Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

Whales feel close when the boat is fast. On this 2-hour RIB speedboat tour from Húsavík Adventures, I love how the captain covers ground quickly on Skjálfandi Bay, plus the chance to visit Puffin Island (Lundey) in spring and summer. The one drawback to plan for is the weather, it can be cold and wet out on the water, so pack smart.

You get expert guidance as you scan for surfacing blows, rolls of dolphins, and the slower rise of whales. You are also in a small group (around 12 or fewer), which matters because you are not trapped behind a crowd.

The tour is built for real sea time, not long stretches standing still, and that makes it a strong fit for people who want both big wildlife and Icelandic scenery in one go.

Key points before you go

• Small-group views from a 12-seat RIB, so you are closer to the action and not fighting for space
• Lundey Island puffins in season (roughly April 15 to August 20), otherwise it is big whales only
• Warm water-resistant overalls and life vests included, required by Iceland rules
• Expert guiding from the boat, with safety talk and wildlife spotting help throughout
• Skjálfandi Bay has lots of marine traffic, with humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and more

Why a RIB from Húsavík works for whales and puffins

This is the kind of Húsavík whale watching that feels like a field trip, just with salt spray. A RIB is fast and maneuverable, so when something shows up on the horizon, the boat can react quickly. That speed is not just fun, it is practical. If you want more chances of seeing whales and dolphins, moving quickly between likely areas matters.

The other big win is the pairing of species. You are not only searching for whales, you also have a scheduled stop for puffins on Lundey Island during the season. That mix is why this tour can be a highlight even if you have already done one whale cruise elsewhere.

Still, set expectations correctly. Wildlife is wildlife. The ocean decides what you see. What the tour does well is stacking the odds, with an efficient route, an active guide, and a captain who is watching the water as closely as you are.

Meeting at Hafnarstétt 11 and getting kitted up in Iceland weather

You meet at Húsavík Adventures’ ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11. Plan to arrive about 30 minutes early. You will have time for a quick safety briefing and to get your gear sorted before heading out.

Gear is a major part of why this tour is so comfortable for a cold-water activity. You get warm, water-resistant overalls, which are compulsory to wear by law in Iceland, plus a life vest. If you need extra rain protection, you can get a raincoat as well.

One practical tip: bring your own hat and gloves. They are not included. Even with the overalls, the wind and water spray can make your hands feel cold fast. Also bring comfortable shoes. You will want traction while boarding and moving around on uneven ground.

One more detail I appreciate for real-world comfort: suit sizing. Some riders have reported getting suits up to 8XL, which means you should not feel like your body size automatically becomes a problem. If you have any concerns about fit, it is worth asking ahead.

Skjálfandi Bay: where you scan for more than ten species

Skjálfandi Bay is the engine of the trip. This area is known for hosting over 10 marine species across the year, and you are sailing out from the harbor toward the bay as the search begins.

What I like about this part is the variety you might encounter. The tour commonly targets humpback whales and minke whales, and you may also see white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and other local species. On the water, that variety shows up as different behaviors. Dolphins often act like moving punctuation marks, quick and bright. Porpoises can appear more briefly, then vanish. Whales tend to be slower, but when they surface, the scale is obvious.

In practice, a fast RIB helps you keep up with that rhythm. When a whale surfaces in one spot, you are not stuck waiting for a large ship to reposition. You can get to the next sighting quicker, and that can translate into more time watching rather than just traveling.

Lundey Island puffins: the seasonal payoff that makes this tour feel complete

Lundey Island, also called Puffin Island, is the star stop for bird lovers. The timing matters. Puffin season runs roughly April 15 to August 20. If you go outside those dates, the tour becomes big whales only.

When you do catch it during the season, this is not a rushed drive-by. You get a photo stop and time for a guided visit on the island. You also get scenic views on the way, which is great because Lundey is not just about the birds. The whole area looks like an Iceland postcard, with rugged coastline and sea conditions that shift every few minutes.

What you can realistically do with puffins on Lundey is watch and photograph, while also listening to what your guide points out about their behavior. People often talk about how many puffins they see, including birds flying overhead and puffins out on the water. If you care about animal photography, this is one of the better moments in the trip because birds give you more “repeatable” action than whales that might surface only occasionally.

If you are traveling with kids, this island stop is also a morale boost. The boat is thrilling, but standing on the island and spotting birds turns the outing into a complete story, not just a long watch at sea.

Tjörnes peninsula fossil layers: a quick science moment between wildlife hunts

On the way around the region, you pass the Tjörnes peninsula. This area is known for fossil layers, with the oldest mentioned being about two million years old.

Is that why you booked this? Probably not. But I like that the tour gives you a couple of these side facts, because they make the route feel more meaningful. You are not just going from one whale sighting to the next. You are also learning why this part of Iceland has such a distinctive geological story.

This stop is also a reminder that the tour is not only about animals. Skjálfandi Bay and the surrounding coastline are part of the experience, and the guide helps connect what you see on land to what you are watching at sea.

What the 2 hours really feel like on the water

A lot of whale watching tours stretch time with slow pacing. This one is tighter and more action-focused. You are on the RIB, moving between search areas, and you do not waste half the outing sitting still.

The timing usually breaks down into:

• Getting underway with the sailing portion toward Skjálfandi Bay
• A stop at Lundey Island for puffins in season, including guided time and photo opportunities
• Continued wildlife viewing around Skjálfandi, including whale watching and dolphin spotting
• Returning back to Hafnarstétt 11

Two hours can sound short, but on a small RIB it is often the sweet spot. You get enough time for multiple search attempts, without getting cold and exhausted from hours of waiting in open air.

