The 8 Best Húsavík Tours

1.Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,761 reviews · 3 hours · from $115Our pick

Cruise Skjálfandi Bay from Húsavík on a traditional oak boat with an English-speaking guide. Watch for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Warm overalls, live commentary, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included.

“The staff on the trip were incredibly knowledgeable of marine life. They had a great sense of humour, and gave us a good introduction to the trip, including all health and safety matters. There was plenty of room on the bat, everyone was given the opportunity to see whales. It was one of our best experiences in Iceland. Keep up the good work”

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2.Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,735 reviews · from $91

Sail from Húsavík with Gentle Giants on a 3-hour cruise aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat. Your English-speaking guide, sometimes a marine biologist such as Matteo, Rui, or Nicoliene, explains the bay’s whales, dolphins, and seabirds while the crew provides warm overalls and rain jackets.

“Excellent experience. Would definitely recommend. Crew were friendly and informative.”

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3.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198Top rated

Join a guide such as Austin, Iñaki, or Ignacio aboard a 12-seat RIB from Húsavík. Race across Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises, then visit Lundey Island for puffins from April 15 to August 20. Warm overalls and life vests are provided.

“The team was great and very nice and knowledgeable. We saw several whales, dolphins and many puffins (summer season only). The speed boat has around 12 seats so its a small group, which makes the experience more exclusive.”

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4.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 973 reviews · from $159

From Húsavík, you’ll ride a spacious RIB with up to 12 passengers to Puffin Island and across Skjálfandi Bay. Guides such as Matteo, Serena, and Rui explain whale behavior while the boat covers more water quickly. Expect warm overalls, sea spray, sharp turns, and wildlife that never follows a script.

“The activity was great despite bad weather, our trip was not canceled even though the weather was dodgy, our guide was very informative and kind and well as our captain. We got to see humpback whale up close. If you want to enjoy your experience just take sea sickness pills and you are good to go.”

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5.Family-Run and Guided Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 675 reviews · from $84

Join Friends of Moby Dick for a three-hour whale watch from Húsavík aboard a traditional oak boat. Guides such as marine biologists Mada and Ann explain whales, dolphins, seabirds, and puffins as you cruise Skjálfandi Bay toward Kinnarfjöll. Expect cold spray, wild animals, and no guaranteed sightings.

“Great tour!! Saw a Humpback and a Minke whale. Our host was awesome. The boat is beautiful.”

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6.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

Join North Sailing from Húsavík for a 3 to 3.5-hour cruise on a traditional oak boat. An English-speaking guide helps you search for whales, dolphins, puffins, and seabirds around Skjálfandi Bay, with warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun included.

“I would have given it a 4 star to be honest with you, neither of us were too impressed with the puffin tour. We didn't imagine what that part of it would be like, and I think I expected more from that, though in hindsight I can see why a) we couldn't get closer to the colony and b) the rocking boat didn't make using binoculars easy with the potential for motion sickness with continued use. And therefore, again, with hindsight, we wouldn't have taken the puffin tour option. With regards the whales - I believe we struck lucky with decent weather, plenty of sightings to get excited about. It…”

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7.GeoSea Geothermal Baths Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 430 reviews · from $55Best value

At GeoSea in Húsavík, you can soak in 38 to 39°C mineral-rich seawater above Skjálfandi Bay. The ticket includes locker access and Sóley Organics soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Bring or rent swimwear and a towel, then watch for whales or Northern Lights from the warm pools.

“We enjoyed every minute. It was quite the experience”

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8.Whale Watching on a Carbon Neutral Oak Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 208 reviews · 3 hours · from $132

Spend three hours on North Sailing’s traditional oak boat in Skjálfandi Bay, with an English-speaking guide, warm overalls, and wildlife sightings that may include whales, dolphins, and seabirds. The quiet hybrid boat runs on renewable energy, and hot chocolate with a cinnamon bun comes at the end.

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