Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Big whales in fast pursuit sounds fun. This RIB speedboat tour from Húsavík blends Puffin Island sightings with serious whale-spotting in Skjálfandi Bay, led by an expert guide who steers your attention to what matters out on the water. The boat is built for action, so when conditions change, the crew can reposition quickly.

What I really like here is the modern RIB speedboat itself, with space for up to 12 passengers and a setup that helps everyone actually see. The second thing I like is the guide-led focus, because you are not just riding around, you are getting live commentary on marine life and what to watch for, with guides such as Clara, Matteo, Jo, and Beatriz appearing as names people mention often.

One thing to consider: this is a high-speed, open-boat experience. If you are sensitive to motion, you should expect a ride that can feel bumpy when the sea is rough, and you also need to follow the warm clothing guidance closely.

Key highlights worth your time

RIB speed and range in Skjálfandi Bay: Covers a larger area and can reposition fast when whales surface.

Puffin Island in peak nesting season: Visit during April 15 through August 15, when thousands of puffins gather.

Small group feel: Maximum of 12 passengers, so views are not blocked by crowding.

Warm, mandatory overalls: You are issued overalls and can add rain jackets if needed.

Focused, live onboard commentary: English live guiding with safety briefing plus wildlife interpretation.

If wildlife is missing, there is a fallback: If no whales (dolphins included) are seen, you get a free oak-boat tour voucher.

Why Húsavík’s RIB safari feels like the smart way to spot whales

Húsavík is often called Iceland’s whale capital for a reason. It sits on the northeastern coast in the area around Skjálfandi Bay, where you have the best chance of seeing big marine animals while you are still close to land.

This tour is built around an idea that makes practical sense. You cannot force whales to surface, but you can improve your odds by going farther across the bay and getting to sightings quickly. A RIB speedboat does that job better than a slow boat, and it also helps you get closer views when whales appear near the surface. The result is a mix of adrenaline and education: fast travel between hotspots, then time to watch carefully once something shows.

I also like the emotional balance of the itinerary. You do not jump straight into whales and ignore the birds. You get Puffin Island during nesting season, so your trip has a clear rhythm and your camera does not stay useless for the whole ride.

Price and what you are really paying for at $175 per person

At $175 per person for a 2-hour tour, this is not the cheapest way to go whale watching. But the value comes from the kind of experience you are buying.

Here is what you are paying for, in real-life terms:

• Speedboat-style positioning, which can mean less waiting time and more time watching whales once they are found
• A larger search area within Skjálfandi Bay, instead of staying fixed offshore
• A small onboard group, up to 12 passengers, which usually translates to better viewing for everyone
• Included warm overalls and life jacket support, so you spend less time worrying and more time watching
• A specialist guide and live onboard commentary, so the sightings connect to what you are seeing

If your priority is close, quick access to whales and a more personal feel than crowded platforms, the price looks more reasonable. If your priority is comfort on a slow boat above everything else, you might decide the RIB style is not your match.

Getting ready at Gentle Giants and dressing for the ride

Your meeting point is straightforward. Meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík, look for the big blue flags. Plan to arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That buffer helps you get geared up without rushing.

What to wear matters a lot here, because the tour is water time in an Icelandic region that can shift fast. Bring:

• Comfortable shoes with grip
• Warm clothing under your gear
• Outdoor layers that are waterproof or at least water-resistant

Once you arrive, you will be equipped with warm safety overalls. These are obligatory, along with a life jacket. If it is wet or rainy, rain jackets can be provided if needed. The practical point is simple: do not rely on a light jacket. You want warmth that stays put even if you get spray.

One more practical note: luggage or large bags are not allowed. If you are traveling with camera gear, keep it compact and store what you can so you are not juggling belongings while boarding.

Puffin Island stop: what you’ll see and why it matters

The Puffin Island portion is timed to the nesting season, roughly April 15 through August 15. During that window, you can observe thousands of puffins on the island. People often call them the Clowns of the Ocean, and that nickname fits the way puffins move and pop into view as they interact with their nesting areas.

This stop is not just bird watching as a warm-up. It changes the feel of the whole tour. You are on water, but you also get a land-based wildlife moment where you can slow down, focus your eyes, and enjoy birds in a way you cannot always do from a boat.

That said, there is a catch worth knowing. There is more focus on whales outside puffin season. Also, if weather or sea conditions change even with short notice, the visit to Puffin Island may be skipped. So if Puffin Island is your main goal, plan to go with flexibility, not disappointment.

From Puffin Island back out to Skjálfandi Bay: the rhythm of the 2 hours

The day is paced like a working search, not a leisurely cruise. After the initial safety briefing and gear, you head out and the guide uses live commentary to point out what you are looking at.

The tour typically includes:

• Safety briefing and getting fitted for overalls and life jackets
• Guided sightseeing around Puffin Island during the nesting period
• A speedboat cruise through Skjálfandi Bay with more wildlife watching
• Whale watching as the priority action once the crew identifies activity

There is also a dolphin component built into the experience, because Skjálfandi Bay can produce sightings that include dolphins alongside whales. If dolphins show up near the route, the guide helps you track behavior, not just location.

