Whales and Puffins Tour from Husavik

Two kinds of Iceland wildlife, one sail. I love how this Whales and Puffins Tour strings together two highlight stops, first nearing Puffin Island for puffins, then cruising Skjálfandi Bay for whale and dolphin watching.

Price is $130 per person, and the total time on the water is about 3 hours 30 minutes.

I really like that the company takes comfort seriously. You get warm overalls, and you also get light refreshments on board (including hot cocoa and a cinnamon bun in many cases), so the trip feels cozy even when the wind picks up.

One drawback to plan around is timing. After mid-August, puffins leave, and the operator switches from the puffin-focused part to regular whale watching.

Key things I think you should know before you go

• Puffins depend on the calendar: the puffin season window runs through breeding time, and the trips stop after Aug 15 for the puffin-and-whale format.
• You sail for whales in Skjálfandi Bay: this area is known for humpbacks, minke whales, and several dolphin types.
• Comfort is handled for you: warm overalls are provided, plus light refreshments on board.
• Small-to-mid sized group: capped at 75 travelers, which helps keep the boat feel manageable.
• English is available: the tour is offered in English.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: every departure can be different, so your best bet is booking with flexible expectations.

Skjálfandi Bay: why this tour feels special in Húsavík

Húsavík has a reputation for whale watching for a reason, and this tour uses that advantage smartly. You are not just doing one passive scan of the horizon. You start with puffins near Puffin Island, then move into the classic whale-watching waters of Skjálfandi Bay. That mix is what makes it such a strong use of half a day.

I also appreciate the tone of the experience. It is practical, not performative. You get expert routing from the crew, and the idea is to maximize your chance of sightings while still treating the ocean like the ocean, meaning conditions can change fast.

Puffin Island timing: the big decision that affects your whole trip

This is the key planning point. Puffins breed on the island in the warmer months, and the tour is built around seeing a major colony. The operator says that during breeding season there can be around 100,000 puffins on the island.

Then nature changes the schedule. Puffins leave Iceland around mid-August to spend winter in the open ocean. That’s why, after Aug 15, the company stops offering whale-and-puffin trips and switches to regular whale watching. Puffins return again at the end of April for the breeding season.

So if you are traveling in late summer, this matters more than almost anything else. If your dates fall after Aug 15, your expectations should shift to whales and dolphins only.

The boat setup: warm overalls and a comfort-first approach

Cold wind on open water is not theoretical in North Iceland. This tour tackles that with warm overalls provided for you. I like this approach because it reduces the guesswork. Instead of trying to dress for every possible weather scenario, you can plan for Iceland-style layering and then count on the overalls for the wet, windy part.

The boat time also includes light refreshments. You will typically finish with a warm treat like hot cocoa and a cinnamon bun, which is a small thing but it actually improves the whole end-of-trip mood. After a few hours of scanning the sea, warm sugar and caffeine make the experience feel complete.

The puffin stop: what you should look for near the colony

The tour takes you close to Puffin Island so you can see one of Iceland’s largest puffin colonies. During breeding season, you are looking for density, not one cute bird perched somewhere random. Puffins often pack in together when they are actively nesting, so the payoff is the scale of activity.

A practical tip: when you spot movement, track it with the crew’s guidance rather than hopping your attention between every bird you see. Puffin watching is about momentum. If you miss the first wave of birds, you can end up watching calm water while the best action is happening just outside your sight line.

Also, keep in mind that puffins are still wild birds. They do not hold a pose for photos. If you are there for close-up detail, you should come expecting movement and bustle rather than a guaranteed long, still viewing session.

Whale watching after puffins: what Skjálfandi Bay can offer

Once you finish with the puffins, you sail to traditional whale-watching areas in Skjálfandi Bay. The operator emphasizes that every tour is different, and you never know exactly what shows up.

Based on what’s described for Skjálfandi Bay, you might see:

• Humpback whales
• Minke whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Porpoises
• In the beginning of summer, blue whales and fin whales

One of the most valuable parts of a good whale trip is not just seeing animals, it is understanding what you are looking at and why the crew is steering where they are. This tour is designed around expert routing from the sailing experience in Skjálfandi Bay, so your time on the water is spent hunting sightings in a structured way.

