Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

The best part of this Húsavík tour is the small RIB speedboat. With no more than 12 people aboard, you get a nimble boat that can move quickly across Skjálfandi Bay and turn neatly when a whale appears. Humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and, on very lucky days, a blue whale are all possible.

I like two things right away: the crew supplies warm safety overalls, and the guides take the wildlife seriously. Guides including Clara, Miro, Mario, and Victoria have been praised for clear explanations and genuine excitement when animals appear. The main drawback is simple: the sea can be rough and cold, and a fast RIB is not a good match for anyone with back or heart problems, or for anyone who is pregnant.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast, small-group boat: The RIB carries a maximum of 12 people, giving you more room than a large whale-watching vessel.
• Whale sightings are never guaranteed: The operator puts the chance as high as 99 percent, but nature remains unpredictable and there are no refunds for a tour with no sightings.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: The puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15.
• Warm gear is supplied: Obligatory safety overalls and rain jackets, if needed, help with the cold and spray.
• You must arrive early: Check in at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center at least 40 minutes before departure.
• The tour may be rough: You should be at least 8 years old and 130 centimeters tall, with no heart or back problems.

Setting out from Húsavík, Iceland’s whale-watching center

Although the tour information may appear under Akureyri, this activity departs from Húsavík, on Garðarsbraut. Húsavík is the practical base for the outing, and the ticket center is within walking distance of most local accommodations. You arrange your own way there, since transportation is not included.

Arrive 40 minutes before departure. That early check-in matters because you need time to collect your gear and get ready for the boat. The staff helps you into the safety equipment, including the warm one-piece overalls. Bring warm, waterproof clothing underneath, since the air on the water can feel much colder than it does on shore.

The boat holds no more than 12 people. That small capacity gives the trip a friendly, personal feel, and it makes it easier to hear the live commentary. It also means you should reserve ahead. The tour is booked, on average, about 50 days in advance.

Why the RIB changes the whale-watching experience

A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, is built for speed and quick movement. Compared with a traditional whale-watching boat, it can cover more of the bay during a two-hour outing and react faster when a whale surfaces. Several sightings described the boat tracking animals close enough for a good view, while still keeping a safe distance.

The seating is individual rather than a long bench. One useful point is that the seats work a little like seats on a motorcycle or snowmobile. When the boat moves quickly over waves, you can bend your knees or rise slightly to absorb the motion. That is helpful, but it does not make the ride smooth.

On calm days, the speed adds fun without taking away from the scenery. On rough days, the ride can be a serious physical experience. One account described waves around six feet high and temperatures below freezing, while also noting that the supplied suit kept the passenger warm. Another described the boat ride as cold but worth it.

I would not book this as a gentle, quiet cruise. Book it because you want a lively ride and a closer connection to the water. If you prefer a more stable platform, Gentle Giants may offer a traditional whale-watching option as a voucher after a trip with no sightings, subject to availability.

Stop one: searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

The main portion of the two-hour trip is spent looking for whales in Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide gives live commentary and helps you scan the water for blows, backs, fins, and tails. The captain works with the guide to position the boat without chasing or crowding the animals.

Humpback whales are a frequent highlight. Sightings have included several humpbacks in one outing, with one group seeing more than ten. You might see a whale surface repeatedly, slap its tail, or lift its flukes before sounding. One particularly dramatic sighting involved a whale making repeated appearances over roughly 30 minutes.

Minke whales and dolphins are also possible. Minke whales can be shy, so even a brief appearance is worth watching for. Dolphin encounters can be lively, with pods sometimes moving and playing near the boat. Porpoises are listed as another possible sighting, though they can be harder to spot because of their small size and quick movement.

Rare wildlife is possible but should never be treated as part of the promise. An early-season trip included humpbacks and a blue whale, an extraordinary event that became the highlight of the entire visit. That kind of sighting shows why the bay is exciting, but it also shows why you need realistic expectations.

The crew’s role is important here. Guides such as Nicoletta, Clara, Miro, Mario, and Victoria have been praised for explaining animal behavior, migration, and marine life in an engaging way. The strongest guides do more than point at a whale. They help you understand what you are seeing and keep everyone watching the same part of the water.

Stop two: Puffin Island during the short summer season

From about April 15 through August 15, the boat may visit Puffin Island, also known as Lundey. This is the seasonal part of the outing. During the breeding months, large numbers of puffins gather around the island, and you can see birds flying, resting on the water, or moving around the nesting area.

The word may matters. Weather, sea conditions, and tides can force the captain to skip the island, even at short notice. Outside the puffin season, the tour places more attention on whales instead. If puffins are a major reason for booking, schedule your trip before mid-August rather than assuming they will be present at the end of the month.

Puffin viewing is also a matter of distance. The boat cannot always approach as closely as you might hope, and safe viewing distance varies with conditions. You will see the birds, but a phone camera may produce little more than dark dots. A camera with a strong zoom lens gives you a much better chance at clear pictures.

This is one of those moments when I would put the phone away for a while. Watching puffins lift off, bob in the water, and gather around the island is more enjoyable when you are not spending the whole stop checking a screen. Keep your phone in a secure pocket, though, since the RIB is open to spray and motion.

What the two-hour route gives you

Two hours is a good length for a fast search of the bay. You have enough time to travel out, look for wildlife, visit Puffin Island in season, and return to Húsavík without giving up an entire day. That makes the tour easy to fit into a larger Iceland itinerary.

