Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Skjálfandi Bay is one of Iceland’s best places to look for whales, and this tour gives you a fast, nimble way to search it. The RIB can cover a lot of water and react quickly when a whale appears. Humpback whales are the main prize, but you might also see minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, or, with luck, a blue whale.

I like the small group, limited to 12 people, because everyone gets a clear view. I also like the guides’ mix of science and enthusiasm. Guides such as Austin, Inaki, Ignacio, Alessandra, and Iñaki have been praised for explaining whale behavior while keeping the mood light. The drawback is simple: a fast open boat can be cold, wet, and bumpy, even under the provided suit.

Key points

• Fast RIB boat: Cover more of Skjálfandi Bay and move quickly toward distant whale sightings.
• Small group of 12: Fewer people competing for photos and a better chance of seeing from either side of the boat.
• Lundey Island in summer: See large numbers of puffins from about April 15 through August 20.
• Warm protective gear included: Water-resistant overalls, rain gear when needed, and life vests are supplied.
• Wildlife variety: Humpbacks are common targets, with possible dolphins, porpoises, minkes, seals, blue whales, and other species.
• Two-hour format: Enough time for a serious search without taking up most of your day.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Skjálfandi Bay

A whale-watching trip is always a search, not a scheduled performance. The animals are wild, and there is no guarantee of a breach or a close approach. What you can control is the boat you choose, and this RIB has a useful advantage: speed.

The boat can cover a large area of Skjálfandi Bay in two hours. When a whale is spotted farther away, the captain can move toward it quickly instead of waiting for a large vessel to turn. That matters when a humpback surfaces only a few times before disappearing again.

The compact boat also keeps the group together. With 12 passengers or fewer, you are not looking over rows of heads, and the guide can speak to the whole group without a loudspeaker. You can usually shift your attention from one side of the boat to the other as wildlife appears.

There is a tradeoff. Speed makes the ride exciting, but the open RIB exposes you to wind, spray, and motion. Some departures are smooth, while others can be choppy. If you want a warm, sheltered ride with indoor seating, a larger boat may suit you better. If you want a more active trip and quicker movement between sightings, the RIB is the stronger choice.

Getting ready at Húsavík’s harbor

You meet at Húsavík Adventures’ ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, opposite Húsavík’s famous church. The company shares the building with North Sailing, so give yourself 30 minutes before departure to find the office, check in, and get dressed.

The supplied overalls are compulsory under Icelandic rules for this trip. They are designed to keep you warm and reasonably dry, but they are not a replacement for proper layers. Wear warm clothing underneath, along with comfortable shoes. Bring your own hat and gloves. Your hands can get very cold while you wait for whales, and gloves are not included.

Raincoats are available if needed, and life vests are provided. The staff also fit suits in a wide range of sizes, with one departure accommodating a passenger in an 8XL suit. If you are concerned about fit, mobility, or an existing health issue, contact the local operator before booking.

The minimum requirement is age eight or a height of at least 130 centimeters. Children slightly under that height need approval from the operator. The activity is not suitable for pregnant people or those with back, heart, epilepsy, or mobility problems unless the local team has first discussed possible assistance.

The opening run toward Lundey Island

Once the safety briefing is complete, the RIB heads out from Húsavík toward Lundey, known as Puffin Island. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You get an energetic start, with the boat moving quickly across the bay and the coast opening up around you.

Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 20. In the right months, Lundey can be covered with puffins on the cliffs, in the water, and flying around the island. Several trips recorded hundreds or thousands of birds, and the sight can feel almost unreal as puffins stream past the boat.

The stop is mainly for photographs and wildlife viewing. You should not expect to walk on the island. The point is to see the birds in their natural setting while the guide explains what you are looking at.

Puffins are a major reason to choose this specific tour during summer. If you are visiting outside the season, do not book expecting them. From roughly late August through mid-April, the trip becomes a big-whale tour without the Lundey puffin stop.

The island can also be affected by sea conditions and the timing of the wildlife search. One departure did not reach it, so keep your expectations flexible. You may see plenty of birds from the water, but the exact order and length of each stop can change as the crew responds to conditions and whale activity.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After Lundey, or during the whale search itself, the crew works across Skjálfandi Bay. More than 10 whale species are known to visit the area during the year, though the exact animals you see depend on season, weather, food, and luck.

Humpbacks are the most frequently reported sighting on this tour. You might see a back rolling through the water, a tail lifting before a longer pause, or repeated surfacing as a whale feeds. Some departures have seen several individual humpbacks, and a few have watched a mother and calf together.

The boat’s speed is especially useful here. Guides can respond when another sighting comes in or when a whale surfaces in a new spot. You may be close to one whale for several minutes, then move on to search another area. The best crew members do not simply chase every visible animal. They read the whale’s movement and keep a respectful distance.

That balance matters. The most satisfying encounters are not necessarily the closest ones. A whale surfacing calmly beside the boat, without being crowded or interrupted, gives you time to watch normal behavior. Guides and captains have been praised for getting close while still treating the animals carefully.

Other possible sightings include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, and blue whales. Dolphins may play near the boat, while porpoises can be much harder to spot because they surface quickly. Blue whale sightings are less predictable, but the crew may choose a different search area when conditions suggest a chance.

The Tjörnes Peninsula is another feature of the route. Its fossil layers include material thought to be as old as two million years. You may not get a full geological lesson during a fast wildlife trip, but the peninsula adds context to the view. You are not simply looking at open water. You are passing a coast with a long record of changing seas and marine life.

