Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

The best thing about this Húsavík tour is its small, fast RIB boat. With no more than 12 people aboard, you get a clear view, and the captain can cover a lot of Skjálfandi Bay when whales appear. Humpbacks are the usual stars, but minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and even blue whales have been seen.

I like the combination of speed and a small group, which gives this trip a lively edge over a large whale-watching ship. I also like the guides, including Austin, Iñaki, Ignacio, and others, who explain whale behavior, seabirds, and ocean safety in an engaging way. The main consideration is comfort: the bay can be cold, wet, and choppy, and the ride is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems.

Key points to know before booking

• A 12-seat RIB covers ground quickly: You can reach distant whale sightings faster than on a larger boat.
• Lundey Island is seasonal: Puffins are seen from about April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the trip focuses on whales.
• Expect close wildlife encounters, not guaranteed sightings: Humpbacks, dolphins, minke whales, porpoises, seals, and occasionally blue whales have appeared, but these are wild animals.
• Warm overalls are supplied: You still need proper layers, a hat, and gloves because hands and faces remain exposed.
• The ride can be bumpy: The speed and open-air setting are part of the fun, but they require reasonable fitness and comfort on the water.
• The $198 price buys a focused experience: You pay more than for a big boat outing, but the small group and fast boat make the difference meaningful.

Why this RIB tour feels different in Skjálfandi Bay

Húsavík is one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching bases, and the setting helps explain why. Skjálfandi Bay attracts more than 10 whale species during the year. Humpback whales are the regular crowd-pleasers, while minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises add variety.

The RIB format changes the way you search. Instead of waiting for wildlife to come to the boat, the captain can move quickly between sightings. Several trips have reached whales within seconds of spotting them in the distance. That matters during a two-hour outing, since less time is lost simply getting from one part of the bay to another.

You also avoid the packed railings and blocked views common on larger vessels. Everyone sits close to the water, and the boat’s limited capacity means you are not competing with dozens of people for the best photo angle. The tradeoff is a more active ride. You feel the speed, wind, and chop, so this is not the right choice if you want a quiet, steady cruise.

The small boat also makes the guide’s work easier. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, Ignacio, Alessandra, Zina, and Sofie have been praised for combining biology, local nature, and practical safety advice. Their role is not only to point at a whale. They help you understand what you are seeing, from the markings on a humpback’s body to the behavior of seabirds around Lundey.

Starting at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, 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 not hard to locate.

The extra arrival time is useful. You need to check in, collect the required water-resistant overalls, and listen to the safety briefing before heading to the boat. The suits are compulsory on Icelandic boat tours, but they are not a substitute for warm clothing. Wear comfortable shoes and several warm layers beneath the suit.

Bring your own hat and gloves. This is one of the most important practical tips for the trip. The provided gear protects your body well, but your hands can still become very cold while you hold the rail or camera. One excursion even supplied spare caps and gloves when passengers arrived without them, but you should not count on that.

Raincoats are available if needed, and life vests are included. Seasickness pills are not included, so bring your own if you usually need them. The open air and fast movement helped some people who normally feel seasick, but the boat can still be choppy.

Lundey Island and its summer puffin colonies

If you travel between April 15 and August 20, the tour normally includes Lundey, known as Puffin Island. The boat makes a photo stop and gives you time to watch the birds from the water.

Puffins may sit on the cliffs, float beside the boat, or sweep through the air in busy groups. In summer, the number can be striking. You may see hundreds or even thousands spread across the island, with birds flying overhead and gathering on the water.

Lundey adds something important to the trip: it gives you a wildlife experience even before the whale search develops. If whale activity is quiet for a stretch, the island, seabirds, and surrounding views still give the outing a clear purpose.

The timing matters. Travel outside puffin season and you will not visit Lundey for puffins. The tour becomes a big-whale trip instead. That is not a flaw, but you should choose your date with care if puffins are a priority.

The island visit can also be weather-dependent in practical terms. The boat does not land there, and this is a viewing stop from the water. You should expect a short, scenic look rather than a walk on the island.

Searching for humpbacks across the bay

After Lundey, or directly from Húsavík outside puffin season, the boat works across Skjálfandi Bay. The captain and guide watch for blows, backs, fins, and other signs of marine life.

Humpback whales are the species most often highlighted by the experience. Sightings have included single animals, groups of five or six, mothers with calves, and whales surfacing repeatedly in one area. One particularly memorable sighting involved a humpback breaching several times and slapping its flippers for more than 20 minutes.

The RIB’s speed is especially useful here. When the guide spots a whale, the captain can reposition the boat quickly without spending much of the two-hour trip in transit. You may see the animal surface from several angles, and the small capacity means people on both sides of the boat usually get a fair chance to watch.

Still, it is important to keep expectations sensible. You are watching free-ranging wildlife, not attending a scheduled show. A previous trip had only one whale, though the fast boat reached it quickly. Another had a slower search when sightings were limited. The crew can make good decisions and search hard, but no operator can promise a certain number of whales or a close approach.

