Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

The best part of this Húsavík trip is the small RIB speedboat. With no more than 12 passengers, you get a quick, nimble boat that can cover more water and turn promptly when a whale surfaces. In good conditions, you may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and even the occasional blue whale.

I like the capable crew and the warm survival overalls. Guides such as Clara, Mario, Nicoletta, and Victoria have been praised for lively explanations and a real feel for marine life, while the captain keeps the boat moving safely. I also like the chance to visit Puffin Island during the short breeding season.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a fast ride over open water, not a gentle cruise. It can feel cold and bumpy, puffins may be too far away for sharp phone photos, and wildlife can never be promised. The minimum age is 8, the minimum height is 130 centimeters, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with heart or back problems.

Key points before you book

• Small RIB, maximum 12 people: You get a more personal ride and a boat that can maneuver quickly around wildlife.
• Two hours on Skjálfandi Bay: The route gives you time to search for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: The puffin period runs approximately from April 15 through August 15.
• Warm protective gear is supplied: Obligatory safety overalls and rain jackets, when needed, help with Iceland’s cold, wet weather.
• Húsavík departure: The boat leaves from the Gentle Giants ticket center, within walking distance of most Húsavík accommodations.
• Strong booking record: The experience is rated 4.8 out of 5, with 94 percent of participants recommending it.

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

The trip leaves from Gentle Giants Whale Watching on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The town is often called the Whale Watching Capital of Europe, and the setting makes sense as soon as you look across Skjálfandi Bay. The water opens toward a broad sweep of sea, with Iceland’s coast framing the ride.

You should arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because you need time to check in, receive your safety gear, and get properly dressed. The boat ride is not the place to discover that your gloves are buried at the bottom of your bag.

Most Húsavík accommodations are within walking distance of the meeting point, and transport to the attraction is not included. If you are staying outside town, you need to arrange your own way there. The listed location may say Akureyri, but this specific boat trip begins and ends in Húsavík, so plan around the Húsavík departure point.

The ticket also brings selected discounts with local partners in Húsavík. That is a useful extra if you plan to eat or shop in town after returning, though the exact businesses and discounts can change.

Getting ready for a fast ride on open water

Before boarding, you receive a warm safety overall. These are full-body survival-style suits, not a light jacket, and they are obligatory for the trip. Rain jackets are available if needed.

The gear does much of the work, but you should still wear warm and waterproof clothing underneath. Bring layers, gloves, and a hat. Several strong sightings took place in very cold conditions, including weather around minus zero degrees Celsius, and the overalls helped keep the cold manageable. Still, dress for the boat ride, not the harbor.

A RIB has individual seats rather than one long bench. That gives you a secure place to hold yourself and allows you to bend your knees as the boat moves over waves. On a fast section, the boat can hit the water with force, so you need to follow the captain’s instructions and use your legs to absorb movement.

This setup suits an active passenger who enjoys speed and fresh air. It is less suitable if you want a quiet, steady platform for long periods of photography. The boat can be comfortable, but comfort depends heavily on sea conditions.

Stop 1: Searching for whales in Skjálfandi Bay

The main part of the trip is a guided search for whales and dolphins. The crew uses its local experience to look for movement, blows, fins, and changes in the water. The captain handles the boat while the guide explains what you are seeing and points out behavior, species, migration patterns, and other marine details.

The bay can produce an impressive range of sightings. Humpback whales appear often in the accounts of this trip, sometimes more than one animal. Minke whales and dolphins have also been seen, including large pods moving and playing around the boat. Porpoises are among the species you may search for as well.

Some outings produce a single whale. Others bring repeated sightings of several animals. One particularly fortunate trip found humpbacks early, then tracked a blue whale for around 30 minutes. That is unusual luck, but it shows why a nimble RIB can be useful. Larger boats may carry more people, but a smaller craft can change direction quickly when an animal surfaces at a distance.

You may see a whale close enough for a strong visual encounter, but do not expect it to pose for your camera. A humpback might slap its tail, arch its back, or vanish for several minutes. One outing reached a whale showing off with a tail slap from roughly 300 yards away. Another found five different whales, some quite close to the RIB.

The guides help make uncertain sightings worthwhile. Nicoletta has been singled out for being fun and informative, while Mario and Miro have been praised for explaining animal behavior clearly. Clara’s enthusiasm and Victoria’s care for everyone on board also added to the experience for some passengers. The important point is that the guide is not simply pointing at a fin. You get context, which helps you understand what you are watching.

Why the RIB changes the whale-watching experience

The RIB is the heart of this outing. It is smaller and more maneuverable than a traditional whale-watching vessel, and the maximum of 12 passengers keeps the group compact. You can move your head and body easily to follow an animal without looking over a crowd.

The speed also lets you cover more of the bay during a two-hour trip. That does not guarantee more whales, but it gives the crew flexibility as conditions change. If reports or fresh sightings suggest activity elsewhere, the boat can make better use of the limited time.

There is a cost to that agility. Speed over waves creates jolts, and even a confident captain cannot smooth out rough seas. One account described six-foot waves and a captain who handled them well, but that is still a serious ride. You should be ready for spray, movement, and cold.

The boat is not designed for passengers with back or heart problems, and pregnant women cannot take this tour. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age is 8 and the minimum height is 130 centimeters, rules that reflect the physical nature of the ride rather than mere paperwork.

