Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

The bay can turn a boat ride into theater. Húsavík’s original Big Whale Safari uses a fast RIB boat to cover more of Skjálfandi Bay, and I like the maximum 12-passenger group because everyone gets a clear view. I also like the warm safety overalls, which matter when Icelandic wind cuts across the water. The main drawback is simple: rough seas can make the ride bumpy, and wildlife never follows a timetable.

This $175 tour is a good choice if you want speed, open-air views, and a better chance of reaching whales quickly. The puffin stop is lovely from April 15 through about August 15, but the birds may sit farther away than your camera wants. Outside puffin season, the focus shifts more heavily to whales.

Key points before you book

• A small RIB carries up to 12 people, giving you more room and fewer blocked views than a large whale-watching boat.
• The speed helps the crew reach sightings quickly, especially when a humpback surfaces far across Skjálfandi Bay.
• Puffin Island is seasonal, with the main viewing period running approximately from April 15 to August 15.
• Warm safety overalls are required and provided, with rain jackets available if needed.
• Whales are not guaranteed, but if no whales or dolphins appear, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak-boat tour.
• Sea conditions matter greatly, so arrive ready for wind, rain, spray, and a bumpy ride.

Why Húsavík is a strong place for whale watching

Húsavík calls itself the Whale Capital of Iceland for good reason. Its harbor opens onto Skjálfandi Bay, a broad stretch of water where humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, and other marine life may appear.

You are not visiting an aquarium or a controlled wildlife park. The animals choose the route, the timing, and the distance. That uncertainty is part of the thrill, but it also means your most expensive tour can produce fewer sightings than a cheaper one on a luckier day.

This tour’s main answer to that problem is speed. The RIB can move quickly between reports of whale activity and cover a larger area than a slower boat. Guides and captains use live sightings to adjust the route, rather than simply following a fixed path.

That advantage came through repeatedly during successful trips. Some outings produced three humpback whales seen several times. Others included five or six humpbacks, dolphins, harbor porpoises, bottlenose whales, or even a blue whale. One particularly fortunate group saw a breaching humpback, while another encountered bottlenose whales with a calf shortly after leaving the harbor.

None of those sightings is promised. But the boat’s speed gives the crew more options when wildlife appears.

Meeting the crew and preparing for the RIB

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags, and arrive at least 40 minutes before departure.

That early arrival is not wasted time. You need to receive the required warm safety overall and life jacket, hear the safety instructions, and get ready for the boat. Rain jackets are available when needed, but you should still bring warm, waterproof clothing and comfortable shoes.

Leave large bags and luggage behind. A compact phone or camera is useful, but you need to keep your hands and gear secure on a moving boat. If you are the sort of person who gets cold easily, dress in layers beneath the provided suit.

The operator uses modern RIB speedboats with room for a maximum of 12 people. That number matters. On a large boat, a dozen people can disappear into the crowd. On this RIB, you remain close to the guide, captain, and water, with a good chance of seeing wildlife from either side.

The small group also creates a more personal feel. Guides can point out details, answer questions, and help passengers position themselves when a whale surfaces. Several guides have been praised for their warmth and enthusiasm, including Matteo, Carla, Clara, Jo, Beatriz, and others. Staff members change, but the pattern is clear: the guide is an important part of the day, not just a voice giving directions.

English is the tour language.

Racing toward Puffin Island

During the puffin season, the first major stop is Puffin Island. The approximate season runs from April 15 to August 15, when thousands of puffins gather for nesting.

Puffins are easy to love. Their bright bills and upright stance have earned them the nickname Clowns of the Ocean, and seeing a colony from the water gives you a memorable introduction to Icelandic birdlife. You may also see other birds around the island, especially during the nesting period.

Keep your expectations realistic. The boat views the island from the water and does not land. Puffins may be plentiful but still too far away for a sharp phone photo. Several people have found the island worthwhile, while also noting that the birds are not always close.

That makes binoculars useful if you have a compact pair. A long camera lens helps too, but do not let photography distract you from the colony itself. The island is not only about counting birds. It gives you a sense of how much life gathers around the bay.

Weather and sea conditions can change the plan. Even during puffin season, the boat may skip the island if conditions worsen. The guide may also spend more time looking for whales if that is the safer or more productive choice.

Outside the puffin season, you should not book this tour expecting puffins. The focus shifts toward whales and other marine life.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for big whales

After Puffin Island, or earlier if conditions require it, the boat works its way across Skjálfandi Bay. The speedboat ride is part of the attraction, but the goal is not simply to race around. The captain slows or changes direction when the guide spots a blow, fin, back, or group of birds.

The most common highlight is the humpback whale. Humpbacks may surface several times, showing a dark back, dorsal fin, and sometimes the tail before disappearing. If one remains in the area, the crew can reposition the RIB so people on both sides have a chance to see it.

A few minutes can change the whole trip. One group searched for almost two hours before bottlenose whales appeared beside the boat during the final minutes. Another saw a humpback only ten minutes after leaving the harbor and spent more than an hour returning to the same whale.

You may see only a few surfaces, or you may watch several whales repeatedly. The strongest outings have included groups of humpbacks, dolphins moving near the boat, harbor porpoises, and rare species. Blue whales are possible, but they are not a normal guarantee or a reason to expect a sighting every time.