The guides also aim to avoid interrupting the animals too much. The best encounters are not simply the closest ones. A calm whale surfacing naturally, with the boat holding a respectful position, can be more rewarding than a rushed approach.

Dolphins, minke whales, and the occasional surprise

Whales are the main reason to book, but Skjálfandi Bay can offer a wider cast. White-beaked dolphins have played around the boat, and porpoises are among the species known in the area. Minke whales have also appeared alongside humpbacks.

There have been rarer sightings, too. Blue whales were seen when the crew chose a different search area, and one trip encountered a walrus. These events are luck, not part of the standard promise, but they show why an active search can be worthwhile.

The guide’s commentary helps you notice the smaller details. A whale’s fluke markings can help identify an individual. The shape of a dorsal fin, the pattern of a seabird flock, or the way dolphins move through the water can turn a quick glimpse into a more complete wildlife lesson.

I would bring a camera, but I would not make the trip depend on getting a perfect photograph. The boat moves, the weather changes, and whales surface without warning. Keep your camera protected from spray, then spend enough time looking with your own eyes.

Tjörnes Peninsula and the scenery around Húsavík

The tour also gives you views toward the Tjörnes Peninsula, a notable part of the bay’s geology. Its fossil layers include material dating back about two million years.

You will not be taking a land-based geology walk, so the peninsula is more of a scenic and educational backdrop than a separate stop. Even so, it gives the guide another way to explain the region. This is not just open water with whales in it. The bay connects marine life, seabirds, cliffs, and ancient geological layers in one compact setting.

The water-level viewpoint is one of the pleasures of the RIB. Húsavík, Lundey, Tjörnes, and the surrounding coast appear from a low, close angle that you do not get from the road. On a clear day, the scenery can be impressive even during a quieter wildlife period.

What the two-hour duration really means

Two hours is a good length for this type of trip. You get enough time to reach the main wildlife areas without committing half a day to a boat ride. It also limits the amount of time you spend exposed to cold and wind.

The schedule includes the safety briefing, dressing, travel to Lundey when in season, wildlife searching, and the return to Hafnarstétt 11. That means the full two hours is not spent parked beside whales. The RIB helps make the time more productive, but the actual balance changes with animal locations and sea conditions.

If you have only one day in Húsavík, this tour fits neatly around other activities. If your schedule allows, leaving room for a second attempt can reduce pressure, since sightings vary from departure to departure. The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve without paying immediately, which helps when Iceland’s weather may affect your plans.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not the budget option. I see the price as paying for three things: a small passenger count, a fast rigid inflatable boat, and a crew that can spend more time moving toward wildlife rather than waiting for it to appear near a large vessel.

The value is strongest if getting close to the action matters to you. The boat carries 12 passengers or fewer, and the captain can react quickly when a whale surfaces. You also receive the overalls, rain protection if needed, a life vest, a captain, and a live English-speaking guide.

A large boat may be a better fit if you value a smoother ride, more indoor shelter, or extra room to move around. The RIB is the better buy for you if you want a nimble, personal outing and accept that you will be cold, exposed, and bouncing over waves.

The high overall rating of 4.8 from 979 ratings supports the idea that the experience usually delivers strong value, but it does not remove the basic wildlife risk. You are paying for the method and the setting, not a guaranteed whale count.

Who should book this Húsavík adventure?

I would choose this tour if you want a fast, energetic wildlife trip and feel comfortable sitting in an open RIB. It suits couples, families with older children, photographers who prefer a small group, and anyone who wants to get around the bay quickly.

The minimum age is eight, or 130 centimeters in height. If a child is slightly below that height, contact the local operator before booking. Pregnant women and people with back problems, heart problems, epilepsy, or mobility concerns should not assume this boat is suitable. The operator may be able to discuss assistance for some health conditions, but you need to ask in advance.

You should also be ready for cold conditions even in summer. Wear warm layers, comfortable shoes, a hat, and gloves. The crew can provide the main protective suit, but your personal clothing still makes a big difference.

My verdict: book it for speed, scale, and wildlife

I would book the Húsavík Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour if my priority were the best chance of reaching whale sightings quickly. The small group, lively RIB ride, strong guiding, and summer puffin stop make the $198 price easier to justify.

Book between April 15 and August 20 if Lundey’s puffins are important to you. Outside that window, choose it for whales alone. Skip it if you need a smooth, sheltered boat or if cold and choppy water would spoil the day. For the right passenger, this is a sharp, well-focused way to experience Skjálfandi Bay.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat cruise, wildlife search, guided commentary, and return to Hafnarstétt 11.

When can I see puffins on Lundey Island?

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

What wildlife might I see?

The bay is visited by humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other marine species. Blue whales, seals, walruses, and additional species have also been seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What clothing is provided?

Warm water-resistant overalls, life vests, and a raincoat if needed are included. Bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, a hat, and gloves. Gloves and hats are not included.

Is the tour suitable for children?

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

Can the tour be canceled because of the weather?

Yes. The operator may cancel because of bad weather, too few passengers, or other reasons. If that happens, you will be notified in advance and offered another departure or a full refund. You can also cancel your booking up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.