Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Whales, puffins, and a fast ride in one outing. This two-hour trip across Skjálfandi Bay combines wildlife watching with the excitement of a 12-seat RIB boat. I especially like the small group, which gives everyone a clear view, and the boat’s speed, which helps the captain reach distant whale sightings quickly. The main drawback is simple: the bay can be cold, wet, and choppy, even inside the provided suit.

The tour also earns high marks for its guides and captains. Guides such as Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, Alessandra, and Zina have been praised for clear explanations and warm personalities. I like that the experience is not just a hunt for a whale’s back or tail. You learn about seabirds, whale behavior, safety, and the geology around Tjörnes Peninsula as you go.

Key points to know before you book

• Small RIB, maximum 12 passengers: You avoid the crowding common on larger whale-watching boats.
• Fast access to wildlife: The boat can cover a lot of water and move quickly toward a reported sighting.
• Puffins are seasonal: Lundey, known as Puffin Island, is part of the tour from about April 15 through August 20.
• Whales are never guaranteed: Humpbacks are common sightings, but minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, blue whales, seals, and other species have also appeared.
• Warm overalls are supplied: You still need warm layers, a hat, and gloves, since hands and faces remain exposed.
• A lively ride, not a gentle cruise: This suits active visitors who are comfortable with speed, spray, and boat movement.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Skjálfandi Bay

The biggest choice here is not simply whale watching. It is choosing the style of boat.

A traditional vessel gives you more room to move around, but this RIB carries only 12 people or fewer. That matters when a whale surfaces on one side of the boat. You are less likely to find your view blocked by a wall of people, and the guide can keep the group together without making the trip feel crowded.

The RIB also travels fast. When a whale is spotted in the distance, the captain can cover the gap in seconds rather than waiting for a large boat to turn slowly. Several outings have seen the boat reach humpbacks quickly and approach within roughly 50 meters, always with care not to interrupt the animals.

That speed is a real advantage, but it changes the feel of the outing. You may bounce over waves, especially in rough conditions. One visitor described the ride as choppy but fun, while others found the open air helped prevent seasickness. If you have back problems, heart problems, epilepsy, mobility concerns, or are pregnant, this trip is not a good fit.

The RIB is not a quiet sightseeing platform. It is part wildlife search, part high-speed sea ride. That is precisely what makes it exciting for many people, but it is worth knowing before you arrive.

Starting at Húsavík’s harbor

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

Arriving early gives you time to check in, collect your gear, and listen to the safety briefing without rushing. The overall suit is compulsory under Icelandic rules for this type of boat trip. Staff provide a warm, water-resistant overall, a life vest, and a raincoat if needed.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes underneath the suit. Bring your own hat and gloves. The supplied suit protects your body well, but your hands are still exposed while you hold on or use a camera. One useful tip from the trip feedback is to bring high-quality gloves, since fingers can become painfully cold during a long search.

The company has also supplied suits in very large sizes, including up to 8XL, according to one recent experience. If fit is a concern, contact the operator before departure rather than guessing.

Children must be at least eight years old or 130 centimeters tall. If a child is slightly under that height, contact Húsavík Adventures in advance for approval. The company can also discuss assistance for some health or mobility concerns, although certain conditions are listed as unsuitable for the trip.

Lundey Island and the puffin season

During the puffin season, the first major wildlife stop is Lundey, or Puffin Island. The season runs approximately from April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the tour focuses only on whales, so do not book this trip in autumn or winter expecting puffins.

Lundey is known for its large puffin population. The boat provides a photo stop and scenic views while the guide explains the birdlife. You may see puffins sitting on the water, flying around the RIB, or gathered in large numbers on the island’s cliffs.

The scale can be startling. One May outing saw thousands of puffins, with birds on the cliffs, in the water, and passing overhead. Summer trips have also included Arctic terns, which add another layer to the birdwatching.

Puffins are small, quick, and often farther away than your first excited glance suggests. Bring a camera with a decent zoom if you want detailed pictures. Even without close-up photographs, the sight of large groups lifting off the island is a memorable part of the trip.

There is one practical catch: wildlife activity and sea conditions control the day. The boat may not reach every planned point if conditions or whale movements require a change. One August trip noted that the boat did not make it to Puffin Island, despite still offering good whale sightings. That is a reminder to treat Lundey as a seasonal possibility, not an absolute promise.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

Most of the two-hour outing takes place in Skjálfandi Bay, an area visited by more than 10 whale and dolphin species over the course of a year. Common possibilities include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

The search itself is part of the experience. The captain covers a broad area while the guide watches the water and explains what to look for. A whale may first appear as a small blow, a dark back, or a sudden tail. The guide helps you understand what you are seeing instead of leaving you to stare at an empty patch of sea.

Humpback whales are the most frequently celebrated sighting in the feedback, with several trips seeing two, three, four, or more individuals. Some groups watched whales surface repeatedly. Others saw breaching, tail slaps, or feeding activity.

A particularly good outing recorded six individual humpbacks, with some animals remaining in view for up to 10 minutes. Another saw a mother and calf together. These are special moments, but they are not a promise of what your departure will bring.

