Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

Whales can make Iceland’s cold worthwhile. This fast, small-group RIB tour from Húsavík combines open-water speed with serious wildlife watching, giving you a good chance to see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. I like the maximum group of 12 and the way expert guides and a skilled captain can adjust course quickly when wildlife appears. I also like that warm safety overalls are provided. The main drawback is simple: this is a bumpy, weather-dependent boat ride, and puffins may be too far away for clear phone photos.

Húsavík is listed in the regional information for Akureyri, but the actual departure is in Húsavík, Iceland’s well-known whale-watching port. You should arrive at the Gentle Giants ticket center at least 40 minutes before departure, dressed for cold, wet conditions. Outside puffin season, the tour focuses more heavily on whales.

Key points at a glance

• A small RIB with up to 12 people: The compact boat can turn quickly and cover more of Skjálfandi Bay than a slower vessel.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: The visit usually runs from April 15 through August 15, with the best chance of seeing nesting birds during that period.
• Whale sightings are common but not guaranteed: The operator gives chances of up to 99 percent, yet nature sets the schedule.
• Warm survival-style overalls are supplied: These help with wind, spray, and low temperatures, but you should still wear warm layers.
• The ride is active, not gentle: RIB seats are individual, and the boat can bounce hard on waves.
• The price buys a focused two-hour outing: At $180.27 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but the small boat and short format may suit a tight Iceland itinerary.

Leaving Húsavík for Skjálfandi Bay

The tour begins at the Gentle Giants Whale Watching ticket center on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The meeting point is within walking distance of many local accommodations, and public transportation is nearby. There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to find the center, check in, and put on the supplied gear.

That 40-minute arrival requirement matters. You are not simply stepping onto a boat at the last second. Staff help you with the warm safety overalls and life vest, and rain jackets are available if needed. The suits are described in one account as one-piece survival-style overalls, a useful detail because the cold on open water can feel much sharper than it does in town.

The RIB carries no more than 12 people. That gives the trip a personal feel and makes it easier to hear the guide’s live commentary. It also means fewer heads competing for a view when a whale surfaces nearby.

The location is one of the tour’s real strengths. Húsavík sits beside Skjálfandi Bay, where several whale species may appear. The boat leaves the harbor and searches the bay with help from the guide and captain. You are not following a fixed sightseeing loop in the usual sense. The crew watches the water, shares information about animal behavior, and changes direction when sightings develop.

Why the RIB makes a difference

A rigid inflatable boat is smaller and more nimble than a large whale-watching vessel. That does not guarantee closer animals, since respectful distances and sea conditions still control the approach, but it can help the captain reposition quickly.

One especially lucky outing followed a blue whale for about 30 minutes after first seeing humpbacks. The smaller boat could turn and keep up with the animal more readily than larger boats visible in the distance. Other trips produced several humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. One group saw a large pod of dolphins jumping and playing around the boat.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. You move fast across the bay, with open views and a stronger sense of the sea than you get from a large enclosed boat. It feels more like a proper expedition than a short harbor cruise.

You should also know what the speed means physically. The seats are individual, similar to motorcycle or snowmobile seats, and the boat may hit waves with a jolt. On rough water, you may need to bend your knees or briefly rise with the motion to reduce the impact on your back. Several accounts describe the captain as highly skilled, including handling waves around six feet, but good boat handling does not turn rough seas into calm ones.

This is not suitable for passengers with back or heart problems, or for pregnant women. The minimum age is eight, and the minimum height is 130 centimeters. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Stop 1: Searching for the bay’s gentle giants

The central part of the tour is the whale search across Skjálfandi Bay. The guide explains what you are seeing, including species, behavior, and migration patterns. The best moments may be brief: a back rolling through the water, a blow in the distance, a tail slap, or several surfacings from the same animal.

The experience can be spectacular. Sightings have included more than 10 humpbacks on one outing, several different whale species on another, and a blue whale during an early-season trip. Humpbacks are often the stars, but minke whales and dolphins can add variety. Porpoises may appear too, though they are generally quicker and harder to follow.

The crew’s response matters. A guide may point out the animal before you see it, explain where to look, and help everyone get a view. Captains need to balance speed, safety, other boats, and the whale’s movements. The strongest praise for this tour centers on that combination of guide and captain: friendly preparation on shore, clear explanations on the water, and careful boat handling.

Several guide names appear in the feedback, including Nicoletta, Clara, Victoria, Mario, Miro, and Witt. Individual assignments can change, but the pattern is clear: the guiding is not just a recorded narration. You may have someone who is visibly excited about the animals and eager to explain what is happening.

The stated chance of seeing whales is up to 99 percent, but you should read that as an indication of strong local conditions, not a promise. Wildlife moves freely, and sightings vary. One outing produced only a couple of brief looks, while another found dozens of whales and a large dolphin pod. If no whales or dolphins appear, there is no cash refund, though a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour may be available, depending on availability.

