Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Skjálfandi Bay is one of Iceland’s best places to look for whales, and this 12-passenger RIB gives you a quick, nimble way to search it. The boat covers more water than a slower vessel, which matters when whales surface for only a few seconds. In puffin season, you also stop near an island crowded with nesting birds.

I like the small group size and the useful warm gear, which let you focus on the bay instead of fighting for a view or shivering in Icelandic weather. I also like the crew’s wildlife focus. Guides such as Matteo, Carla, Jo, and Beatriz have been praised for clear explanations and sharp spotting skills. The tradeoff is a rougher ride, especially in wind and rain, and the $175 price is higher than a standard boat trip.

Key points before you book

• Fast RIB boat: Reach distant whale sightings quickly and spend less time simply crossing the bay.
• Maximum 12 passengers: You get open sightlines without a large crowd blocking your view.
• Puffin Island in season: Visit approximately April 15 through August 15, though puffins are viewed from the boat rather than up close.
• Warm protective clothing: A safety overall is required and supplied, with rain jackets available if needed.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You may see humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, porpoises, or puffins, but conditions can change the route.
• Active ride: The boat can bounce hard in poor weather, so this is not a good choice for people with back or heart problems.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Skjálfandi Bay

The main reason to choose this tour is speed. A RIB can move rapidly toward a whale reported by the guide or captain, rather than spending most of the two hours traveling from one part of the bay to another. Several strong outings included repeated humpback sightings, dolphins, and, on rare occasions, blue whales and bottlenose whales.

That speed does not mean you chase whales recklessly. The captain changes direction as animals surface, while the guide explains behavior and helps you know where to look. The best moments can be brief: a back breaking the surface, a tail disappearing, or a whale rising beside the boat before the bay goes quiet again.

The boat is also more spacious than many smaller RIBs in the area. With no more than 12 people aboard, you have a better chance of seeing over the sides and moving your head freely when an animal appears. You will still need to pay attention and turn quickly. A whale is not going to pose politely for every camera.

Leaving Húsavík with the right gear

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík, marked by large blue flags. Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That extra time is used for check-in, clothing, and the safety briefing, so arriving late could create real stress.

The company supplies a warm safety overall, which is obligatory, along with a life jacket. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still arrive in warm, waterproof outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes. Iceland’s summer weather can turn from calm sunshine to cold rain in a short time, and the boat ride makes wind feel stronger.

Leave luggage and large bags behind. Bring only what you can manage safely on a moving boat. A small camera or phone may be useful, but hold it securely and do not let photography distract you from the water. The guides are there to help you spot animals, not just to drive you around the bay.

The safety talk covers how to sit, hold on, and behave aboard the RIB. Listen carefully. This is a fast boat on open water, not a sightseeing bus with a marine view.

Puffin Island from April to August

When conditions allow, Puffin Island is the first major stop. The nesting period runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. At the right time of year, you can see large numbers of puffins gathered around the island, along with other seabirds.

Puffins are especially appealing because they look almost comical, with colorful bills and quick, flapping movements. From the boat, you get a broad view of the colony and the island’s rocky setting. You should not expect a close-up encounter. One useful point from the trip feedback is that the puffins can feel somewhat distant, even when there are thousands of them.

The puffin stop is best understood as part of a wider wildlife trip, not a dedicated bird photography outing. If you want close bird portraits, this may frustrate you. If you enjoy seeing a nesting colony in its natural setting, it adds a memorable second act before the whale search.

Puffin Island is also weather dependent. If sea conditions shift, the captain may skip it, even with little notice. Outside the puffin season, the tour puts more emphasis on whales and other marine life.

Searching for whales across the bay

After the island, the RIB moves into Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide provides live commentary in English, pointing out marine life, seabirds, and the surrounding views while the captain searches for activity.

Humpback whales are among the most common headline sightings on this experience. Several outings recorded multiple humpbacks, with one group seeing nearly a dozen and another watching a full breach. Humpbacks may surface repeatedly, so you might get more than one look at the same animal. A whale known as Polly was sighted early on one trip and remained near the boat for more than an hour.

Other possible sightings include blue whales, bottlenose whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Blue whales are not promised, but seeing the largest animal on Earth would be an exceptional moment. Bottlenose whales can appear close to the boat, sometimes with a calf. Dolphin pods may also turn the trip into a fast-moving show, especially when they surface beside the RIB.

The captain’s skill matters here. The boat needs to reach a sighting promptly, then approach responsibly. Good positioning gives people on both sides a fair chance to see the animal. The guides also help you understand what you are seeing, rather than leaving you to guess whether that dark shape was a whale or a wave.

Do not measure the trip only by the number of whales. Wildlife moves on its own schedule. One outing had poor visibility from sea fog and no whales on the first attempt, while a later trip produced several sightings. Another group searched through wind and rain for nearly the entire tour, then saw bottlenose whales beside the boat in the final minutes.