The guide provides live commentary about the animals, local nature, and marine ecology. A strong guide helps you understand what you are seeing rather than simply shouting there she blows. Matteo, for example, was praised for combining marine biology knowledge with an easy sense of humor. Other guides have helped passengers understand whale behavior and identify different species.

The captain matters just as much. A good skipper reacts smoothly, keeps the boat near a sighting without reckless movement, and works to give both sides a view. Several successful trips specifically credited the captain with changing direction quickly as whales surfaced.

What the speed adds, and what it takes away

The RIB’s speed is the clearest reason to pay more for this tour. If a whale appears in the distance, the boat can reach the area faster than a slow, crowded vessel. That can mean more time watching the animal instead of traveling toward it.

The boat also gives you a more open view. You are not looking over several rows of heads, and the smaller group reduces crowding around the best viewing spots.

There is a tradeoff. A fast RIB reacts strongly to wind and waves. In calm conditions, the ride can feel smooth and exciting. In rough weather, it can feel like a roller coaster. One outing in rain and wind produced high waves and motion sickness, exactly as the crew had warned.

If you have back problems, heart problems, or a strong tendency toward seasickness, think carefully before booking. Pregnant women should not join, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Children must be at least eight years old, and participants must be at least 130 centimeters tall.

This is not the softest, quietest way to watch whales. It is the more active option. You should be comfortable with open water, sudden movement, and spray.

The value of $175 per person

At $175 per person, this is not the budget choice in Húsavík. You are paying for the RIB, the smaller group, the equipment, and the ability to cover more of the bay in two hours.

I think the price makes sense for someone who places a high value on wildlife time. A faster boat can reach sightings sooner, and the smaller layout gives you a better chance of seeing the action without a person blocking your view. If you are choosing between a standard boat and this RIB, the extra cost is easiest to justify when speed and a close, active boat ride matter to you.

It is less compelling if you mainly want a gentle cruise or if you are traveling with someone who dislikes rough water. The traditional oak-boat option may suit you better if you prefer a slower, calmer setting.

The whale guarantee is limited. If you see no whales or dolphins, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat. You do not receive a cash refund for a quiet wildlife day. That policy is fair in the sense that nature is unpredictable, but you should understand it before paying.

The tour does offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If bad weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Weather, comfort, and practical choices

I would treat the weather forecast as useful guidance, not a promise. Húsavík can be sunny in the harbor and windy on the bay. Bring warm outdoor clothing even when the sky looks friendly.

The provided overalls are one of the tour’s best practical features. They protect you from cold air and spray, but they do not eliminate the need for warm layers. Waterproof clothing and comfortable shoes remain important.

Eat lightly before departure if you are prone to seasickness. The tour lasts two hours, and the RIB’s movement can become tiring in rough water. Sit or hold yourself securely as instructed, and keep your camera protected from spray.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach the central ticket center in Húsavík on your own, and the 40-minute check-in requirement means you should not cut it close.

The tour is subject to favorable weather. If conditions change, Puffin Island may be removed from the route even at short notice. That is not a failure of the company. It is the sensible choice when a small boat is operating in open water.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose it if you want the best mix of speed, wildlife searching, and a small group. It suits adults, older children, photographers, and anyone who would rather spend time chasing real sightings than taking a slow harbor cruise.

It is especially appealing during puffin season, when you can combine seabirds with whales in one two-hour outing. Just remember that puffins may be distant and that whale sightings remain luck-based.

I would hesitate if you have back or heart concerns, are pregnant, use a wheelchair, are under 130 centimeters tall, or know that rough water makes you ill. A slower oak-boat tour may be more comfortable.

The quality also depends on the sea. In calm weather, the RIB can feel thrilling and responsive. In rough weather, the same speed can make the trip hard work. Check the forecast, dress properly, and accept that the wildlife may appear in the final five minutes rather than on schedule.

Should you book the Big Whale Safari?

Book it if you want an active whale-watching trip and are willing to pay for speed. The combination of a maximum 12 passengers, warm protective gear, quick movement across Skjálfandi Bay, and skilled guides gives you a strong chance of spending more time near a sighting.

I especially like it for people who dislike crowded boats and want a clear view from close to the water. The puffin stop adds real value from mid-April through mid-August, but whales are the main reason to choose this tour.

Skip it if you want a calm cruise, need guaranteed wildlife, or dislike bumpy rides. For everyone else, this is a lively, locally run Húsavík outing that gives nature room to surprise you, for better or worse.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík Big Whale Safari?

The tour lasts two hours, including the RIB cruise around Puffin Island and Skjálfandi Bay.

How many people fit on the RIB speedboat?

The RIB has a maximum capacity of 12 passengers.

When can I see Puffin Island?

Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. The visit can be skipped if weather or sea conditions change.

What clothing is provided?

Warm safety overalls are provided and required, and rain jackets are available if needed. You should still bring warm, waterproof outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat. No refund is provided for a tour without sightings.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with mobility concerns?

Children must be at least eight years old, and participants must be at least 130 centimeters tall. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or wheelchair users.