Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

A fast RIB boat changes the character of whale watching. Instead of sitting on a large vessel and waiting for wildlife to appear, you cover more of Skjálfandi Bay and can reach a distant whale sighting quickly. This two-hour trip from Húsavík also includes Puffin Island from roughly April 15 to August 15.

I like the small 12-person group, which gives you open views from both sides of the boat. I also like the warm safety overalls and the crew’s careful work, with guides such as Matteo, Carla, Jo, and Beatriz combining wildlife facts with an energetic search for whales.

The trade-off is the ride itself. In rough weather, a RIB can bounce hard, and one account compared it to a roller coaster. Sightings are never guaranteed, and Puffin Island may be skipped if the sea turns rough.

Key points to know before you book

• A genuinely fast boat: The RIB can reach whale sightings faster than a large oak boat.
• Small capacity: The boat carries a maximum of 12 people, so views are less crowded.
• Puffins are seasonal: The island visit is planned for approximately April 15 to August 15.
• Big whale country: Humpbacks are common targets, with possible sightings of blue whales, bottlenose whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• Warm gear is supplied: You wear a special safety overall and can request a rain jacket.
• The sea decides the itinerary: Wind, fog, and waves may change the route or cancel the trip.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Húsavík

Húsavík is known as Iceland’s whale-watching center for good reason. Skjálfandi Bay offers a broad stretch of water where humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life may appear. The bay also gives you grand views back toward the town and surrounding Icelandic scenery.

The main choice here is not simply whale watching or no whale watching. It is large boat or RIB boat. At $175 per person, this is the pricier option, but you are paying for speed, a maximum of 12 passengers, and a more active ride. If your priority is reaching a whale quickly and getting an unobstructed view, I think the extra cost is sensible.

The boat is larger and roomier than many other RIBs in the area. That matters. You still get the nimble handling of a speedboat, but without being packed shoulder to shoulder. The open design also helps when a whale surfaces on the opposite side, since you can usually shift your attention without someone blocking the view.

The captain follows the animals rather than sticking to a fixed route. Several outings produced repeated sightings of the same humpback whales, while others found bottlenose whales almost as soon as the boat left the harbor. That variety is part of the appeal, but it also shows why no exact result can be promised.

Meeting the crew and getting ready

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags, and arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That early arrival is important because the crew needs to fit everyone with safety equipment before you leave the harbor.

The supplied safety overall is obligatory. You can also receive a rain jacket if needed. Even in fair weather, bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproof layers, and comfortable shoes. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the boat’s speed creates extra wind chill.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed on board. Keep your belongings small and secure. A phone or camera can be useful, but you should be ready to protect it from spray and hold it firmly during the faster sections.

The safety briefing covers how to sit, hold on, and behave on the water. The guide then gives live commentary as the boat leaves Húsavík. Guides including Matteo, Carla, Jo, Clara, Beatriz, and others have been praised for explaining whale behavior, seabirds, and the marine environment in a warm, easygoing way. English is the tour language.

Puffin Island from April to August

During the nesting period, the first major stop is Puffin Island. The stated season runs approximately from April 15 to August 15, although sea conditions can alter the visit even within that period.

You do not step ashore. The boat cruises past the island while you watch the birds from the water. At the right time of year, you may see thousands of puffins, along with other seabirds. Their bright bills and compact bodies make them easy to spot, but do not expect a close-up encounter with a single bird.

That distance is worth understanding before you book. Puffin Island is a scenic wildlife stop, not a walk through a puffin colony. One account specifically noted that the puffins were not very close, while another described seeing thousands. Your view depends on the birds, the light, the sea, and how close the captain can safely approach.

The guide adds useful context about the birds and the island. In May and June, the puffin stop can be a strong bonus alongside whale watching. Later in the season, the birds remain part of the trip, but the whale search becomes the main event. Outside puffin season, the tour focuses more heavily on whales.

If the wind rises or the water becomes uncomfortable, the crew may leave Puffin Island out. That is sensible wildlife and passenger management, though it means you should treat the island as a possible stop rather than a fixed promise.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After Puffin Island, or directly after leaving the harbor outside puffin season, the RIB heads farther across Skjálfandi Bay. This is where the speed of the boat becomes most useful.

A large boat may need more time to move between sightings. The RIB can cover ground quickly, then turn toward a whale that has surfaced in the distance. Captains have been praised for changing direction as animals appear and for positioning the boat so people on both sides get a fair view.

Humpback whales are the most frequently reported highlight. You might see a back rolling through the water, a tail rising before a deeper descent, or a whale surfacing several times in one area. On especially fortunate outings, one humpback has breached fully, while others have stayed near the boat for repeated views.

Blue whales are possible too. They are the largest animals on Earth, and a sighting can be less theatrical than a breach but just as impressive. The trip also has potential for bottlenose whales, harbor porpoises, and dolphins. One outing encountered a pod of bottlenose whales with a calf almost immediately after leaving the harbor. Another included what was described as a super pod of dolphins.

The guide helps you read the water. You learn to watch for a blow, a dark back, a fin, a change in the surface, or birds gathering near feeding activity. This is much better than simply being told that a whale is somewhere ahead. The best guides explain what the animal is doing and why the captain is changing course.

The sightings can be brief. Nature does not follow a timetable, and some groups search for a long time before finding anything. One outing ended with bottlenose whales appearing in the final five minutes. That is thrilling, but it also means you should not judge the experience too early.

