Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Whales reward patience, but speed helps. This Húsavík RIB tour covers Skjálfandi Bay quickly, giving you a strong chance to reach whale sightings while they are still fresh. I especially like the small group of 12 or fewer and the chance to visit Lundey, or Puffin Island, during the warmer months. The tradeoff is simple: a fast open boat can be cold, wet, and bumpy.

I also like that the captain and guide work together rather than treating the trip as a simple boat ride. Guides such as Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, Alessandra, and Zina have earned praise for clear explanations and warm, lively personalities. Bring serious gloves, though. The supplied suit helps your body stay warm, but your hands can still suffer in Icelandic wind.

Key points before you book

• Fast RIB boat: The boat can cover a large area and reach whale sightings faster than a larger vessel.
• Small group: With a maximum of 12 passengers, you get a much better chance at an unobstructed view.
• Puffins from April 15 to August 20: Lundey is part of the trip during puffin season. Outside those dates, the focus is whales only.
• Wildlife variety: Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and occasional blue whales have all been seen in the bay.
• Cold-weather gear included: You receive a water-resistant overall, raincoat if needed, and life vest, but hats and gloves are your responsibility.
• Two hours and $198: This is not the cheapest boat outing, but the speed and small group can make the extra cost worthwhile.

Why Húsavík is a strong place for whale watching

Húsavík sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching areas. More than 10 whale and dolphin species are known to visit the bay during the year, so you are not limited to one target animal.

Humpback whales are the main attraction on many departures. They may surface repeatedly, slap the water with a fin, show a tail, or feed near the boat. Minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises are also possible. Blue whales have been spotted on some trips, and seals and even a walrus have appeared on particularly lucky outings.

That variety matters because wildlife is never scheduled like a museum exhibit. You might see several humpbacks in one outing, or you might spend more time scanning the water before finding a whale. The captain can search a wide area, which improves your odds, but no responsible operator can promise a certain number of animals.

The bay also gives you something worthwhile when the whales are quiet. You will see open water, islands, the Tjörnes peninsula, and steep coastal scenery. Tjörnes is known for fossil layers, with some of the oldest layers dating back around two million years. It is a useful reminder that this trip is about the setting as well as the animals.

What the two-hour trip feels like

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 from Húsavík’s famous church, so it is not difficult to locate.

The early part of the visit involves getting suited up and receiving a safety briefing. The water-resistant overall is compulsory under Icelandic rules, and the operator supplies it along with a life vest and a raincoat if conditions call for one.

Once aboard the 12-seat rigid inflatable boat, the trip heads into Skjálfandi Bay. The RIB design gives you a lively ride and lets the captain cover more miles than a slower boat. When a whale is spotted at a distance, the boat can often reach the area quickly.

That speed is the main reason to choose this tour instead of a larger vessel. Several people described being able to move toward a fresh sighting within seconds, while the small passenger count made it easier for everyone to see. You are not fighting for a place along a crowded rail.

The speed has a cost. The ride can be choppy, particularly when the wind rises, and you are exposed to the elements. The supplied suit protects your main layers, but you still need warm clothing underneath. Gloves and a hat are not included, and cold fingers can spoil an otherwise excellent outing.

Lundey, the island where puffins gather

From about April 15 through August 20, the route includes Lundey, commonly called Puffin Island. This is one of the tour’s best seasonal features. You may see puffins resting on the water, flying around the boat, or gathering in large numbers on the island’s cliffs.

The summer accounts describe hundreds or even thousands of puffins in the area. Their quick flight can make the sky look busy, while others sit low on the water near the RIB. For many people, this stop is nearly as memorable as the whales.

The boat makes a photo stop and gives you time to look at the island and surrounding water. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect every bird to pose neatly. Puffins are small and fast, and the boat may be moving in changing conditions.

Puffin season is firm rather than approximate for planning purposes. If you visit outside the April 15 to August 20 period, the tour becomes a big-whale outing without the Lundey visit. That is not a flaw, but it is important if puffins are your main reason for booking.

Whale watching with room to see

After Lundey, or directly into the bay outside puffin season, the captain and guide search Skjálfandi for marine life. A typical sighting may begin with a distant blow or dark shape, followed by a quick move across the water.

The RIB’s small size helps here. Everyone is close to the water, and there are no rows of passengers blocking your view. The boat’s open design also gives you a good chance to photograph a whale from either side.

The strongest wildlife accounts describe repeated humpback sightings, sometimes with several animals in the same area. Some passengers saw a whale surface many times, while others watched a mother and young whale together. Dolphins have also played near the boat, and minke whales have joined the outing.

One especially useful feature is that the crew does not appear to treat speed as permission to crowd the animals. The best accounts describe getting close while allowing the whales room. That balance matters. The point is to see natural behavior, not force a performance.

Still, set your expectations sensibly. One departure might produce several close humpbacks, while another might offer only one whale or a brief sighting. A 2024 trip, for example, was praised even though only one whale was seen, because the guide and captain made the most of the conditions. Wild animals make the schedule.

