Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Húsavík’s small RIB boat gives you a better chance of reaching whales quickly than a large sightseeing ship. In Skjálfandi Bay, the crew may find humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, or even a blue whale, while the open boat gives everyone a clear view. I like the limited group of 12 and the warm protective suit. The tradeoff is a cold, bouncy ride, so bring serious gloves and dress in layers.

I also like that the tour changes with the season. From April 15 to August 20, you visit Lundey, or Puffin Island, before searching for whales. Outside puffin season, the trip focuses only on big whales. Guides such as Austin, Inaki, Ignacio, and Sofie have earned praise for their wildlife knowledge and calm handling of the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast RIB, maximum 12 passengers: The boat can cover a lot of water and move quickly toward a whale sighting, while the small group keeps views open.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: Lundey is part of the trip from about April 15 through August 20 only.
• Skjálfandi Bay has varied wildlife: Humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, seals, and occasional blue whales or walruses may appear.
• Protective clothing is supplied: You get a warm, water-resistant overall, rain gear if needed, and a life vest.
• The sea can be rough and cold: Hats and gloves are not included, and high-quality gloves are especially useful.
• This is an active boat ride: The minimum age is 8 years, or 130 centimeters in height, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant people or those with certain heart, back, or mobility problems.

Why the RIB makes a real difference in Húsavík

The main reason to choose this trip is speed. A rigid inflatable boat can cover a large section of Skjálfandi Bay during a two-hour outing, then move quickly when a whale appears. That matters because marine wildlife does not wait beside the harbor for its portrait.

A large boat can offer a steadier ride, indoor seating, and more room to walk around. This RIB offers something else: a small group, quick movement, and a close-to-the-water view. With no more than 12 passengers, you are not fighting a crowd for the best angle. The boat can also approach an active area faster than slower vessels, though the captain still has to respect the animals and local safety rules.

The speed is part of the fun. Several passengers describe the ride as exhilarating, especially when the crew spots a whale and heads toward it. That same speed can make the trip choppy. I would not book this as a quiet cruise. Think of it as a wildlife search mixed with a brisk sea ride.

The tour has a strong record of sightings, but no whale trip can promise a particular species or number of animals. Humpbacks appear often in the supplied trip reports, along with dolphins and puffins in summer. Blue whales, seals, and a walrus have also been seen, but these are fortunate extras rather than something to expect.

From Hafnarstétt 11 to the open bay

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, opposite the town’s famous church. The office shares its building with North Sailing, so allow 30 minutes before departure for check-in, clothing, and the safety briefing.

The team outfits you in a warm water-resistant overall. You also receive a life vest, and rain gear is available if needed. The suit is compulsory under Icelandic rules, but it is more than a box-ticking exercise. The water around Húsavík can feel cold even on a pleasant summer day, and the boat’s speed creates a steady blast of air.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes underneath the supplied suit. Bring your own hat and gloves. Your hands are exposed more than the rest of you, and one June passenger specifically stressed the value of high-quality gloves. The company has sometimes been able to lend spare caps or gloves, but you should not count on that.

The briefing covers safety and what to expect on the water. Guides and captains have been praised for taking care of passengers who felt unwell, but seasickness pills are not included. If you know you are prone to motion sickness, bring your own medication and check that it is suitable for you.

Once everyone is dressed, the boat leaves Húsavík and heads into Skjálfandi Bay. The town quickly gives way to wide water, mountain views, and the Tjörnes peninsula. The peninsula is especially interesting for its fossil layers, with the oldest mentioned layers dating back about two million years. You may not spend much time discussing geology while watching for a whale, but this detail adds useful context to the scenery.

Lundey, the island full of puffins

From April 15 through August 20, the route includes Lundey, commonly called Puffin Island. The island is known for its large puffin population, and summer trips can bring views of birds flying over the water, resting on the sea, or gathered on the cliffs.

This stop is not a walk ashore. The boat makes a photo and viewing stop from the water, allowing you to see the island without disturbing the nesting birds. The attraction is scale. A few puffins are charming, but large numbers moving between the cliffs and sea can make the island feel alive from a distance.

Puffins are small, so binoculars would be useful if you have them, though the close boat position and open view help. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole stop looking at a screen. The birds are quick, and the surrounding water and cliffs are part of the scene.

Timing matters here. If you book from late August through winter, you will not visit Lundey as a puffin stop. The tour then becomes a big-whale outing. That is not a lesser trip, but it is a different product. Summer is the best choice if puffins are high on your list. Outside summer, book it for the whale search and the fast boat, not for seabirds.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After the island, the boat works across Skjálfandi Bay for the main two-hour wildlife search. The guide watches the water, explains animal behavior, and helps you understand what you are seeing. A whale’s back may surface for only a moment, so the guide’s eyes and experience can save you from staring at an empty patch of sea.

Humpback whales are the most frequently reported highlight in the supplied trip details. You might see one surface several times, raise its tail, or feed near the boat. Some outings have found several individual humpbacks, including a mother and young whale together. A few passengers saw repeated breaches, while others had a quieter encounter with one whale. Both are normal outcomes in the wild.

Minke whales and white-beaked dolphins are also associated with the bay. Porpoises, seals, and the occasional blue whale add to the list of possible sightings. One outing reached an alternative search area and found blue whales while other boats searched elsewhere. That shows why the crew may not follow a fixed path every time.