That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is also the main risk of spending $175.

What the ride feels like in real weather

A RIB is exciting because it is fast and close to the water. It is also more exposed than a large oak boat. In calm conditions, the ride can feel smooth and thrilling. In wind and rain, it can become bumpy enough to feel like a roller coaster.

One outing specifically warned that sea sickness was likely in rough conditions. If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully before choosing the speedboat. The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or anyone shorter than 130 centimeters, or about 4 feet 3 inches.

The restrictions are not minor fine print. You sit in a moving boat for two hours, and the ride may involve sudden turns and hard bumps. The speed and compact group are major advantages for whale spotting, but they ask more of your body.

I would choose this boat on a calm forecast and think twice if strong wind is expected. The tour runs only in favorable weather. If bad weather cancels it, you can move to another date or receive a full refund.

Guide quality and the value of live explanation

The guide can make the difference between seeing a whale and understanding the encounter. Guides including Jo, Matteo, Carla, Clara, Beatriz, Fabio, Louisa, and Josephine have been praised for enthusiasm, wildlife facts, and help with the protective clothing.

Marine biologist Matteo was especially useful for explaining animal behavior. Other guides have helped passengers find whales, answered questions, and kept the mood upbeat during long searches. Some guides may be harder to understand because English is not their first language, so do not expect every explanation to be perfectly clear.

The commentary covers whales, puffins, dolphins, seabirds, and the marine environment around Húsavík. That makes the trip more than a quick ride toward a distant fin. You learn why a whale surfaces as it does, why a puffin colony gathers in one place, and why the captain changes direction.

The small group helps here. A guide can address questions without shouting across a packed deck, and people have a better chance of hearing instructions. It also creates a more personal feel than a large boat, though the experience remains active and fast rather than quiet and formal.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is a premium whale trip. You are paying for a faster boat, a maximum group of 12, supplied protective clothing, a specialized guide, and the chance to reach sightings quickly. You are not paying for a guaranteed whale encounter.

The value is strongest if you care about access and time on the water. A fast RIB can get to a whale sooner and may let you watch from a closer position than a slower, more crowded vessel. Several outings also lasted more than two hours when the crew stayed with active wildlife, though the stated duration is two hours and you should not count on extra time.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a gentle, dry ride or a guaranteed puffin photo. The island visit is seasonal and weather dependent, and the birds may remain too far away for detailed pictures. The ride can be uncomfortable for anyone sensitive to motion.

There is a useful backup policy if no whales or dolphins are seen. You are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip on an oak boat. That gives you another chance, but it is not a cash refund. The policy protects your chance to see whales, not your original schedule.

The activity currently carries a 4.7 rating from 1,221 ratings, with 91 percent giving the transport a perfect score. Those figures fit the experience’s strengths: strong crew effort, fast access to sightings, and a memorable boat ride. They do not remove the basic fact that nature controls the result.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active wildlife outing and prefer a smaller boat. It suits people who value speed, open views, and the chance to see several types of marine life in one morning or afternoon.

It is also a good choice if you are deciding between a large boat and a RIB. The RIB offers more excitement and faster movement. The larger oak boat is likely the better fallback if you want a calmer ride, especially after a poor-weather forecast.

Families should check the age and height rules carefully. Children under eight cannot join, and anyone under 130 centimeters is not permitted. People with back or heart conditions, pregnant women, and wheelchair users should choose another activity.

Bring warm clothes even if Húsavík looks pleasant at departure. Put on waterproof layers before boarding, not after the first spray reaches you. And arrive 40 minutes early so the gear fitting and briefing do not eat into your time on the bay.

Should you book the Big Whale Safari?

Book this tour if your priority is the best practical chance of reaching whales across Skjálfandi Bay, and if you enjoy a fast, bumpy ride. The small group, warm suits, active captain, and strong guide team make the higher price easier to justify.

Skip it if you dislike rough water, need a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or mainly want close puffin photographs. For most able-bodied visitors who accept the uncertainty of nature, this is a lively and well-organized way to meet Húsavík’s marine life.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

Meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure for check-in, safety instructions, and fitting your warm safety overall and life jacket.

How long is the tour?

The stated duration is two hours.

What language is the tour in?

The live guided tour is in English.

Is Puffin Island visited all year?

No. Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour focuses more on whales.

Can the boat skip Puffin Island?

Yes. Weather or sea conditions may change, and the captain may skip the island even with short notice.

What whales might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, blue whales, and bottlenose whales. Dolphins and harbor porpoises may also appear.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no whales or dolphins are seen, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat, but no refund is given.

What clothing is provided?

A warm safety overall is provided and required. Rain jackets are available if needed. You should still bring warm, waterproof outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes.

Who cannot join the RIB tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, or people under 130 centimeters tall. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.