Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

A fast RIB boat gives you a real chance to reach whales before they vanish beneath the water. From Húsavík, you race across Skjálfandi Bay in search of humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and, in summer, the puffins of Lundey Island. The small boat also gets you away from the crowd quickly when a whale appears.

I like the 12-person limit, which gives everyone a clear view, and I like the range covered during the two-hour trip. Guides including Austin, Iñaki, and Sofie have been praised for lively explanations and careful whale-watching practice. The tradeoff is simple: a RIB ride can be cold, wet, and bumpy, even with the supplied overalls. Bring proper gloves and a hat.

Key points before you book

• Fast RIB boat: Cover more of Skjálfandi Bay and react quickly when whales surface.
• Small group: The boat carries 12 passengers or fewer, so you are not fighting for a view.
• Puffins in season: Lundey Island is part of the route from about April 15 through August 20.
• Wild animals, not a show: Whale sightings are common but never guaranteed, and conditions can change the route.
• Cold-weather gear included: Water-resistant overalls, life vests, and a raincoat if needed are supplied.
• Best for active visitors: You must be at least 8 years old or 130 centimeters tall, and the ride is not suitable for pregnant people or those with serious back or heart problems.

Why the RIB boat changes the whale-watching experience

Húsavík is one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching bases, and Skjálfandi Bay attracts more than 10 whale species during the year. Humpback whales are the main stars, but you might also see minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, and, on lucky days, larger whales such as blue whales.

The RIB boat matters because it can travel quickly across a broad area. If a whale is spotted several minutes away, the captain can move there far faster than a traditional sightseeing boat. This does not guarantee a sighting, but it improves your odds of reaching active wildlife while it is still nearby.

The experience is also more direct. You sit close to the water rather than high above it, so a surfacing whale can feel startlingly near. Several recent trips have included humpbacks surfacing repeatedly near the boat, and some groups watched whales for several minutes at a time. A mother and calf have also been seen together.

That closeness comes with responsibility. The crew does not simply charge at every animal. Guides and captains have been praised for approaching gently and pulling back when appropriate. The best experience is not the closest possible approach, but a good view without interrupting the whale’s behavior.

Leaving Húsavík and getting ready for the bay

Meet at Húsavík Adventures’ ticket office on Hafnarstétt 11, across from Húsavík’s famous church. The office shares a building with North Sailing, so allow time to find the right counter and arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Before boarding, you receive a safety briefing in Húsavík. The crew supplies a warm, water-resistant overall suit, a life vest, and a raincoat if needed. The overalls are compulsory under Icelandic rules for this activity, but they are not a substitute for warm layers underneath.

I would wear comfortable shoes, thermal layers, and clothes you do not mind getting damp. The hands are the weak spot. Gloves are not included, and several people have found that their fingers get cold even inside the protective suit. A warm hat and good gloves should be treated as essential, not optional.

The operator has suits in a wide range of sizes, including very large sizes. If you have a weak heart, back trouble, epilepsy, or mobility concerns, contact the local partner before booking. The crew has made individual adjustments for some passengers, but you should discuss your needs in advance rather than hope to solve them at the dock.

Lundey Island and the puffin season

From about April 15 to August 20, the boat visits Lundey, known locally as Puffin Island. The island is a breeding site for large numbers of puffins, and you may see birds on the cliffs, floating on the water, or flying low over the bay.

Puffins are entertaining because they are busy without appearing graceful. They flap hard across the water, vanish below the surface, and return with their bright bills visible from a surprising distance. Around the island, you might also see Arctic terns and other seabirds.

The RIB gives you a flexible view of Lundey. It can cruise near the island, pause for photographs, and then move on toward the whale-watching area. The guide explains the birdlife while the captain handles the boat, so you get more than a quick photo stop.

Do not book this tour outside puffin season expecting to visit the island for puffins. From August 21 through the colder months, the trip becomes a big-whale tour instead. That version can still be worthwhile, especially because whales visit the bay year-round, but the bird stop is seasonal.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales and dolphins

After Lundey, or directly toward the whale grounds outside puffin season, the boat spreads across Skjálfandi Bay. The crew watches for blows, fins, flukes, and groups of seabirds that can hint at feeding activity.

This is where the guide’s skill makes a difference. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, and Ignacio have been praised for explaining whale behavior in a clear, entertaining way. Some crew members have marine biology backgrounds, and the commentary can include species identification, feeding patterns, seabirds, and ocean safety.

You might see only a back or a fin. You might see a humpback arch, raise its tail, and surface again several times. A breach is possible but rare, so set your expectations around good wildlife viewing rather than a guaranteed dramatic photograph.

The boat’s speed helps when sightings are spread out. On particularly productive trips, people have seen several humpbacks, dolphins, and even a blue whale. On quieter trips, the crew may spend more time searching. The two-hour length is long enough to reach productive water but short enough that you are not committed to a full-day outing in cold conditions.

Tjörnes Peninsula and the scenery along the route

The route includes views toward the Tjörnes Peninsula, a striking part of the coast known for fossil layers dating back as far as two million years. You will not be taking a land-based geology tour, but the peninsula adds useful context to the bay.

The best part of this setting is the combination of geology, seabirds, and open water. You are not looking at whales in isolation. You are seeing them in a bay framed by Icelandic coastline, with the possibility of birds overhead and dolphins moving through the same water.

The RIB’s low seating position can make the scenery feel more immediate. It also means spray and wind are part of the deal. On a calm day, the ride is exhilarating. On a choppy day, it can be tiring, especially for anyone with a sensitive back or a tendency toward motion sickness.

