Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

A fast RIB boat gives this Húsavík whale tour its real appeal. When a whale surfaces in the distance, the captain can cover ground quickly, and a group of no more than 12 people means you are not peering over a crowd. I especially like the chance to see humpback whales, dolphins, and puffins in one outing, plus the thoughtful whale-watching approach described by guides such as Austin, Ignacio, and Sofie.

I also like the warm water-resistant overalls and the lively, often science-minded guides. The tradeoff is clear: this is an open-air speedboat on a cold, sometimes choppy bay. You need to be comfortable with a brisk ride, and sightings can never be promised because the animals are wild.

Key points at a glance

• Small RIB, maximum 12 passengers: You get a clear view from both sides of the boat, with less crowding than on a large whale-watching vessel.
• Fast response to sightings: The RIB can reach a whale sighted at a distance much faster than a traditional boat.
• Lundey from April 15 to August 20: Summer trips visit Puffin Island, where you may see large numbers of puffins on the water, in flight, and on the cliffs.
• Several whale species visit the bay: Humpbacks are common highlights, but minke whales, blue whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other species may appear.
• Warm gear is included: Water-resistant overalls, rain protection when needed, and a life vest are provided.
• Cold-weather preparation matters: Bring your own hat, gloves, warm layers, and comfortable shoes.

Why the RIB makes a difference on Skjálfandi Bay

Húsavík sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching areas. More than 10 marine species are known to visit the bay during the year, giving your guide several possible targets rather than one fixed animal.

The RIB is built for range and speed. That matters because whales do not wait beside the harbor for their photographs. A distant blow can quickly become a long ride on a slower vessel, while this boat can move toward a fresh sighting in seconds. Several tours have reported close views of humpbacks, including repeated surfacing, breaches, and groups feeding together.

The speed is not the whole point. The boat also carries only 12 passengers or fewer, so you have a better chance of seeing clearly from your seat. On larger boats, you may need to move from one side to the other or wait for an opening at the rail. Here, the small group keeps the experience more direct.

That said, speed comes with motion. The bay can be choppy, and the open-air ride feels energetic rather than gentle. You receive protective clothing, but your hands and face remain exposed enough that a warm hat and good gloves are essential.

Starting at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík

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, making it fairly easy to find in town.

Arriving early is useful. You need time to check in, put on the supplied overalls, and listen to the safety briefing. The suit is compulsory under Icelandic rules for this type of trip, and it is more than a formality. It helps block wind and spray during the faster stretches of the ride.

Wear comfortable shoes that work with the overalls. Underneath, use warm layers rather than relying on the suit alone. Several people have found the supplied clothing effective, including one plus-size participant who reported being fitted with a suit as large as 8XL. Still, fit can vary, so contact the operator in advance if you have concerns about sizing or special needs.

The minimum age is eight, or 130 centimeters in height. Children who are slightly below that height need approval from the local provider. Pregnant people and those with serious back, heart, epilepsy, or mobility concerns should not assume this ride is suitable. Contact the operator before booking if you need assistance.

The ride to Lundey, or Puffin Island

From Húsavík, the boat heads toward Lundey, commonly called Puffin Island. This stop is included during the puffin season, roughly April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the trip becomes a whale-watching tour without the island visit.

Lundey is not a landing stop. You cruise near the island, pause for photographs, and watch the bird activity from the water. In summer, puffins may be visible flying above the boat, sitting on the sea, or gathered on the cliffs. The sheer number can be startling, especially when birds stream across the sky in several directions.

Puffins are charming, but they are not tame photo props. The boat keeps to the water and observes the colony without turning the stop into a noisy shore visit. Bring a camera, but keep your attention on the wider scene too. The island, birds, sea, and distant Tjörnes Peninsula create a memorable part of the trip even if a whale takes its time appearing.

Timing matters here. If seeing puffins is a major reason for booking, schedule the tour between mid-April and August 20. A winter or early spring departure cannot provide that part of the experience, though it may still offer whale sightings and dramatic sea views.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales and dolphins

The main two-hour outing takes place across Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide explains the local marine life while the captain works with the guide to search for signs of activity. A blow, a dark back, a fin, or a sudden group of birds can change the boat’s direction.

Humpback whales are the most frequently praised sighting in the available trip reports. People have seen single animals, several whales feeding together, and, on rare occasions, a mother with a calf. Breaching and tail displays are possible, but they are never scheduled events. The safest expectation is to look for surfacing whales, then treat dramatic behavior as a bonus.

Other possible sightings include minke whales, blue whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and seals. One fortunate outing included a walrus, while another found blue whales after the crew searched a different part of the bay. These examples show why the crew’s judgment matters. They are not simply driving to one marked point and turning around.

Dolphins can be especially fun from a RIB. They may appear near the boat and move quickly across the water, giving you a reason to watch the sea between whale sightings. Still, wildlife is unpredictable. One departure may produce several humpbacks and dolphins, while another may bring fewer encounters. The company can cancel for bad weather, too few passengers, or other operational reasons, with an alternative departure or full refund offered when that happens.

Guides, captains, and the quality of the interpretation

The guide is not just there to point at animals. The best part of the trip is the explanation of what you are seeing and why the crew chooses a particular search area.

