whales. This two-in-one boat combo pairs a small, intimate island run for puffins with a longer bay excursion for whales—complete with naturalist commentary and a whale-sighting guarantee.
Spend a single day off Reykjavík’s Old Harbour chasing puffin colonies and humpback whales. This two-in-one boat combo pairs a small, intimate island run for puffins with a longer bay excursion for whales—complete with naturalist commentary and a whale-sighting guarantee.
Book with Elding Whale Watching
Book directly with Elding Whale Watching for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve NowVerified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Elding Whale Watching · Reykjavík, Capital Region
The harbour air tastes of salt and diesel; gulls wheel like small, opinionated compasses over the Old Harbour as a line of red jackets gathers under the Elding sign. Passengers step onto a compact puffin boat first, breath fogging in the sea breeze, then later board a larger vessel that pushes out into Faxaflói Bay where the water seems to think in long, slow sentences. Guides move between decks with the cadence of people who track patterns—a rise of birds, a distant spout—and they hand over binoculars like passports: a way to enter another rhythm of life.
moderate.
4–6 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires the ability to climb stairs and stand on a rolling deck for periods of time.
No prior experience required; tours are suitable for most people but you should be able to climb stairs and stand on a moving deck.
Puffin tours focus on colonies on nearby islands; the whale tour targets humpback and minke whales, with porpoises and dolphins also possible.
Yes—the operator offers a whale guarantee: if no cetaceans are seen you can rebook for free on another day.
Children are welcome but under-13s must wear life vests; service animals are permitted but pets are not recommended due to boat conditions.
Cameras are welcome; small monopods are fine but large tripods aren’t practical on deck—bring a telephoto lens for best results.
The fleet is not fully wheelchair accessible due to stairs and thresholds; wheelchair users should contact the operator in advance to arrange assistance and possibly use a foldable chair.
Faxaflói Bay has been central to Reykjavík’s economy for centuries—from Norse settlers’ landings to modern fisheries and marine research.
Operators follow codes of conduct to minimize disturbance to breeding birds and whales; many tours contribute to research and education programs.
Elding Whale Watching operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Elding Whale Watching
Book directly with Elding Whale Watching for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now