Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

A fast RIB is the right tool for covering Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and even blue whales may surface. I like the roomy 12-seat boat, which gives you a better view than a packed vessel, and I like the guides’ strong wildlife focus. Guides such as Matteo, Clara, Jo, and Beatriz have earned praise for clear explanations and real enthusiasm.

I also like the warm protective gear and the skipper’s ability to change course quickly when a whale appears. The trade-off is clear: a RIB ride can be rough, especially in rain and wind, and there is no guarantee of whales or a close look at puffins. At $175, this is a premium outing, but the extra speed and small group can justify the price.

Key points at a glance

• A 12-seat RIB: You get more room and fewer blocked views than on a large whale-watching boat.
• Fast access to sightings: The boat can reach whales quickly when they surface far across the bay.
• Puffin Island in season: From about April 15 through August 15, you may see thousands of nesting puffins.
• Strong guide presence: Guides including Matteo, Clara, Jo, and Beatriz are praised for wildlife explanations and friendly service.
• Weather matters: Rain, fog, and wind can reduce visibility and make the ride feel like a roller coaster.
• A useful backup offer: If no whales or dolphins appear, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak-boat whale tour, not a cash refund.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Húsavík

Húsavík is widely known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, and Skjálfandi Bay gives boats a broad area to search. The key advantage here is not simply speed for its own sake. It is the ability to reach a distant blow or moving whale before the sighting disappears.

A large boat may offer a steadier ride, but it takes longer to cross the bay. The RIB can change direction quickly, and the captain can position the boat near a whale while still allowing people on both sides to see. Several strong outings included repeated humpback sightings, with some groups seeing three whales many times and others seeing five, seven, or even nearly a dozen.

That speed also makes the trip feel active. You are not sitting quietly on a deck for two hours. You skim across the water, pause for wildlife, then move again. On a calm day, this is exciting and efficient. On a rough day, it can be tiring.

The boat holds a maximum of 12 people and is described as more spacious than many other local RIBs. That matters when everyone turns toward the same whale. You are less likely to have a wall of people blocking your view, and the guide can speak to a small group without shouting across a huge deck.

From blue flags to the open bay

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík, marked by large blue flags. Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That early arrival is needed for check-in, clothing, and the safety briefing, so do not treat the departure time as the time to walk up.

You receive a warm safety overall and a life jacket. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still bring warm and waterproof clothing, along with outdoor shoes. The provided gear helps, yet Icelandic wind can find its way into any gap around your neck, wrists, or ankles.

The guide explains how to sit, hold on, and move safely around the RIB. Pay attention here. The ride can become bumpy once you leave the harbor, and the boat’s speed is part of the appeal. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you can keep secure and comfortable.

The boat then heads into Skjálfandi Bay. The ride itself gives you views of Húsavík and the surrounding Icelandic scenery, but the main event is the water ahead. Your guide provides live commentary about the bay, marine life, and the animals you encounter.

Puffin Island from April to August

During the nesting period, roughly April 15 through August 15, Puffin Island is usually the first wildlife stop. The island can hold thousands of puffins, along with other seabirds. Their colorful bills and quick, slightly comic movements explain the nickname Clowns of the Ocean.

The boat cruises by rather than landing. That keeps the visit short and respectful, but it also means puffins may not be close enough for perfect photographs. One useful expectation is that Puffin Island is better for seeing a large colony in its setting than for getting a close portrait of one bird.

Sea conditions can also change the plan. If wind or waves become difficult, the boat may skip the island, even with short notice. Outside the puffin season, the focus shifts more strongly to whales and other marine life.

I would not book this trip only for puffins. If seeing puffins is your main goal, understand that they are viewed from the boat and may appear small. If you want a combined seabird and whale outing, the island adds a worthwhile opening chapter before the boat moves farther into the bay.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After Puffin Island, the RIB covers more of Skjálfandi Bay in search of whales and dolphins. Your guide watches for blows, fins, backs, and sudden changes in the water. The captain then adjusts course to give the group a useful view without simply charging ahead.

Humpback whales are the most frequently praised sighting in the supplied experiences. You might see one surfacing several times, lifting its tail, or feeding near the boat. A few fortunate outings included breaches, with one humpback described as jumping fully clear of the water.

Blue whales are possible too. One outing produced a blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, though sightings of any particular species depend entirely on the day. Bottlenose whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises also appear in the bay. A pod of bottlenose whales with a calf was seen soon after one boat left the harbor, while other trips found super pods of dolphins.

