Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

Skjálfandi Bay is one of Iceland’s best places to look for whales, and this 12-seat RIB boat gives you a fast, close-to-the-water way to search it. The boat can cover plenty of ground, then slow down near wildlife so the guide and captain can focus on respectful viewing. In good conditions, you might see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, or even pilot whales.

I like the small group, since you get a clear view from nearly every seat. I also like the two-person crew setup: the captain handles the boat while the guide can concentrate on spotting animals and explaining what you see. The main drawback is the cold, wet, bumpy ride, especially when leaving and returning to Húsavík.

Key points to know before you book

• Small RIB, maximum 12 people: You avoid the crowded decks and blocked views common on larger whale-watching ships.
• Puffins are seasonal: Lundey, or Puffin Island, is part of the experience from about April 15 through August 20 only.
• Two hours is a useful length: The trip gives you time to search the bay without taking up a full day of sightseeing.
• The ride is part of the adventure: Expect fast travel, strong movement, cold air, and possible spray.
• Guides add real value: Crew members such as Austin, Austen, Alessandra, and Danny have been praised for clear explanations and skilled boat handling.
• Húsavík is not Akureyri: The meeting point is in Húsavík, roughly an hour from the Akureyri cruise port, and there is no hotel pickup.

A fast start from Húsavík harbour

The tour begins at Húsavík Adventures on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. You return to the same meeting point after the trip, so allow time to find the office, check in, and put on the required safety gear before departure.

The location matters. Although the experience may appear in searches connected with Akureyri, the boat leaves from Húsavík. If you are arriving by cruise ship in Akureyri, you need your own transport for the roughly one-hour drive to Húsavík. There is no pickup from the cruise port or from hotels.

That detail is easy to miss and can ruin an otherwise promising day. Check the exact meeting point before paying, especially if your ship has a fixed departure time. Do not treat Húsavík and Akureyri as neighboring harbours within walking distance.

At the dock, you receive a warm, water-resistant overall and a life jacket. The life jacket is compulsory under Icelandic law. Rain gear is supplied when needed, but bring your own hat and gloves because those small items make a big difference once the boat is moving.

Skjálfandi Bay and the search for big whales

Once clear of the harbour, the RIB heads into Skjálfandi Bay. This is not a guaranteed wildlife show, and the crew cannot control where the whales surface. The bay is visited by more than 10 marine species during the year, so every trip has a different pattern.

The usual possibilities include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. Sightings can range from a few fins to several animals staying near the boat for a long stretch. Some trips produce dramatic moments, such as a humpback breaching repeatedly or a whale surfacing close enough for spray to reach the boat.

The speed of the RIB is useful here. The captain can cover a large area and move toward reports or signs of activity faster than a slower vessel. That does not mean the boat races directly at every whale. Once the crew gets near an animal, the pace drops and the approach becomes careful.

The best trips have included pods of 20 or more pilot whales, groups of dolphins, several humpbacks, and rare sightings such as a northern bottlenose whale. Those encounters are possible, not promised. On a quieter morning, you might see only a minke whale and dolphins, or just a few distant fins.

That uncertainty is part of wildlife watching, but it is worth understanding before you spend $203.16. You are paying for access to a skilled crew, a small and nimble boat, warm equipment, and a serious search across the bay. You are not buying a guaranteed number of whales.

Why the RIB boat changes the experience

A RIB is a rigid inflatable boat with a low profile and powerful engine. With no more than 12 people aboard, the boat feels personal rather than crowded. When an animal surfaces, you usually have a decent chance of seeing it without fighting for a place at a railing.

The seating arrangement also means you should not expect a large, quiet ship. The boat moves quickly and can pitch over rough water. Several people found the ride exciting, while others warned that the movement is significant, especially at speed and near the harbour entrance.

I would choose this boat if you enjoy a little action and want a closer connection with the water. I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike jolting rides, or need a calm, dry platform. The supplied overall helps, but it does not remove the cold or every bump.

Families should pay attention to the minimum age rule. Children must be at least eight years old or 130 centimetres tall, and they must be accompanied by an adult. The boat is limited to 12 people, but families should also confirm seating arrangements at check-in if staying together is important. Safety and weight balance can affect seating on a small high-speed boat.

Lundey, Puffin Island, from April to August

During puffin season, the tour includes Lundey, known for its large number of puffins. The stated season runs from about April 15 through August 20. This is a firm planning detail, not a minor footnote.

In season, you might see puffins flying, sitting on the water, or moving around the island. Some trips have included thousands of birds, while on others the puffins stayed farther away. The boat can show you the island and its birdlife, but close bird photographs are never assured.

Outside the season, the tour becomes focused on whales. The name still includes puffins, which can cause confusion, so check the date carefully before booking. If puffins are a major reason for your visit, schedule the tour within the published season and ask at the meeting point if conditions or timing have changed.

The bird stop also gives the trip some variety. Instead of spending two straight hours looking only for whale blows, you get a chance to observe seabirds and hear about the bay’s wider ecology. That added context makes the outing feel more like a short marine safari than a simple boat transfer.

Tjörnes Peninsula and two million years of earth history

The route also includes views toward the Tjörnes Peninsula. The peninsula is known for fossil layers, with the oldest mentioned here dating back about two million years.