The aim is to get a good view without interrupting the animals. The boat may come close, but the captain and guide control the approach. This balance is important. A close sighting is thrilling, yet the best operators let the whale decide what happens next. The crew has been praised for backing off and keeping the animals’ space in mind.

You may hear the guide identify individual humpbacks by their markings or physical traits. Guides with marine biology backgrounds have also explained seabirds, whale behavior, and ocean safety in a way that connects the sighting to the wider bay. Names that appear in the supplied trip details include Austin, Inaki, Ignacio, Alessandra, Zina, Martin, and Sofie. Staff can vary by departure, but the pattern is clear: the guide is not just pointing at fins. You receive a running explanation of the animals and the place.

What the two-hour length means

Two hours is a useful middle ground. You get enough time to leave the harbor, visit Lundey in season, search a wide area, and return without giving up half a day. That makes the trip easy to fit into a Húsavík stop or a longer drive around northeastern Iceland.

The short duration also means the crew must use time well. If whales are nearby, you can spend more time watching them. If sightings are scarce, the boat needs to keep moving and searching. One passenger wished for more time when whales were not appearing, which is a fair point. A longer trip would offer more search time, but it would also cost more time, money, and energy.

Do not judge the experience only by the number of whales. You may spend part of the trip watching seabirds, cliffs, the Tjörnes peninsula, and changing sea conditions. The guides help turn those quiet stretches into part of the outing rather than dead time.

Cold, wet, and bouncy: preparing for comfort

The supplied overall is the most important comfort feature, but it does not replace warm layers. Wear fleece, wool, or other insulating clothing underneath. Add a hat that fits comfortably under the hood and gloves that still let you hold a camera.

The outer suit is water resistant, not a guarantee that you will feel completely dry in every condition. Some passengers describe the trip as wet and cold, especially when the bay is choppy. The open air helps some people who normally suffer from motion sickness, but the RIB can still move sharply across the water.

The boat ride is not suitable for everyone. The minimum age is 8, or 130 centimeters in height. Pregnant people and those with back or heart problems should not book it. Epilepsy, mobility concerns, or other health issues should be discussed with the local provider before departure. The company can sometimes arrange assistance, but approval should come first.

Weather controls the schedule. The operator can cancel if conditions are unsafe or if fewer than four people are booked. You should keep some flexibility in your Iceland plans, especially during unsettled weather. If the company cancels, you are offered another departure or a full refund.

Is $198 a fair price?

At $198 per person, this is not the budget whale option. You are paying for a small boat, a two-hour guided trip, protective gear, and the ability to travel quickly across the bay. The 12-seat limit is the key value point. If you dislike crowded boats and want a clear view from almost anywhere onboard, the extra cost can make sense.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a gentle cruise or a guaranteed wildlife performance. Animals are free to move away, and a quiet trip remains possible. A larger vessel may suit you better if stability, indoor space, or a lower price matters more than speed.

I see the strongest value for people who have limited time in Húsavík and want to combine puffins and whales in one summer outing. The boat covers both goals in two hours. The fast return to a distant sighting can also matter when your day includes other stops.

No drinks or snacks are included. One passenger suggested that a hot drink afterward would be a welcome touch, and I agree. Bring what you need for your comfort before departure, and plan your own warm-up afterward.

Who should book this Húsavík speedboat tour?

I would choose this trip if you want an active outing, a small group, and the best chance of moving quickly between wildlife sightings. It suits couples, families with children who meet the age and height rules, photographers, and anyone who prefers a close outdoor experience to a large ship.

It is especially appealing in summer. Puffins add a second wildlife target, and the long daylight gives you more flexibility with departure times. One July departure ran at 10:30 p.m. and still had daylight at midnight, which shows how unusual Iceland’s summer timing can feel.

I would think twice if you dislike cold wind, rough water, or sudden boat movement. The captain may handle the boat carefully, but the sea sets the terms. People with back, heart, mobility, or pregnancy concerns should choose another activity unless the provider confirms that assistance is appropriate.

The trip has a 4.8 rating from 979 reviews, with 91 percent of customers giving the transport a perfect score. Those numbers fit the strongest pattern here: praise for the guides, safety, small group, and speed. They do not remove the basic uncertainty of wildlife watching.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, small-group whale trip and you understand that the ride can be cold and lively. From April 15 to August 20, it is a particularly good choice for combining puffins at Lundey with whales, dolphins, and the chance of a rarer sighting in Skjálfandi Bay.

Choose it over a larger boat when quick movement and clear views matter most. Choose a calmer cruise when comfort and stability come first. Bring strong gloves, warm layers, and realistic expectations, and the $198 price can be justified by the boat, gear, guide, and access to a wide stretch of bay in a short time.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík Big Whales and Puffin Island tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the boat ride through Skjálfandi Bay and the return to Húsavík.

When can I visit Puffin Island?

Puffin Island, or Lundey, is included during the puffin season, approximately April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the tour focuses on big whales.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, puffins, seals, and occasionally blue whales or walruses.

How many people are on the RIB boat?

The guided RIB has space for up to 12 passengers. The tour requires at least four people to operate.

What clothing is provided?

You receive a warm water-resistant overall and a life vest. A raincoat is available if needed. Hats and gloves are not included.

What is the minimum age for the tour?

The minimum age is 8 years, or 130 centimeters in height. If a child is slightly under 130 centimeters, contact the local provider before booking.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.