Guides, captains, and the quality of the explanation

The crew is one of the tour’s most consistently praised features. Guides including Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, Alessandra, Martin, and Zina have been singled out for energy, care, and clear explanations.

You can expect information about whale behavior, seabirds, marine ecology, and safety. Some crew members have marine biology training, and that background adds useful context when a whale surfaces or changes direction. A guide may explain how an individual humpback is recognized by markings or why the captain chooses one search area instead of another.

Austin has been praised for a friendly style and for speaking several languages, including English, Italian, and Mexican Spanish. Inaki has been described as especially passionate about the animals. The names and crew can change, but the pattern is clear: this is more than a fast ride with occasional shouting when somebody spots a fin.

The captain matters just as much. The boat needs to move quickly without making the experience feel reckless. Several accounts describe captains who paid close attention to safety, helped with motion sickness, and adjusted their approach to the sea conditions.

If you have a back issue, heart condition, epilepsy, or mobility concern, contact the local operator before booking. The company may be able to discuss assistance, but the boat is still a fast, open-water experience rather than a gentle harbor cruise.

Comfort, motion, and what to wear

The water-resistant overall is a major practical benefit. It is supplied in a broad range of sizes, with one passenger noting that suits were available up to 8XL. That is useful information if you are concerned about fit.

Wear warm layers underneath, comfortable shoes, a hat, and gloves. The boat can be cold even during the summer, and several people stressed the need for high-quality gloves. The suit covers your body, not the exposed parts of your hands and head.

The RIB ride is exciting, but it is not perfectly smooth. Some people with a tendency toward motion sickness felt fine because the boat was open and moving quickly. Others may find the chop uncomfortable. Seasickness pills are not included, so bring your own if you normally need them.

Pregnant women, children under eight, people under 130 centimeters, and people with back or heart problems should not book this activity. The stated minimum age is eight, or 130 centimeters in height. If a child is close to the height limit but slightly under it, contact the operator first.

A small amount of rain does not necessarily spoil the trip, since a raincoat is available if needed. Strong weather can cancel a departure, however. If that happens because of bad weather, too few passengers, or another operational reason, you are offered another departure or a full refund.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is a premium two-hour outing. You are paying for the RIB, captain, guide, safety equipment, warm suit, and the ability to search a large area quickly.

I think the price makes the most sense if close whale watching is high on your Iceland list. A larger boat may offer a calmer ride and more space, but the RIB’s speed and 12-person limit can make the experience feel much more focused. You are also less likely to lose time reaching a distant sighting.

The value is less certain if you mainly want a low-cost boat trip or a relaxed cruise. Two hours passes quickly, and the ride can feel intense in rough water. You are also paying for a chance to see wild animals, not a guaranteed wildlife show.

The included gear helps. You do not need to rent an overall or life vest separately, and the small group gives you a better view than a crowded boat. If the trip produces puffins, dolphins, and several whales, the price feels easier to justify. If sightings are limited, the scenery and guide become more important parts of the value.

Best timing for puffins, whales, and light

For puffins, plan between April 15 and August 20. Summer also brings long daylight hours. A late evening departure in July can still have plenty of light close to midnight, which adds a memorable twist to the outing.

The provided experiences include successful trips in spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December. Whales can be seen outside puffin season, and winter departures may still produce a whale sighting. The difference is that you will need to accept colder conditions and no Puffin Island stop outside the stated dates.

Morning or afternoon timing is not a guarantee of better wildlife. Weather, food supply, and animal movement matter more than a simple clock. I would choose the departure that fits your wider Húsavík plans and leaves room to reschedule if weather causes trouble.

Who should book this Húsavík speedboat tour?

This tour suits you if you want an active wildlife outing, prefer a small group, and like the idea of moving quickly between sightings. It is especially good for photographers, families with older children, and anyone who finds large excursion boats too crowded.

It also suits people who want a guide with real interest in marine life. The explanations about whale behavior and seabirds give the trip more depth than a simple search for fins.

I would think twice if you dislike cold wind, rough water, or sudden movement. You should also choose another type of boat if you need a very stable ride, are pregnant, have serious back or heart problems, or are traveling with a child under the age or height limit.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if whales and puffins are among your main Iceland goals, especially from mid-April through August 20. The small RIB, fast response, and strong guiding give it a clear edge for close wildlife viewing.

Bring more clothing than you think you need, especially gloves. If you can accept that nature may offer one whale instead of six, the trip gives you a lively two-hour look at Skjálfandi Bay and a good chance of seeing Icelandic marine life at close range.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík whale and puffin tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride through Skjálfandi Bay and the visit to Lundey during puffin season.

When can I see Puffin Island?

The puffin portion operates from about April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the outing focuses on big-whale watching.

What is included in the tour?

The price includes a guided ride in a 12-seat RIB, a warm water-resistant overall, a raincoat if needed, and a life vest.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, and gloves. Gloves and hats are not supplied, and the bay can be cold.

Is there a minimum age or height?

Yes. The minimum age is eight years, or the child must be at least 130 centimeters tall. Contact the operator if a child is slightly under the height requirement.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The operator can cancel because of bad weather, too few passengers, or other reasons. You will be offered another departure or a full refund.