Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Big whales need room to roam. This Húsavík RIB safari covers more of Skjálfandi Bay than a slower boat and combines fast, exciting travel with serious wildlife watching. I especially like the small maximum group of 12 and the warm safety overalls, which make the outing feel personal and practical. The main tradeoff is the ride itself: on rough water, this speedboat can feel like a roller coaster.

I also like the chance to see Puffin Island during nesting season, then range farther into the bay for humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and other marine life. Guides such as Matteo, a marine biologist, and captains such as Sarah have earned praise for clear explanations and smooth boat handling. Still, no boat can order a whale to surface, and the cold, wind, and motion are real parts of the deal.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours on Skjálfandi Bay: The route gives you time for Puffin Island and a broad search for whales and dolphins.
• Maximum of 12 people: The larger RIB offers more room than many local speedboats while keeping the group small.
• Puffins are seasonal: Expect the island visit from approximately April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the focus shifts mainly to whales.
• Fast, bumpy, and exciting: The RIB reaches distant wildlife quickly, but rough weather can make the ride uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.
• Warm gear is supplied: You must wear a safety overall, and rain jackets are available if needed. Bring warm layers, a hat, and sturdy shoes.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: If you see no whales or dolphins, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak boat tour, but not a refund.

Starting beside Húsavík’s blue flags

Your meeting point is the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags, then check in before the group is fitted with its required warm safety overall and life jacket.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the harbor area. Leave large bags and luggage behind, since they are not allowed on the boat. Comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing are essential, even on a pleasant day. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the bay may feel much colder than the town.

The staff gives you a safety briefing in Húsavík before departure. Pay attention here, not because the briefing is complicated, but because the speedboat moves quickly and your footing matters when the boat is underway. The crew also explains how to sit and what to expect from the ride.

The supplied overalls are one of the tour’s useful touches. You should still wear warm clothing underneath, especially on a cold or wet day. One participant who went out when it was around minus 2 degrees Celsius advised wearing two pairs of socks, along with a hat and scarf. That is sensible advice for an early or chilly departure.

The RIB ride across Skjálfandi Bay

Once everyone is aboard, the RIB heads into the beautiful surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay. The boat is designed for speed, so you can cover a wider area than you typically would on a slower traditional whale-watching boat.

That speed has a clear wildlife benefit. If a whale is reported farther across the bay, the captain can reach the area faster. The boat can also reposition when an animal surfaces, giving the guide a better chance to help both sides of the group see it. One particularly useful detail from the trip reports is that captain Sarah turned the boat often so everyone had a fair view.

The RIB is larger and roomier than many other local boats of this type, but it is still a small open boat on the sea. You are close to the water, exposed to wind, and likely to feel the movement. In calm conditions, that makes the ride thrilling. In rain or rough water, it can be hard on your stomach and back.

I would take seasickness seriously. One outing in poor weather was described as feeling like a roller coaster, with several people becoming sick. Another person found that taking seasickness medicine made a rough-weather trip manageable. The operator does not promise calm water, so if you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead and choose a day when the forecast looks favorable if your schedule allows.

Puffin Island from April through August

The first wildlife stop is Puffin Island during the nesting period, which runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. At the right time of year, you can see thousands of puffins gathered around the island, with their colorful bills earning them the nickname Clowns of the Ocean.

This is not a landing. The boat cruises near the island, and the guide explains the puffins and the local marine life while you take in the views. That approach is better for a quick wildlife visit because you can see the birds in their own setting without turning the stop into a staged animal encounter.

Puffins are small, fast, and constantly moving, so your best view may be when the boat is positioned close to the nesting area. Bring a camera if you like, but keep your eyes on the island too. With the boat moving and the birds in flight, trying to photograph every puffin can mean missing the larger scene.

Timing matters here. If you visit outside the approximate April 15 to August 15 season, puffins are not the main reason to book this trip. The tour continues, but the focus shifts more strongly to whales and dolphins. If puffins are your priority, check the calendar before paying.

Searching for humpbacks, blue whales, and dolphins

After Puffin Island, the captain and guide search a wider section of Skjálfandi Bay. The guide gives live commentary about the animals and the area, while the crew watches for blows, fins, surfacing patterns, and groups of dolphins.

Humpback whales are among the most frequently praised sightings on this trip. You might see one resting at the surface, another moving through the water, or a more active whale showing stronger movement. The boat’s speed helps the crew move between sightings, although the animals remain in control of the schedule.

Blue whales are also possible, and several outings recorded both blue whales and humpbacks. Seeing a blue whale is never something you should treat as guaranteed, but the chance adds real value to a tour in these waters. Dolphins can also appear in large groups, including a memorable super pod on one outing.

The guide’s role matters just as much as the boat. A good guide turns a brief surfacing into something you understand. Guides named Matteo, Serena, Rui, Alberto, Miro, and Zara were praised for explaining whale behavior, identifying species, and keeping the group interested during the search. Matteo was described as a marine biologist who could answer detailed questions, while Alberto was especially engaging with children.

