Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Whales make this Iceland outing unforgettable. From Húsavík, you race across Skjálfandi Bay in a small 12-seat RIB boat, giving you a fast, close-moving way to search for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and other marine life. I especially like the small group size and the fact that the boat can cover a lot of water in two hours.

I also like the seasonal visit to Lundey, or Puffin Island, where thousands of seabirds can gather from mid-April through August 20. The main drawback is simple: this is an exposed, fast boat ride in cold Icelandic water, so you need warm layers, a hat, and gloves even though insulated overalls are supplied.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat, fast search: The RIB carries no more than 12 passengers, so you get a clear view and can move quickly when whales appear.
• Puffins are seasonal: Lundey is included from about April 15 to August 20. Outside that period, the trip focuses on whales and other marine life.
• Skjálfandi Bay is species-rich: Humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and more than 10 visiting species may be found here.
• Cold and wet conditions are normal: Water-resistant overalls, rain protection when needed, and life vests are included. Bring your own gloves and hat.
• The ride is lively: The RIB can bounce over choppy water, making this exciting but unsuitable for pregnant people or those with serious back or heart problems.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: The crew works hard and can travel quickly, but whales remain wild animals moving on their own schedule.

Why Húsavík is one of Iceland’s best whale-watching bases

Húsavík sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, a broad stretch of water known for regular whale activity. More than 10 marine species are reported in the bay during the year, with humpback whales among the most frequently seen stars.

That variety gives this trip real value. You are not paying only for a chance to see one famous animal. You are also watching for minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, and occasionally less expected sightings such as blue whales or a walrus.

I like the way the setting adds to the outing. The bay is framed by open water, the Tjörnes peninsula, and distant Icelandic scenery. Tjörnes is also known for fossil layers, with some of the oldest layers dating back around two million years. Your guide can connect what you see on the water with the geology along the coast.

The trip is led in English, and the guides bring a marine biology focus to the experience. Guides such as Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, Iñaki, Alessandra, and Zina have been praised for their friendly manner and clear explanations. The exact guide changes, but the pattern is consistent: you get more than a captain pointing toward a fin.

Starting at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office 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 fairly easy to find in the harbor area.

Arriving early matters. You need time to check in, receive your water-resistant overall, and listen to the safety briefing. The suit is compulsory under Icelandic rules for this type of outing, and it provides an important barrier against wind and spray.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes underneath. The overall helps, but it does not make your hands warm. Several people found gloves essential, and one useful detail from the crew is that spare hats or gloves may sometimes be available, though you should not count on that.

After the briefing, you board the RIB. The seats are arranged for a small group, and the limited capacity removes one common problem on boat tours: fighting for a view. You still need to pay attention to the captain’s instructions and hold on when the boat speeds up.

The RIB ride across Skjálfandi Bay

The speedboat is the central reason to choose this tour instead of a larger whale-watching vessel. When a whale is spotted in the distance, the RIB can reach the area quickly. That saves time and gives you a better chance of seeing the animal before it disappears below the surface.

Several outings have produced sightings of two, three, four, or more humpback whales. Some groups have also seen dolphins playing near the boat, minke whales, blue whales, seals, and a walrus. One particularly fortunate outing included a mother and young whale together.

You should keep your expectations sensible. A fast boat improves your position, but it cannot control whale behavior. A whale may surface once and vanish for several minutes. Another may appear repeatedly, showing its back, tail, or flukes. You might get excellent photographs, or you might spend much of the time scanning the water.

The crew’s job is to search widely and approach animals without disturbing them. That balance matters. The most exciting sightings have involved whales surfacing close to the boat, but the best guides still give the animals space. I appreciate that the goal is not simply to race toward every sighting at any cost.

The ride itself can be thrilling. Several people describe the boat as exhilarating, while also noting that conditions may be choppy. An open RIB gives you a direct feel for the weather, the wind, and the spray. If you want a smooth, quiet cruise, choose a larger vessel instead.

Lundey, the island filled with puffins

From roughly April 15 through August 20, the route includes Lundey, commonly called Puffin Island. This is one of the tour’s strongest seasonal features.

Puffins may gather on the cliffs, fly above the island, and float on the water near the boat. Sightings can be dramatic, with large groups filling the air and rocky ledges. You may also spot Arctic terns and other seabirds during the stop.

The boat pauses for photographs and a closer look, though this is not a landing. The island is viewed from the water, which keeps the visit short and respectful while still giving you a strong chance to see the birds.

Timing matters here. Book during the puffin season if seeing puffins is a priority. From late August through mid-April, the tour becomes a big-whale outing without the Puffin Island portion. That does not make the winter or autumn trip pointless, but it changes the focus.

The puffin stop also gives your eyes a break from scanning the open bay for whale blows. You get a different kind of wildlife encounter, one filled with quick-moving birds rather than slow, powerful mammals.

What the guides add to the experience

The guide is not just there to identify animals. A strong guide explains behavior, points out useful features, and helps you understand why a sighting matters.

Austin has been praised for his energy, humor, and ability to explain whales, seabirds, and ocean safety. Ignacio and Inaki have also been singled out for their enthusiasm and clear information. One guide was described as having a biology degree, while other crew members have marine biology training.

