Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

A fast RIB boat gives you two good things at once: a wider search area and a much more exciting ride. From Húsavík, you’ll cross Skjálfandi Bay with a guide and skipper looking for humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, and puffins. The boat carries no more than 12 passengers, so you get a fairly personal view rather than a crowd scene.

I like the warm safety overalls, which matter more than they sound like they will in Iceland, and I like the strong guide team. Guides such as Matteo, a marine biologist, and Serena, Rui, Alberto, Jo, and Miro have drawn praise for clear explanations and good wildlife spotting. The main drawback is the ride itself: in rough or rainy weather, this RIB can feel like a small roller coaster, and anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin Island is seasonal: The island visit runs approximately from April 15 through August 15, when thousands of puffins gather to nest.
• The RIB covers ground quickly: Speed helps the crew search a larger part of Skjálfandi Bay for whales and dolphins.
• The boat is larger than many local RIBs: A maximum of 12 passengers gives you more room and a less cramped feel.
• Big whales are possible: Humpback and blue whales have been seen, but wildlife sightings can never be promised.
• You get proper cold-weather gear: Warm safety overalls are required, with rain jackets available if needed.
• The sea can be rough: The speed and open boat make this a poor match for serious back, heart, or motion-sickness concerns.

Why this Húsavík RIB tour is different

Húsavík is known as Iceland’s whale-watching center, and Skjálfandi Bay is a productive place to look for marine life. This tour uses a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, rather than a slower oak boat. That choice changes the whole feel of the outing.

A RIB can move quickly between sightings. If a whale surfaces at a distance, the skipper has a better chance of reaching the area while the animal is still nearby. The crew can also search farther across the bay during the two-hour trip. That does not guarantee more whales, but it gives the tour a useful practical advantage.

The trade-off is comfort. A traditional boat usually offers a steadier ride and more indoor space. The RIB gives you speed, fresh air, and a closer sense of the sea, but waves are felt directly through the hull. In calm weather, that makes the ride thrilling. In rain or choppy water, it can be hard work.

The boat used here is described as more spacious than most other RIBs in the area, with room for up to 12 people. That is a meaningful detail. You still need to stay seated and follow the guide’s directions, but you are not packed into a large group. The smaller capacity also makes it easier to hear the live commentary and keep your eyes on the water.

Getting ready at the Gentle Giants ticket center

You meet at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags, then allow time to check in and receive your equipment. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

The crew supplies a warm safety overall and a life jacket. Rain jackets are available if needed. You should still wear warm outdoor clothing underneath, along with comfortable shoes. The cold is sharper on open water than it may feel on land, and one particularly chilly outing was reported at minus 2 degrees Celsius in Húsavík.

I would pack extra socks, a hat, and a scarf. The official advice calls for warm clothing, and that advice is worth taking seriously. You cannot bring luggage or large bags onto the boat, so leave bulky items elsewhere and carry only what you need.

The safety briefing takes place before departure. The guide explains how to sit, hold on, and behave around the boat and wildlife. This is not a formality to ignore. The speed, turns, and waves mean that following instructions helps keep the trip comfortable and safe.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, people under 130 centimeters tall, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back or heart problems. Those restrictions fit the nature of a fast open boat, not a lack of welcome.

Puffin Island from April to August

Puffin Island is the first major stop during the nesting season, which runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. At the height of the season, you may see thousands of puffins gathered on and around the island.

The boat cruises past the island while the guide explains the birds and the place they use to nest. Puffins are small, colorful, and entertaining to watch, especially when they fly low over the water or sit in groups near the island. Their bright beaks have earned them the nickname clowns of the ocean, though the birds themselves are very serious about raising their young.

The island visit is a sightseeing stop, not a landing. You see the puffins from the boat, which keeps the outing focused and avoids disturbing the nesting site. Bring a camera if you like, but keep your attention on the water too. A phone can be awkward to handle in a moving RIB, and the crew’s safety rules come first.

Outside the puffin season, the tour places more attention on whales. That makes the timing of your visit important. From mid-April to mid-August, you get the chance to combine seabirds with marine mammals. At other times, you should book this as a whale and dolphin trip rather than expect puffins.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After Puffin Island, the boat works across Skjálfandi Bay. The guide provides live commentary about the bay, the animals, and the sights along the way. The skipper handles the boat while the guide watches for movement, blows, fins, and unusual activity on the surface.

Humpback whales are a major target. They are large, active animals, and the reports from this trip include sightings of several humpbacks during a single two-hour outing. You might see a whale surface, breathe, roll, or lift its tail before disappearing again. The timing is unpredictable, so keep scanning rather than watching only the spot where the last whale appeared.

Blue whales have also been seen. They are the largest animals on Earth, but seeing one is not something the company can promise. The same applies to dolphins, which have appeared in large groups on some outings. A fast boat can help the crew reach wildlife, but no captain can control where an animal surfaces.

That uncertainty is part of the experience and also its main limitation. One outing may produce whales again and again. Another may bring only a few sightings, or none at all. The company offers a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on oak boats if no whales or dolphins are seen, but this is not a cash refund.

The guide’s explanations add value during the search. Matteo has been praised for his marine biology background and his ability to answer questions. Other guides, including Serena, Rui, Alberto, Jo, Miro, Marc, and Zara, have been singled out for explaining whale behavior, keeping the mood light, and helping the group understand what it is seeing.