The “why this works” part is the speed and the search strategy. When the boat is fast and the group is small, the crew can follow new cues without turning your whole trip into waiting around. The ride does feel like you are moving through the bay at purpose.

Whale hunting with a RIB: what the speed changes for your viewing

Once you are out in Skjálfandi Bay, whale watching becomes a game of timing and attention. Whales do not stay put, so the best viewing comes when you arrive near the surface at the right moment.

This RIB setup helps because:

• The boat can reach sightings quickly
• You can often get close enough for real observation rather than distant spotting
• The skipper can adjust direction to keep the best views for people on both sides of the boat

People mention close humpback moments, and sometimes very close surface activity. Exact distances are never something you can count on, but the pattern is consistent: when whales appear, the crew tries to position for the widest viewing experience possible.

The big target species include blue whales and humpback whales. And when conditions are right, you can also see other marine life like harbor porpoises and bottlenose dolphins.

One more detail that I think matters: this tour aims for a larger area of Skjálfandi Bay compared to slower options. That is not a gimmick. It is how you increase your odds without pretending you can control nature.

Staying warm, safe, and not miserable in rough water

This is an open-air speedboat experience. Even with proper gear, you should expect motion if the sea is active.

In practice, that means:

• Expect a bouncy ride at times, especially with wind and choppy water
• If you are prone to motion sickness, this is the part you should take seriously
• Warm and waterproof layers are not optional if you want to feel comfortable

The tour does include what you need to handle cold conditions, mainly the warm overalls. But your comfort still depends on what you wear underneath and how you prepare. If you have trouble with nausea on boats, consider that before you choose a RIB style.

Safety is also built into the beginning of the tour. There is a safety briefing, plus the life jacket system. The goal is simple: you should be able to watch, not worry.

How the guides shape the whole experience

A whale safari lives or dies by what you notice. This tour leans hard on live onboard interpretation.

You will get an English-speaking guide with live commentary, and people mention strong performances from guides like Clara, Matteo, Jo, Louisa, Fiona, Reinir, Fabio, Beatriz, Rui, and others. One standout detail that shows up in the guide style is the way they connect whale behavior to what you can see: surfacing rhythm, movement patterns, and the kinds of signs that mean something is happening just out of sight.

The best part for you is that the guide is not just reciting facts. They help you focus your eyes and make sense of quick moments, which is exactly when whale watching is most rewarding. When you know what to look for, a short surfacing can turn into a longer, satisfying set of observations.

Wildlife odds, weather reality, and what happens if whales do not show

Weather is the boss here. Tours can be canceled due to bad weather, with the option of another date or a full refund if the tour is canceled for that reason.

But even when the tour runs, visibility and sea conditions can affect what you see. Fog can reduce sightlines, and rougher water can make it harder to spot surfaces.

If the tour ends without whales (dolphins included), you receive a voucher for a traditional whale watching tour on oak boats free of charge. That is the fallback plan. It is not a cash refund, so treat the voucher as part of the experience system.

For your planning, the best mindset is: you are going out to hunt for wildlife, not banking on a single guaranteed sighting.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This is a specific style of tour, and that is good. It means the company is not trying to be everything to everyone.

It is not suitable for:

• Children under 8 years
• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with heart problems
• Wheelchair users
• People under 4 ft 3 in (130 cm)

It is also worth thinking carefully if you are extremely sensitive to motion. The ride can be thrilling in a good way, but it can be hard work if you get sick.

It suits you best if you:

• Want a fast, active search for whales rather than a slow cruise
• Prefer a small group feel, max 12 passengers
• Like the idea of warm overalls provided and organized guidance
• Are traveling in northeastern Iceland and want one high-impact wildlife outing

Should you book Húsavík’s Original Big Whale Safari by Speedboat?

Book it if you want the best shot at seeing whales in a shorter window and you like the RIB approach: speed to reach sightings, small group viewing, and guide-led interpretation. The $175 price feels more justified when your priorities are closer views, less waiting, and a more hands-on safari experience.

Skip it, or switch styles, if you are worried about rough water, have health limits tied to motion or seating, or you need a fully accessible setup. Also keep Puffin Island in mind. It is best during April 15 through August 15, and it can be skipped if conditions force a route change.

If you want one practical checklist item, it is this: pack warm, waterproof layers and wear gear that will keep you comfortable through spray and wind. Do that, and you give yourself the calm focus needed to enjoy what the crew finds.

FAQ

How long is this whale watching tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík, look for the big blue flags.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and outdoor clothing. Warm and waterproof clothing is strongly recommended.

Are warm overalls provided?

Yes. Warm safety overalls are provided and are obligatory, and rain jackets may be provided if needed.

Is Puffin Island always visited?

Puffin Island is part of the tour during the puffin season, roughly April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, there is more focus on whales. The Puffin Island stop may also be skipped if sea or weather conditions change.

What if no whales or dolphins are seen?

If no whales are seen on the tour, with dolphins included in that condition, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale watching tour on oak boats free of charge. No refund is given for this specific wildlife shortfall.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 8 years, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and people under 4 ft 3 in (130 cm).