Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Húsavík’s RIB tour gives you a real shot at close whale encounters because the boat can cover a lot of water quickly. When a humpback appears several hundred meters away, the captain can get you into position far faster than a large sightseeing vessel, and with 12 passengers or fewer, everyone gets a clear view.

I like the small group and the lively guides, who explain whale behavior, seabirds, and ocean safety without turning the trip into a lecture. I also like the warm water-resistant suit, which makes this northern bay manageable even when the wind bites. The trade-off is a rougher ride: this is a fast open boat, not a gentle cruise, and the sea can be cold and choppy.

Key points to know before you book

• Fast RIB boat: Cover more of Skjálfandi Bay and react quickly when whales surface.
• Small group of up to 12: You will not be fighting a crowd for the best view.
• Puffins from April 15 to August 20: The trip visits Lundey Island during the nesting season.
• Whales are wild animals: Sightings are common in this productive bay, but no encounter is guaranteed.
• Warm suit included: You still need your own hat, gloves, and warm layers.
• A physical ride: Children must be at least 8 years old or 130 centimeters tall, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant people or those with back or heart problems.

Why the RIB boat changes whale watching in Húsavík

Húsavík sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching areas. More than 10 marine species visit the bay during the year, including humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.

That variety gives the guide several possibilities to look for. Humpbacks are the main stars, and sightings can include repeated surfacing, tail displays, breaches, or feeding activity. You might also see a minke whale, a seal, or dolphins racing near the boat. On rare trips, passengers have even encountered blue whales or a walrus, but those are lucky extras rather than something to count on.

The RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, is the main reason to choose this outing over a larger vessel. It is built for speed and can travel many miles during the two-hour trip. If the crew spots a whale in the distance, the captain can move toward the area quickly.

That does not mean the boat chases animals or guarantees a close approach. The guides describe the wildlife and work to get a good view while respecting the animals’ space. The best encounters may still be brief. A whale can surface once and vanish, or remain near the boat for several minutes.

The smaller boat also gives the outing a more personal feel. There is no large indoor cabin or packed upper deck separating you from the water. You sit close to the action, hear the engines and wind, and get broad views in every direction.

Starting at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík

You meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office on Hafnarstétt 11, 30 minutes before departure. The office shares a building with North Sailing and sits across the road from Húsavík’s famous church, so it is easy to locate in town.

Arriving early matters. You need time to check in, collect your protective clothing, and listen to the safety briefing. The crew provides a warm water-resistant overall, a raincoat if needed, and a life vest. The overall is compulsory under Icelandic law, so it is not an optional extra.

Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes underneath the suit. Your torso may stay comfortable, but your hands, face, and head are exposed to the wind. Bring a proper hat and gloves. Several people found gloves especially important, and one person described cold hands as the main discomfort of the trip.

The crew has been praised for helping people get dressed and for taking safety seriously. Guides such as Austin, Ignacio, Inaki, Alessandra, and Zina have led recent departures, though your guide will depend on the date. English is the stated tour language.

The first ride across Skjálfandi Bay

Once everyone is ready, the captain takes the RIB out toward the open bay. The ride itself is part of the attraction. You will feel the boat accelerate, bounce over waves, and turn quickly as the crew searches for signs of marine life.

That speed is useful, but it comes with a clear warning. In rough conditions, you may get shaken around and feel spray. The boat is open to the weather, and even a warm suit cannot make the sea feel mild. Keep your hat secured and protect your phone or camera as well as you can.

People prone to motion sickness have had mixed concerns, although some found the open air and fast movement easier than a slow, enclosed boat. Seasickness pills are not included, so bring your own if you normally need them.

Your guide watches the water and explains what to look for. A distant blow, a dark back, a tail, or a sudden group of seabirds can point toward activity. The guides also discuss local birds, whale behavior, and ocean safety, making the ride useful even during quiet stretches.

The crew’s marine background can add real value. Some guides and captains have training in marine biology, and passengers have particularly appreciated explanations of how individual humpbacks can be recognized by markings or body traits.

Lundey Island and the summer puffin stop

From about April 15 through August 20, the route includes Lundey, also called Puffin Island. This small island is known for its large puffin population, and the boat makes a scenic stop for photographs and bird watching.

Puffins may sit on the cliffs, float on the sea, or fly over the boat in quick, low flurries. In summer, the number of birds can be remarkable. You may see hundreds or even thousands gathered around the island, though the exact view depends on conditions and where the birds are feeding.

The RIB is well suited to this stop because it can approach the island without carrying a large crowd. You will not step ashore, so this is a boat-based viewing stop rather than a landing. Bring a camera with a fast shutter setting if you want to catch birds in flight.

The island is a major reason to choose this particular outing in summer. You combine two classic Húsavík experiences in a single two-hour trip: seabird viewing and whale watching. If puffins are your main goal, book within the stated season. Outside that period, the excursion becomes a whale-watching trip only.

The route also offers views toward the Tjörnes peninsula. The peninsula is known for fossil layers, with the oldest mentioned layers reaching back about two million years. Your guide can give the setting more context while you look toward the coast.

Searching for humpbacks, dolphins, and more

After the island visit, the captain continues through Skjálfandi Bay, searching for whales and dolphins. The route is not a fixed parade of guaranteed sightings. It changes with animal movement, sea conditions, and the best information available to the crew.