The bay has also produced blue whales, minke whales, dolphins, seals, and even a walrus. One June crew changed its search area and found blue whales while other boats looked elsewhere. That example shows the value of having a captain and guide willing to read conditions rather than simply follow the crowd.

Still, you should book with realistic expectations. A September trip saw only one whale, even though the crew worked hard and the speedboat reached it quickly. The animals are wild, and two hours is a fairly compact window. The boat improves your reach, but it cannot control whale behavior.

Guides who add more than facts

The guide can make or break any wildlife trip, and this one has received especially strong praise for its crew.

Austin has been singled out for his friendly manner and explanations about whales, seabirds, and ocean safety. Ignacio is praised for his energy and passion, while Inaki has made an impression with detailed whale information and genuine excitement when animals appear. Other praised guides include Alessandra, Zina, and Martin.

Some guides have marine biology training. One guide used a biology degree to explain local wildlife, while another guide identified individual humpbacks from their markings and habits. That turns a short sighting into something more useful: you begin to understand why a whale surfaces in a particular way and how guides recognize returning animals.

The best guides also keep the mood light without turning the trip into a noisy show. They explain what is happening, watch for people who are cold or uncomfortable, and help the captain position the boat carefully. Several outings were praised for balancing close views with respect for the whales’ space.

English is the listed tour language. Some guides speak additional languages, but you should not assume a specific language will be available on your departure.

The scenery beyond the animals

Whales and puffins are the headline acts, but the bay provides plenty to look at between sightings.

The boat passes views of the Tjörnes Peninsula, known for fossil layers that include material dating back as far as two million years. This gives the trip a useful sense of place. You are not simply riding offshore in search of animals; you are seeing part of the geological story of northern Iceland.

The shore, cliffs, open water, and volcanic surroundings make the ride worthwhile even during a quiet wildlife period. One visitor felt the scenery alone would have made the trip worthwhile, though the group was also fortunate to see whales.

The speedboat allows you to cover a wide section of the bay in a short time. That means more changing views, but also less time sitting still at any single scenic point. If you prefer a slow cruise with long stretches of calm observation, a larger boat may suit you better.

Staying warm, dry, and comfortable

The supplied overall does a good job of dealing with Iceland’s cold water and wind. Staff also provide life vests and raincoats when needed. Even so, do not treat the suit as a substitute for proper clothing.

Wear warm layers underneath. A hat and gloves are essential, not optional extras. Several people specifically advised bringing good gloves, and one group needed spare caps and gloves after forgetting their own.

The bay can feel much colder than the harbor. Wind hits your face and hands, and spray may reach the boat. The open design of the RIB is part of its appeal because it gives you clear views and fresh air, but it also exposes you to the elements.

Seasickness varies from person to person. The boat’s open air and speed helped some people who normally feel ill on boats, while the choppy conditions made the ride more demanding for others. If you already use seasickness medication, bring it. Pills are not included.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see whales around Húsavík. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, warm protective gear, a captain, and a guide over two hours.

I think the price is easier to justify if your priority is getting quickly to whale sightings and avoiding a crowded deck. The 12-person limit gives the outing a more personal feel, and the RIB can often reposition faster than a larger vessel. That can mean better chances of seeing an animal before it moves on.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want a relaxed boat ride or a guaranteed puffin visit. Puffins are seasonal, whales remain unpredictable, and rough weather can affect the route. The trip is best viewed as a carefully run wildlife search, not a fixed show.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option make planning less risky. The operator may cancel because of bad weather or too few passengers, with an alternative departure or full refund offered.

Who will enjoy this Húsavík adventure?

I would choose this tour for an active adult, a family with older children, or anyone who values a small group and quick access to wildlife. It is especially well suited to photographers, first-time whale watchers, and people who want both puffins and whales during the April to August season.

It is also a strong choice if you have only a short stay in Húsavík. Two hours fits neatly into a busy day, and the boat covers a large area without committing you to a long cruise.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fast rides, cold wind, or uncertain wildlife results. Children under eight and people under 130 centimeters cannot join. Pregnant people and those with back or heart problems should choose another activity.

Should you book the RIB tour?

Book it if you want the most energetic version of whale watching in Húsavík. The combination of a 12-person boat, fast movement, strong guiding, and seasonal puffin viewing gives you a very good chance of an exciting morning or afternoon on Skjálfandi Bay.

Just bring serious gloves, wear layers, and accept that nature sets the schedule. If you visit between April 15 and August 20, the Puffin Island addition makes the price easier to defend. Outside that window, book only if whales are your main goal.

With a rating of 4.8 from 979 reviews, the experience has built an unusually strong record. I would call it a good-value splurge for people who want close wildlife views, a lively ride, and a small group rather than a quiet harbor cruise.

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 the return to Húsavík.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Are puffins visible all year?

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

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a guided ride in a 12-seat RIB, a warm water-resistant overall, a life vest, and a raincoat if needed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, and gloves. High-quality gloves are especially useful because your hands remain exposed in the cold air.

What is the minimum age for the tour?

The minimum age is eight years, or a minimum height of 130 centimeters. If a child is slightly below 130 centimeters, contact the local provider before booking.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. Húsavík Adventures may cancel a departure because of bad weather, too few passengers, or another operational reason. You will be offered another departure or a full refund.