Puffin Island between April 15 and August 15

During the breeding period, the route includes Puffin Island, also known as Lundey. The approximate season runs from April 15 through August 15. If puffins are high on your Iceland wish list, this date range should shape your plans.

At the right time of year, you may see large numbers of puffins nesting on the island, flying over the water, or resting around the boat. The sight is best enjoyed as a moving wildlife scene rather than a close-up portrait session. The boat must keep a safe distance, and tides and sea conditions affect how close it can approach.

That distance is the main frustration for photographers. Puffins on the island can look small, and a phone camera will usually struggle to show much detail. A camera with a good zoom lens gives you a better chance of getting recognizable photographs, especially when the boat is steady.

I would put the phone away for at least part of this section. Watch the birds in flight, notice how quickly they move across the water, and use your camera only when the boat settles. The puffin stop is a bonus to the whale search, not a private photo session at the nesting cliffs.

Outside the puffin season, the trip puts more emphasis on whales. A late August departure, for example, may still deliver several whales but no puffin stop. If puffins are your main goal, book within the stated season and understand that weather or sea conditions can still force the crew to skip the island.

Guides, captains, and the value of local judgment

A wildlife boat trip depends on people as much as equipment. The captain must read the sea, handle the RIB, and approach animals without creating an unsafe situation. The guide must explain what is happening while keeping the group alert for a brief appearance.

That partnership receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Captains have been described as skilled and reassuring, even in rougher water. Guides have been praised for enthusiasm, clear explanations, and their ability to make the group care about the animals rather than simply count sightings.

I especially value the crew’s willingness to share the excitement of an unusual encounter. A guide going quiet after spotting a blue whale says something about the rarity of the moment, while an excited explanation of dolphin behavior makes a fast-moving pod easier to follow.

This is also why the 99 percent whale-sighting figure should be treated as an estimate, not a promise. The bay is productive, but wild animals set the schedule. If you see no whales or dolphins, a cash refund is not provided. Depending on availability, you can receive a voucher for a free traditional whale-watching trip instead.

Price, timing, and what you receive for $180.27

At $180.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Húsavík. You are paying for a two-hour trip, a small group, a fast boat, a professional guide, live commentary, and supplied protective clothing.

The value is strongest if you want the RIB format. A traditional whale-watching boat may feel steadier and give you more room to move, but this small craft gets you closer to the sensation of being on the bay. The ability to cover more coastline and turn quickly is useful when sightings are scattered.

The price also includes the convenience of having the required outer gear supplied. You still need warm clothes, but you do not need to bring a marine survival suit. For a one-time Iceland wildlife experience, the combination of small group, speed, and expert crew can justify the higher fare.

I would not choose it solely because of the claim of up to 99 percent success. Choose it because you want an energetic trip and accept that nature may provide one whale, ten whales, dolphins, or an empty stretch of water. That is the honest bargain with wildlife.

Weather, cancellations, and the practical details

The tour runs only in favorable weather and sea conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached, with the option of an alternative date or experience.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Bring warm, waterproof clothing even when the harbor looks calm. Conditions can change quickly, and the crew may alter the route or omit Puffin Island at short notice if the sea becomes unsafe. The tour ends back at the Húsavík meeting point.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, and it is near public transportation. Most people can participate if they meet the age, height, and health requirements.

Who should book this Húsavík RIB tour?

I would choose this trip for an adult, older child, or active couple who wants wildlife viewing with a little speed and movement. It works especially well if you have only a short time in Húsavík and want to see more of Skjálfandi Bay in two hours.

It is also a good fit for anyone who values a small group. Twelve passengers or fewer means the guide can keep the group together and help you follow sightings without the feel of a large harbor cruise.

I would think twice if you dislike bumpy boat rides, need a stable platform for photography, or have a back or heart condition. Pregnant women cannot participate, and children must meet both the minimum age and height rules.

For puffins, aim for the April 15 to August 15 period. For whales, the trip operates beyond that season with more attention placed on whale watching. In either case, keep your expectations flexible. The sea does not read your itinerary.

Should you book the Original Big Whale Safari?

Book it if the idea of racing across an Icelandic bay in a small RIB sounds as appealing as the animals themselves. The strongest reasons are the compact group, skilled crew, supplied survival suits, and the chance to see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins in one outing.

Skip it if you want a slow, sheltered cruise or if you are mainly seeking close puffin photographs. The birds may be far from the boat, and rough conditions can make the ride demanding.

For most physically able visitors who want an active whale-watching experience from Húsavík, I think the $180.27 price can be fair value. Wear more layers than you think you need, arrive 40 minutes early, bring a real zoom camera if puffins matter, and let the crew handle the search.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

It departs from the Gentle Giants Whale Watching ticket center on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Húsavík.

How long is the tour?

The RIB speedboat experience lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $180.27 per person.

What animals might I see?

The search may include whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Sightings have included humpback whales, minke whales, blue whales, and dolphins.

When can I see Puffin Island?

The approximate puffin season is April 15 through August 15. The visit depends on weather, tides, and sea conditions.

Is Puffin Island guaranteed?

No. The crew may skip Puffin Island if weather or sea conditions change, even at short notice.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

Warm safety overalls are provided and are obligatory. Rain jackets are available if needed. You should also bring warm and waterproof clothing.

What is the minimum age and height?

The minimum age is 8 years, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of passengers can also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.