Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

A RIB speedboat gives you a lively way to search Skjálfandi Bay. The boat can cover more water than a larger whale-watching vessel and turn quickly when a humpback, minke whale, dolphin pod, or even a blue whale appears. Small groups of no more than 12 people also give you a clear view and room to pay attention.

I like the warm flotation overalls, which matter when the air is near freezing, and I like the crew’s mix of wildlife knowledge and careful boat handling. Guides including Clara, Victoria, Mario, Nicoletta, and Miro have been singled out for clear explanations and real enthusiasm. The trade-off is a bouncy, cold ride, and puffins can be too far away for a good phone photo.

Key points before you book

• Up to two hours on the bay: The trip focuses on whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins.
• A fast, agile RIB: The boat can reach more of Skjálfandi Bay and change direction quickly when wildlife appears.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: Puffin trips generally run from April 15 through August 15.
• Maximum of 12 people: This is a more personal outing than a large boat cruise.
• Warm safety gear is supplied: You must wear the provided overalls, with rain jackets available if needed.
• A sighting is never guaranteed: The company reports whale chances of up to 99 percent, but no refund is offered if no whale or dolphin appears.

Setting out from Húsavík, Iceland’s whale-watching center

The tour leaves from the Gentle Giants ticket center on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The harbor is within walking distance of most Húsavík accommodations, so you do not need to arrange a separate transfer in town. The supplied location information lists Akureyri, but the actual meeting point for this experience is in Húsavík, about 40 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. You need time to check in, receive the safety briefing, and put on the one-piece warm overalls. Staff help you get dressed, which is useful when you are managing layers, life vest, and cold-weather gear in a busy harbor office.

Bring warm clothing even though the company supplies protective gear. Wear a warm base layer, gloves, and a hat if you have them, and keep your phone in a secure pocket. A small camera with a zoom lens is more useful than a phone for puffins sitting on the island.

The tour is offered in English. It requires favorable weather and a minimum number of passengers. If poor conditions cancel the departure, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum group size is not reached.

Why the RIB changes the whale-watching experience

The boat is not simply a smaller version of a standard cruise boat. Its narrow shape, individual seats, and powerful motor make the ride more active. You sit on a separate seat much like a motorcycle or snowmobile seat, rather than on a long bench.

That setup helps the boat move quickly, but it also means you should expect jolts when the RIB meets a wave. One useful tip is to keep your knees bent and follow the movement of the boat. On faster stretches, you may need to rise slightly with the motion rather than sit rigidly. This matters for your back, especially in rougher water.

The captain’s job is a major part of the experience. A skilled driver can approach wildlife carefully, hold the boat in a good viewing position, and turn quickly when a whale surfaces in another direction. The crew has handled calm water and rougher conditions, including waves reported at about six feet, though conditions vary from one departure to the next.

The small boat also gives you a closer connection to the water. You hear the waves, feel the spray, and have a wide view without a high cabin roof blocking your sightline. The cost is less shelter and a greater chance of getting wet or cold.

Stop one: searching for whales in Skjálfandi Bay

The main part of the two-hour trip is a search through Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide keeps watch and explains the animals you encounter, while the captain works out where to go next. The guide may point out a blow, dorsal fin, tail, or a sudden splash before you see it yourself.

The bay can produce a wide range of sightings. Humpback whales are among the most frequently mentioned animals, and some trips have included several individuals surfacing near the boat. Minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and three different whale species have also appeared.

A lucky departure can be remarkable. One outing found humpbacks within the first 20 minutes and then located a blue whale, tracking it for about half an hour. Other trips have included dolphins leaping around the RIB, a humpback slapping its tail, or repeated sightings of the same whales as they surfaced.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife moves freely, and the crew cannot produce a whale on demand. You may see several animals, but they may surface only briefly. A sighting can be a distant back, a blow, or a longer performance with repeated tail lifts. The company states that refunds are not available if you see no whales or dolphins, though you may receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip, depending on availability.

This policy makes the tour a better choice for people who value the experience of searching, not only a guaranteed photograph. If your trip depends entirely on a close whale encounter, consider booking early enough in your Iceland schedule to leave room for a second outing.

Puffin Island from April through August

During the breeding season, the trip can include a visit toward Puffin Island, locally known as Lundey. The approximate puffin season runs from April 15 through August 15. Outside that window, the emphasis shifts more heavily to whales.

The island can hold large numbers of nesting puffins, and you may also see birds resting on the sea or flying around the boat. The sight is often more impressive as a living mass of birds than as a close-up photo opportunity. The boat must keep a safe distance, and tides and sea conditions can affect how close it can approach.

This is where a zoom camera earns its space. Puffins on the island may look small through a phone, especially when the boat is moving. You can still see their flight and behavior, but do not book this trip expecting a guaranteed portrait-style puffin photograph.

The timing of your visit matters. An outing in late August may still offer excellent whale watching but no puffins at all. If puffins are your main goal, choose a date well within the April 15 to August 15 period and confirm that conditions allow the island visit. Even in season, rough water or changing conditions can lead the captain to skip the island.

