Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Húsavík’s RIB whale safari gives you two very different Iceland experiences in one fast trip: thousands of puffins clustered around an island, followed by a search for humpback and blue whales across Skjálfandi Bay. The small boat can cover a wider area than a traditional oak vessel, which matters when wildlife is spread across open water.

I like the maximum group size of 12, which keeps the ride personal and gives you a fair chance to see over the sides. I also like the guides’ mix of humor and science. Guides including Matteo, a marine biologist, and Serena, Rui, Alberto, and Miro have been praised for clear explanations and sharp wildlife spotting.

The tradeoff is the ride itself. A RIB is quick and exciting, but rough water can make it feel like a roller coaster. This is not a good choice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, are under 130 centimeters tall, or get seasick easily.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin Island is seasonal: The puffin visit runs approximately from April 15 through August 15, when thousands of nesting birds may be visible.
• The RIB covers more water: Speed helps the crew reach whale sightings across Skjálfandi Bay, but it also makes the ride bumpier.
• Small boats matter: The vessel carries up to 12 passengers, giving you a more personal setting than a large cruise boat.
• Warm gear is supplied: You must wear the provided safety overall, with rain jackets available if needed.
• Whales are never guaranteed: You may see humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, or nothing larger than seabirds. If no whales or dolphins appear, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak-boat whale tour, not a refund.
• The cost reflects the boat: At $159 per person, this is pricier than a standard whale cruise, but the speed, small group, and extra range are the main reasons to pay more.

Why this Húsavík RIB trip feels different

Húsavík is known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, and its position on Skjálfandi Bay makes it a natural base for marine wildlife trips. This tour uses a modern rigid inflatable boat, often called a RIB, rather than a slower wooden whale-watching vessel.

That difference shapes the whole outing. You sit closer to the water, feel the boat respond quickly, and can travel farther in the same two-hour period. When a whale appears in another part of the bay, the skipper can move toward the area more quickly.

The boat is larger than many other RIBs operating in the area, according to the tour details, but it still carries only 12 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the nimble handling of a small craft without being packed tightly against a large group.

The main appeal is not simply speed. It is the chance to search a broader stretch of bay while keeping the group small enough for direct contact with the guide. The ride can be thrilling even before the first whale appears, though you should be ready for spray, wind, and sudden movement.

Starting at the Gentle Giants ticket center

You meet at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags, then allow time to check in and receive your equipment before heading to the water.

The crew supplies a warm safety overall, which is obligatory, and rain jackets if conditions call for them. You still need comfortable shoes, warm layers, and outdoor clothing. Do not bring luggage or a large bag. Keep personal items small and secure, since the boat’s movement makes loose belongings awkward.

The safety briefing takes place before departure. You will receive instructions on the boat and learn how to sit and move safely. This is important on a RIB because the ride is active, especially when the skipper picks up speed or crosses choppy water.

One practical tip: dress warmer than you think you need. One outing took place when it was minus 2 degrees Celsius on land, and extra socks, a hat, and a scarf would have helped. The provided overall does a lot of work, but it cannot replace warm clothing underneath.

Puffin Island from April to August

The first major stop is Puffin Island, visited during the nesting season from roughly April 15 to August 15. The boat passes the island while your guide explains the birds and the local marine setting.

At the right time of year, you may see thousands of puffins. Their colorful beaks and upright posture make them easy to recognize, even when the boat is moving. The island visit is less about walking ashore and more about viewing the nesting colony from the water.

The puffin stop adds variety to the trip. If you have already spent time watching whales, seabirds give you a different way to read the bay. You also get a strong sense of how much life is concentrated around these small offshore islands.

Bring a camera, but do not let the search for the perfect photo take over. A moving boat, distance, and changing light make this a situation where watching carefully is more rewarding than trying to record every bird.

Outside the puffin period, the tour puts more attention on whales. That makes the trip worthwhile beyond summer nesting season, but you should not expect the island stop to have the same bird activity in colder months.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales and dolphins

After Puffin Island, the RIB heads farther across Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide provides live commentary about the animals and the surrounding waters while the skipper watches for signs of activity.

The crew may search for humpback whales, blue whales, and dolphins. Humpbacks are often the most dramatic sight, with their large bodies, rolling backs, and occasional surface activity. Blue whales are less predictable, but seeing one would be an exceptional moment because of its enormous size.

Dolphins can add another burst of action. One trip produced a large pod, while other outings focused on several humpbacks. The range of sightings shows the honest nature of whale watching: the bay offers real opportunities, but no crew can order an animal to surface on schedule.

Your guide’s job is part naturalist and part spotter. Guides such as Matteo, Serena, Rui, Alberto, Miro, and Zara have been singled out for explaining whale behavior, identifying species, and finding the right places to look. Captains Sarah and Sara have also been praised for smooth handling and for turning the boat so both sides get a chance to see the animals.

