Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Whales turn a bay into a theater. This fast, two-hour trip from Húsavík combines puffin watching with a search for humpback, blue, and other large whales in Skjálfandi Bay. I especially like the roomy RIB, limited to 12 people, and the local family ownership behind Gentle Giants. The main tradeoff is simple: speed brings excitement and a wider search area, but it can also mean a rough, cold ride for anyone prone to seasickness.

I also like the guides’ strong wildlife knowledge and friendly style. Matteo, a marine biologist, has impressed guests with clear answers, while guides including Jo, Serena, Rui, Alberto, Sara, and Miro have been praised for spotting animals and keeping the commentary lively. Just remember that wildlife follows its own schedule. You may see several humpbacks and a super pod of dolphins, or only a few sightings.

Key points to know before you book

• Puffin Island is seasonal: The island visit runs approximately from April 15 through August 15, when thousands of puffins gather to nest.
• The RIB covers more water: A fast boat can reach active whale areas quickly, giving you a better chance of finding large whales during the two-hour trip.
• The boat holds only 12 people: This creates a more personal feel and gives you a better chance of seeing from the side of the boat.
• Warm overalls are required: The operator supplies safety overalls and rain jackets if needed, but you should still bring warm layers, a hat, and gloves.
• The ride can be rough: Rain and wind may turn the crossing into a roller-coaster-like experience, especially for people prone to seasickness.
• No whale sighting means a voucher, not a refund: If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak-boat whale tour.

Why Húsavík is the right place for this trip

Húsavík is widely known as Iceland’s whale-watching center, and the town sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, a productive area for marine life. From the harbor, you can reach open water quickly rather than spending much of the tour simply getting away from shore.

That matters on a short excursion. Two hours is enough time for a proper search, but it is not a full-day wildlife expedition. The RIB’s speed helps the crew move toward reported activity and cover a broader part of the bay. You still depend on weather, season, and luck, but the boat gives the guide more options.

The setting also adds plenty before the first whale appears. You get views across the bay, with Icelandic mountains around the water and seabirds working the air and sea. The scenery is not just something to look at during empty stretches. It helps you understand why Húsavík became such a natural base for marine excursions.

Gentle Giants is a locally owned family company, which gives this outing a more rooted feel than a large chain operation. The experience begins at the company’s Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags, and arrive ready to leave large bags behind because luggage is not allowed on the boat.

Getting ready at the blue flags

Before you reach the boat, the staff outfit you with a warm safety overall and a life jacket. The overall is obligatory, and rain jackets are available if conditions call for them.

This equipment is useful, but it does not make ordinary clothing irrelevant. Wear warm outdoor layers underneath, comfortable shoes, and clothing that can handle spray or rain. A hat and scarf are sensible additions, and one person who went out in near-freezing conditions recommended extra socks. The boat moves quickly, and wind can make the temperature feel much lower than it does on land.

The safety briefing takes place in Húsavík before departure. Your guide explains how to sit, hold on, and move safely around the RIB. Listen closely, particularly if you have never ridden in this type of boat. The experience is meant to be lively, but it is still a working wildlife trip on open water.

This is not a good fit for everyone. Children under eight, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people shorter than 130 centimeters, and people with back or heart problems are not accepted. The operator also advises against the tour for those with relevant physical concerns. If seasickness is a problem for you, consider taking suitable medication before leaving, as long as it is safe for you to do so.

The RIB ride: fast, close to the water, and limited to 12 people

The boat is a modern RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, with more room than many other local RIBs. Its maximum of 12 passengers keeps the group small enough for a personal atmosphere.

That capacity is one of the strongest reasons to consider paying for this version of whale watching. Traditional boats offer more interior space and often a gentler ride, but a small RIB puts you close to the sea and lets the guide speak directly to the group. The crew can also turn the boat so different sides get a fair chance at a sighting.

The speed is the other major advantage. When a whale surfaces some distance away, the skipper can move across the bay more quickly than a larger boat. This can be the difference between arriving as the animal disappears and reaching the area in time for another breath.

There is a cost to that speed. In calm weather, the ride can be exhilarating and smooth. In rain or choppy water, it can become very bumpy. One detailed account compared the trip to a roller coaster and warned that people prone to seasickness should take the warning seriously. The company may cancel in poor weather, but a trip can still operate in conditions that feel rough to you.

Puffin Island from April 15 through August 15

The first major stop is Puffin Island, visited during the nesting period from approximately April 15 to August 15. This is a quick, close look at an important seabird site rather than a land visit. The boat cruises past the island while your guide explains puffin behavior, nesting, and the marine life around Húsavík.

At the right time of year, the numbers can be startling. Reports from this tour describe thousands of puffins, with their bright bills and quick, comic movements earning them the nickname Clowns of the Ocean. You may see groups gathered on the island and birds cutting across the water near the boat.

The puffin stop adds real value because it gives you something worthwhile even during a quiet whale day. The birds are also easy to appreciate at a distance. You are not walking through a colony or disturbing nesting sites, and the guide can explain what you are seeing while the boat keeps a respectful position.

Timing matters here. The puffin visit is seasonal, not a year-round promise. If you book outside the approximate April 15 to August 15 window, the outing puts more attention on whales and other marine life. If puffins are your main goal, check the date carefully and understand that the season can vary slightly with nature.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales and dolphins

After Puffin Island, the boat works across Skjálfandi Bay. The guide provides live commentary while the skipper searches for whales, dolphins, and other signs of marine life.

Humpback whales are the star for many departures. They may surface with a tall back, show a tail, or become more active at the surface. Some sightings are brief. Others allow several appearances from the same animal. The speedboat’s maneuverability helps the crew reposition, but it cannot control where a whale comes up.