There is no fixed wildlife script. A sunny morning can produce several humpbacks, while a rainy trip may bring two hours of searching before a group of whales appears in the final minutes. Fog is especially frustrating because it can hide animals even when they are nearby.

That uncertainty is part of whale watching, but it is also the main risk in paying $175. You are buying access, speed, equipment, and expert searching. You are not buying a guaranteed whale encounter.

Guides, captains, and the quality of the commentary

The guide is more important than many people expect. The crew does not simply point at a whale and name the species. The commentary covers behavior, local marine life, puffins, and the bay’s natural setting.

Matteo is praised for his enthusiasm and for explaining wildlife with real passion. Clara and Carla are both described as friendly, capable guides, while Jo is noted for sharing information in an easy way. Beatriz receives particular praise for clear explanations of whale behavior and the marine ecosystem. Other named guides include Louisa, Fabio, Josephine, Miro, Alberto, Serena, and Rui.

Names and assignments can change, of course. The important point is the guide’s role in turning a sighting into something you understand. A humpback surfacing three times is exciting. Knowing why it surfaces, how it moves, and what the captain is watching makes the encounter more meaningful.

There is one practical limitation. One person found a guide difficult to understand because of a language barrier. The tour is conducted in English, so you should be comfortable following spoken English in wind and engine noise.

Comfort, motion, and the honest downside

The supplied overalls are a major help. Several outings describe people staying warm and dry even in wet conditions. Still, dress for a serious outdoor ride, not a gentle harbor cruise. Wear warm layers under the suit and waterproof footwear.

A RIB is not the best choice for everyone. The ride can pitch over waves, and one outing was compared to a roller coaster. Rain and rough water can also bring seasickness. If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully before paying extra for the fast boat.

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, people under 130 centimeters tall, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back or heart problems. These limits are sensible given the seating, speed, and movement of the boat.

On calm water, the RIB feels smooth and thrilling. On rough water, the same speed becomes the main challenge. If you prefer a steady platform and a quieter ride, the traditional oak boats may suit you better.

Is $175 good value?

At $175 per person for two hours, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Húsavík. The price makes more sense if you value time on the water, a small group, fast movement, and better sightlines.

The RIB can reach a whale quickly, which may give you more time watching rather than traveling toward the sighting. The 12-person limit also reduces crowding. When a whale surfaces close by, that space can make the difference between a clean view and a view through someone else’s head.

The cost is harder to justify if you mainly want a boat ride or a guaranteed puffin visit. Wildlife remains unpredictable, Puffin Island may be skipped in poor conditions, and a no-whale outcome brings a voucher for a later traditional whale tour rather than a refund.

That policy is worth understanding before booking. The voucher gives you another chance, but it may not help if you are leaving Húsavík soon. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and weather cancellations offer either another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Húsavík whale safari?

I would choose this trip if you want the best chance of reaching distant whales quickly and you enjoy an energetic boat ride. It suits couples, families with older children, and wildlife-focused visitors who would rather have an active two hours than a slow cruise.

It is also a good pick if you dislike crowded viewing decks. The smaller group makes it easier to follow the guide, turn toward a sighting, and photograph the water without people standing directly in front of you.

I would hesitate if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, use a wheelchair, or struggle with motion sickness. I would also choose a larger boat if you want a gentler ride, even if that means slower access to sightings.

Arrive early, bring very warm clothing, keep your camera secure, and leave large bags behind. Plan enough flexibility in your schedule to handle a weather change or a second outing if you hope to use the whale voucher.

Should you book it?

Book the Gentle Giants RIB tour if speed, small-group viewing, and a lively ride matter to you. The strongest days combine puffins, dolphins, and several humpbacks, and the boat’s quick response can make a real difference when whales are spread across the bay.

Skip it in favor of a larger oak boat if you need a calmer platform, want to avoid spray and rough motion, or cannot accept the possibility of seeing no whales. For the right person, though, the extra cost buys a sharper chance at a memorable encounter in one of Iceland’s best whale-watching bays.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure so there is time for check-in, safety instructions, and fitting the required gear.

How long is the tour?

The RIB cruise lasts two hours.

Is Puffin Island visited all year?

No. Puffin Island is visited during the nesting season, approximately April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour focuses more on whales.

What clothing is provided?

You receive a warm safety overall and a life jacket. Rain jackets are available if needed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and outdoor clothing. Warm, waterproof clothing is especially important.

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 cash refund is provided for that situation.

Who cannot join the RIB tour?

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