Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Húsavík’s RIB tour gives you two good reasons to leave the harbor: a fast, nimble boat that can cover a lot of Skjálfandi Bay, and a small group of 12 or fewer, so you are not craning around a packed deck for a glimpse of a whale. In summer, the trip also visits Lundey, where puffins gather in remarkable numbers.

I like the close-to-the-water view and the way the captain can move quickly when whales appear farther out. I also like the warm waterproof overalls, which make this much more comfortable than it sounds. The catch is simple: the ride can be cold and choppy, and wildlife is never on a schedule. Bring a hat and good gloves.

Key points at a glance

• Small RIB, maximum 12 passengers: You get an open view from nearly every seat and less time waiting for the boat to reposition.
• Puffins from April 15 to August 20: Lundey is the seasonal highlight, with birds on the water, in flight, and on the island’s cliffs.
• Whales are the main event: Humpbacks are common sightings, with minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and occasional blue whales also possible.
• Guides add real wildlife detail: Guides including Austin, Iñaki, Ignacio, and others explain whale behavior, seabirds, safety, and the bay.
• Warm suits are supplied: Water-resistant overalls, rain gear if needed, and life vests are included.
• The ride is part of the attraction: You can cover a large area in two hours, but the speed and open air are not ideal for everyone.

Why this Húsavík whale tour feels different

Húsavík is one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching ports, and Skjálfandi Bay offers a wide mix of marine life. More than 10 whale and dolphin species are known to visit the bay during the year. The list includes humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

This tour uses a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, rather than a large sightseeing vessel. That choice changes the mood. You sit close to the water, feel the boat respond quickly, and can move across a large section of the bay in a short time. When a whale is spotted in the distance, the captain can head toward the area without the slow turn of a larger ship.

I see this as a wildlife trip with a built-in thrill ride. The speed is useful, not just flashy. It gives the crew more chances to search different parts of the bay during the two-hour outing.

The small capacity matters just as much. With 12 seats or fewer, you do not have to fight for a railing position. The open design also lets you look in several directions, which is useful when a whale surfaces only briefly.

The tradeoff is comfort. A large boat usually gives you more room to walk around and may feel steadier. This RIB is more exposed to wind, spray, and wave movement. If you prefer a calm indoor cabin, choose a larger vessel instead.

From Hafnarstétt 11 to the open bay

The meeting point is the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11. It shares a building with North Sailing, across the road from Húsavík’s famous church. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure, not at the last minute.

The pre-trip routine is practical. You receive the required warm water-resistant overall, and rain gear is available if needed. You also get a life vest. The suit is compulsory under Icelandic rules, and it makes a real difference once the boat leaves the shelter of the harbor.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm layers underneath. The suit protects your body, but your hands and head remain exposed. Several people found gloves especially important, and one guest who forgot theirs was helped with a spare pair. Still, pack your own warm hat and gloves rather than counting on that.

A short safety briefing follows in Húsavík. Your English-speaking guide and captain explain how to sit, hold on, and behave around wildlife. The crew has also helped passengers with motion sickness and other concerns, but this is still an active boat trip. The stated minimum is age eight or height 130 centimeters, and the experience is not suitable for pregnant people or those with serious back, heart, mobility, or epilepsy concerns without prior discussion with the operator.

Lundey, the island of puffins

From April 15 through August 20, the boat heads to Lundey, known as Puffin Island. This is one of the most appealing parts of the trip for anyone visiting Iceland during the brighter months.

Puffins may be on the sea, flying around the RIB, or gathered on the island’s cliffs. In the strongest sightings, you can see hundreds or even thousands. Their quick wingbeats and bright bills make them easy to spot, though your camera may struggle to keep up.

The RIB is useful here because it can circle at a respectful distance while giving passengers several angles for photos. You will not be walking onto the island. This is a boat-based viewing stop, with the birds and cliffs as the subject.

Lundey also gives the trip a welcome change of pace. Whale watching often means waiting, scanning, and reacting to a distant blow. Puffin Island provides a clear wildlife target early in the journey, especially in summer when the birds are present.

Do not book this tour expecting puffins outside the stated season. From roughly August 21 through April 14, the outing becomes a big-whale tour only. You may still see seabirds or other marine life, but Lundey is not being offered as the puffin stop.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After the island, the crew focuses on Skjálfandi Bay. The guide watches for blows, fins, backs, and changes in bird activity, while the captain works out the best route. The crew may choose a search area different from other boats, which can pay off. One trip reached blue whales after moving to another part of the bay.

Humpbacks are the most frequently reported highlight on this experience. Sightings have included single whales, groups of several humpbacks, repeated surfacing, breaches, tail displays, and a mother with a calf. One group saw a humpback return to the surface about 10 times, while another watched a whale breach several times and slap its flippers for more than 20 minutes.

These moments are luck, not a promise. You might see several whales close to the boat, or only one whale surfacing briefly. One outing produced a single whale, but the fast RIB still reached it quickly and gave the group a close look. The crew cannot control the animals, the weather, or the amount of time a whale stays at the surface.

Other sightings can include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, and even a walrus. Blue whales have also been seen, though they should be treated as a fortunate bonus rather than an expected part of the route.

The guide’s explanations improve the waiting time. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, Ignacio, Zina, and others have been praised for explaining whale behavior, seabirds, and ocean safety in a lively way. Some guides have marine biology backgrounds, and the crew can sometimes identify individual humpbacks by their markings or habits.