Humpbacks are the species most often highlighted by passengers. Encounters have included several individual whales, repeated surfacing, breaches, tail movements, and feeding groups. A mother and calf have also been seen together, which is an especially memorable sight but not a regular promise of the tour.

Minke whales and white-beaked dolphins are also possible. Dolphins may appear beside the RIB, sometimes playing near the boat, while porpoises are another known visitor to the bay. Seals and unusual sightings such as blue whales or a walrus can occur, but you should treat them as fortunate surprises.

A key point is that no whale trip can control the wildlife. One departure may produce multiple close humpbacks, while another may see only one whale or none. The crew can cover more distance and choose an alternative search area, but nature sets the schedule.

The guides do their best to make quiet time worthwhile. You learn about the animals and the bay, rather than simply sitting in silence while the captain scans the horizon. Still, if you need a guaranteed attraction every few minutes, this is not that kind of outing.

The two-hour length is a sensible compromise. It is long enough to reach productive areas but short enough that you are not committed to a full-day sea trip. Keep in mind that loading, dressing, and returning to shore take place around the stated tour period, so your total time at the activity will be a little longer than the time on the water.

What the $198 price really buys you

At $198 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Iceland. You are paying for the RIB’s speed, the limited passenger count, the guide and captain, safety equipment, and the included protective suit.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If you mainly want a low-cost boat ride and do not mind sharing a large vessel, a slower standard cruise may suit you better. If your priority is reaching distant sightings quickly and having room to watch from either side of the boat, the extra cost has a clear purpose.

The group size matters. With a maximum of 12 people, you can shift your attention without being blocked by rows of passengers. You also get more direct access to the guide, which helps when you want to ask about a bird, whale mark, or sudden change in direction.

The combination with Lundey improves the summer value. You are not choosing between puffins and whales. You get both, along with the coastal views around Tjörnes. Outside puffin season, the price is harder to justify for anyone who specifically wants seabirds, since the island portion is no longer part of the outing.

The equipment is helpful but not complete. The overall, raincoat, and life vest are included. Gloves, hats, and seasickness medicine are not. Budget for warm gear if you are not already carrying it.

Who should choose this boat

I would choose this tour if you want an active, close-to-the-water experience and you are comfortable with speed, wind, and some bouncing. It suits couples, families with older children, and photographers who value quick access to sightings.

The minimum age is 8, or 130 centimeters in height. If a child is slightly below 130 centimeters, contact the local provider before booking. This is not a suitable outing for children under 8, pregnant people, or anyone with back or heart problems.

The activity is also not recommended for people with epilepsy or mobility issues, although the provider asks people with health concerns to contact them directly about possible assistance. Be honest about your condition. The captain can explain the ride and the weather, but you need to decide what level of movement is safe for you.

For families, the 12-seat limit is a real advantage. You can keep the group together and avoid the impersonal feel of a large boat. For very young children, though, the age restriction is firm enough that you should plan another activity.

Practical tips for a better two hours

Arrive 30 minutes early at Hafnarstétt 11. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and shoes that will stay comfortable if they get wet.

Wear the provided suit over your clothing, but do not rely on it as your only insulation. Your hands can become cold quickly when you are holding a camera or gripping the boat.

Keep cameras and phones protected from spray. The open RIB gives you excellent sight lines, but it also exposes your gear to wind and water.

If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication yourself. The operator does not provide seasickness pills, and the bay may be choppy.

Choose the date with your main goal in mind. From April 15 to August 20, you can expect the Lundey puffin stop. Outside those dates, the focus is big whales only.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. The crew’s speed improves your odds of getting near a sighting, but it cannot summon a whale. The best experience comes from enjoying the bay, birds, and ride as well as the animals.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The provider can cancel a departure because of bad weather, too few passengers, or another operational reason. At least four people are needed for a tour to run. If the operator cancels, you are offered another departure or a full refund.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while planning an Iceland itinerary.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB tour?

Book it if you want the fastest, smallest-group option in this Húsavík setting, especially during puffin season. The strongest reasons are the ability to cover a large area, the easy viewing from a 12-seat boat, and the chance to combine Lundey with whale watching in only two hours.

I would skip it if you want a calm, sheltered cruise, have serious motion or mobility concerns, or are visiting outside the puffin season mainly to see the island. At $198, it is a premium outing, but the speed and small group make that premium understandable.

For most visitors who can handle a cold, lively ride, this is a strong choice. Pack gloves, dress warmly, and let the wildlife decide how dramatic your afternoon becomes.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11 in Húsavík. The office shares a building with North Sailing and is across the road from Húsavík’s famous church.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure so you have time to check in, put on the required protective clothing, and attend the safety briefing.

How long is the tour?

The boat trip lasts two hours, with the route returning to Hafnarstétt 11.

When can I see puffins on Lundey Island?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 20. Outside those dates, the trip focuses on big-whale watching and does not include the puffin season experience.

What animals might I see?

The bay is visited by humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other marine species. Seals, blue whales, and walruses have also been seen, but sightings vary.

How many people fit on the RIB boat?

The boat carries up to 12 passengers. At least four passengers are needed for a departure to operate.

What clothing is provided?

You receive a warm water-resistant overall, a raincoat if needed, and a life vest. The overall is compulsory under Icelandic law.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, and gloves. Seasickness pills are not included, so bring your own if you need them.

Who cannot take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 8, people under 130 centimeters, pregnant people, or those with back or heart problems. If you have epilepsy, mobility concerns, or another health issue, contact the local provider before booking.