Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

The best part of this trip is the small RIB boat, which can move quickly across Skjálfandi Bay and turn more easily than a large whale-watching vessel. That matters when a whale surfaces only briefly. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and, with luck, even a blue whale.

I like the personal feel of a boat limited to 12 people, and I like that warm safety overalls are supplied rather than left for you to guess at the right clothing. The tradeoff is a real one: a fast RIB can jolt over waves, and puffins may sit too far away for a phone camera. Weather can also cancel the outing or change the route.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours on a fast RIB: Cover more of the bay than you usually can by slower boat.
• Small group, maximum 12 people: You get a clearer view and easier access to the guide’s commentary.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: The puffin visit runs approximately from April 15 through August 15.
• Whales remain the main event: Outside puffin season, the trip puts more time into whale watching.
• Warm gear is supplied: Wear your own warm, waterproof layers underneath the provided overalls.
• A lively ride, not a gentle cruise: The boat may meet large waves, and the tour is not suitable for people with heart or back problems or for pregnant women.

Why Húsavík is the right place for this boat ride

Húsavík is widely known as the Whale Watching Capital of Europe, and the town sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, a productive area for marine wildlife. This trip uses the bay well. Instead of spending much of the outing slowly leaving harbor, the RIB can cover water at speed and then slow down when the crew finds signs of whales.

The advertised chance of seeing whales is as high as 99 percent, but no wildlife tour can promise a particular animal or a perfect sighting. Whales move freely, weather changes fast, and a calm sea does not guarantee a close approach. You are paying for access to a good watching area and a skilled crew, not a staged performance.

That distinction matters. On one outing, the crew may find several humpbacks and dolphins. On another, you may get only brief whale sightings. The company does not offer a cash refund simply because no whales or dolphins appear, though you may receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip, depending on availability.

The boat itself changes the character of the day. A large vessel often gives you more room to walk around and a steadier ride. The RIB gives you speed, a closer-to-the-water viewpoint, and a better chance of turning quickly when wildlife appears. I would choose it for energy and access, not for comfort.

Starting at the Gentle Giants ticket center

The meeting point is the Gentle Giants Ticket Center on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The departure point is within walking distance of most accommodations in town, and public transportation is nearby. The activity returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back.

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That is not wasted time. You need to check in, receive the required safety gear, and get dressed before boarding. The supplied clothing includes warm safety overalls and rain jackets when needed. You still need warm, waterproof clothing of your own.

The overalls are especially useful because conditions on the water can feel much colder than conditions on shore. One person described the gear as a one-piece survival suit that helped keep them warm and dry even in temperatures below freezing. That does not mean you should dress lightly. Wear warm layers, gloves, and a hat if you have them, and expect spray or rain.

Keep your belongings simple. One useful tip is to leave larger bags behind and keep your phone in a secure pocket. Puffins can be too distant for a phone camera, and it is easy to spend the whole trip trying to photograph a bird instead of watching it. A camera with a strong zoom gives you a better chance when the boat is steady.

The RIB ride across Skjálfandi Bay

The RIB is built for speed, and the ride is part of the attraction. The individual seats are compared to motorcycle or snowmobile seats, which let you bend your knees and move with the boat when it meets a wave. That design can help reduce the hard jolt of sitting rigidly through rough water, but you should still expect motion.

In calm weather, the ride can feel thrilling without being harsh. In rougher conditions, you may meet large waves, including conditions described as six-foot seas. The captain’s skill matters here, and the crew may alter the route or skip Puffin Island if the sea becomes unsafe.

This is not the right choice for everyone. The operator specifically excludes people with heart or back problems and pregnant women. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is eight years with a minimum height of 130 centimeters.

The small group is a major advantage. With no more than 12 people, you are less likely to lose sight of the wildlife behind a wall of heads. The guide can also give live commentary while the captain positions the boat. Names reported from different departures include Clara, Victoria, Miro, Mario, Nicoletta, and Witt. The exact guide is not guaranteed, but the pattern is clear: the guiding role is central to the experience, not just an announcement from a microphone.

Looking for whales, dolphins, and porpoises

The first priority is whale watching. The guide and captain scan the bay, follow signs of activity, and try to position the boat so everyone has a chance to see the animal. A whale may surface once, disappear, and then reappear some distance away. The RIB’s maneuverability helps the crew respond, but it cannot control where the whale goes.

Humpback whales are the species most often described in the trip reports. Some outings have produced more than ten humpbacks, while others have involved one or two animals with repeated sightings. You may see a whale’s back, blow, tail, or, with very good luck, a full display such as a tail slap.

Minke whales and dolphins are also possible. One particularly successful outing included minke whales, humpbacks, and a large pod of dolphins playing around the boat. Porpoises are listed as another possible sighting. The most extraordinary sighting described was a blue whale tracked for about 30 minutes early in the season, along with humpbacks seen during the first part of the trip. That is exceptional luck, not a normal promise, but it shows what can pass through the bay.