Tjörnes Peninsula and the scenery between sightings

The route also gives you views of the Tjörnes Peninsula, known for fossil layers dating back as far as two million years. You may not get a geology lecture as long as a museum visit, but the peninsula adds a useful sense of time to the trip. You are not only looking at animals in the water. You are moving through a bay shaped by a much older natural story.

The scenery is strongest when the weather is clear. You may see cliffs, open water, the peninsula, seabirds, and the rugged edges of the bay from a low position on the sea. Even a quieter whale trip can still feel worthwhile because the boat ride itself offers changing views.

The RIB’s speed can make the scenery pass quickly. If you want a slow, quiet cruise with time to sit and gaze, a traditional vessel may suit you better. If you like movement and want to search a wide area, the RIB has the better fit.

What the two-hour duration really means

Two hours is a smart length for this type of excursion. It is long enough to reach the whale grounds, visit Lundey in season, and spend meaningful time searching. It is also short enough that the cold and motion are less likely to wear you down than on a much longer sea trip.

Still, two hours can feel brief if the animals are scarce or the bay is rough. One person wished for more time when whales were not appearing. You should think of this as a focused wildlife outing, not a full-day expedition with unlimited search time.

The crew’s ability to cover distance helps make the schedule work. A large boat may spend more time getting to a sighting, while the RIB can move rapidly across the bay. That does not guarantee more whales, but it gives the captain more flexibility.

Late evening departures can also be appealing in summer. Húsavík has long daylight, and a July trip as late as 10:30 p.m. can still take place in bright conditions. Check the available departure time for your date, since the schedule varies.

Cold-weather gear and the comfort question

The provided suit is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. It is warm, water resistant, and compulsory, so you do not need to rent a full set of specialist clothing. Rain gear can be added if conditions call for it.

You should still dress seriously. Wear warm layers beneath the suit, and bring a fleece or similar mid-layer if you have one. A hat and gloves are not included. Your hands can become cold while you hold on or use a camera, and the bay may feel colder than Húsavík’s harbor.

Sizing is more flexible than some visitors expect. Suits have been available up to 8XL, and the crew has worked with passengers who had concerns about fit or back pain. If you have a health issue, contact the local operator before booking so they can discuss possible assistance.

The ride may be choppy. Several people found that exciting, while others should think twice if they have back problems or motion sensitivity. Open air can help some people who normally get seasick, but no small boat is completely free of motion.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Iceland. You are paying for a two-hour trip in a small boat, a captain, a dedicated wildlife guide, protective clothing, and the ability to travel quickly across the bay.

I think the price makes sense if you value a small group and close access. A 12-seat RIB feels more personal than a large sightseeing boat, and the captain can react quickly when a whale appears. You also avoid spending much of the trip waiting for a big vessel to reposition.

The value is less clear if your main goal is simply to get on the water at the lowest possible cost. A larger boat may offer a more relaxed ride, more indoor shelter, and a lower price. The RIB is worth the extra money mainly because of its speed, scale, and open viewing position.

The strongest value comes in summer, when you can combine puffins, whales, dolphins, and the bay’s scenery in one short outing. Outside puffin season, you are paying for the whale search and the boat experience alone.

Who should book this Húsavík RIB tour?

I would choose this tour for an active couple, a family with older children, or anyone who wants a more exciting alternative to a standard whale boat. The minimum age is eight, with a minimum height of 130 centimeters, and the trip is a good match for children who can handle cold, spray, and a lively ride.

It also suits photographers who want a clear view and quick access to changing wildlife sightings. You will need to protect your camera from spray and keep your hands warm, but the small boat gives you a better chance of seeing action from more than one angle.

I would be cautious if you are pregnant, have significant back or heart problems, or dislike boat motion. Weather can also change the plan. The operator may cancel for bad weather, too few bookings, or other reasons, offering another departure or a full refund.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Iceland route depends on weather, though you should still leave room in your schedule in case conditions force a change.

My verdict: choose the RIB if speed matters

I would book this tour if I wanted the best chance of reaching whale sightings quickly and liked the idea of a lively ride rather than a quiet cruise. The small group, warm suits, strong guides, and seasonal visit to Lundey give it real substance beyond the speedboat novelty.

Choose it in summer if puffins matter to you, and bring serious gloves in any season. If you want a steady indoor boat or the lowest price, compare larger vessels. If you want whales, puffins, dolphins, open water, and a little Icelandic spray in your face, this is a strong two-hour choice from Húsavík.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at Húsavík Adventures’ ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, across the road from Húsavík’s famous church. The office shares a building with North Sailing.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in, clothing, and the safety briefing.

How long is the tour?

The boat trip lasts two hours, including the route to Lundey during puffin season and whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay.

Is Puffin Island visited all year?

No. Lundey is visited during the puffin season, which runs approximately from April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the tour focuses on big whales.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, puffins, seals, and other marine life. Blue whales and walruses have also been seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What clothing is provided?

The tour provides warm water-resistant overalls, rain gear if needed, and life vests.

Should I bring a hat and gloves?

Yes. Hats and gloves are not included, and the bay can be cold. Warm layers and comfortable shoes are also recommended.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is eight years, or 130 centimeters in height. Contact the local operator if a child is slightly under 130 centimeters.

Is the tour suitable for people with health concerns?

It is not suitable for pregnant people or those with back or heart problems. If you have epilepsy, mobility concerns, or another health issue, contact the operator before booking to discuss assistance.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

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