Guides who add meaning to the sightings

The guide does more than point at wildlife. The best part of the commentary is the link between what you see and how the animal behaves. Guides such as Clara, Victoria, Mario, Nicoletta, and Miro have been praised for explaining species, migration habits, and marine life in a lively way.

The company assigns different guides, so you cannot count on a particular person unless the operator confirms it. Still, the pattern is clear: the guide and captain work as a team. The guide watches the water and explains the sighting, while the captain positions the RIB and keeps the ride controlled.

That teamwork matters when a whale surfaces only once. The crew may need to redirect the boat quickly, then tell you where to look. The small group helps here because the guide can give directions without competing with a large crowd.

I also like that the crew’s enthusiasm comes through without replacing the information. On several outings, guides were described as excited by unusual sightings such as a blue whale or a shy minke whale. That shared excitement can make a brief encounter feel more personal, while the commentary gives you a reason to notice more than just the animal’s size.

Cold, spray, and the real comfort level

The supplied overalls are one of the tour’s strongest practical features. They are thick, one-piece survival-style suits that help keep out wind and spray. Rain jackets are available if needed, and a safety vest is part of the standard preparation.

Do not mistake the suits for indoor warmth. You are still on open water in Iceland, and a fast RIB can feel cold even on a sunny day. One outing in near-freezing temperatures stayed comfortable because of the suits, while another person still described the ride as very cold despite seeing several whales.

Wear proper layers underneath. Warm socks, gloves, and a hat are sensible additions. Protect cameras and phones from spray, but keep them accessible enough to use when the boat is steady. You may get the best viewing by putting the phone away for most of the trip and watching the water with both eyes.

The RIB is not suitable for everyone. The operator excludes people with heart or back problems and pregnant women. The minimum age is eight, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with a fast, moving boat before booking.

Is $180.27 a fair price?

At about $180.27 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in northern Iceland. You are paying for a small-group boat, professional crew, warm safety equipment, a two-hour search, and the ability to cover more water than a slower vessel.

The value improves if you want an active trip rather than a quiet cruise. The RIB’s speed and maneuverability can help the crew reach a whale that a larger boat might take longer to approach. It also gives you a more direct feel for the bay.

The price is harder to justify if your main aim is a guaranteed puffin photograph or a sheltered ride. Puffin access depends on season and sea conditions, while wildlife sightings remain unpredictable. A larger traditional boat may suit you better if you prefer more space, less motion, or indoor shelter.

The ticket also includes selected discounts with local Húsavík partners. Those discounts are a modest extra rather than a reason to book, but they can be useful after the trip. With a 4.8 rating from 417 ratings and 94 percent of customers recommending it, the experience has a strong record, though the weather and animals still control the final result.

Timing, cancellations, and planning your day

Plan to reach the ticket center at least 40 minutes before departure. The trip itself lasts about two hours and returns to the same meeting point, so it fits neatly into a Húsavík day.

Book with some flexibility. The company can cancel for poor weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not reached. You then receive the choice of another date, another option, or a full refund.

For your own cancellation, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Cut-off times follow local Icelandic time.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 50 days. That suggests you should reserve early during the short summer puffin season, especially if your Iceland route gives you only one possible day in Húsavík.

Who should choose this Húsavík tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a small group, an active ride, and a serious chance to see whales in Skjálfandi Bay. It suits adults, families with children aged eight and older who meet the height rule, and anyone who prefers open-air wildlife watching to a large, slower boat.

It is also a good pick for photographers who bring a zoom lens and accept that wildlife photography requires patience. The RIB can put you in a useful position, but the boat will not always be steady when a puffin or whale appears.

I would hesitate if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, dislike rough water, or need a calm and sheltered boat. I would also avoid making this your only Iceland wildlife plan if seeing whales is essential to your trip. The odds are high, but nature still gets the final say.

Should you book the Original Big Whale Safari?

Book it if you want the excitement of a fast RIB, a maximum of 12 people, and a crew that actively searches for whales rather than simply cruising past the bay. The strongest reasons are the boat’s agility, the quality of the guides, the warm safety suits, and the chance of seeing both whales and puffins in season.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed close-up puffin view, dislike cold spray, or need a gentle ride. For everyone else, this is one of the more memorable ways to use two hours in Húsavík. Bring warm layers, arrive early, protect your camera, and leave room in your expectations for either a few brief sightings or an extraordinary day with humpbacks, dolphins, and perhaps a blue whale.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from the Gentle Giants ticket center at Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB whale and puffin trip lasts approximately two hours.

What animals might I see?

The trip searches for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Sightings may include humpback whales, minke whales, blue whales, and puffins during the seasonal puffin period.

When is Puffin Island included?

The approximate puffin season runs from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour places more emphasis on whales. Sea and weather conditions can also cause the captain to skip the island.

What should I wear?

Bring warm and waterproof clothing. The company provides obligatory warm safety overalls and rain jackets if needed.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is eight years, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

No. It is not permitted for passengers with heart or back problems or for pregnant women. The RIB can move quickly and may travel over choppy water.

What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if poor weather cancels the experience. The same options apply if the required minimum number of passengers is not reached.