Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Whales make Húsavík worth the detour. I like the small 12-person RIB because it covers Skjálfandi Bay quickly, and I like the warm protective gear that takes the edge off Iceland’s cold wind. The trade-off is a rougher ride than a large oak boat, especially when the sea turns choppy.

This $175, two-hour trip also visits Puffin Island during the nesting season, roughly April 15 through August 15. Guides such as Matteo, Carla, Jo, Beatriz, and Clara have earned praise for clear wildlife explanations and sharp spotting skills, although one guest found the English commentary difficult to follow.

Key points at a glance

• A maximum of 12 passengers: The roomier RIB gives you more personal space and a better chance of seeing around the boat.
• Fast access across Skjálfandi Bay: The speed helps the captain reach whale sightings quickly, a real advantage when animals surface only briefly.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: Thousands of puffins may be visible from April 15 through August 15, but the boat may skip the island if sea conditions change.
• Warm overalls are provided: You must wear the supplied safety overall, with rain jackets available if needed.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: Humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, porpoises, and bottlenose whales have all appeared, but nature sets the schedule.
• A lively, physical outing: Children under eight, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people under 130 centimeters, and anyone with certain back or heart problems should not book.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Húsavík

Húsavík is widely known as Iceland’s whale-watching center, and Skjálfandi Bay gives boats a broad area to search. A fast RIB is useful here because whales do not wait beside the harbor. When a humpback surfaces in the distance, the captain can move toward it far faster than a large sightseeing boat.

That speed does not guarantee more whales, but it can mean more time at an active sighting. Several outings recorded three to seven humpback whales, while others included blue whales, bottlenose whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises, and large groups of puffins.

I especially like the small group size. With no more than 12 people aboard, you are less likely to have someone blocking your view. The open design also lets you shift your attention quickly from one side of the boat to the other. That matters when a whale appears for only a few seconds.

The RIB is larger than some other local speedboats, so it offers a little more room without losing the lively feel. You are still close to the water, and the ride can feel like a mild roller coaster in wind and rain. If you prefer a calm, steady boat, choose the traditional oak-boat alternative instead.

Starting in central Húsavík

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags, and arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That early arrival is not wasted time: the crew needs to fit every passenger with a safety overall and life jacket before boarding.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring warm, waterproof outdoor clothing. The supplied overalls help a lot, but they do not replace sensible layers underneath. You cannot take luggage or large bags onto the boat, so leave bulky items at your accommodation or in a suitable vehicle.

The staff explain the safety rules before you leave. The guide then provides live English commentary during the trip, pointing out marine life, bird activity, the bay, and the surrounding scenery. Guide quality appears to be one of the strongest parts of this operation. Matteo has been praised for his enthusiasm, while Carla, Jo, Beatriz, Clara, and other guides have been described as friendly, prepared, and passionate about the animals.

English is the stated tour language. Most passengers should follow the commentary, but accents and wind noise can make parts of the explanation harder to hear. Sit where you can see the guide if the educational side of the trip matters to you.

Puffin Island between April and August

The first main stop is Puffin Island, visited during the nesting period from approximately April 15 through August 15. At the right time of year, the island can hold thousands of puffins, along with other seabirds.

The puffins are usually viewed from the boat rather than on foot. That keeps the visit brief and respectful, but do not expect close-up encounters. One passenger found the puffin viewing less impressive because the birds were not nearby, while others saw large numbers and considered the stop a highlight.

This is a good place for binoculars and a camera with a useful zoom. The birds are colorful and entertaining, but the boat must keep its distance. If puffins are your main reason for booking, check the season carefully and remember that rough water or changing conditions can lead the captain to skip the island.

Outside puffin season, the tour places more attention on whales. You still get views of the island and bay, but the trip is not marketed as a year-round puffin outing.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After Puffin Island, the boat works across Skjálfandi Bay. This is the heart of the trip, and the experience can vary sharply from one departure to the next.

On calm, sunny days, the views can be excellent. One outing followed three individual humpback whales, with repeated sightings over a long period. Another saw nearly a dozen humpbacks, including a full breach. Blue whales have also appeared, along with dolphins and bottlenose whales.

The boat crew plays an important part. The guide watches for blows, fins, and movement at the surface, while the captain adjusts course quickly. Several guides have been praised for helping everyone get a fair look instead of racing toward a sighting and leaving half the boat facing the wrong direction.

A RIB also gives you a more immediate view of the sea. You feel the boat accelerate, slow, turn, and settle as the captain follows the animals. That makes the outing more active than a large-boat cruise, and it can add to the fun when the water is calm.

Still, do not expect a guaranteed parade of whales. One trip spent almost two hours searching before a group of bottlenose whales appeared near the end. Another encountered heavy fog and saw nothing on the first attempt. The company offers a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat if no whales or dolphins are seen, but that is not a cash refund.

That policy is worth understanding before you pay the higher RIB price. You are buying a better chance of reaching sightings quickly, not a promise that whales will appear.

What the ride feels like in real Icelandic weather

The phrase speedboat is important here. The RIB can move quickly over the bay, but the ride may become bumpy in wind and rain. One account compared rough conditions to a roller coaster and warned that people prone to seasickness could struggle.