Some people who usually feel seasick have found the open-air boat easier than expected. That is not a promise. Bring seasickness medication if you use it, since pills are not included. You should also understand that the operator may cancel if the weather is poor, if too few people book, or for another operational reason. The minimum is four passengers, and a canceled departure comes with an alternative departure or full refund.

What the two-hour ride feels like

The trip has two distinct moods. The first is the ride itself: quick acceleration, wind, spray, and the thrill of moving across a large bay in a compact boat. The second is the waiting, when the captain slows down and everyone watches the water for the next blow.

That contrast is part of the appeal. You are not simply sitting on a large vessel following a fixed route. The boat can cover ground, then pause when wildlife appears. With no more than 12 people aboard, you have a better chance of shifting your gaze quickly and taking photographs without a wall of heads in front of you.

Still, do not expect a quiet luxury cruise. The RIB has limited shelter, and you may need to hold on during faster sections. The ride can be bumpy. If you want a warm indoor cabin, a larger traditional whale-watching boat may suit you better.

The crew pays close attention to safety. Guides and captains have helped passengers who became seasick, and people have repeatedly praised the calm handling of the boat. That is important in Iceland, where a sunny harbor can give way to rougher water in the bay.

The guides and the value of a small crew

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of captain and guide. The captain concentrates on safe, efficient boat handling, while the guide watches the water and explains what you are seeing.

Austin has been praised for his friendly style and explanations of whales, birds, and ocean safety. Iñaki is known for enthusiasm and careful observations, including recognizing individual humpbacks by their markings. Sofie has also been singled out for thoughtful discussions about weather and personal limits. Other guides, including Ignacio, Martin, Zina, and Alessandra, have received similar praise for clear explanations and warm communication.

Names and crew assignments can change, of course. What you can count on is an English-language tour with a live guide and a small boat designed for close wildlife viewing.

A group of 12 or fewer is a meaningful advantage. Everyone can look from either side of the boat, and you do not need to push toward a crowded rail. It also makes it easier to hear the guide, ask a question, or tell the crew if you feel uncomfortable.

Is $198 a fair price?

At about $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Húsavík. You are paying for the smaller boat, higher speed, supplied protective gear, and a crew that can search a wide section of the bay in two hours.

The price makes more sense if you value time and access. A quick RIB can reach a sighting fast, and the 12-seat limit gives the trip a more personal feel than a large vessel. If you are visiting Húsavík only briefly, that efficiency has real value.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want a slow, sheltered cruise or if your budget is tight. Wildlife remains unpredictable. You could pay the full amount and see only a few distant animals, though the coastal scenery and guide commentary still form part of the experience.

I consider the tour a good value for people who want an active outing and are willing to pay extra for speed. It is especially attractive during puffin season because it combines two major Húsavík sights in one trip.

Who should book this tour?

You should consider it if you are at least 8 years old and 130 centimeters tall, enjoy open-water rides, and want the best possible chance of reaching whales quickly. Families with older children, photographers, bird-watchers, and anyone who dislikes large crowds are a good fit.

The tour also suits people who want substance from the guide. The commentary covers marine life, birds, whale behavior, and safety rather than treating the trip as a simple boat ride.

Think twice if you are pregnant, have serious back or heart problems, or are uncomfortable on a fast, exposed boat. The operator advises against the activity for pregnant people and those with back or heart problems. Children under 8 and anyone under 130 centimeters cannot join.

Practical details that matter

Book with flexibility if your Iceland schedule allows. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Weather can affect departures, so avoid placing the tour immediately before an important flight or fixed connection.

The meeting point is easy to locate near Húsavík’s church, but arriving 30 minutes early matters because you need to check in, hear the safety briefing, and put on the overalls.

Pack:

• Warm layers
• Comfortable shoes
• A warm hat
• Waterproof or insulated gloves
• Seasickness medicine if you normally need it
• A phone or camera with a secure grip

Keep your hands warm and your expectations realistic. You are watching wild whales in Icelandic water, not attending a scheduled animal performance.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB whale tour?

I would book this tour if you want a fast, small-group wildlife trip and your budget can handle the price. The combination of humpback sightings, possible dolphins, seasonal puffins, and strong guide commentary makes it one of the more active ways to explore Skjálfandi Bay.

Choose it during puffin season if Lundey Island matters to you. Outside that window, book it for the whales alone. Just bring more warmth than you think you need, accept that the sea may be rough, and remember that the animals decide how much of themselves you see.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride, wildlife viewing, and return to Húsavík.

Where does the tour depart from?

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

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at the ticket office 30 minutes before departure for check-in and the safety briefing.

When can I see puffins on the tour?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 20. During this period, the route includes Lundey, also known as Puffin Island.

What happens outside puffin season?

Outside the puffin season, the tour operates as a big-whale-watching trip and does not include the seasonal puffin visit.

What clothing and equipment are included?

The tour includes warm water-resistant overalls, life vests, and a raincoat if needed. You need to bring your own hat, gloves, warm clothing, and comfortable shoes.

What is the minimum age for the tour?

The minimum age is 8 years, or 130 centimeters in height. If a child is slightly under 130 centimeters, contact the local provider before booking.

Is the tour suitable for people with health or mobility concerns?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant people or those with back or heart problems. If you have epilepsy, mobility issues, or another health concern, contact the local provider to discuss possible assistance before booking.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The operator may cancel because of bad weather, fewer than four passengers, or another reason. If that happens, you are offered an alternative departure or a full refund.