Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

Whales can turn a cold morning into a story for life. This two-hour RIB tour from Húsavík takes you into Skjálfandi Bay with a small group, a skilled captain, and guides who know how to read the water. I like the quick, nimble boat, which can cover more coast than a larger vessel, and I like the chance to see both whales and puffins in one outing.

The warm safety overalls are another real plus. They matter in Iceland, where the air can feel mild on shore but sharply cold at sea. The main drawback is the ride itself: a RIB is fast and exciting, but waves can jolt your back, and puffins may sit too far away for a good phone photograph. You need reasonable mobility, warm layers, and a tolerance for rough water.

Key points before you book

• Up to 12 people: The small boat gives you a more personal outing and lets the captain turn quickly when wildlife appears.
• Puffin season is limited: You can expect the puffin focus from about April 15 to August 15. Outside that period, the tour puts more attention on whales.
• Whale sightings are never guaranteed: The company gives a stated sighting chance of up to 99 percent, but nature remains in charge.
• Warm suits are supplied: You must wear the safety overalls, with rain jackets available if needed.
• The ride is active: Individual RIB seats let you bend your knees or rise slightly with the motion of the boat.
• Plan extra time before departure: Arrive at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center at least 40 minutes early in Húsavík.

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

The tour leaves from Gentle Giants Whale Watching on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The departure point is within walking distance of most Húsavík accommodations, so you do not need to arrange a separate transfer from town.

Húsavík is a fitting place for this trip. The boat heads into Skjálfandi Bay, an area known for regular whale activity and open views toward Iceland’s northern coast. Your guide gives live commentary throughout the trip, explaining the animals you see and helping you understand what to watch for between sightings.

Arrive early. The 40-minute check-in window is not a casual suggestion. You need time to receive your safety equipment, put on the one-piece overalls, and hear the basic instructions before boarding. The staff help with dressing, which is useful when you are trying to manage several layers in a small changing area.

The tour operates in English. The listed price is $180.27 per person, which is not a budget outing, but the cost includes the guide, commentary, safety gear, and a two-hour trip in a boat limited to 12 people. I see the value mainly in the small group and the RIB’s speed, rather than in the length of the trip alone.

The RIB ride: fast, close to the water, and not for everyone

The RIB is the heart of this experience. Compared with a larger whale-watching boat, it can move swiftly across the bay and change direction when a whale surfaces. That maneuverability can make a real difference when an animal appears briefly or changes course.

You sit on individual seats rather than on a broad bench. The arrangement resembles a motorcycle or snowmobile, and it gives you room to bend your knees as the boat crosses waves. One practical tip is to keep your body relaxed and follow the boat’s movement rather than locking your legs.

The speed adds fun, but it also adds motion. In calm weather, the ride can feel lively and smooth. In rougher conditions, the boat may hit waves hard, and the trip can become tiring. The company does not allow passengers with back or heart problems, and pregnant women should not book this activity. The minimum age is eight, with a minimum height of 130 centimeters.

The crew takes safety seriously. The captain’s handling receives repeated praise, including during conditions with waves reported at around six feet. That does not mean every departure will feel gentle. It means you can expect an experienced boat operator making judgment calls about speed, distance, and sea conditions.

Stop 1: Searching Skjálfandi Bay for gentle giants

The main part of the tour is the whale search. The guide and captain work together, scanning the bay for blows, backs, fins, and sudden movement. Your guide explains species behavior and helps point out sightings, which is especially useful when several people are trying to look in different directions at once.

Humpback whales are among the most frequently described sightings on this trip. Some outings have produced more than ten humpbacks, while others have brought only a few clear appearances. Minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises are also possible. A particularly lucky departure produced humpbacks and a blue whale early in the season.

You should set your expectations correctly. A whale-watching trip is a search, not a wildlife display. A whale may surface once and vanish, or the boat may follow one for several minutes. You might see a tail slap, a blow, or only part of a back. One outing produced two whales with seven or eight sightings between them. Another brought a pod of dolphins playing near the RIB.

The small boat helps when an animal is moving. It can turn faster than the larger vessels visible in the bay, and it can often give everyone a better angle. Still, the captain must keep a safe and respectful distance. Do not expect the boat to chase an animal aggressively or pull directly alongside it.

The guides add much of the meaning. Names praised after different departures include Nicoletta, Clara, Victoria, Mario, Miro, Milo, and Witt. Guides are described as lively, attentive, and deeply interested in marine life. Their job is not only to find animals, but to make sense of what you are seeing.

Puffin Island during the April to August season

During the breeding season, the route includes a visit toward Puffin Island. The approximate season runs from April 15 to August 15. If seeing puffins matters to you, schedule the trip inside that window, and preferably do not leave it until the final days of the season.

The island can hold very large numbers of nesting puffins. You may see birds resting on the water, flying around the island, or gathering near the rocks. The RIB gives you a lively approach across the bay, but the boat must keep a safe distance, and the exact viewing position depends on sea and tide conditions.

This is where a good camera matters. Puffins may look clear to your eyes but appear small in a phone photograph. A zoom camera works better, especially when the boat is steady. One useful habit is to keep your phone in a secure pocket and enjoy the sight first. Bags and loose items are poor companions on a fast boat.