What the two-hour ride feels like

The RIB is not simply transportation to a whale site. The ride itself is a central part of the activity. Once clear of Húsavík, the boat can move rapidly across open water, with spray, wind, and wide views of the bay and surrounding mountains.

In calm weather, this is great fun. The skipper may turn the boat so passengers on different sides get a fair view, and the speed helps you cover more distance. You may find that the journey between sightings is almost as memorable as the wildlife itself.

In bad weather, expect a much rougher experience. One outing in rain was compared to a roller coaster, and the warning about seasickness was considered accurate. Warm clothing helps with cold, but it does not stop the motion of the sea. If you often feel sick on boats, ask a medical professional about suitable precautions before you go.

The boat’s maximum of 12 passengers helps with space, but it does not turn the RIB into a calm sightseeing vessel. You need to be comfortable with an active ride and sitting outdoors for most of the two hours. People with back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy should choose a different way to see the bay.

The guide makes the wildlife easier to understand

Whale watching is more rewarding when you know what you are looking at. The guides explain behavior, species, and the wider marine life of Skjálfandi Bay while the crew searches. Their job is not just to point toward a fin, but to help you understand why the animal surfaced and what may happen next.

The strongest guide feedback centers on clear explanations and an easy manner. Matteo’s marine biology training has been especially useful for people with detailed questions. Alberto has been praised for his deep understanding of whales, while Jo has been noted for sharing facts with humor and checking that passengers were comfortable.

The guides also work well with children who meet the age requirement. Alberto, in particular, has been described as engaging with younger passengers during the full two hours. That matters because wildlife trips include stretches of waiting, and a good explanation keeps those quiet moments interesting.

The skipper matters just as much. A smooth driver can reduce unnecessary jolts, and thoughtful turning gives both sides of the boat a chance to see. Sarah, among the skippers named, has been praised for smooth handling and for positioning the boat so passengers could watch and photograph whales from different angles.

The real value of $159

At $159 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride. You are paying for a small-group trip, a specialized RIB, cold-weather gear, a guide, and a crew that can search a broad section of the bay in two hours.

The price makes more sense if you specifically want the speedboat experience. Some people have found the RIB worth the extra cost over a traditional boat because the fast ride adds excitement and can help the crew move toward sightings. If your main goal is a steadier platform, lower motion, or indoor shelter, a traditional oak boat may suit you better.

The wildlife itself is never guaranteed. That is the most important value point. You may see several humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and thousands of puffins, or you may get only a few sightings. The voucher offered after a whale and dolphin-free trip provides another chance on a traditional whale tour, but it does not replace the original experience or provide a refund.

I would see the $159 as payment for the full outing, not a fee per whale. You get the boat ride, the bay, the guide’s expertise, the chance to see wildlife, and the thrill of being on the water. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter, no responsible whale tour can provide that.

Practical advice for a better outing

Book with the weather in mind, but keep some flexibility if you can. The tour runs only in favorable conditions, and a cancellation because of bad weather gives you the option of another date or a full refund.

Wear several warm layers rather than relying only on the supplied overall. Add a hat, scarf, and extra socks on cold days. Comfortable shoes are important because you will need secure footing around the departure area and on the boat.

Do not bring a suitcase, large backpack, or other bulky bag. A small personal item is more practical, but the safety instruction is simple: carry as little as possible.

Think about the season. From April 15 to August 15 approximately, Puffin Island is part of the route. Outside those dates, the focus shifts toward whales and dolphins, so book according to your priority.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. Whales can surface in a different place than expected, and puffins move quickly. The guide may help you find the animal, but you still need to watch the water.

The tour is conducted in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting times when booking, since the two-hour duration does not by itself tell you which departures fit your schedule.

Who should book this speedboat tour

I would recommend it to active adults, families with children aged eight and up who are comfortable at sea, and anyone who wants a lively wildlife outing rather than a quiet cruise. It also suits people who value a smaller group and want direct explanations from a guide.

The trip is a particularly good match for visitors who hope to see both puffins and whales during the nesting season. Outside that period, it remains worthwhile for whale and dolphin watching, but you should not expect Puffin Island to be the focus.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who gets seasick easily, dislikes cold spray, or needs a smooth, stable boat. A traditional oak boat may be the wiser choice. The RIB is faster and more exciting, but that is precisely why it can feel rough.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB tour?

Yes, if you want the most energetic way to search Skjálfandi Bay and accept that nature sets the schedule. The combination of a maximum 12 passengers, warm gear, fast coverage of the bay, strong guides, and the chance to see humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and puffins makes this a substantial two-hour outing.

Book it with realistic expectations. The boat can improve your chances, not guarantee them. If the thought of a cold, bumpy ride sounds exciting, the $159 price can be well spent. If it sounds miserable, choose a steadier boat instead.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík whale and puffin tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride through Skjálfandi Bay and the wildlife viewing stops.

Where does the tour start?

Meet your guide at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Gentle Giants meeting point.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

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

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, puffins, and other marine life. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I see no whales or dolphins?

You will be offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on oak boats at no extra charge. No refund is given in this situation.

Is the tour canceled in bad weather?

The tour depends on favorable weather conditions. If bad weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What clothing should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and comfortable shoes. Warm safety overalls are supplied, and rain jackets are available if needed.

Who should not take this RIB tour?

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