That last detail matters. Wildlife may surface on one side of the boat and vanish seconds later. A thoughtful skipper can reposition the RIB so the sighting is not limited to one small section of passengers.

Still, do not expect constant close approaches. Responsible whale watching means giving animals space, and the boat may slow down or wait rather than chase. The best moments can be brief: a back breaking the surface, a tail lifting, or a group of dolphins moving beside the boat.

What the two-hour ride is really like

The tour lasts two hours, including the safety briefing, Puffin Island, and the whale search. The timing is long enough to reach productive parts of the bay, but short enough to fit neatly into a day in Húsavík.

The RIB’s speed is its great advantage and its main drawback. In calm weather, the ride can feel smooth and exhilarating. You may enjoy the open-water run as much as the wildlife itself. In rain or rough conditions, the same boat can bounce hard, and one trip was described as similar to a roller coaster.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. A motion-sickness tablet may help, and one person specifically recommended taking seasickness medicine, but the tour operator does not promise a calm ride. Weather can change the character of the experience quickly.

The supplied overalls help with cold and spray, but your comfort still depends on sensible clothing. Wear warm socks, a hat, and layers. Choose shoes that are comfortable and suitable for an outdoor boat trip.

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back or heart problems, or anyone below 130 centimeters. These limits are tied to the boat’s physical demands, not simply age policy.

How the guides shape the experience

A good wildlife guide does more than name an animal. You need someone who can explain why a whale surfaces where it does, what you are looking for, and how to tell one species from another.

That is where this tour receives much of its praise. Matteo’s marine biology background has been especially useful for answering questions and explaining behavior. Other guides, including Miro, Rui, Serena, Alberto, and Zara, are described as clear, funny, and alert to changes on the water.

The best guides also keep children involved. Alberto, for example, has been praised for holding the attention of young passengers during the full two-hour trip. That can make a big difference for families, since waiting for wildlife requires patience.

The captain and guide work as a pair. The guide searches and interprets; the skipper manages speed, direction, and passenger comfort. When that teamwork is good, the tour feels purposeful rather than like a fast boat ride with occasional animal sightings.

English is the tour language. If you want detailed explanations of local marine life, whale behavior, and puffins, you should be comfortable following live English commentary.

Is $159 a fair price?

At $159 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Húsavík. You are paying for the RIB, the smaller group, the ability to cover more of the bay, warm safety gear, and a two-hour guided outing.

The value depends on what you want. If you prefer a steadier, more relaxed cruise, a traditional oak boat may suit you better. If you want a faster ride and a greater search area, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The small group is another part of the price. With no more than 12 passengers, you spend less time competing for a view than you might on a large vessel. The skipper can also turn the boat to share sightings more fairly.

There is one important limitation to the wildlife guarantee. If you see no whales or dolphins, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip on an oak boat. You do not receive a refund. That is fairer than pretending sightings are certain, but you should understand the offer before paying.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 973 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the guides, the speedboat itself, and memorable combinations of puffins, whales, and dolphins. Even so, nature can be uncooperative. A trip with only a few sightings may still be worthwhile, but you should not book it with a guaranteed-photo mindset.

Practical booking advice for different visitors

I would choose this trip if you are comfortable outdoors, enjoy a little motion, and want the most active whale-watching option in Húsavík. It suits couples, families with children aged eight and older, and anyone who likes the ride itself to be part of the day.

It is less suitable if you want quiet sightseeing, have limited mobility, or dislike cold and bouncing boats. The RIB is not a gentle floating platform. Even in good weather, the ride can be lively.

Try to leave flexibility in your Iceland schedule. The tour depends on favorable weather, and a bad-weather cancellation may lead to another date or a full refund. Booking with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead also gives you some room to adjust your plans.

The company is a locally owned family business in Húsavík. That matters if you prefer to spend your money with a local operator rather than a large outside company. The meeting point is central to the activity, and the tour returns there after the two hours.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB safari?

Book it if you want a small-group, fast-moving whale trip and are willing to accept cold, spray, and an unpredictable wildlife count. The combination of Puffin Island, open-water speed, and skilled guides makes this more than a simple boat transfer.

Choose a traditional oak-boat tour instead if you value a calmer ride or have concerns about motion and physical comfort. If you do choose the RIB, dress warmly, bring no large bag, and keep your expectations focused on the experience rather than a guaranteed sighting.

For most active visitors to Húsavík, the $159 price is reasonable when the boat reaches puffins, dolphins, and several humpbacks in one outing. Just remember that the bay, not the booking, decides what appears.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík, marked by large blue flags. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

Are puffins visible all year?

The puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour places more focus on whale watching.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, puffins, and other marine life. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

You receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat. The voucher does not provide a refund.

What should I bring, and who cannot join?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and outdoor clothing. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back or heart problems, or anyone under 130 centimeters tall.