Several guides receive especially warm praise for combining energy with clear information. Austin has been described as friendly and engaging, while Ignacio is noted for his enthusiasm and explanations. Other named crew members include Martin, Iñaki, Alessandra, Zina, and captain Sofie. Staff backgrounds can include marine biology, and one guide used individual whale markings to identify two humpbacks during the trip.

That kind of detail changes the experience. Instead of simply collecting photographs, you begin watching for behavior, markings, surfacing patterns, and the difference between a whale’s back and a dolphin’s movement. The commentary is in English, and guides may speak additional languages, but the official tour language is English.

The crew’s attitude toward the animals also matters. The strongest outings described a careful approach that allowed close views without interrupting the whales too much. Close does not mean touching or chasing. The goal is a good viewing position while giving the animals room to continue feeding and moving naturally.

What the boat ride feels like in real conditions

The RIB is exciting because it is quick and open to the elements. You may enjoy the acceleration between sightings, but the ride can be cold and wet even when the sky looks calm from shore. Water-resistant overalls and a raincoat, if needed, provide a solid base, but they do not replace personal winter clothing.

Pack:

• A warm hat
• Waterproof or insulated gloves
• Several warm layers
• Comfortable shoes
• Seasickness medication if you normally need it

Gloves deserve special attention. Your hands can become cold while you hold a camera or grip the boat, and gloves are not included. Some crew members may have spare caps or gloves available, but you should not count on that.

Motion sickness varies from person to person. The open air and forward movement have helped some people who usually feel unwell on enclosed boats, but that is not a guarantee. If you are sensitive to motion, ask the operator for practical advice and bring suitable medication.

People with back problems should be cautious because the RIB can bounce over chop. The same applies to heart conditions, epilepsy, and limited mobility. The operator may be able to discuss assistance, but you need to make contact before departure.

Tjörnes Peninsula and the wider scenery

The wildlife is the main event, yet the view toward the Tjörnes Peninsula gives the outing a useful sense of place. The peninsula is known for fossil layers, with the oldest mentioned layers dating back about two million years.

You may not get a geology lesson as long as a museum visit, but the peninsula adds context to the bay. This is not just open water with animals placed into it. The coastline records a long natural story, while the sea remains active with whales, seabirds, and changing weather.

Keep watching during the journeys between stops. A whale may surface while the captain is repositioning, and dolphins can appear when nobody is expecting them. The captain may also choose a different search area from other boats if conditions and animal locations suggest it. That flexibility can produce a better outing, but it also means the exact route is not fixed.

Is $198 a fair price for two hours?

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Iceland. You are paying for a small group, a fast RIB, cold-weather equipment, a captain, and a guide who can cover a large section of Skjálfandi Bay in two hours.

I see the value most clearly if you care about access and group size. The boat can reach sightings quickly, and 12 passengers or fewer makes it easier to see from either side. People who strongly prefer a slower, more sheltered cruise may find a larger boat more comfortable and perhaps better suited to a relaxed family outing.

The price is less easy to justify if you expect guaranteed close encounters. No wildlife tour can promise a certain number of whales, and the two-hour duration leaves less spare time than a longer cruise if the animals are scattered. On a good day, however, the combination of several humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, and a fast-moving boat can make the cost feel reasonable for a major Iceland memory.

You also avoid paying separately for the required overalls and life vest. Hats, gloves, snacks, drinks, and seasickness pills are not included, so budget for those yourself.

Who should book this Húsavík speedboat tour?

I would choose this outing if you want a compact, active wildlife trip and do not mind weather. It suits adults, older children who meet the height and age rules, photographers who want quick access to sightings, and anyone who finds a large sightseeing boat too passive.

It is also a strong pick for a short Húsavík stop. In two hours, you can visit Puffin Island during the correct season, search a broad part of the bay, and return without giving up most of your day.

I would think twice if you need a smooth ride, have a sensitive back, dislike cold spray, or want an indoor viewing area. You should also avoid booking it solely for puffins outside April 15 through August 20. The tour then focuses on big whales instead.

The best practical choice is to book with realistic expectations. You are buying a skilled search, a fast and small boat, and a chance to see wild animals. You are not buying a guaranteed whale performance.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this tour if close access, speed, and a small group matter more to you than a quiet ride. The strongest case is the RIB’s ability to move quickly toward sightings, combined with guides who explain whale behavior and local bird life well.

Choose it in summer if puffins are high on your list. Choose it outside puffin season if you mainly want whales and dolphins. Bring serious gloves, dress in layers under the supplied suit, and accept that the bay may be rough.

For a two-hour wildlife outing from Húsavík, this is a lively and well-equipped option. Its only real weakness is the same thing that makes it exciting: the cold, exposed, sometimes bumpy ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat cruise around Skjálfandi Bay and, during puffin season, the visit near Lundey, or Puffin Island.

When can I see puffins?

Puffin visits are offered from about April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the tour focuses on big whale watching and does not include the puffin island visit.

What whale and marine species might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, blue whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, and other marine life. More than 10 species are known to visit Skjálfandi Bay during the year, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What clothing is provided?

The tour includes warm water-resistant overalls, rain protection if needed, and a life vest. You need to bring your own warm clothing, hat, gloves, and comfortable shoes.

Can children join the tour?

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

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.