Blue whales are also possible, which raises the excitement level. These enormous animals may not perform dramatic breaches, yet their size makes even a quiet surface appearance memorable. Dolphins can provide a faster, more energetic encounter. Several accounts describe large groups, including one super pod, moving through the bay.

The crew’s approach is a key part of the experience. Guides such as Serena have been praised for explaining whale behavior and finding the right area, while captains such as Sarah have made a point of turning the boat so people on both sides can see. Marine biologists including Matteo and Zara have added useful detail about species and behavior without reducing the trip to a lecture.

A wildlife tour should always be judged by the quality of the search, not only by a guaranteed checklist. The company makes a serious effort to find animals, but whales can stay underwater or remain beyond reach. Some departures report repeated humpback sightings, blue whales, and dolphins. Others see only a few whales, or none at all.

If no whales or dolphins appear, the company offers a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip on an oak boat. That is a helpful fallback, but it is not a cash refund. Read that condition carefully before booking.

What the two hours feel like

The stated duration is two hours, including the safety briefing, boat travel, puffin stop when in season, and wildlife search. Because the RIB is fast, you spend a useful portion of that time in the wider bay rather than creeping along at low speed.

The rhythm changes throughout the trip. Leaving Húsavík is lively, with the boat accelerating into open water. Puffin Island brings a slower sightseeing pause. The whale search then becomes more deliberate, with the engine speed changing as the guide and skipper work together.

You should be ready for stretches where nothing happens. That is part of looking for wild animals. Keep watching the water, but also listen to the guide and enjoy the bay. A short trip can feel full even without constant whale activity if you treat the whole outing as a marine safari rather than a ride with a guaranteed show.

Photography takes a little patience. A phone or camera can capture a good surface moment, but keep it secure. The boat moves, spray is possible, and large bags are not allowed. You may find it easier to watch first and photograph second. A whale can vanish while you are trying to frame it.

Guide quality is a major strength

The guide can make a quiet wildlife trip feel worthwhile, and this operator has several strong names attached to its departures. Matteo has been singled out as a marine biologist who could answer detailed questions and explain the animals with genuine passion. Rui, Serena, Alberto, Zara, and Miro have also been praised for their subject knowledge, humor, and ability to connect with children and adults.

Jo received particular praise for sharing information in an easy way and checking that a passenger had not left a phone in a pocket before the ride. That small detail says something useful about the crew’s attention to safety. Alberto has also been described as engaging with children, which helps during two hours at sea.

The skipper matters just as much. Sarah has been praised for smooth handling and for turning the boat so each side had a chance at whale views. Smooth driving cannot remove all motion, but it can make the ride more comfortable and give the group confidence.

The tour operates in English. If you enjoy learning how whales feed, breathe, travel, and behave, the commentary adds a strong educational layer. You are not simply waiting for a fin to appear.

Is $159 a fair price?

At $159 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Skjálfandi Bay. You are paying for a small group, a faster boat, supplied protective gear, a specialized guide, and the chance to cover more water in two hours.

I think the value is strongest if the boat itself is part of your goal. Several people have found the RIB ride worth the extra cost even before seeing whales because it feels more active than a traditional boat trip. The faster route also makes sense if you have limited time in Húsavík and want to give the crew the best practical chance of locating animals.

The price is harder to justify if you want a quiet, sheltered cruise or if you dislike motion. A traditional oak boat may suit you better, especially if you prefer more room to move and a calmer pace. The voucher offered after an unsuccessful whale search is useful, but it does not remove the risk of paying for a day when sightings do not happen.

The 4.8 rating from 973 ratings suggests a consistently strong experience, but the wildlife risk still applies. High satisfaction does not mean every departure sees the same number of animals. Book this for the boat, setting, guide, and search as much as for the hope of a humpback.

Who should book this speedboat safari?

I would choose this trip if you want an energetic outing and do not mind open-water motion. It suits adults, families with children aged eight and above who meet the height requirement, photographers who can handle a moving platform, and anyone who wants puffins and whales in one compact trip.

It is especially appealing during puffin season, when the island adds a dependable wildlife highlight to the whale search. Outside that season, the focus shifts more fully to whales and dolphins, so set your expectations accordingly.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, use a wheelchair, are shorter than 130 centimeters, or expect a gentle cruise. Large bags cannot come aboard, and the operator does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the Ticket Center in Húsavík yourself.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Weather can still force a cancellation. If that happens, the company offers another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB tour?

Book it if you want the most active two-hour whale trip from Húsavík, especially from April 15 through August 15 when Puffin Island is part of the route. The small boat, wider search area, strong guides, and chance of humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and thousands of puffins make the $159 worthwhile for the right person.

Skip it in favor of a traditional oak boat if you get seasick easily or want a slower, steadier ride. And if you book, layer up, secure your phone, leave your luggage behind, and remember that nature provides the sightings. That honest understanding is the best way to enjoy this fast, cold, exciting trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet your guide at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What kind of boat is used?

The tour uses a modern RIB speedboat that can carry a maximum of 12 passengers.

Is Puffin Island visited all year?

No. Puffin Island is visited during the nesting season, approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour focuses more on whales.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include puffins, humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, and other marine life in Skjálfandi Bay. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What clothing is provided?

Warm safety overalls are provided and required. Rain jackets are also available if needed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and outdoor clothing. Hats, scarves, and extra socks can be useful in cold conditions.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight cannot join. Participants must also be at least 130 centimeters tall.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales or dolphins are seen, you are offered a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat. The voucher does not provide a refund.