The puffin stop is not guaranteed in every form. If weather or sea conditions change, even at short notice, the captain may skip Puffin Island. Outside the breeding period, the tour focuses more heavily on whales, so late August departures should not be booked with puffins as the main goal.

What the wildlife sightings really feel like

The best part of this outing is its uncertainty. You might spend several minutes scanning empty water, then suddenly see a humpback rise nearby. A tail slap can last only a second, yet the whole boat may react at once.

The sightings vary widely. Some departures have included several different whale species, dolphins, and puffins. Others have produced just a couple of whale appearances. The company does not provide refunds simply because no whales or dolphins are seen, but it may offer a voucher for a free traditional whale-watching trip, depending on availability.

That policy makes the choice of tour important. If you want the strongest possible chance of seeing something, booking a second departure on another day may be wiser than treating this as a guaranteed wildlife performance. The stated chance of seeing whales is up to 99 percent, but no operator can control the animals or the sea.

The scenery also earns its place. Even a quieter wildlife day gives you open water, changing weather, and views from a low boat that feel different from shore. The setting is part of the outing, but the animals remain the reason to book.

Warmth, clothing, and staying comfortable

The supplied overalls are not a minor extra. They are one-piece safety suits designed to help keep you dry and warm, and every passenger must wear them. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still bring warm and waterproof clothing.

Dress for the boat, not for the temperature outside the ticket center. Cold air, spray, wind, and speed can combine quickly. Wear warm layers under the suit, and choose footwear that works with outdoor conditions. The overalls help, but they do not turn an Icelandic boat ride into a heated room.

The boat can feel cold even when the sea is calm. One outing in near-freezing temperatures was still comfortable because of the supplied suits, while another was described as very cold despite good wildlife sightings. Your comfort will depend on weather, wind, and how well you layer.

Protect your phone and camera. Keep small items in a secure pocket, and do not expect to photograph every puffin or whale clearly. The boat may be steady for a moment and moving hard the next.

Weather, cancellations, and practical limits

The tour runs only in favorable conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached and the company cancels the departure.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

The tour ends back at the same meeting point in Húsavík. No transportation to or from attractions is included, but that is less of a problem if you are staying in town. The experience is offered in English and is near public transportation.

Because the boat carries no more than 12 people, it feels more intimate than a large cruise-style vessel. That is a strong advantage for wildlife viewing, but the small capacity also means departures can depend on having enough bookings.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this trip if you want a fast, active outing and like the idea of covering more of the bay in two hours. It suits people who value a small group, direct access to the guide, and a boat that can turn quickly when wildlife appears.

It is also a good fit for photographers with a zoom lens, families with children aged eight or older who meet the height requirement, and visitors who want both puffins and whales during the breeding season.

I would think twice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, dislike rough water, or need a slow and steady boat. The larger traditional whale-watching option may be more comfortable, especially if your priority is simply staying on the water with less physical movement.

The tour is also a poor match if you want close-up puffin portraits from a phone. You can see many birds, but the boat may remain far enough away that they appear small in photographs.

Is the $180.27 price fair?

At $180.27 per person, this is a substantial activity cost. The two-hour duration is not long, but the price includes professional guiding, live commentary, required safety overalls, and a small RIB group capped at 12 people.

I think the value is strongest for people who care about the style of the outing. You are paying for speed, maneuverability, and a more personal boat rather than for a long, leisurely cruise. If the sea is calm and the animals are active, the experience can feel like one of the major moments of your Iceland trip.

The value is less certain if the weather is poor or the wildlife stays distant. You may still enjoy the bay and the ride, but sightings cannot be promised, and there is no automatic refund if no whales or dolphins appear.

A useful way to judge the price is to ask what matters most to you. For a small group and an active boat ride, it is reasonable. For guaranteed close views, it is not.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB safari?

Book it if you want an energetic whale-watching trip, can handle a bumpy ride, and are visiting during puffin season. The combination of a small boat, warm protective suits, passionate guides, and the chance to see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins gives the outing real appeal.

Book early if your Iceland schedule is tight, since the experience is often reserved well ahead of time. Still, leave some flexibility for weather if you can.

I would not book it solely for a perfect puffin photograph or a guaranteed whale performance. I would book it for the full package: the cold air, the quick turns, the wide bay, the sudden blow of a humpback, and the possibility that the captain finds something unexpected.

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 whale and puffin tour lasts approximately two hours.

What is the price?

The listed price is $180.27 per person.

What is included in the tour?

A professional guide, live commentary, warm safety overalls, and rain jackets if needed are included.

Are puffins seen all year?

No. Puffin season is approximately April 15 to August 15. Outside that period, the tour places more focus on whales.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The company may cancel the tour for poor weather. You will then be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. The minimum age is eight years, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a minimum height?

Yes. The minimum height is 130 centimeters.

Can anyone take the RIB tour?

No. The activity is not allowed for passengers with heart or back problems or for pregnant women. The tour also requires favorable sea conditions.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center at least 40 minutes before departure.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are seen?

Passenger refunds are not provided simply because no whales or dolphins are sighted. Depending on availability, you may receive a voucher for a free traditional whale-watching tour.