The tradeoff is that the schedule is compact. If the crew finds whales, the boat may spend a good portion of the outing following their movements. If the animals are scattered, more time goes into searching. The exact balance between transit, whale watching, and puffin viewing can change with nature and sea conditions.

The RIB’s speed helps here. A large boat may take longer to reposition, while this boat can turn and move to another area of the bay. That does not guarantee better sightings, but it improves the crew’s ability to make the most of a short window.

Warmth, safety, and comfort on an open boat

The safety overalls are obligatory and supplied by the operator. Rain jackets are available if needed. These suits are more than a formality: they protect against wind, spray, and the cold that builds while you sit on the water.

Still, dress warmly beneath them. Bring waterproof outer layers, gloves, a hat, and sturdy footwear if you have them. The overalls help, but they do not turn Icelandic weather into summer weather. Some departures feel comfortable in calm conditions, while others can be very cold.

The boat ride can jolt you over waves. Use your legs to absorb the movement rather than locking your knees. If you have a back problem, heart problem, or are pregnant, this is not an appropriate activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is 8, with a minimum height of 130 centimeters.

The crew’s safety work receives frequent praise. The captain is responsible for handling the RIB in changing conditions, while the guide watches the group and explains what is happening. That partnership is especially valuable when the sea becomes rough or the boat is moving quickly.

The guide and captain make the difference

Wildlife tours depend partly on luck, but the crew controls much of the quality. A good guide keeps the group alert without turning the trip into a lecture. A good captain handles the boat smoothly, maintains a respectful distance from animals, and knows when conditions make a planned stop unwise.

The named guides associated with positive experiences include Clara, Miro, Mario, Nicoletta, Victoria, and Witt. Their styles may differ, but the consistent strength is enthusiasm paired with solid marine-life explanations. You can expect live commentary in English.

The captain also matters more than most first-time whale watchers realize. The RIB’s ability to approach and turn quickly is useful only when the person at the controls can read the sea and the animals. Several outings praised the captain’s skill, particularly during strong waves and close wildlife encounters.

You should not expect every guide to offer the same personality or every trip to follow the same pattern. That is part of the nature of a wildlife outing. What you can reasonably expect is a professional crew, safety instruction, supplied protective clothing, and active help spotting animals.

Is $180.27 a fair price?

At $180.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Húsavík. You are paying for the small group, the RIB, the guide, the captain, the safety equipment, and the ability to cover more of the bay quickly.

The value is strongest if you care about the boat itself. A traditional vessel may offer more space and a steadier ride, but the RIB gives you speed and maneuverability. With a maximum of 12 passengers, you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and the guide can keep commentary more personal.

The price also includes exclusive discounts with selected local partners in Húsavík. Those discounts are a useful extra, though their real value depends on where you eat or shop afterward. Transportation is not included, but the meeting point is walkable from most Húsavík accommodations.

The operator rates the chance of seeing whales as high as 99 percent, but the important practical detail is the no-sighting policy. If you see no whales or dolphins, you do not receive a passenger refund. Depending on availability, you may receive a voucher for a free traditional whale-watching tour instead. That policy makes travel insurance or a flexible schedule worth considering if wildlife sightings are central to your plans.

Weather rules and cancellation flexibility

The sea decides the schedule. If poor weather makes the trip unsafe, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached and the departure is canceled.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local Icelandic time.

Conditions can also change after you arrive. Even with short notice, the crew may skip Puffin Island if the sea or tide makes the approach unsafe. In that case, the tour can put more attention on whale watching.

Who should book this Húsavík RIB tour?

I would choose this tour if you want an active wildlife outing rather than a quiet boat ride. It suits couples, families with older children, photographers who carry a zoom lens, and anyone who likes the idea of covering open water quickly in a small group.

It is especially appealing during puffin season, from mid-April through mid-August, when you can combine seabirds with whales in one outing. If you visit outside those dates, you are booking it mainly for whales and dolphins.

I would think twice if you get seasick easily, dislike cold spray, or need a stable surface under your feet. The minimum age and height rules also rule out younger or smaller children. Anyone with heart or back problems, and pregnant passengers, should not participate.

My take: book it for the boat and the bay

You should book the Original Big Whale Safari and Puffins Speedboat Tour if the idea of a fast, intimate ride on Skjálfandi Bay appeals to you. The small group, warm protective suits, skilled crew, and strong record of whale sightings make the price easier to justify.

Book during puffin season if puffins are important, and bring a real zoom camera if you want usable photographs. Arrive early, dress under the supplied suit, and accept that the sea may be rough.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed close-up puffin photograph or a perfectly calm ride. I would book it for the chance to see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and perhaps something much rarer, while moving through the bay with a crew that knows how to make two hours count.

FAQ

Where does the whale and puffin tour depart?

The tour starts at the Gentle Giants Húsavík Whale Watching ticket center on Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB outing lasts approximately two hours.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales and porpoises, including humpback and minke whales. Dolphins are also possible. During puffin season, the boat may visit Puffin Island to see puffins.

When is puffin season?

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

What should I wear?

Bring warm and waterproof clothing. Gentle Giants supplies obligatory warm safety overalls and rain jackets if needed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age is 8 years, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached and the departure is canceled.