The 15 Whale Watching Trips That Earn Their Price

1.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175Our pick

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB safari across Skjálfandi Bay. A guide such as Matteo or Carla may lead you to puffins, dolphins, humpbacks, or blue whales. The boat carries up to 12 people, moves quickly between sightings, and includes warm safety overalls.

“It was PERFECT! Thank you for everything . We had a lucky to see a biggest whale in the world - BLUE whale! I recommend this tour to everyone”

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2.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

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

Join a guide and captain aboard a 12-seat RIB for two hours on Skjálfandi Bay. From April 15 to August 20, the route includes Lundey, or Puffin Island. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, and Ignacio add wildlife insight, while the fast boat helps you reach whale sightings quickly.

“Amazing tour with very knowledgable staff! I remember Robert the boat drivers name but spacing the tall guides name from spain- both were AMAZING. Made sure we saw some whales and were equally as excited about it. Amazing guide!! Im sorry i dont remember your name but you were awesome!!❤️❤️”

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3.Newfoundland Puffin and Whale Watch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 837 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $94Top rated

From Bay Bulls, join Gatherall’s 90-minute catamaran cruise to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Expect puffins from mid-May, whales mainly from mid-June to mid-August, icebergs in May and June, live commentary, Newfoundland songs, and an indoor cabin if the North Atlantic turns rough.

“Very entertaining, informative and we saw whales and puffins! Loved all the songs and info along the way!”

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4.Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · from $185

Join Raggy Charters at 8am for a four-hour catamaran cruise from Port Elizabeth. With a maximum of 20 people and guides such as Jake sharing local marine knowledge, you search for whales, dolphins, penguins, seals, and seabirds around Algoa Bay and St. Croix Island.

“Jake and his crew shared their expert knowledge of local marine wildlife and went out of their way to make our voyage a memorable one. The highlight of the trip was spotting a mother and baby humpback whale and sailing with the dolphins. Read more”

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5.2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 557 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

From Bay Bulls, join an English-speaking naturalist crew for a two-hour cruise around Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. Expect huge seabird colonies, puffins, auks, and possible whales or dolphins. Guide Noah has entertained passengers with local songs, while the family-run crew adds fishing and screech-ins on some trips.

“We were accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, Noah, who even sang folk songs. We were blessed to have a sunny day. Too early for whales or Icebergs but just being on the water and observing seabirds in their natural habitat was well worth it!”

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6.Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 552 reviews · 4 hours · from $153

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, you take two separate cruises: a shallow-draft boat to puffin islands and a larger vessel into Faxaflói Bay for whales. Guides such as Patrick, Alex, and Oscar bring useful facts and humor. Choose classic or express whale watching, and borrow binoculars for the birds.

“Great day. Trip was well paced and all the landmarks we visited were we'll worth seeing”

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7.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203

Set out from Húsavík Adventures in a RIB boat carrying no more than 12 people. A captain and wildlife guide search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins. Warm overalls and life jackets are supplied, but bring gloves and a hat.

“They take you on the water, stop to see the puffins home and provide you with some informative information. Then we had a chance to see a couple families of white nosed dolphins, and 4 whales on the trip! One of the best tours I have ever done!”

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8.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 across Skjálfandi Bay. A live English-speaking guide points out whales, dolphins, puffins, and seabirds from a traditional oak boat. Warm overalls, hot cocoa, and a cinnamon bun help take the edge off the cold.

“We found whales in the third hour of the trip, so we spent only half to an hour with whales, was a pity. We would rather join tours that only go for whales and skip the puffins, the puffins were pretty far away and we had better look at puffins onshore at other places. The guides were OK, but wasn’t very enthusiastic or excited. The full body jumpsuits provided were amazing, kept us dry and warm.”

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9.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB safari through Skjálfandi Bay. Guides such as Clara, Mario, Miro, and Victoria share sharp wildlife commentary while the captain searches for humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and seasonal puffins near Lundey, or Puffin Island.

“So it was early in the season, so we were a bit worried if we would see anything. Lets just saw we walked away stunned. Saw a couple of humpback whales within the first 20 mins, and then found a blue whale. The tour guide went speechless for about a min, she was just as amazed as we were. We tracked it for about 30 mins. The boat and captain were great, saw the larger boats in the distance, but they could not pivot quickly enough to catch it like we did. Probably one of the biggest highlights of the trip.”

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10.Dolphin – Whale – Turtle – Bird Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60Best value

Set out from Funchal with two guides, including marine biologist Clara on some departures, aboard a fast RIB limited to 18 people. Land-based spotters help locate dolphins and whales, while the crew explains Madeira’s wildlife, coast, and history. The two-hour trip may also include turtles, seabirds, and Camara do Lobos.

“Excellent experience. Super friendly and super simple process booking and boarding. With seeing animals it’s always a bit of a gamble. Saw amazing dolphins and even a baby dolphin. Highly recommend.”

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11.Bleik: Whale Watching by Speedboat with Puffins and Muffins

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 326 reviews · 3h 30m · from $199

From Bleik Marina, an English-speaking guide and skipper take up to 12 people by warm-suit-equipped RIB into Bleik Canyon. Look for sperm whales, orcas, pilot whales, puffins, seals, and eagles, then warm up with photos, tea, coffee, and muffins.

“We ha a wonderful whalewatching Trip. We sa a spermwhale diving, puffins and eagles.”

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12.Full-Day Whales, Penguins, and Glaciers Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 325 reviews · 14 hours · from $365

Start near central Punta Arenas, ride south to board a comfortable vessel, then spend the day around Cape Froward and Francisco Coloane Marine Park. You may see humpback whales, Magellanic penguins, sea lions, dolphins, seabirds, waterfalls, and glaciers. English and Spanish guides, meals, snacks, and hot drinks are included.

“Was amazing. We saw whales and a lots of animals. Professional guide. Everything was perfect.”

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13.Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 293 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join a small group of up to 12 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB ride with a trained guide, often a marine biologist. Visit puffin islands, search for whales and dolphins, and return past Harpa and Sun Voyager. Warm suits, gloves, and goggles are provided.

“Everything was fantastic, the guide was knowledgeable and the whole experience well organised and very enjoyable, and a bonus we saw hump back whales and the Puffins!”

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14.Iceland Super Saver: Puffin Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 110 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $156

Join Special Tours Iceland for two separate boat trips from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: a short cruise around Akurey for puffins, followed by a longer search for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Guides such as Jo, Lucas, Blanca, and Patrick have led memorable outings, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Our (puffin) guide, Patrick, was a hoot! I could have sworn he was from the US Midwest, because to me he had no accent. He was very funny while being informative as well. Saw lots of puffins. The whale watching was fantastic as well. Although we didn’t see any whales, we did see many dolphins and porpoises.”

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15.Whale and Puffin Watching around Skjálfandi Bay from Husavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $139

Join North Sailing in Húsavík for a 3.5-hour cruise around Skjálfandi Bay. A professional guide helps you spot humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and puffins on Puffin Island. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and cinnamon buns are included, but puffins may be seen from a distance.

“We saw a Blue whale and puffins and milkys! And humpback whale breaching! What an incredible experience”

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