This is a good reminder that the bay is not only about living animals. The cliffs and rock layers record earlier changes in Iceland’s seas and climate. Your guide provides live commentary on board, so this part is most useful if you pay attention to the explanation rather than treating it as scenery between sightings.

The boat does not turn the peninsula into a separate land visit. You remain on the RIB, and the exact time spent looking toward it will depend on sea conditions and wildlife activity. Think of Tjörnes as an important geographic and geological feature woven into the boat route, not a full stop with time ashore.

A crew that improves the odds and the understanding

The guide and captain have different jobs, which is one of the strongest features of this setup. The captain can concentrate on navigation and boat control while the guide watches the water, identifies species, answers questions, and explains animal behavior.

Names praised on different departures include Austin or Austen, Alessandra, and Danny. Crew assignments can change, but the pattern is clear: the best part of the commentary is its connection to what is happening in front of you. A guide who can explain why a whale is surfacing in a certain area gives meaning to the waiting and searching.

The captain also matters more than you might expect. On rough days, careful handling can make the ride much more comfortable. Danny, for example, was singled out for steering through waves smoothly, while other captains were credited with keeping the boat steady and positioning it well.

I especially like the stated approach to wildlife. In the search zone, more than 300 metres from a whale, the RIB can travel efficiently. Within 300 metres, the captain reduces speed and approaches from the side rather than from ahead or behind. Inside 100 metres, the boat slows further or shuts off the propeller, allowing the animal to choose its path.

The crew aims to limit time with one animal to about 20 to 30 minutes and moves away if it appears distressed. That can mean missing the closest possible view, but it is the right trade. A thrilling photograph is not worth making a wild animal work harder to escape a boat.

Cold weather, rough water, and what to wear

The supplied overall is a major help, but you still need proper layers underneath. Wear warm socks, a hat, and gloves. Cold air can work its way up your trousers, and your hands and head are exposed to wind even when the rest of you is protected.

Expect spray. The water can be rough, particularly as the boat leaves and returns to the harbour. A calm day may still feel cold because of the speed. The overall is water resistant, not a guarantee that every part of you stays completely dry.

I would dress for a colder outing than the weather in town suggests. Bring clothing you can move in, and keep cameras and phones protected from spray. The ride is often described as comfortable for a RIB, but comfortable here means well equipped for an active sea trip, not quiet and cushioned like a sightseeing coach.

Weather can cancel the departure. If poor conditions make the trip unsafe, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is sensible, though one late cancellation left someone who had driven two hours with little time to arrange another activity. If your schedule is tight, keep a backup plan.

Is $203.16 a fair price?

At $203.16 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Iceland. The price makes more sense if you value a small group, fast boat, warm flotation gear, a dedicated guide, and the chance to see puffins during the right months.

A larger ship may offer a steadier ride and more indoor shelter, but you may share the water with far more people. The RIB gives you a stronger sense of speed and access, plus a better view from most seats. If a close encounter happens, you are likely to feel much nearer to the action.

The two-hour duration also helps with value. You get a focused outing rather than a full-day commitment, leaving time for Húsavík or another North Iceland sight. Several departures are available, so you can choose a morning or later time that fits your plans.

Still, the price does not remove nature’s risk. A trip can return with several humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins, or with only limited sightings. I consider the price fair for the format and equipment, but only if you are comfortable paying for the experience of searching, not a guaranteed wildlife count.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active whale-watching trip, prefer a small group, and like being close to the water. It suits photographers who value open sightlines, families with older children, and anyone who wants a more energetic alternative to a large ship.

It is also a good choice if you care about responsible wildlife viewing. The crew uses the RIB’s speed to search efficiently, then follows slower approach rules near the whales. You get excitement without treating the animals like a target.

I would choose another style of outing if you need a dry, stable platform, dislike cold wind, or have only a narrow cruise schedule. Most importantly, do not book it as an Akureyri shore excursion unless you have arranged transport to Húsavík and allowed enough time for the drive.

My booking verdict

I would book this tour during puffin season if I wanted a compact, high-energy wildlife trip from Húsavík. The small boat, open views, fast searching, and separate guide give it real advantages over a crowded vessel.

Book with realistic expectations. You might see six humpbacks, a large dolphin group, puffins by the thousands, or a rare northern bottlenose whale. You might also see only a few distant fins. Bring serious layers, confirm the Húsavík meeting point, and accept that cold, spray, and rough water are part of the deal. For the right kind of visitor, that is exactly what makes the outing memorable.

FAQ

Where does the Big Whales and Puffins RIB tour start?

It starts at Húsavík Adventures on Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour in Akureyri or Húsavík?

The boat departs from Húsavík. Húsavík is approximately a one-hour drive from the Akureyri cruise port, so you must arrange your own transport.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can ride on the RIB boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

When can I see puffins on this tour?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the trip focuses exclusively on whale watching.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

You receive a warm water-resistant overall and a life jacket. A raincoat is supplied when needed. Bring your own hat and gloves.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age is eight years old, or a minimum height of 130 centimetres.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or an insufficient number of participants, you are offered another date or a full refund.