That policy is worth considering before you pay. You are buying time, crew skill, and access to the bay, not a guaranteed performance from wild animals.

Puffin Island from April 15 through August 15

During the breeding season, the boat visits Puffin Island, also known as Lundey in the local area. The approximate season is April 15 through August 15. If seeing puffins is a major reason for booking, choose a date inside that window and confirm conditions close to departure.

The island is home to a very large nesting colony. You may see puffins on the island, flying above the water, or resting and swimming around the boat. The scene can be busy with birds, but the photography can be tricky.

The boat may need to keep its distance for safety, tides, and wildlife protection. Puffins on the island can look small from the water. A phone camera may struggle, especially if the boat is moving. A camera with a strong zoom gives you a better chance of clear images when the boat steadies.

This is one place where expectations matter. Puffin Island is special because of the number of birds and the setting, not because you will necessarily get a close-up portrait. If you want crisp puffin photographs, bring a real zoom lens if you have one. Keep your phone secured in a pocket rather than holding it loosely while the RIB is moving.

Outside the puffin season, the itinerary gives more attention to whales. A late-August tour, for example, had no puffin visit but still produced five whales. The tour remains worthwhile for marine life, but you should not book it after mid-August expecting the full puffin-and-whale combination.

Sea and weather conditions can also change the plan at short notice. The crew may skip the island if visiting is not safe. That is frustrating if puffins are your priority, but it is the right decision on a small open boat.

Cold weather, clothing, and comfort

The supplied overalls are a major practical benefit. They help block wind and spray, and several outings took place in temperatures near freezing without passengers becoming uncomfortably cold inside the suits.

Do not treat the overalls as a substitute for proper clothing. Bring warm layers, waterproof clothing, and suitable footwear. The company specifically asks you to bring warm and waterproof clothing. A hat and gloves are sensible additions, especially if you are sensitive to cold.

The boat may feel comfortable in calm water and much rougher in wind or swell. One outing had calm water and excellent visibility, while another faced cold conditions and large waves. The captain’s skill helps, but conditions still shape the ride.

I would choose a calm forecast if you have flexibility. The whales do not follow a booking calendar, but calm water makes it easier to watch, photograph, and enjoy the scenery. If you are prone to motion sickness, the RIB’s speed and bouncing motion deserve serious thought.

Is $180.27 fair for two hours?

At $180.27 per person, this is a premium short excursion. The tour lasts about two hours, which may seem expensive beside a longer traditional whale-watching trip. The value lies in the small group, fast boat, supplied protective gear, and ability to move quickly around the bay.

You are also paying for a guided wildlife search in one of Iceland’s best-known whale areas. A good outing can include humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins in a single morning or afternoon. A less lucky one may offer only a few glimpses, so the price includes a measure of uncertainty.

The RIB format suits you if you value action and access over a slow, sheltered ride. It is also useful when your Iceland schedule is tight. Two hours on the water leaves more time for Húsavík, nearby sights, or the drive toward Akureyri.

Selected local partners in Húsavík offer discounts with the tour ticket. The details of those discounts can change, but they add a little extra value if you plan to eat or shop locally after returning.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of passengers can lead to a cancellation by the operator, with an alternative date or full refund offered.

Who will enjoy this Húsavík safari?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a small group, a fast ride, and a serious chance of seeing marine life. It suits couples, families with older children, photographers with zoom lenses, and anyone who prefers an active boat trip to a large sightseeing vessel.

It is especially attractive during puffin season, from roughly April 15 to August 15. Book outside those dates only if whales are your main goal. The tour can still produce excellent wildlife sightings, but Puffin Island is not the focus then.

I would be cautious if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, dislike cold spray, or find rough boat rides unpleasant. The minimum age is eight and minimum height is 130 centimeters, so younger children cannot join.

For photography, bring a secure camera strap and a zoom lens if possible. Keep phones protected and easy to reach, but do not spend the whole ride looking at a screen. A tail slap or sudden dolphin pod can appear and vanish in seconds.

Should you book the Original Big Whale Safari?

I would book it if you want the best mix of speed, small-group guiding, and wildlife potential in a two-hour format. The most praised parts are the capable captains, enthusiastic guides, warm suits, and fast RIB that can reposition when whales surface.

I would not choose it simply because you expect guaranteed close-up puffin photos or perfectly calm water. Pick a date in puffin season, arrive early, dress warmly, and accept that nature controls the show.

For an active visitor with limited time in Húsavík, the $180.27 price can be fair, especially when the bay delivers humpbacks, dolphins, or the rare sight of a blue whale. Just make sure the RIB ride itself sounds like fun before you book.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

The tour departs from the Gentle Giants ticket center at Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The whale and puffin safari lasts approximately two hours.

When can I visit Puffin Island?

Puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. Outside that period, the tour places more focus on whale watching.

What should I wear?

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

Can children join the tour?

Children must be at least eight years old and 130 centimeters tall. They must also be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.