How the 3.5 hours typically flow on the water

The timing is about 3 hours 30 minutes total, and the schedule usually follows a straightforward rhythm:

1) Meet at North Sailing – Húsavík Whale Watching on Garðarsbraut.

2) Head out for the puffin part, sailing close to Puffin Island.

3) After you view the colony, shift to whale-watching waters.

4) Return to the meeting point at the end.

What makes this flow work is that it reduces disappointment risk. Even if the whale activity is slower on your departure, the puffin colony can still deliver a memorable wildlife moment. And if you are going during the period when puffins are not part of the itinerary, you still get a dedicated whale-focused sail.

On some departures, if wildlife activity is strong, the time can feel longer in practice because the crew keeps searching and observing when it is productive. So your best mindset is flexible. Stay ready, watch the water when the crew points, and let the ocean set the pace.

Where value shows up: price, duration, and what you get

At $130 per person for about 3.5 hours, this is not a throwaway activity. The value comes from three things working together.

First, you get two wildlife targets in one trip when the puffin part is running. That’s a real advantage versus booking separate excursions.

Second, comfort is included in a meaningful way. Warm overalls reduce hassle and help you enjoy the full time on deck. If you have ever done cold boat tours where you spend half the trip shivering, you know why this matters.

Third, the operator provides light refreshments. That might sound minor, but it changes how you experience the time. You are not thinking about when you’ll finally stop and warm up.

Finally, the group cap is 75 travelers. It is not tiny, but it is controlled enough that you can still follow where to look during key moments.

A fair word on sighting expectations

Wildlife watching has an annoying habit of being honest. You can do everything right and still have a quieter day. The tour itself flags that puffins are seasonal and that you cruise for whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, which means animals move when and how they choose.

Some people do report great close sightings and lots of animals. Others describe days with fewer puffins or whales that only surfaced briefly. That is normal for open water viewing.

If you want the best chance at good results, bring patience and stay attentive. When the crew announces a sighting or changes position, it is usually because they have found something worth watching now, not later.

Who should book this tour (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you:

• want puffins and whales in one half-day,
• are visiting Húsavík and want an experience that uses your time efficiently,
• like wildlife tours where the crew helps you spot what matters, not just points vaguely at the horizon,
• appreciate warm weather gear and small onboard comforts.

You might think twice if:

• your schedule is after Aug 15 and you are only excited about puffins. In that window, the itinerary focus shifts because the puffins leave Iceland.
• you are very sensitive to how whale-watching boats behave. Whale activity can bring multiple boats into the same area in peak season, and whale movement is unpredictable.

Should you book this Whales and Puffins Tour from Húsavík?

I think you should book it if your travel dates fall within the puffin window and you want one of Húsavík’s most classic wildlife experiences. The combination of a major puffin colony near Puffin Island plus whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay is exactly what makes this tour stand out.

Book with a simple game plan:

• If puffins are your top priority, schedule before Aug 15.
• Dress in layers, then rely on the overalls to keep you comfortable.
• Go with flexible expectations about exact species and closeness, because the ocean runs the show.

If your dates line up, this is a very solid use of time in North Iceland.

FAQ

How long is the Whales and Puffins Tour from Húsavík?

It lasts about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is North Sailing – Húsavík Whale Watching, Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $130.00 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What wildlife can I expect to see?

You can see a puffin colony near Puffin Island, and during the whale-watching part you may see whales and dolphins, plus local bird species. Common species mentioned include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.

When do puffins leave Iceland, and how does that affect the tour?

Puffins leave Iceland around mid-August. After Aug 15, the operator does not offer whale-and-puffin trips anymore, and instead runs regular whale watching.

How many puffins are there on Puffin Island during breeding season?

The tour description says there can be around 100,000 puffins during breeding season.

Do I get warm clothing and refreshments?

You get warm overalls and light refreshments for comfort.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour capped by group size, and are children allowed?

The tour has a maximum of 75 travelers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed.