Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

The best thing about this Húsavík tour is the 12-seat RIB boat. It can cover a lot of Skjálfandi Bay in two hours, giving you a better chance of reaching a whale sighting quickly. In summer, the trip also calls at Lundey, or Puffin Island, where thousands of seabirds may gather.

I like the small group and the warm water-resistant overalls. Everyone gets a clear view, and guides such as Austin, Iñaki, Ignacio, and Zina bring strong marine-life knowledge without turning the trip into a lecture. The main drawback is the ride itself: it can be cold, wet, and choppy, and the boat is not suitable for pregnant people or those with certain back or heart problems.

The tour costs $198 per person, which is more than a standard large-boat outing. I think the extra cost makes sense if you value speed, a close-up view, and a group small enough that you are not fighting for space at the rail.

Key points before you book

• Small RIB, maximum 12 passengers: You get open views and quick movement when whales appear.
• Lundey is seasonal: Puffin Island is included around April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the trip focuses on whales.
• Skjálfandi Bay is busy with marine life: Humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other species visit the bay.
• Warm suits are supplied: Wear your own warm layers underneath, and bring a hat and good gloves.
• The boat ride is part of the adventure: Expect speed, spray, and possible choppy water, not a quiet harbor cruise.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: You may see several whales, or only one. The animals are wild, and conditions can change.

Why the small RIB makes a difference in Skjálfandi Bay

Húsavík is one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching bases, and Skjálfandi Bay attracts more than 10 marine species during the year. Humpback whales are the stars for many departures, but minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, and occasional surprises can also appear.

The RIB format changes the feel of the trip. You sit low and close to the water, then accelerate across the bay when the crew receives word of a sighting. Several people have described reaching whales in seconds instead of watching them from far away. That does not guarantee a close encounter, but it gives the captain more flexibility than a slower, larger vessel.

A maximum of 12 passengers matters here. You are not packed shoulder to shoulder, and you can usually look to either side of the boat without a crowd blocking your view. The open layout also helps with photography, though you will need to protect your camera from spray and sudden movement.

The trade-off is comfort. A RIB is exciting, but it is not a heated lounge with a toilet, café, or indoor viewing deck. If you prefer a calm ride and a sheltered cabin, a larger boat may suit you better. If you want speed and a more active outing, this is the stronger choice.

From Hafnarstétt 11 to the open bay

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office on Hafnarstétt 11, 30 minutes before departure. The office shares a building with North Sailing and sits across the road from Húsavík’s famous church, so it is easy to find in town.

The staff outfit you in a warm, water-resistant overall and provide a life vest. Raincoats are available if needed. The overall is compulsory under Icelandic boating rules, but it is also one of the most useful parts of the package. It blocks wind and spray well, though it is not a substitute for warm clothing.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat and gloves. Your hands can become the weak point, especially when the boat is moving quickly. One person specifically found high-quality gloves essential, and that is practical advice. A few passengers have needed spare caps or gloves, but you should not count on supplies being available.

The safety briefing takes place before you leave Húsavík harbor. The captain and guide explain how to sit, how to hold on, and what to expect from the ride. The crew has also helped passengers dealing with seasickness, but seasickness tablets are not included, so bring your own if you normally need them.

Lundey Island and its puffins

During puffin season, the first major stop is Lundey Island. The season runs roughly from April 15 through August 20, though the exact wildlife activity can vary with the time of year and conditions.

Lundey is known for large numbers of puffins. You might see birds perched on the island, flying low over the water, or gathering in large groups near the cliffs. Several summer trips have also included Arctic terns, which add another lively bird-watching element.

The island is a photo stop rather than a landing. That is important to understand. You stay on the RIB, circling or pausing at a respectful distance while the guide explains the birds and their behavior. The boat’s low position can give you a good view, but the rocking water makes sharp photos harder than they look.

Puffins are most active during the warmer months, so this part of the trip is not available all year. If you book in autumn, winter, or early spring, you are booking a big-whale outing instead. That does not make the trip less worthwhile, but you should choose it for marine life rather than puffins.

Whale watching among humpbacks and dolphins

After Lundey, or directly into the bay outside puffin season, the boat works across Skjálfandi. The captain covers distance while the guide watches for blows, backs, fins, and birds feeding on the surface.

Humpback whales are the most frequently reported sighting on this trip. Past departures have included one whale, several whales, and groups of five or more. Some passengers have seen repeated surfacings, breaches, flipper slaps, and even a mother with her calf. Others have seen minke whales, blue whales, dolphins, seals, or a walrus.

These reports show the range of possible outcomes, not a promise. You could see a whale close to the boat, but you could also spend much of the trip searching. In autumn, one departure saw a single whale and still benefited from the speed and scenery. The captain and guide can work hard, but no crew can control where wild animals surface.

I like the company’s approach to distance. Guides have explained whale behavior and moved in close without needlessly interrupting the animals. The best moments come when the boat stops and everyone waits quietly for the next breath. The engine may bring you near a whale, but patience gives you the real encounter.

The guide’s role is more important than it might seem. Austin has been praised for clear explanations about whales, seabirds, and ocean safety, while Iñaki, Ignacio, Martin, and others have been described as energetic and attentive. Some guides have identified individual humpbacks by their markings or physical traits. That turns a quick sighting into something more meaningful.

Tjörnes Peninsula and the scenery around Húsavík

The tour also gives you views toward the Tjörnes Peninsula. Its fossil layers include material dating back about two million years, a reminder that the bay has a long natural story beneath its modern wildlife.

You may not get a full geology lesson, since the main purpose is whale watching, but the peninsula adds a useful sense of place. The trip is not only about spotting a fin. You are looking across open water toward Icelandic coastlines, bird cliffs, and volcanic scenery while learning how marine life uses the bay.

The scenery can make a slow wildlife period feel worthwhile. A whale-watching trip is always partly a search, and a good guide keeps you engaged with birds, geology, ocean conditions, and animal behavior while the captain scans the water.

What the speed and exposure feel like

The RIB can be exhilarating. Several departures had choppy water, and passengers described the ride as fast, wet, and fun. The supplied overall helps, but you can still feel the cold through your gloves and face. Wear a warm base layer, fleece or wool, and weatherproof footwear.

You should also expect the boat to bounce. That is why the minimum age is eight, with a minimum height of 130 centimeters. Children just below that height require approval from the local provider. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people, people with serious back or heart problems, people with epilepsy, or people with mobility issues unless the local partner has arranged assistance.

The open air can help some people who suffer from motion sickness. One passenger who sometimes gets seasick found the RIB manageable. Still, rough water affects everyone differently, and you should bring seasickness medication if you use it.

The crew can make allowances for individual needs. One passenger with back pain discussed the weather and personal limits with Captain Sofie, who offered practical advice while allowing the passenger to decide. That is the right attitude for a physically active boat trip: ask early, be honest about your limits, and do not feel pressured to continue if the conditions are too much.

Is $198 good value for two hours?

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest whale trip in Húsavík. You are paying for a small group, a fast vessel, warm protective gear, and a guide who can explain the wildlife while the captain covers a wide section of the bay.

The value depends on what you want. If you mainly want a basic boat ride and do not care about group size, a larger vessel may cost less and offer more room to sit indoors. If you want to get to distant sightings quickly and avoid a crowded viewing deck, the RIB can justify the extra price.

The two-hour length is another point in its favor. It is long enough to reach the main wildlife areas without taking up half your day. It is also short enough to fit around a drive through northern Iceland, a visit to Húsavík’s museums, or another afternoon activity.

I would not book this expecting a guaranteed whale performance. I would book it because the boat gives you more range and the small group makes every sighting easier to share. The value is strongest in summer, when you can combine whales, dolphins, and Lundey’s puffins in one outing.

Practical details that affect your booking

The tour runs in English and includes a live guide, captain, overall, raincoat if needed, and life vest. Hats, gloves, and seasickness pills are not included. Check the available departure times when booking, since the activity lasts two hours and exact start times vary.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The operator can cancel because of bad weather, too few passengers, or other operating reasons. The minimum is four people per departure, and you should receive notice with an alternative departure or refund if that happens.

The best clothing plan is simple:

• Warm layers under the supplied overall
• A hat that covers your ears
• Gloves with a good grip
• Comfortable shoes
• A camera strap or secure phone case

Bring patience as well as clothing. Even an excellent captain cannot order a whale to surface beside the boat. The guide can help you understand what you see, and the RIB can reach promising areas quickly, but nature makes the final decision.

Who should book the Big Whales and Puffin Island tour?

I would choose this for couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers an active wildlife trip over a slow cruise. It also suits photographers who want a small group and the chance to move quickly between sightings, though rough water can make shooting difficult.

It is a particularly good fit from April 15 to August 20, when Lundey adds thousands of puffins to the whale-watching plan. Outside that period, choose it for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and the speedboat experience.

I would choose a larger boat instead if you need indoor shelter, have limited mobility, dislike bouncing rides, or want a quieter and less exposed trip. The RIB is safe when conditions and passengers are suitable, but it asks more of you physically.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best chance of reaching whale sightings quickly, prefer a maximum of 12 passengers, and like your wildlife outing with a little speed and spray. The strongest combination is a summer departure, warm layers, proper gloves, and realistic expectations.

Skip it if you want guaranteed sightings or a calm, covered cruise. For most people who can handle the cold and movement, the $198 price buys more than a whale checklist: it gives you Lundey’s puffins in season, wide views across Skjálfandi Bay, and a close look at Iceland’s marine life with guides who take the animals seriously.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík whale and puffin tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat trip from Húsavík into Skjálfandi Bay and the return to Hafnarstétt 11.

Are puffins visible all year?

No. Puffin Island is part of the tour from about April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the outing focuses on big-whale watching.

How many people fit on the boat?

The guided RIB has a maximum of 12 passengers, creating a smaller group than a typical large whale-watching vessel.

What clothing is provided?

You receive a warm water-resistant overall and a life vest. A raincoat is available if needed. Bring your own warm clothes, hat, and gloves.

What is the minimum age for the tour?

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

Where do I meet the boat?

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