Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

The best part of this Húsavík outing is its small, fast RIB boat. With no more than 12 people aboard, you can move quickly when a whale surfaces and usually find a clear view without elbowing through a crowd. Guides such as Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, and Sofie have earned praise for mixing strong wildlife knowledge with calm, friendly instruction.

I like two things in particular: the boat can cover a lot of Skjálfandi Bay in only two hours, and the warm overalls make this cold-water trip possible. The main drawback is simple: a RIB is lively on choppy water, and you still need your own hat and gloves. Wildlife is wild, so no number of reviews or good guides can promise whales.

Key points before you book

• Up to 12 passengers: A small group means better sightlines and a more personal guide experience.
• Whales move fast: The RIB can reach a distant sighting much quicker than a larger boat.
• Puffins are seasonal: Lundey Island is included for puffins from about April 15 through August 20.
• Warm gear is supplied: Water-resistant overalls, rain protection if needed, and life vests are provided.
• Expect a cold, active ride: Bring a hat, gloves, warm layers, and comfortable shoes.
• Wildlife sightings vary: Humpbacks are common targets, but minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, blue whales, seals, and other species have also appeared.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Húsavík

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

A rigid inflatable boat gives you a very different outing from a large whale-watching ship. It is lower to the water, carries far fewer people, and can travel quickly between sightings. That speed matters when a whale appears several miles away. The boat can reach the area before the animal moves on, instead of spending much of the trip simply getting there.

I also like the scale of the group. With 12 passengers or fewer, the guide can explain what you are seeing without speaking to a crowd spread over several decks. You can shift your gaze from one side to the other, and nobody has to wait long for a turn at the rail because there is no formal rail at all.

That small boat comes with a tradeoff. The ride can be choppy, and the open design gives you little shelter from wind and spray. The supplied overalls help a great deal, but you should still dress for Icelandic weather, not for a sunny harbor departure.

Starting at Hafnarstétt 11

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office 30 minutes before departure. The office shares a building with North Sailing, across the road from Húsavík’s famous church, so the location is easy to identify in town.

Allow time to check in, collect your suit, and listen to the safety briefing. The overalls are compulsory on the boat, and the crew supplies life vests as well as a raincoat if conditions call for one. Wear comfortable shoes that can handle a wet deck.

The crew then leads you to the 12-seat RIB. A captain handles the boat while an English-speaking guide explains the bay, seabirds, and marine life. Some departures have included guides or crew with marine biology training, which helps when the group is trying to understand whale behavior rather than simply count fins.

Across Skjálfandi Bay in search of whales

Once you leave Húsavík, the trip becomes a moving search. The guide scans the water for blows, backs, fins, and seabirds, while the captain chooses where to go next.

The most frequently reported sightings on this route are humpback whales. You may see a back rolling through the water, a tail lifting before a longer underwater interval, or repeated surfacing as a whale feeds. Several departures have seen multiple humpbacks, and some lucky groups have watched breaching, tail slaps, or a mother and calf together.

You may also encounter minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, or blue whales. One spring outing even produced a walrus sighting. These are possibilities, not promises, so I would book the trip for the bay experience and the chance to see wildlife, rather than for one particular species.

The boat’s speed is most useful here. If the guide spots a whale at a distance, the captain can move over quickly and then slow down near the animal. Several outings have reported getting close without interrupting the whale for long. That balance matters. The aim is not to chase an animal until it reacts, but to reach a useful viewing position and wait.

Some people have seen several humpbacks in one trip. Others have had a quieter outing with one whale or fewer sightings. The crew can work hard, choose another search area, and use the full two hours, but nature controls the result.

Lundey Island and its puffin crowds

From April 15 through August 20, the tour includes Lundey, also called Puffin Island. This stop adds a bird-watching element to what could otherwise be a whale-focused trip.

Puffins gather on the island and around the water during the summer breeding season. You may see them sitting on the sea, flying low across the surface, or packed along the cliffs. Several outings reported hundreds or even thousands of birds, while others saw large groups circling above the boat.

The RIB is well suited to a short photo stop because it can approach the island without spending a long time getting into position. You will have views of the island, nearby cliffs, and the birds in flight. Arctic terns may also appear in the area.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect every puffin to pose. Birds move quickly, and the boat may roll as you photograph them. The island is a highlight for summer departures, but you should not assume it is part of the experience outside the stated season. From about August 21 until April 14, the tour operates as a big-whale trip without the puffin stop.

The Tjörnes Peninsula adds a geological view

The route also takes in the Tjörnes Peninsula. It is known for fossil layers, with the oldest mentioned layers dating back about two million years.

That detail gives the ride more depth than a simple wildlife chase. You are not only watching the water. You are also looking at a coastline shaped by long geological change, with the guide explaining what makes the peninsula important.

The tour does not offer a land visit to the peninsula. You see it from the boat as part of the bay scenery, so treat this as a useful coastal viewpoint rather than a geology excursion.

What the two hours feel like

Two hours is a good length for an active boat trip. It gives the crew time to leave the harbor, reach likely wildlife areas, visit Lundey in season, and return without turning the outing into an all-day commitment.

The first and last parts can feel brisk because the RIB is traveling. Once whales appear, the pace may shift from fast movement to quiet waiting. You could spend several minutes watching a whale surface repeatedly, then speed away to another sighting.

