Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

The big draw here is the small RIB boat, which can cover more water and turn quickly when whales appear. In Skjálfandi Bay, you may see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and, with luck, even a blue whale. The advertised chance of spotting whales is up to 99 percent, but wildlife is never a sure thing.

I like two things right away: the boats carry no more than 12 people, and the crew provides warm safety overalls rather than leaving you to face Iceland’s cold in ordinary outdoor clothes. I also like the mix of speed, wildlife, and close coastal views. The main drawback is the ride itself. A RIB can hit waves hard, so this is not a good choice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or dislike a brisk, bouncy boat trip.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat carries up to 12 people, giving you a better view and a more personal guide experience than a large whale-watching vessel.
• Puffin Island is seasonal, with visits planned roughly from April 15 through August 15.
• The RIB is fast and nimble, useful when a whale surfaces or dolphins begin moving around the boat.
• Warm safety overalls are required, and rain jackets are supplied when needed.
• The trip lasts about two hours, with the focus shifting toward whales outside puffin season.
• You must arrive 40 minutes early at the Gentle Giants ticket center in Húsavík.

Why this Húsavík RIB safari is different

Húsavík is widely known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital, and this trip makes good use of its position on Skjálfandi Bay. You are not simply taken out, parked beside a feeding area, and brought home. The RIB can travel quickly along the coast and change direction with little fuss.

That speed matters when wildlife appears in scattered spots. A humpback might surface well away from the boat, or a pod of dolphins may cut across your route. A nimble RIB gives the captain a better chance of following the action than a slower, larger vessel.

The boat also changes the feel of the outing. You sit in individual seats rather than on a broad bench. One detailed account compared the ride to sitting on a motorcycle or snowmobile, with room to bend your knees or rise slightly when the boat meets a wave. That setup helps you handle the motion, but it also tells you what sort of ride to expect.

The experience is offered in English, and a professional guide provides live commentary throughout. Guides named in accounts of the tour include Clara, Victoria, Mario, Nicoletta, Miro, and Milo. The strongest praise goes to the combination of enthusiastic wildlife guides and skilled captains, not just to the animals themselves.

Leaving Húsavík and heading into Skjálfandi Bay

You meet at Gentle Giants Whale Watching on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The departure point is within walking distance of most Húsavík accommodations, and public transportation is nearby. This is a town-based activity, not a remote excursion requiring a separate transfer.

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That extra time is used for check-in, safety instructions, and getting dressed. The crew supplies obligatory warm safety overalls and can provide rain jackets if needed. You should still bring warm, waterproof clothing, since your hands, face, and any exposed layers will feel the cold quickly on a moving boat.

Once everyone is ready, the RIB heads out from the harbor. The early part of the ride gives you a sense of the boat’s speed. You cover more of the bay in two hours than you would on a slower outing, but the tradeoff is a bumpier ride. Keep your phone secure in a pocket. One useful tip is to leave larger bags behind and avoid holding a phone loosely while the boat is moving.

The crew’s job is not only to find wildlife. The captain must also judge wave conditions, distance, and the comfort of everyone on board. Accounts of six-foot waves and near-freezing air show how much conditions can vary. On calm days, the RIB can feel thrilling and smooth. On rougher days, you may need to brace with your legs and accept that photography will be difficult.

Searching for humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises

The main part of the trip is a guided search for whales and dolphins. Skjálfandi Bay is known for regular whale activity, but the animals are wild and mobile. A high sighting rate is encouraging, not a promise that every departure will produce a close approach or dramatic tail slap.

Humpback whales are among the most commonly celebrated sightings on this outing. You may see a blow first, then a back, a tail, or repeated surfacing from the same animal. Some outings have produced several humpbacks, while others have included a single whale observed repeatedly.

Minke whales can be harder to spot because they are smaller and often move quickly. Seeing one can still be a special moment, especially early in the season. Dolphins add a different kind of excitement. They may appear in a moving pod, sometimes close enough to watch them travel and play around the boat.

The guides provide context about behavior, migration, and the species you see. This is where names such as Clara, Victoria, Mario, and Nicoletta matter. The strongest guiding style on this tour is active rather than rehearsed. The crew watches the water with you, reacts to each sighting, and explains what is happening as the boat adjusts course.

You should also keep your expectations flexible. A trip may produce more than 10 humpback sightings, several species, and dolphins. Another may offer only brief glimpses. If no whales or dolphins are seen, a cash refund is not available, though the company may offer a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip, depending on availability.

Puffin Island from April 15 through August 15

During the approximate puffin season, the trip includes a visit toward Puffin Island, also known as Lundey. The season runs from about April 15 to August 15. If puffins are your main goal, book within that period and check the date carefully.

The island is known for a large nesting population, with one account describing about 100,000 puffins. You can expect to see birds on the water and in flight, as well as groups gathered on the island. The RIB gives you a lively approach and a closer sense of the bird colony, but you should not expect every puffin to fill a phone screen.