The commentary is in English. It covers whales, dolphins, puffins, and other marine life, along with the bay itself. I like that the guides do not simply point and shout when something appears. Their explanations help you understand why the crew is waiting in one spot, changing direction, or moving farther across the water.

What whale watching really looks like

You should set your expectations carefully. A whale encounter may mean a blow, a back, a tail, or several surfacings spread across a long search. You might see three humpbacks, five different humpbacks, or whales appearing repeatedly throughout the two hours. You might also see only a few distant sightings.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in this particular tour. Wildlife watching depends on animals that move freely, weather, visibility, and luck. One outing saw no whales at all but still produced puffins and a voucher for a future traditional whale tour. The crew tried hard to locate animals, but nature did not cooperate that day.

The company’s no-sighting policy gives you some protection, but read it accurately. If you see no whales or dolphins, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip on an oak boat. You do not receive a cash refund. If dolphins appear but no whales do, the stated condition may not apply because dolphins count as a sighting.

The speedboat can improve your odds of reaching active wildlife, but it cannot guarantee a close approach. The strongest reason to choose this trip is the combination of speed, a small group, and access to more of the bay, not a promise of nonstop whale action.

Why the 12-person size matters

A maximum of 12 people is a useful middle ground. You get the lively feel of a small boat without being packed into one of the tiniest RIBs in the harbor.

The larger design also brings a little more comfort. You still need to sit carefully and hold on when the sea gets lively, but there is more room than on many compact speedboats. A small group makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. It also gives the captain more freedom to position the boat so that people on different sides can see.

This is especially helpful for families with older children. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, yet an outing with six and eight-year-old children was praised because the guide kept the children engaged. Since the published restriction says under eight is not suitable, families should follow that rule and not assume exceptions.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant people, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone under 130 centimeters, or 4 feet 3 inches. These restrictions make sense given the boat’s motion, access, and seating. If you have any doubt about your physical ability to handle a fast open-boat ride, choose the traditional boat option instead.

Is $159 a fair price?

At $159 per person, this is not the budget choice in Húsavík. You are paying for a two-hour trip, a specialized guide, warm safety gear, live commentary, and a small-group RIB rather than simply paying for transportation across the bay.

I think the price is fair if the speed and boat size matter to you. The RIB can travel farther and reposition faster than a traditional boat, and the 12-person limit gives the outing a more personal feel. Several people who had also considered a traditional boat felt the extra cost was worthwhile because the ride itself added excitement.

The value is weaker if you dislike motion, want a quiet outing, or are mainly interested in sitting indoors and watching the water. A traditional oak boat may suit you better, especially if the forecast is rough. This tour is a wildlife search with a fast ride attached, not a calm harbor cruise.

The free cancellation policy helps reduce the risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. If the operator cancels because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

The operator runs the tour only in suitable weather conditions, but suitable does not mean warm or perfectly calm. Some trips continue in rain or unsettled conditions, and the crew warns you when the ride may be bumpy.

Wear outdoor clothing under the supplied overall. Add warm socks, a hat, and a scarf when temperatures are low. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still arrive dressed for the outdoors. Your shoes should be comfortable and secure.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. You need both hands available at times, and there is limited room on a small boat. Bring only the essentials you can keep safely with you.

If you are concerned about seasickness, the practical choice is to take appropriate medication before departure, following your own medical advice. Also avoid treating the warm overall as a substitute for layers. Cold air at speed can cut through clothing quickly.

Húsavík’s best fit for this boat

This tour suits you if you want the highest-energy way to search for whales in Húsavík. It is a strong choice for photographers, families with children eight and older, and anyone who values a small group and quick movement across the bay.

It is also a good fit if you want both puffins and whales in one outing during the nesting season. The combination of Puffin Island, open-water scenery, and the possibility of humpbacks, blue whales, and dolphins makes the two hours feel varied.

I would choose another boat if you have back trouble, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, are under the height limit, or strongly dislike bouncing on the sea. You should also think twice if the puffin season has ended and your only goal is puffins. Outside that period, the tour is mainly about whales and dolphins.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB safari?

Book it if you want a lively, small-group whale trip and accept that nature sets the timetable. The fast RIB and maximum group of 12 give you a better chance of covering ground and staying close to the action, while the guides add useful detail instead of treating wildlife as a quick photo stop.

I would book during the puffin season if seeing thousands of puffins is important. Outside that window, book for whales, dolphins, speed, and the chance of blue whales or humpbacks. Just bring serious warm layers, prepare for motion, and remember that the voucher policy is not the same as a refund.

For an active visitor who wants more than a slow boat ride, $159 is a reasonable spend. For a visitor seeking a gentle, steady outing, the traditional oak boat is probably the wiser choice.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík RIB whale safari?

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

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Gentle Giants meeting point.

Are puffins seen all year?

No. Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour puts more focus on whales.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales or dolphins are seen, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat. No refund is given under this policy.

Is whale watching guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on favorable weather and wild animals. Whales, dolphins, and puffins may be seen, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What clothing should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and comfortable shoes. Warm safety overalls are supplied and must be worn, with rain jackets available if needed.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant people, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone under 130 centimeters, or 4 feet 3 inches.