Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

Whales make this Iceland outing unforgettable. From Húsavík, the two-hour RIB speedboat trip searches Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and, during the right season, huge colonies of puffins. Expert guides and a nimble captain work together to find wildlife, while warm safety overalls make the cold ride manageable.

I especially like the small group of no more than 12 people, which gives you a better view than a packed boat, and the speedboat’s ability to cover more water and turn quickly near whale sightings. The main drawback is the ride itself: a RIB can bounce hard on waves, and puffins may be too far away for good phone pictures.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin Island is seasonal: The puffin portion runs approximately from April 15 through August 15.
• Whale sightings are never guaranteed: The operator gives a stated chance of up to 99 percent, but no wildlife trip can promise a sighting.
• The RIB is fast and exposed: You get closer views and more range, but rough water can make the ride lively.
• Warm gear is supplied: Obligatory thermal safety overalls and rain jackets, when needed, are provided.
• You must arrive early: Check in at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center at least 40 minutes before departure.
• The tour returns to Húsavík: There is no included transport, but the departure point is within walking distance of many local accommodations.

Why Húsavík is the right place for this trip

Húsavík is known as the Whale Watching Capital of Europe, and the tour heads straight into Skjálfandi Bay from the town harbor. That matters because you do not lose time on a long coach transfer before reaching the water. If you are staying in Húsavík, you can usually walk to the Gentle Giants office at Garðarsbraut.

The booking information lists Akureyri as the location, but the actual meeting point and departure are in Húsavík. Check your transport plans carefully if you are based elsewhere in northern Iceland. No ride to or from the harbor is included.

The price is about $180.27 per person. That is not a budget outing, but it covers a professional guide, live commentary, safety gear, and a small boat that can travel farther than many larger whale-watching vessels in the same amount of time. You are paying for the boat style as much as for the wildlife.

A large boat can offer a steadier ride and more indoor space. The RIB gives you speed, open views, and a more direct feel for the sea. If seeing wildlife from a nimble boat matters more to you than comfort, the cost can make sense.

Getting suited up for the two-hour RIB ride

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. Staff help you put on the warm overalls and safety vest, and rain jackets are available if conditions call for them. The supplied suit is more than a light windbreaker. It is a one-piece safety garment designed to keep you warm and dry on cold water.

Still, do not treat the suit as a replacement for proper clothing. Bring warm layers and waterproof clothing, along with sturdy footwear suitable for getting in and out of the boat. One person described the air temperature as below freezing and still found the provided suit effective, but another noted that the trip felt very cold even when the wildlife made it worthwhile.

The RIB has individual seats rather than one long bench. That arrangement gives you support and lets you bend your knees as the boat moves over waves. On faster stretches, you may need to brace yourself and follow the crew’s instructions. This is not a smooth harbor cruise.

The age minimum is eight years, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must travel with an adult. The tour is not suitable for people with heart or back problems or for pregnant women. If you are uncertain about the physical demands, ask the operator before booking.

Stop one: searching Skjálfandi Bay for gentle giants

The main part of the outing is the search for whales in Skjálfandi Bay. The captain uses the boat’s speed and maneuverability to cover ground, while the guide watches the water and explains the animals you encounter. The guide’s job is not just to point at a fin. You get information about species, behavior, migration, and what to look for next.

The wildlife can change from one departure to the next. Sightings have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and, on one especially fortunate early-season trip, a blue whale. Other outings have produced several different whale species or large pods of dolphins playing around the boat.

Humpbacks are the most often celebrated sighting. You might see a blow first, followed by a dark back, a tail, or a full breach. Some trips produce repeated sightings of the same animals, while others offer several separate whales spread across the bay. One group counted more than ten humpbacks, while another saw around five whales appear repeatedly. Both situations can make a worthwhile outing, but they are not the same kind of wildlife experience.

The boat’s size can help when a whale changes direction. A large vessel may take longer to turn, while the RIB can reposition more quickly. A past trip followed a blue whale for about 30 minutes, with the smaller boat able to keep up as the animal moved through the bay. That kind of encounter depends on luck, sea conditions, and strict respect for the animals’ space.

Do not expect the captain to race directly at a whale. The crew must balance good viewing with safe and responsible boating. Sometimes the animal appears close. Sometimes you get only a few glimpses. The guides make a serious effort to give everyone a chance to see each sighting, but nature sets the schedule.

Puffin Island between April and August

The puffin stop is generally available from April 15 through August 15, when the birds are breeding in the area. During this season, the boat visits Puffin Island, also known as Lundey in the local setting described by the operator. Large numbers of puffins may be visible on the island or flying and resting on the water.

This part of the trip has a practical catch: puffins can look small from the boat. Several people found that a phone camera struggled to capture them clearly, especially when the boat could not approach closely. A camera with a strong zoom gives you a much better chance of getting recognizable pictures.

You may also see puffins bobbing in the water around the boat, not only perched on the island. That can offer a better view than the distant nesting birds, though it still depends on the birds and the sea. The captain must keep a safe distance, and tides and weather can affect how close the boat can get.