The ride itself is part of the attraction. Several people have described the speedboat as exhilarating, especially when it accelerates toward a new sighting. If you prefer a slow, steady cruise with indoor seating, choose a larger vessel instead. This is better for you if you want movement, open-air viewing, and a stronger sense of being on the water.

The boat’s open layout also helps some people who usually feel seasick. One person who often struggles with motion sickness found the open air and speed manageable. That should not be read as a guarantee. If you are prone to seasickness, bring suitable medication, since seasickness pills are not included.

Warm clothing is still essential

The supplied water-resistant overall is one of the most useful parts of the package. It protects your main clothing from spray and helps hold in warmth, and the crew has supplied suits in a wide range of sizes, reportedly up to 8XL.

Do not treat the suit as a substitute for layers. The bay can be cold, especially when the boat is moving quickly. Wear warm clothing underneath, along with a hat and gloves. Several people specifically noted that hands became cold, and one person called good gloves essential.

Bring:

• Warm base and mid layers
• A hat that fits securely
• Waterproof or insulated gloves
• Comfortable shoes
• Seasickness medication if you normally need it

Pregnant people, children under eight, anyone under 130 centimeters, and people with back or heart problems should not book this outing. Epilepsy and mobility concerns also deserve a conversation with the local provider before departure. The captain may be able to arrange assistance for some health conditions, but you need to contact the company ahead of time.

Guide quality and the value of a small crew

The guide is not just there to point at a whale. You get explanations about species, feeding behavior, seabirds, and safety. Strong guides also help you know where to look and what to expect next, which makes a brief surfacing easier to appreciate.

The staff praised most often by name include Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, Sofie, Alessandra, Zina, and several other guides. Austin has been noted for his friendly, energetic presentations and language skills. Ignacio and Inaki have been singled out for their enthusiasm about whales, while Sofie has been praised for thoughtful communication about weather and passenger comfort.

That last point matters on a small boat. The captain and guide can notice if someone is struggling, adjust the pace when possible, and explain the conditions directly. One outing included a passenger with severe seasickness, and the crew helped keep that person comfortable while continuing the trip.

The small group also makes photography easier. You can usually turn toward a sighting without a wall of people in front of you. Still, keep your camera secure and do not let photos distract you from watching the water. A whale may surface only briefly.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Skjálfandi Bay. You are paying for a two-hour trip, a small group, a fast boat, a guide, safety gear, and the supplied protective clothing.

I think the price makes sense if your priority is wildlife coverage. The RIB can travel farther and react faster than a slower boat, and the 12-person limit gives you a more personal outing. The speed and small group are the main reasons to pay extra.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a quiet scenic cruise. In that case, a larger boat may offer more room and a steadier ride for less money. You also need to accept that the price does not buy a guaranteed whale encounter. It buys a well-equipped search in a productive bay.

The tour has a 4.8 rating from 979 ratings, with 91 percent giving the transport a perfect score. That points to strong satisfaction with the boat, crew, and wildlife experience, but it does not change the basic rule of nature trips: good conditions and animal behavior still decide what you see.

Booking details that affect your choice

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Iceland route is not fully fixed.

The operator requires at least four passengers for a departure and may cancel because of bad weather or other operating concerns. If that happens, you are offered another departure or a full refund. Check the start time when booking, since schedules vary.

The tour is given in English. The minimum age is eight, with a height requirement of at least 130 centimeters. If a child is slightly below that height, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming the crew can make an exception.

Who should book this Húsavík whale tour?

I would choose this tour if you want the best odds of reaching distant sightings quickly, prefer a small group, and enjoy an active ride. It also suits families with older children, photographers who want open views, and anyone who wants puffins and whales in one outing during the summer season.

I would think twice if you dislike cold spray, have significant back or heart problems, are pregnant, or want a quiet indoor cruise. The boat can be choppy, and the experience asks you to stay exposed to Icelandic weather for two hours.

Book it if the idea of racing across the bay, watching puffins around Lundey, and waiting for a humpback to surface sounds exciting. Skip it if a guaranteed sighting or a calm ride matters more than speed and intimacy.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride from Húsavík, wildlife watching, and the return to Hafnarstétt 11.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, 30 minutes before departure. The office is across the road from Húsavík’s famous church and shares a building with North Sailing.

How many people fit on the boat?

The guided RIB has 12 seats or fewer, creating a small-group experience with open viewing areas.

Are puffins seen all year?

No. Puffin Island is included from about April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the tour focuses on big-whale watching.

What whale species might I see?

The bay is visited by humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other marine species. Blue whales and seals have also been seen on some outings.

Is warm clothing provided?

The operator provides warm water-resistant overalls, raincoats if needed, and life vests. You still need to bring warm layers, a hat, and gloves.

Are gloves and hats included?

No. Gloves and hats are not included, so pack both. The bay can feel very cold, especially while the RIB is moving.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is eight years, or 130 centimeters in height. Contact the local provider if a child is slightly under 130 centimeters.

Is the tour suitable for people with back or heart problems?

The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, heart problems, pregnancy, or certain mobility and health issues. Contact the local provider in advance if you need to discuss a condition or possible assistance.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The local partner may cancel because of bad weather, too few passengers, or other reasons. You will be offered another departure or a full refund.