One more reality check: Iceland weather changes fast. If conditions are rough, the ride can feel choppy. That is part of the experience, and it is why the suit and layers matter. If you are prone to motion sickness, open air can help, and some riders have found this style of boat easier than larger enclosed ships. Still, since seasickness pills are not included, bring what works for you.

Safety, guide style, and the small-group advantage

You get a guide onboard plus a captain operating the boat. The guide’s job is not only spotting wildlife, it is also teaching you how to watch without interfering. You will also hear safety information early, and the crew keeps that mindset throughout the trip.

The small group size is a huge advantage. Around 12 passengers or fewer means you are not constantly craning your neck between strangers. It also means it is easier for the crew to get everyone positioned for views when whales surface.

The guides are often marine-focused, and you can feel that in how they explain what you are seeing. People have specifically praised guides for being energetic, friendly, and very active at educating. Names mentioned include Austin, Ignacio, Ignacio’s teammate energy, and Martin, plus other guides like Zina and Alessandra. Even if you do not get the same guide, you can expect a similar approach: safety plus wildlife interpretation, with a big focus on respecting the animals’ space.

A small but meaningful comfort detail: some riders have said they were even provided spare cap and gloves if they forgot their own. If you forget, do not assume you are doomed, but still bring your own to avoid scrambling.

How often you’ll actually see whales

This is the part you care about most, and the honest answer is: you cannot control what animals do. But you can control how many chances you get, and this tour is set up to maximize those chances.

The speedboat approach makes it easier to chase a new surfacing point quickly. That is especially helpful for whales that surface, breathe, and then head back down. When your boat can reposition rapidly, you get more opportunities to line up a good view.

In real outings, people have reported seeing multiple humpback whales, sometimes with close passing views and repeated surfacing behavior. Minke whales have shown up as well, along with dolphins and other local marine life. There are even reports of larger whales like blue whales on certain departures. That kind of range is a strong sign you are not just hoping, you are searching effectively.

For puffins, season is the main factor. If you travel during roughly April 15 to August 20, you are more likely to get a real Lundey Island bird experience. Outside that time, the tour shifts to whales only.

Price in context: is $198 worth it?

At $198 per person for a 2-hour excursion, this is not a budget add-on. But it can be good value if what you want is close, fast, and guided.

Here is why the price makes sense for the type of experience:

• You are paying for a small RIB instead of a large ship, which typically means better visibility and quicker repositioning
• You get included cold-weather gear, especially the overalls that are required by Iceland rules
• You get expert guidance that helps you turn sightings into learning, not just photos
• You get a two-part experience, whales plus (seasonal) puffins on Lundey Island

If your main goal is whales only and you are happy with a larger boat, there are cheaper options in many places. But if you care about time on the water, the chance to reposition fast, and the added Lundey Island element when it is in season, this price can feel fair.

I also think of value in terms of stress. Cold trips that lack proper gear can become miserable. Here, your cold-weather kit is part of the deal, and that protects your enjoyment.

One thing to note: a rider wished for hot drinks or small snacks after the trip. That is not stated as included, so treat it as a nice-to-have, not a guarantee. You will likely want to plan on grabbing something warm after you return.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you:

• Want active whale watching from a small RIB, not a slow drift
• Like guided interpretation, so the wildlife spotting becomes more than luck
• Plan to travel in the puffin season window if birds are a priority
• Are comfortable with cold and wet conditions and can dress for it

It is not a good match if:

• Your child is under 8 years old, or under 130 cm tall
• You are pregnant
• You have back problems or weak heart issues, since the activity is not suitable for those conditions
• You have mobility issues that might make boarding harder

If you are unsure, contact the local provider ahead of time. They can also make assistance arrangements for some health needs, but the tour is explicitly listed as not suitable for certain conditions.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB whale and puffin tour?

I think you should book if you want a high-energy Húsavík whale watching experience with a strong chance of real wildlife time and, in the right months, a meaningful puffin stop on Lundey Island. The included overalls and the small RIB setup are key, because they directly affect how much you enjoy the ride in Iceland’s cold, changeable weather.

Skip it if cold-water boat rides are a hard no for you, or if you are in a health category listed as not suitable. Also, if you are traveling outside the puffin season, be honest with yourself that the island portion becomes whale-focused, and you might not get the bird payoff.

If you are flexible and can dress for the elements, this is one of the best ways to turn a 2-hour window in North Iceland into a story you can talk about for months.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík big whales and puffin island speedboat tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at Húsavík Adventures’ ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, about 30 minutes before departure.

What is the meeting point address?

The Google Maps address is provided as https://goo.gl/maps/GygtUPErByz1jSNk9.

Is the tour a whale-watching trip year-round, or only in summer?

Puffin season runs roughly April 15 to August 20. Outside that window, the tour is big whales only.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a guided tour in a 12-seat rigid inflatable boat (RIB), warm water-resistant overalls (compulsory to wear by law), a raincoat if needed, and life vests.

Do I need to bring a hat and gloves?

Gloves and hats are not included, so you should bring them.

Is seasickness medication included?

No. Seasickness pills are not included.

Is there a minimum age or height for passengers?

Yes. The minimum age is 8 years old or 130 cm in height. If a child is slightly under 130 cm, you should contact the local provider for approval.

What kind of cancellation options do I have?

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.