The guides add value by explaining what you are seeing and helping you stay focused when a whale surfaces in a different direction. Names such as Mario, Miro, Clara, and Victoria are associated with warm, lively, well-informed guiding. The best guides also help the captain and passengers react quickly, pointing out where to look rather than leaving you to scan the whole bay alone.

Keep expectations sensible. A close encounter is possible, but the boat must respect wildlife and sea conditions. One person enjoyed seeing whales but found the puffins too far away for clear phone photographs. That is a fair description of wildlife watching: the memory may be sharp even when the picture is not.

Puffin Island between April 15 and August 15

During the approximate puffin season, from April 15 through August 15, the trip includes a visit toward Lundey, known as Puffin Island. The island is a nesting area, and puffins may also be seen floating on the water around the boat.

The sight can be impressive. Some outings find large numbers of puffins around the island, with birds resting on the sea and flying around the boat. Yet this is not a close-contact animal encounter. The boat must keep a safe distance, and tides and sea conditions affect how near it can go.

That distance is the main weakness for anyone hoping for a perfect puffin photograph. You will see the birds more clearly with binoculars or a camera with a good zoom. A phone may capture shapes and movement, but not crisp portraits.

Timing matters. If puffins are your main reason for booking, choose a date before mid-August. A late-August trip can still be worthwhile for whales, but the puffin portion may be over. Outside the puffin season, the company places more emphasis on whale watching, so do not book the experience late in the year expecting a puffin stop.

The route can change even during the season. If weather or sea conditions shift, the crew may skip Puffin Island with little notice. That is frustrating if you planned the outing around birds, but it is the sensible choice for safety and wildlife care.

What the two-hour schedule feels like

The total time is about two hours, so the trip has a brisk pace. After check-in and dressing, you board the RIB and head into the bay. The boat then alternates between fast travel to cover distance and slower movement near wildlife.

That pace gives you more coast and open water in a short period. You do not spend the entire time idling in one place, but you also should not expect a fixed sequence in which every stop happens at a precise minute. The captain follows the animals and the conditions.

One good feature is the balance between scenery and wildlife. Even when a whale is not visible, you are out on the bay with views back toward the Húsavík area. The ride itself provides a sense of the coast that a land-based lookout cannot match.

The downside is that two hours can pass quickly. If the boat spends time searching, the actual sightings may come in short bursts. That is normal for wildlife watching, but it can feel brief if you want a slow, relaxed cruise. I would book this as an active excursion, not as a quiet scenic boat trip.

Price, value, and the small-group advantage

At about $180.27 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense if you value the RIB format, the small group, the supplied thermal gear, and the chance to see several kinds of marine life in two hours.

You are also paying for a professional guide, live commentary, and an experienced captain. The trip has received a 4.8 rating from 417 reviews, with 94 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest strong satisfaction, especially with the crew, boat handling, and wildlife search.

The best value comes when you want a fast, focused outing and have limited time in Húsavík. A larger traditional boat may suit you better if you want more interior space, a steadier ride, or a less physical experience. This RIB is for you if the boat matters almost as much as the whales.

The ticket also includes selected discounts with local partners in Húsavík. The exact businesses and savings are not specified, so treat that as a useful extra rather than a reason to choose the trip.

Weather, cancellations, and the practical fine print

The tour requires favorable weather and a minimum number of passengers. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number is not reached and the operator cancels the departure.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff uses local Icelandic time.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can take part if they meet the age and height rules, but the health restrictions deserve attention. If you have a back or heart condition, are pregnant, or are unsure about the physical demands of a fast boat, choose a calmer outing instead.

Who should book this Húsavík safari?

I would recommend it to you if you want a high-energy wildlife trip with a small group and a real chance to cover much of Skjálfandi Bay. It suits photographers with zoom lenses, families with older children who meet the minimum height and age rules, and anyone who likes the idea of a boat ride that feels active.

It is also a strong choice for a short Húsavík visit. The trip lasts about two hours, starts and ends in town, and does not require separate transport from most local accommodations.

I would hesitate if your top priority is a smooth ride, close puffin photographs, or a guaranteed whale encounter. The company cannot promise sightings, and the sea can be rough. The boat is fast and capable, but the same speed and exposure that make it exciting can make it tiring.

Should you book the Original Big Whale Safari?

Book it if you want the most nimble version of whale watching in Húsavík and you are comfortable trading some comfort for speed. The strongest reasons are the 12-person limit, the capable captain, the supplied warm gear, and the chance to see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins in one outing.

Choose a date from mid-April through mid-August if puffins matter to you, and arrive 40 minutes early with serious warm layers. If whales are your only goal, the trip can still make sense outside puffin season, when the focus shifts more fully to the bay’s larger animals.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

The tour departs from the Gentle Giants Ticket Center on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The RIB tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, blue whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins during the puffin season.

When is puffin season?

Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour places more focus on whales.

Is warm clothing provided?

Warm safety overalls are provided and are obligatory. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still bring warm and waterproof clothing.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center at least 40 minutes before departure.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.