That background can make a real difference. You learn to watch for the pattern of a whale’s surfacing, the markings on its body, or the shape of a tail. One guide was able to recognize individual humpbacks from their markings and traits. These details turn a quick sighting into something more personal and memorable.

The captain matters too. A skilled driver positions the boat so people on both sides can see, then accelerates when the next sighting is reported. Captains such as Sofie and Roby have been praised for safety and calm decision-making.

If you have a physical concern, speak with the local provider before departure. A passenger with back pain worked with Captain Sofie to decide what was comfortable and safe. That sort of conversation is useful, but the trip remains a demanding boat ride and is not recommended for pregnant people or anyone with serious back or heart problems.

Staying warm, dry, and comfortable

I would treat the clothing advice as essential, not optional. Húsavík can feel cold on the water even when the harbor seems mild, and the wind becomes more noticeable once the boat is moving.

The supplied overall is water resistant and designed to keep you warm. A raincoat is available if needed, and life vests are included. Under the suit, wear warm layers rather than one bulky garment. You want insulation without restricting movement.

Bring:

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

Gloves deserve special attention. Your hands remain exposed when you hold on, take photographs, or point toward a whale. Several people specifically advised bringing high-quality gloves because fingers can become cold quickly.

Motion sickness is possible. The open air helped some people who normally feel unwell on boats, but choppy water can still be difficult. Seasickness pills are not included, so bring your own if you know you need them.

Is two hours enough?

Two hours is a sensible length for this type of outing. It gives the crew time to reach the wider bay, search for whales, visit Lundey during puffin season, and return to Húsavík without turning the experience into an exhausting half-day commitment.

A shorter trip would limit the search area. A much longer trip could become uncomfortable if the water is rough or the wildlife is quiet. The two-hour format works especially well if you are fitting Húsavík into a larger Iceland road trip.

Still, time can feel short when sightings are slow. One outing produced only a small number of whale sightings, and the passenger wished for more time. That is not necessarily a failure by the crew. It is the basic uncertainty of watching wild animals.

If the bay is active, two hours can feel packed. Groups have seen several humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins within that window. One fortunate outing included six individual humpbacks, with some whales remaining nearby for several minutes.

The $198 price and what you receive

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Iceland. I think the price makes more sense if you value a small group, a fast boat, and a guide who explains what you are seeing.

You are paying for a guided two-hour trip, the RIB ride, an overall, rain protection if needed, and a life vest. The boat’s speed is the main advantage. A larger vessel may offer more room and a gentler ride, but this RIB can cover more ground and respond quickly to a distant sighting.

The limited capacity also improves the value. With no more than 12 passengers, you are less likely to spend the trip behind a crowd of people. Everyone has a reasonable chance to see the water and take photographs.

I would not choose this tour solely because you want a guaranteed close encounter. No whale tour can promise that. I would choose it because the small boat gives you better mobility and a more active connection with the bay.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while delaying payment. Departures may be canceled because of bad weather, too few participants, or other operational reasons. If that happens, you are offered another departure or a full refund.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

This outing suits you if you want an active wildlife experience rather than a quiet harbor cruise. It is a good fit for photographers, families with older children, and anyone who likes the feeling of moving quickly across open water.

The minimum age is 8, or 130 centimeters in height. Children just under that height need approval from the local provider before booking. The speed and occasional chop make this a poor match for very young children.

You should also consider a different option if you have serious back problems, heart problems, epilepsy, mobility limitations, or are pregnant. Anyone with a medical concern should contact the provider in advance to discuss possible assistance.

The boat is not a luxury yacht. You may get sprayed, bounced around, and chilled. That is part of the appeal for some people and a clear warning for others.

Final verdict: should you book it?

I would book this tour if your Iceland plans include Húsavík during puffin season and you want the best chance of covering a wide stretch of bay quickly. The small group, fast RIB, strong guides, and chance to see both puffins and whales make the $198 price reasonable for a special outing.

Book it with realistic expectations. You may see several humpbacks, dolphins, and thousands of puffins, or you may see fewer whales than hoped. Bring serious cold-weather gear, arrive 30 minutes early, and choose this only if you are comfortable with an exposed, lively boat ride.

For a gentle cruise, use a larger boat. For speed, close viewing, and a more hands-on feel, this Húsavík trip is the stronger choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride through Skjálfandi Bay and the Puffin Island visit during the puffin season.

When can I see puffins?

Puffins are included from about April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the trip focuses on big-whale watching and other marine life.

What wildlife might I see?

The bay is visited by humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other species. Sightings can also include seals, blue whales, Arctic terns, puffins, and occasionally a walrus.

What clothing is provided?

The tour provides warm water-resistant overalls, rain protection if needed, and life vests. You should bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, a hat, and gloves.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 8 years, or 130 centimeters in height. If a child is slightly under 130 centimeters, contact the local provider for approval before booking.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The local provider may cancel because of bad weather, too few passengers, or other reasons. You will be notified in advance and offered another departure or a full refund.