What the ride feels like

The RIB is not a quiet sightseeing boat. It is quick, exposed, and designed to move across the bay. On a calm day, the speed is a major pleasure. You skim across the water, reach distant sightings faster, and feel closely connected to the sea.

On a rough day, the same quality becomes the main challenge. Rain and strong wind can create high waves, and the boat may bounce sharply. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. A previous outing in rainy conditions was described as a roller-coaster-like ride, with some people becoming ill.

The warm overall helps, but it does not remove the physical motion. This trip is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone under 130 centimeters tall. Those restrictions reflect the boat’s movement and the need to climb aboard safely.

I would choose the RIB for an active outing, not for a gentle cruise. If you want to sit indoors, move around easily, or avoid spray and bumps, a larger oak boat may suit you better. If you want speed and open views, the RIB is the stronger choice.

The value of $175 per person

At $175, this is not the budget whale trip in Húsavík. The value comes from several details working together: the two-hour duration, small capacity, fast boat, specialist guide, live commentary, and protective clothing.

The speed is the feature that most clearly separates this tour from a cheaper large-boat outing. The boat can cover a wider area and react quickly when whales surface. That does not guarantee more whales, but it can give you more chances to reach an active sighting during the limited tour time.

The 12-person maximum is another real advantage. You are less likely to lose the view behind a crowd, and the guide can speak to a small group rather than a packed deck. Several outings produced close views, though you should remember that whale behavior and responsible boating rules limit how near the boat can go.

The no-whale policy also affects the value calculation. If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat. You do not receive a refund. That gives you another opportunity, but it is not the same as getting your money back, so keep that condition in mind.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. These policies help, but they cannot remove the basic uncertainty of wildlife watching.

Guides, captains, and the quality of the commentary

The human side of this trip matters. A good captain spots a distant blow, handles the turns smoothly, and gives people on both sides a chance to see the animal. A good guide keeps the group focused, explains what is happening, and points out smaller wildlife that could easily be missed.

Names that have been praised include Matteo, Carla, Clara, Jo, Beatriz, Louisa, Fabio, Josephine, and Miro. Matteo, described as a marine biologist on one outing, was able to answer detailed questions about whales and puffins. Carla was praised for her friendly explanations and sharp spotting. Jo was remembered for an engaging style, while Beatriz received high marks for clear information about whale behavior and the marine ecosystem.

Guide quality can vary from person to person, and English accents may occasionally take a little concentration. One person found a guide difficult to understand because of a language barrier. Still, the overall pattern is of a crew that takes both safety and wildlife education seriously.

The best moments often come from the guide’s enthusiasm. When a rare whale appears, the crew explains why the sighting matters rather than treating it as just another animal on a checklist.

Planning your day around the two-hour trip

The tour lasts two hours, but plan on extra time at the ticket center before departure. You need to arrive 40 minutes early for check-in and equipment. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way to central Húsavík.

The start times vary. Check availability for the date you want, especially if you are building a day around other activities. Since weather can affect departures, avoid scheduling a very tight connection immediately afterward.

Bring only what you need. Comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and waterproof outdoor layers are the basics. Leave suitcases and large bags elsewhere. A secure phone or small camera is useful, but the boat ride should come before photography. Whales surface without warning, and the best sight can last only seconds.

The tour is offered in English. If you do not speak English comfortably, the live explanations may be harder to follow, though the wildlife itself needs no translation.

Who should choose this tour?

I would choose this experience if you want the strongest chance of reaching whale sightings quickly and you like a little physical excitement. It suits couples, families with children eight and older who are comfortable on boats, and anyone who values a small group.

It is particularly good for photographers who want clear sight lines and fewer people in front of the camera. It also suits anyone deciding between a standard whale trip and a more active version. The RIB gives you the memorable speedboat element, not just a wildlife cruise.

I would think twice if you have a bad back, heart concerns, strong seasickness, or difficulty stepping into a moving boat. The same applies if you strongly prefer calm water and shelter from rain. A rough day can make the ride uncomfortable even when the crew operates carefully.

Puffin enthusiasts should also set realistic expectations. The island stop can be wonderful, especially when thousands of birds are present, but you view them from the boat. If close puffin photography is your main goal, this may not be enough on its own.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB tour?

Book it if you want a fast, small-group whale trip and accept that the sea controls the result. The strongest reasons are the 12-person boat, quick movement across Skjálfandi Bay, warm gear, and guides who work hard to position the boat well.

I would pay the extra amount over a slower, larger boat if close sight lines and speed matter to you. I would choose the traditional oak boat instead if comfort, stability, and a quieter ride are more important.

The most useful mindset is to treat the whales as wild animals, not a scheduled performance. You might see several humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, or even a blue whale. You might also spend much of the trip searching in fog or rain. If you can accept that uncertainty and still enjoy the ride, this is one of Húsavík’s more exciting ways to see the bay.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. The large blue flags mark the location.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure so the crew can check you in and provide the required safety equipment.

How long is the tour?

The RIB trip lasts two hours.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The modern RIB carries a maximum of 12 passengers.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, blue whales, bottlenose whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.

When can I visit Puffin Island?

Puffin Island is visited during the nesting season, approximately from April 15 to August 15. The stop can be changed or skipped if weather or sea conditions worsen.

Is whale watching guaranteed?

No. 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 provided under that arrangement.

What clothing is provided?

A warm safety overall is provided and must be worn. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still bring warm and waterproof outdoor clothing.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or people shorter than 130 centimeters.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of bad weather.