The supplied safety overall keeps you warmer and drier than ordinary outdoor clothing alone. Even so, wear layers, cover your hands, and bring waterproof clothing. The bay can look calm from shore while feeling much rougher once you are out on open water.

If you have back problems, heart problems, or a strong tendency toward seasickness, this is not the sensible choice. Pregnant women should not participate, and children under eight are not permitted. The minimum height is 130 centimeters, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users.

These limits are not minor booking notes. They define the experience. The RIB is best for an active outing, not a gentle sightseeing cruise.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is one of the more expensive ways to see whales around Húsavík. The price includes the two-hour round-trip RIB cruise, an English-speaking guide, live commentary, safety overalls, and rain jackets if needed.

The extra cost makes the most sense if you value three things: a small group, quick movement across the bay, and the thrill of a fast open boat. If you want a quiet ride with more protection from the weather, the traditional oak boat may give you better value.

I would also consider your overall Iceland plans. If Húsavík is your one chance to see whales, paying more for the RIB is easier to justify. The faster boat can reach distant sightings and gives you a more active experience than simply sitting on a large vessel.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 1,221 ratings, and 91 percent of participants gave the transport a perfect score. The strongest praise centers on the crew, boat handling, close wildlife sightings, and the chance to move quickly when whales surface.

The guides and captain matter

Wildlife trips depend on people as much as equipment. A fast boat is not useful if the crew misses the animals or fails to explain what you are seeing.

The best guide comments describe staff who can spot movement, explain whale behavior, answer questions, and keep the mood upbeat. Beatriz was praised for clear explanations about whales and the marine ecosystem. Matteo has been singled out for enthusiasm, while Jo was praised for sharing information in an engaging way. Carla and Clara also received strong comments for their wildlife knowledge and friendly manner.

Captains get credit for more than driving. Good boat handling means approaching animals carefully, changing direction when a whale moves, and giving people on both sides a chance to see. A captain called Sarah was praised for smooth movement, while other captains were credited with reaching sightings quickly without making passengers feel unsafe.

The company describes itself as a locally owned family business in Húsavík. That local connection matters because the crew works these waters regularly and can adapt the search to current conditions.

What you may see, and what you may miss

Humpback whales are the most frequently praised sighting, but the bay can offer a wider mix of wildlife. Possible sightings include:

• Humpback whales
• Blue whales
• Bottlenose whales
• Dolphins
• Harbor porpoises
• Puffins and other seabirds

Some trips have produced several kinds of whales in one outing. Others have delivered dolphins close to the boat but whales farther away. You may see a whale’s back, fin, blow, or tail rather than a full breach.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. The captain cannot order a whale to surface, and bad visibility can reduce the search area. Fog, rain, wind, and changing sea conditions may also alter the route or remove Puffin Island from the plan.

I recommend treating the wildlife as the goal rather than a guaranteed result. If you need a fixed sequence of attractions, this is the wrong activity. If you can enjoy the changing sea, bird cliffs, weather, and sudden appearances, the unpredictability becomes part of the story.

Practical booking advice

Book this tour if you want the most active whale-watching option in Húsavík and can handle a fast, potentially rough ride. The maximum of 12 passengers is a major benefit for photographers and anyone who dislikes crowded viewing decks.

Arrive early, dress warmer than you think necessary, and avoid bringing large bags. If you are sensitive to motion, consider taking appropriate precautions before departure, though the supplied information does not list any specific medication or remedy.

The tour runs for two hours, but allow extra time before departure for check-in and gear. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the central Húsavík meeting point yourself.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The trip runs only in favorable weather. If the company cancels because of conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB safari?

I would book it if you want a small-group trip with real speed, strong crew involvement, and the best practical chance of reaching whales across a wide bay. The combination of puffins in season and possible humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and porpoises gives the two hours plenty of variety.

I would skip it if you need a smooth ride, have physical limitations listed by the operator, or mainly want close puffin photographs. Puffin Island can be impressive, but the birds remain at a respectful distance, and weather may cancel that stop.

For most able-bodied visitors who accept the risks of nature and open water, the RIB is worth the higher price. Just book it for the quality of the search and the excitement of the ride, not because anyone can promise a whale on cue.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. The meeting point is marked by large blue flags.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure so the crew can check you in and provide the required safety equipment.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the RIB cruise around Puffin Island and Skjálfandi Bay.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the round-trip RIB cruise, a specialized guide, live English commentary, warm safety overalls, and rain jackets if needed.

Is Puffin Island visited all year?

No. Puffin Island is normally visited during the nesting season, approximately April 15 through August 15. Weather and sea conditions can also cause the stop to be skipped.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings depend on nature and conditions. If no whales or dolphins are seen, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat, but no cash refund is given.

What should I wear?

Bring warm, waterproof outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes. The operator provides a warm safety overall and rain jackets if needed.

Can I bring luggage?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone under 130 centimeters tall.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour may also be canceled by the operator because of bad weather, in which case you can choose another date or receive a full refund.