Photography is the weak spot for some people. The safe distance from the island depends on tides and sea conditions, and the boat cannot always move as close as you might wish. A camera with a real zoom lens will do far better than a phone. When the boat is steady, you may get good shots, but the ride and bird movement make this a poor outing for careful portrait photography.

Puffin visits may also be skipped at short notice if weather or sea conditions change. Outside the puffin season, the tour puts more attention on whale watching. That makes the trip useful in late August and beyond, but you should not book an out-of-season date expecting puffins.

What the two-hour format means for your day

Two hours is a good length for a fast wildlife trip. You get enough time to reach productive parts of the bay without giving up most of your day in Húsavík. It also suits an Iceland road trip, when you may need to continue to another town or attraction.

The short format does mean the crew has little spare time. If the first search area is quiet, the captain must keep moving. A sighting near the end of the trip may receive less time than you would like because the boat still needs to return to harbor.

The RIB’s speed helps offset that limitation. You can reach more of the coast and spend less time simply traveling to the whale-watching area. It also gives you changing views of the water and shore, rather than keeping you in one part of the bay.

At the end, you return to the same meeting point in Húsavík. The company offers selected local partner discounts, which may add a little value if you plan to eat or shop in town after the trip. Those discounts should be treated as a bonus, not a reason to choose the tour.

Cold-weather gear and the reality of the ride

The supplied overalls are one of the practical strengths of this outing. Several accounts describe them as one-piece survival-style suits that block wind, spray, and cold. They are designed for a boat ride, not for wandering around town, so use them as an extra layer over warm clothes rather than as a substitute for proper clothing.

Wear warm layers underneath, and bring waterproof outerwear for use before and after the boat. Gloves and a hat are sensible choices. Even when the air temperature does not seem extreme on shore, the wind created by a fast-moving boat can make it feel much colder.

The boat’s seats are individual. That gives you space to adjust your posture, but it also means you feel the motion more directly. If the boat meets a wave, you may need to bend your knees or rise slightly rather than sit rigidly. This is important advice for anyone unused to RIB boats.

The tour is not suitable for passengers with heart or back problems, or for pregnant women. The minimum age is eight, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but the physical ride deserves more attention than the phrase whale watching might suggest.

Is $180.27 a fair price?

At $180.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the bay. The value comes from the small group, the fast boat, the two-hour duration, the provided protective gear, and the chance to cover more water than you can on foot or from shore.

You are also paying for the crew’s experience. Finding whales is not only a matter of luck. The captain reads the water and weather, while the guide scans for blows, fins, and movement. When a blue whale appears or dolphins begin traveling near the boat, quick decisions matter.

The price makes more sense if you want an active outing rather than a simple sightseeing cruise. It is less appealing if your priority is a quiet, stable platform for photography. A larger boat may offer a calmer ride, while this RIB gives you speed and a smaller group.

The 4.8 rating from 417 ratings and 94 percent recommendation rate suggest strong overall satisfaction, but the practical details explain why. People tend to value the crew, the warm suits, the boat handling, and the chance to see several species. The experience is not perfect for every weather pattern or passenger.

Weather, cancellations, and booking timing

The tour runs only in suitable weather and sea conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached, with the option of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

The tour is booked on average about 50 days ahead, so early planning is sensible during the short puffin season. If whales are your main target, you have a wider window, since the company places more focus on whales outside puffin season.

Who should choose this experience?

I would choose this trip if you want a small group, an energetic ride, and a good chance to see several kinds of marine life. It is particularly well suited to couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers an active boat over a large, slow cruise.

It is also a strong choice for a first whale-watching outing in Iceland because the guide stays with you throughout and the company supplies protective gear. The English commentary helps you understand what you are seeing instead of simply watching distant shapes on the water.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, a sensitive back, or a strong need for a smooth ride. I would also choose a larger vessel if you are carrying expensive camera equipment or want steady photographs of puffins.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB safari?

Book it if you want speed, a small group, and a serious search for whales. The chance to see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and possibly a blue whale gives the trip real appeal, while the warm overalls make Iceland’s cold more manageable.

Book between April 15 and August 15 if puffins matter to you. Outside that window, choose the tour for whales and coastal scenery instead. Arrive early, dress warmly, secure your phone, and accept that nature may offer a spectacular show or only brief sightings.

For an active two-hour experience from Húsavík, this is a strong choice. Just remember that the RIB is part of the adventure, not merely transportation.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Gentle Giants Whale Watching ticket center at Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The RIB whale and puffin safari lasts approximately two hours.

What animals might I see?

You may see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins during the appropriate season. Whale sightings are never guaranteed.

When is Puffin Island included?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 15. The visit may be skipped if weather or sea conditions change.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is eight, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What should I wear?

Bring warm and waterproof clothing. Warm safety overalls are provided and required, with rain jackets available if needed.

How many people can join the RIB?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.