Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Whales can turn a quiet bay into a theater. This two-hour RIB tour from Húsavík combines fast travel across Skjálfandi Bay with a small group of no more than 12 people, giving you a better chance of reaching a distant whale before it disappears. I like the quick, nimble boat and the fact that everyone gets a clear view. I also like the seasonal visit to Puffin Island, where thousands of birds may gather from mid-April through August 20. The tradeoff is simple: a small speedboat feels more exposed to Iceland’s cold, wind, and chop than a larger vessel.

The crew provides water-resistant overalls, rain gear if needed, and life vests, but you still need warm layers, a hat, and gloves. Guides such as Austin, Inaki, Ignacio, Iñaki, Sofie, and Zina have earned praise for clear wildlife explanations and calm handling of the boat. At $198 per person, this is not a budget outing, but the fast boat, small group, and strong chance of close wildlife views give it a fair claim to the price.

Key points to know before you book

• Small RIB, no more than 12 passengers: You avoid the crowded railings and obstructed views common on larger whale boats.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: Lundey is included from about April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the trip focuses on whales and other marine life.
• Fast travel matters: The RIB can cover a lot of water and move quickly toward a whale sighting.
• Expect real Arctic weather: The supplied overall keeps your body warm and dry, but your hands, face, and layers still need protection.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: Humpback whales are frequent highlights, but you might also see minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, blue whales, or even a walrus.
• This is an active boat ride: Children must be at least 8 years old or 130 centimeters tall, and the tour is not suited to pregnant people or those with serious back or heart problems.

Why Húsavík is a strong place for whale watching

Húsavík sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching areas. More than 10 marine species are known to visit the bay during the year, including humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.

The bay is also large enough that sightings can spread across a wide area. That is where the RIB earns its keep. Instead of spending much of your two-hour trip slowly reaching the main search area, the boat can cover considerable distance and react quickly when the crew spots a whale.

You should still keep expectations sensible. These are wild animals, not performers. One departure may bring several humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins, while another may produce fewer sightings. The crew can search hard and choose a productive area, but no responsible operator can promise a breach or a close approach.

The experience has a strong record of success, with a 4.8 rating from 979 bookings. The most praised features are consistent: friendly guides, careful captains, quick movement across the bay, and the excitement of getting close without crowding the animals.

At Hafnarstétt 11, the trip begins with a safety briefing

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, 30 minutes before departure. The office is in the same building as North Sailing, across the road from Húsavík’s well-known church.

Arriving early matters because you need time to check in, receive your gear, and listen to the safety instructions. The overall is compulsory under Icelandic law for this type of boat trip. You should wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing underneath it, rather than relying on the suit as your only layer.

The crew supplies rain gear if conditions call for it, along with a life vest. Gloves and hats are not included, so pack both. Several people found the water resistant suit helpful, but cold hands remained a common concern. One useful detail is that the company has suits in a wide range of sizes, including up to 8XL, which makes this outing more practical for many body types than you might expect.

The briefing is not just a formality. The RIB is fast, and the ride can be choppy. You need to follow instructions about sitting, holding on, and moving around the boat. The captain and guide also need to balance the best possible wildlife view with safe operation.

The RIB ride across Skjálfandi Bay

Once you leave Húsavík, the boat heads into Skjálfandi Bay. The ride itself is part of the attraction. A RIB sits low on the water and feels lively as it accelerates, slows, and turns toward wildlife.

That speed helps in practical ways. If a whale surfaces several hundred meters away, the captain can often reach the area much faster than a larger boat. Several outings produced repeated views of humpback whales, including animals surfacing close to the boat. One particularly strong trip saw six individual humpbacks, with some remaining in the area for as long as 10 minutes.

You get open-air views from a compact boat, so you are not stuck behind a window or a line of people at the rail. With 12 passengers or fewer, the group is small enough that you can usually look in either direction without fighting for space.

The drawback is comfort. The boat can bounce over waves, and you may get spray even inside the protective clothing. People prone to motion sickness may appreciate the open air, as one passenger did, but others could find the speed and movement tiring. If your back is weak, take the restrictions seriously. This is not a gentle harbor cruise.

Lundey, the island known for puffins

From roughly April 15 through August 20, the trip includes Lundey, commonly called Puffin Island. The boat pauses for photographs and wildlife watching rather than landing on the island.

Puffins can gather in large numbers on the cliffs, in the water, and in the air above the island. Some outings reported hundreds or even thousands of birds, while others saw puffins flying around the RIB and resting on the sea. The sight can be especially memorable because the birds are active in several places at once, not confined to a single viewpoint.

You may also see Arctic terns around the island. The birdlife gives the trip more range than a whale excursion alone, especially if the whales are slow to appear.

There is one important timing point. If you visit outside the April 15 to August 20 season, you will not see puffins on this tour. The outing continues as a big-whale trip, but the island portion is no longer a puffin stop. If puffins are a priority, check your date carefully before paying.

The island also makes a good early photo stop. You can photograph the birds, cliffs, and surrounding water, but remember that the RIB will be moving and the boat may rise and fall with the waves. A phone or camera with a secure grip is more useful than a fragile setup that requires constant adjustment.

Whale watching with guides who explain what you see

The crew’s wildlife commentary is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Several guides have backgrounds in marine biology or biology, and passengers repeatedly praised Austin, Inaki, Ignacio, Iñaki, Zina, Sofie, and others for mixing useful facts with friendly conversation.

A good guide helps you understand more than the basic act of spotting a back or fin. You may learn to watch for a humpback’s blow, the shape of its dorsal fin, or markings on its tail. One guide identified individual humpbacks from their markings and traits, which adds a personal touch to animals that might otherwise look similar from a distance.

Humpbacks are the main stars in the available sightings. You might see one surfacing again and again, several animals feeding in the same area, or a whale lifting its tail before heading below the surface. Breaching is possible, but it is never promised. A trip with fewer dramatic displays can still be worthwhile if the guide explains the animal’s behavior and keeps the boat from crowding it.

Other possible sightings include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, blue whales, and, on one fortunate outing, a walrus. Dolphins may play near the boat, adding a burst of action while the crew searches for larger animals.

The approach policy also matters. The best captains do not simply race at an animal and cut across its path. They move quickly when necessary, then slow down and give the whale room. That balance was praised often, and it is exactly what I want from a wildlife trip.

Tjörnes Peninsula and the scenery around the bay

The trip also brings you near the Tjörnes Peninsula, known for fossil layers dating back as far as two million years. You may not get a long geological lecture, but the peninsula adds useful context to the scenery around the bay.

From the water, you see Iceland from a different angle than you do from the road. The coastline, cliffs, open sea, and distant landforms frame the wildlife search. Even a quieter whale departure still gives you a brisk boat ride and views of the northern Icelandic coast.

The focus remains marine life, so this is not a dedicated geology tour. If you want a detailed explanation of the fossil beds, you would need a separate visit or a longer sightseeing outing. Here, Tjörnes is part of the wider setting and a worthwhile feature between wildlife sightings.

Staying warm, dry, and comfortable

Icelandic summer does not guarantee warm water or calm air. The supplied overall helps a lot, but it does not make the bay tropical. Wear a warm layer underneath, plus a hat and gloves that you can secure well.

Your hands are especially vulnerable because you may spend much of the trip holding on, taking photographs, or pointing toward a whale. Several people specifically advised bringing high-quality gloves. If you forget, the office may have spare hats or gloves available, but you should not count on that.

The supplied raincoat helps when spray or rain picks up. Comfortable shoes are also important because you will be standing or sitting in a compact boat rather than strolling on a large deck.

The company lists the trip as unsuitable for pregnant people, anyone under 8 years old or 130 centimeters, and people with back or heart problems. Epilepsy and mobility concerns should be discussed with the local operator before booking. The crew may be able to arrange assistance in some cases, but you need to ask in advance.

Is $198 a fair price for two hours?

At $198 per person, this is a premium whale-watching trip. You are paying for more than a seat on a boat. The price includes a guided ride in a 12-seat RIB, required water-resistant overalls, rain gear if needed, and life vests.

The strongest value comes from the boat’s size and speed. If your main aim is to get close to wildlife and spend less time crossing empty water, the RIB makes sense. A larger vessel may offer more indoor shelter and a smoother ride, but it may not reach a distant sighting as quickly or provide the same open-air feel.

The small group also has real value. Everyone gets a better chance to see the action, and the guide can speak to the group without a loudspeaker or a crowded deck. You also avoid the frustrating shuffle that can happen when dozens of people rush to one side of a large boat.

Still, you should not judge the price only by the number of whales seen. Wildlife sightings depend on the animals and the weather. One departure might produce humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, and a blue whale. Another might offer fewer encounters. The fair question is whether you value a fast, intimate, active search more than a cheaper, slower, larger-boat alternative.

Best time to go and what can change

Puffin season runs from April 15 through August 20. Late spring and summer give you the best chance of including Lundey and its birds.

Whale watching continues outside puffin season, and some winter trips have still produced whale sightings. The tour may be canceled if weather is unsafe, if fewer than four people book, or for another operational reason. If that happens, the operator offers an alternative departure or a full refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Iceland schedule is still shifting. Check the available departure time when booking, since the outing lasts two hours but starting times vary.

Who should book this Húsavík boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a close, active wildlife outing rather than a quiet cruise. It suits couples, families with older children, photographers who value open views, and anyone who likes the feeling of a fast boat turning a search into an adventure.

It is especially appealing if puffins are on your Iceland wish list and you are visiting between mid-April and August 20. The small group also makes it a good pick if you dislike crowded boats.

I would think twice if you have serious back or heart problems, are pregnant, or dislike cold, spray, and boat motion. A larger vessel may be more comfortable for you, although this particular tour’s equipment and safety briefing do a solid job of preparing passengers for the conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this Húsavík RIB tour if you want speed, small-group viewing, and a real chance to see whales at close range while respecting their space. The strongest reasons are the nimble boat, the capable wildlife guides, and the chance to combine humpbacks and dolphins with Puffin Island in summer.

Skip it if your priority is a warm, smooth, sheltered ride or if you need guaranteed wildlife. For the right person, though, $198 buys a focused two-hour outing with much more energy than a standard harbor cruise. Bring serious gloves, dress in layers, arrive 30 minutes early, and keep your camera ready. The whale may surface only briefly, but the bay gives you plenty to watch.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík Big Whales and Puffin Island tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride through Skjálfandi Bay and wildlife viewing.

Where does the tour depart?

You meet at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík, at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office. The office is across the road from Húsavík’s famous church and shares a building with North Sailing.

When can I see puffins on the tour?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the tour operates as a big-whale-watching trip without the Puffin Island focus.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The tour provides warm water-resistant overalls, rain gear if needed, and life vests. You need to bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, a hat, and gloves.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, blue whales, puffins, and Arctic terns. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

How many people can ride in the RIB?

The guided RIB has no more than 12 passenger seats, creating a smaller group and better viewing access than a large boat.

Are there age or health restrictions?

The minimum age is 8 years, or 130 centimeters in height. The tour is not suitable for pregnant people or those with back or heart problems. Contact the local provider in advance about epilepsy, mobility concerns, or a child slightly under 130 centimeters.