Outside the puffin season, the trip puts more attention on whales. A late-August outing had no puffins but produced five whale sightings. If puffins are your main goal, schedule the trip before mid-August and confirm the current seasonal conditions. If whales are your priority, the tour remains relevant after the puffin period.

Weather and sea conditions can also lead the crew to skip Puffin Island, even during the usual season. That is an important distinction: the date alone does not guarantee a landing or close approach. The boat visits the area from the water, not as a shore excursion.

What the guides and captain add

The crew receives some of the strongest praise for this outing. Guides named in past trips include Nicoletta, Clara, Victoria, Mario, Miro, and Witt. Their styles differ, but the best descriptions point to the same qualities: clear explanations, excitement about the animals, and attention to everyone’s safety and comfort.

A good guide helps you understand what you are seeing instead of leaving you to scan empty water. The guide may explain why a minke whale behaves differently from a humpback, describe dolphin movement, or help you follow a whale’s next appearance. That information makes the quiet stretches feel purposeful rather than wasted.

The captain matters just as much. The boat may travel quickly, but passengers repeatedly describe feeling safe, even in rough conditions. One experienced sailor specifically praised the captain’s handling in waves around six feet. That does not mean every ride will feel calm. It means the crew has experience managing changing water conditions.

You should also expect enthusiasm from the staff. Guides have been described as visibly excited by rare sightings, including a blue whale. That shared excitement can add a human touch to the trip without replacing sound wildlife guidance.

The real tradeoff: speed and access versus comfort

The RIB is the right choice if you want a lively ride and a small group. It can get across the bay quickly and change direction more easily than a larger boat. You also spend less time looking over the shoulders of people seated in front of you.

The tradeoff is exposure. There is no promise of a calm sea, and the boat can jolt when it meets a wave. The individual seats help you brace, but anyone with back trouble should avoid this activity. If you want a quiet, sheltered ride, choose a traditional whale-watching boat instead.

The tour lasts about two hours, which is a useful length for a busy Iceland itinerary. It gives you enough time to search for animals without consuming half a day. It also means conditions matter. A rough two-hour ride can feel long, while a calm trip packed with sightings can pass very quickly.

Because the group is capped at 12, the boat does not feel like a floating crowd. That small capacity is one of the clearest reasons to pay more for this option. You get a better chance of hearing the guide and moving your view when a whale appears on the other side.

How much wildlife might you see?

The operator gives whale sighting chances of up to 99 percent, but you should read that as a strong possibility, not a promise. Whales are wild animals. A trip can produce multiple humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises, or only brief glimpses.

The most impressive outings have included dozens of whales, large dolphin groups, three whale species, and repeated views of individual animals. Other successful trips saw one humpback or a pair of whales several times. Even a short appearance can be memorable, but expectations matter.

There is no passenger refund if you see no whales or dolphins. Depending on availability, the operator may offer a voucher for a free traditional whale-watching tour. That policy makes it wise to book early in your Iceland stay if possible. If conditions are poor and the operator cancels, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The operator also requires a minimum number of passengers and may change or cancel a departure if that number is not met. In that case, you are offered another option or a full refund. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want a small, fast boat, close attention from the crew, and a better chance of covering a wide section of the bay. It suits photographers with zoom lenses, families with children who meet the age and height rules, and anyone who enjoys active sea trips.

It is also a good fit if you want both whales and puffins in one outing. Book during the puffin season, and keep your expectations flexible. You may see both species, but the island visit can be shortened or skipped if the sea turns rough.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, motion, or open-water rides. The supplied overalls help a great deal, but you still need warm clothing. A traditional boat may be a better match if comfort matters more than speed.

You should also leave large bags behind. One useful tip from the boat is to keep your phone in a secure pocket and bring only what you can manage safely. Puffins may be too distant for a phone camera, while whales can appear suddenly and demand your full attention.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB safari?

Book it if you want the most energetic version of whale watching in northern Iceland. The combination of a 12-person boat, skilled crew, supplied thermal gear, and access to both whales and seasonal puffins gives the $180.27 price a fair value.

Just book with realistic expectations. Wildlife is unpredictable, puffin viewing can be distant, and the RIB can be rough in heavy waves. Arrive early, dress warmly, use a camera with zoom if birds matter to you, and schedule the trip before mid-August for the best chance of visiting Puffin Island.

If you can accept those conditions, this is a strong choice from Húsavík, especially for a close look at how much a small, quick boat can change a whale-watching day.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

The tour departs from the Gentle Giants Ticket Center at Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB whale and puffin tour lasts approximately two hours and returns to the original meeting point.

What animals might I see?

You might see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins during the breeding season. Sightings depend on nature and sea conditions.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour focuses more on whale watching.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the attraction is not included. The departure point is within walking distance of many accommodations in Húsavík.

What clothing should I bring?

Bring warm and waterproof clothing. The operator supplies warm safety overalls and rain jackets if needed.

What is the minimum age and height?

The minimum age is eight years, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I take the tour if I am pregnant or have back problems?

No. The tour is not permitted for pregnant women or people with heart or back problems.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. A departure may also be changed or canceled if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.