What the guides add to the trip

The guide is more than a spotter calling out whale locations. A good guide helps you understand what you are seeing and keeps the group calm and safe when the boat is moving quickly.

Austin has been praised for being friendly, funny, and able to explain whales, seabirds, and ocean safety. Inaki and Iñaki have been singled out for their enthusiasm and clear explanations. Ignacio, Alessandra, Zina, and other crew members have also been praised for combining useful facts with an easygoing manner.

Several crew members have marine biology backgrounds. That can change the experience from a quick series of sightings into a better lesson in behavior. You might learn to watch for a whale’s breathing pattern, identify an individual by markings, or understand why the captain pauses in one place rather than racing after another animal.

The guides also help with practical concerns. One captain worked carefully with a passenger who had back pain, discussing the weather and the level of risk before the trip. Another crew helped a person who became seasick while allowing the rest of the group to continue. These details suggest a crew that pays attention to the people on board, not only to the animals.

English is the stated tour language. Some guides speak additional languages, but you should book this as an English-language experience.

Cold weather, motion, and the practical reality

The provided suit is a real benefit, especially in Iceland’s cool water and strong wind. Still, do not arrive in light clothes and expect the overall to solve everything. Wear several warm layers underneath, and bring a hat and gloves that you can keep secure while the boat is moving.

Your hands are the weak point. You may spend long stretches holding a camera, gripping a rail, or simply waiting in the wind. High-quality gloves are worth packing. The company has occasionally had spare caps or gloves available, but you should not rely on that.

The ride can be choppy. Open air helps some people who suffer from motion sickness, and one passenger who often gets seasick felt fine on this boat. That is not a promise for everyone. Seasickness pills are not included, so bring your own if you use them.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant people or those with significant back or heart problems. You should also be realistic about your comfort with climbing into a small boat, sitting outdoors, and absorbing repeated jolts. Contact the operator in advance if you have a health or mobility concern rather than deciding at the harbor.

Bad weather can cancel a departure, and the operator may also cancel if fewer than four people are booked. If that happens, you are offered another departure or a full refund. That is frustrating when your schedule is tight, but it is the right call for a small, fast boat in Icelandic conditions.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Húsavík. You are paying for the small group, the RIB’s speed, the guide and captain, the protective gear, and the chance to cover more water in a short time.

I think the price makes sense if your priority is wildlife access rather than a quiet boat ride. A larger vessel may cost less or offer more indoor comfort, but it will not turn as quickly or feel as close to the water. The RIB also limits the number of people competing for a view, which has real value when a humpback appears for only a few seconds.

The value is strongest in summer, when you can combine whales with Lundey’s puffins. Seeing puffins, dolphins, and humpbacks on one two-hour trip gives you several different wildlife experiences without spending a full day at sea.

The value is less certain if you strongly dislike cold, spray, or a bumpy ride. You are also paying for the search, not a guaranteed number of whales. Some departures produce several close humpbacks, while another might offer only one whale or a more distant sighting. The guide and captain can improve your chances, but no operator controls the animals.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve without paying immediately make planning easier. Check the available start times carefully, especially if you are coordinating this with other North Iceland stops.

Who should book this Húsavík tour?

I would choose this for an adult or family group that wants an active wildlife outing and does not mind dressing for the weather. It works particularly well for photographers, first-time whale watchers, and anyone who values a small group over a sheltered cabin.

Children must be at least eight years old or 130 centimeters tall. Older children who enjoy fast boat rides may find it exciting, but the cold and motion can still be demanding.

The tour also suits you if you have limited time in Húsavík. Two hours leaves room for the town, the church, a meal, or another North Iceland stop. It is short enough to fit into a busy day, yet long enough to search a large section of the bay.

I would choose another style of tour if you want a slow, quiet cruise, indoor seating, or a warm café-style setting. I would also avoid making this your only chance to see puffins if your schedule cannot tolerate a weather cancellation. Wildlife trips always need a little flexibility.

Should you book the Big Whales and Puffin Island tour?

Book it if you want the best chance to respond quickly to whales and you are happy to trade comfort for speed. The combination of a 12-person boat, experienced guides, protective clothing, and access to Lundey makes the experience feel focused rather than generic.

Book between April 15 and August 20 if puffins matter to you. Outside those dates, it remains a whale-watching trip, but the island bird stop is not part of the experience.

Bring serious gloves, warm layers, and realistic expectations. You might see several humpbacks, dolphins, puffins by the hundreds, or a rare blue whale. You might also spend much of the trip searching. For me, that uncertainty is part of the appeal, provided you understand what you are buying: not a guaranteed show, but a fast, well-run chance to meet Skjálfandi Bay’s wild residents on their terms.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík speedboat tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride, wildlife search, and sightseeing around Lundey Island and Skjálfandi Bay.

Where does the tour meet?

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

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, puffins, seals, and occasionally blue whales. More than 10 whale species visit Skjálfandi Bay during the year.

When can I see puffins on Lundey Island?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the tour operates as a big-whale-watching trip without the puffin focus.

Is protective clothing included?

Yes. Warm water-resistant overalls and life vests are included. A raincoat is available if needed.

Should I bring a hat and gloves?

Yes. Hats and gloves are not included, and the bay can be cold. Warm clothing and comfortable shoes are also recommended.

How many people are on the boat?

The RIB carries up to 12 passengers, creating a smaller group with fewer people competing for views.

What is the minimum age?

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

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The operator may cancel because of bad weather, fewer than four passengers, or other reasons. You will be offered an alternative departure or a full refund.