Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

A fast RIB carries you across Skjálfandi Bay in search of humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins. The small boat can cover more water than a standard vessel, then turn quickly when wildlife appears. On lucky trips, you might see a dozen whale sightings, a huge dolphin pod, or even a blue whale.

I like the small group of no more than 12 and the way the crew combines speed with careful wildlife watching. I also like the supplied thermal overalls, which matter when you are sitting above cold Icelandic water. The main drawback is the ride itself: it can be cold and bouncy, and puffins may be too far away for good phone pictures.

Key points

• A two-hour RIB safari from Húsavík: You spend less time motoring to the bay and more time searching for wildlife.
• Up to 12 people: The small boat gives you a better view and a more personal feel than a large whale-watching vessel.
• Puffin Island is seasonal: The island visit usually runs from about April 15 through August 15.
• Whales remain the main focus: Outside puffin season, the crew puts more effort into finding whales.
• Warm suits are provided: You still need warm, waterproof clothing, especially for your hands, feet, and face.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: The company offers a free traditional whale-watching voucher in some cases, but not a cash refund if no whales or dolphins appear.

Húsavík is the real starting point

The experience begins at the Gentle Giants ticket center on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík, not in Akureyri itself. Húsavík is widely known as Iceland’s whale-watching center, and the tour heads directly from its harbor into Skjálfandi Bay.

That location matters if your trip is based in Akureyri. The advertised location may say Akureyri, but you need to arrange your own way to Húsavík. Once you arrive, the departure point is within walking distance of most Húsavík accommodations and is near public transportation.

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That gives the staff time to check you in, fit your safety equipment, and help you into the warm overalls. Do not treat this as a last-minute harbor stroll. Getting dressed is part of the process, and you want time to ask questions before the boat leaves.

The tour runs in English and lasts about two hours. It ends back at the same meeting point, making it easy to plan a meal, a walk around Húsavík, or another activity afterward.

Getting ready for a cold, quick RIB ride

The boat is a rigid inflatable boat, or RIB, built for speed and quick turns. It does not feel like a slow sightseeing cruise. The seats are individual, with a setup compared to sitting on a motorcycle or snowmobile. That design helps the boat move quickly, but you should expect more motion when it hits a wave.

The company supplies warm safety overalls, which are obligatory, along with rain jackets when needed. These suits do a good job of keeping out wind and spray. Several outings have taken place in near-freezing conditions without passengers becoming uncomfortably cold inside the suits, but you should not rely on the suit alone.

Wear warm layers underneath. Add waterproof footwear, gloves, and a hat if you have them. The boat moves quickly across open water, and even a mild day at the harbor can feel much colder offshore. Phone storage also deserves thought. Keep your phone in a secure pocket, and consider a camera with a zoom lens if wildlife photography matters to you.

The individual seats let you bend your knees and adjust your position as the boat moves. You may need to rise slightly with the motion over waves, rather than sitting rigidly through every bump. This is not a reason to avoid the tour, but it is a useful warning for anyone with back trouble.

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

Crossing Skjálfandi Bay in search of whales

The first and main part of the trip is the whale-watching run through Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide gives live commentary and explains the animals you see, their habits, and their movements. Guides named in past trips include Nicoletta, Clara, Victoria, Mario, Miro, Milo, and Witt, although you will not know your guide until the day.

The guide and captain work as a team. The captain watches the water and handles the boat, while the guide helps you understand what has appeared and where to look. On a RIB, that teamwork is especially useful because wildlife can surface in several directions and vanish quickly.

Humpback whales are the most common stars in the stories from this tour. Sightings have included one whale surfacing several times, groups of five or more, and more than ten humpbacks on a particularly productive trip. A tail slap at about 300 yards has also provided the kind of dramatic moment people remember long after the boat returns.

You might also see minke whales, dolphins, and, with remarkable luck, a blue whale. One early-season trip found humpbacks within the first 20 minutes and then tracked a blue whale for roughly half an hour. That is not a normal promise of the tour, but it shows why guides keep searching even when the first part of the outing is quiet.

Dolphins can be just as entertaining as whales. A large pod has been seen jumping and playing around the boat, and smaller groups have appeared alongside whale sightings. If you enjoy variety, this trip gives you a chance to see several kinds of marine life in a short time.

Still, whale watching is wildlife watching. The advertised chance of seeing whales is up to 99 percent, not 100 percent. Weather, sea conditions, and animal behavior can change the day’s result. The boat and crew can search hard, but they cannot direct a whale to the surface.

If no whales or dolphins are seen, a cash refund is not provided. Depending on availability, you may receive a voucher for a free traditional whale-watching trip instead. Keep this policy in mind when comparing the tour with a more standard boat outing.

Puffin Island between April and August

During the breeding season, the trip includes a visit toward Puffin Island, often called Lundey. The puffin season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15. The exact visit can change at short notice if tides, wind, or sea conditions make it unsafe.

At the island, you may see large numbers of puffins resting on the water, flying around the boat, or gathering on the island. One trip described about 100,000 puffins nesting there. That number sounds huge, but the birds are not necessarily close enough for a clear phone photograph.

This is where your expectations matter. Puffin Island is a good chance to see the birds in their natural setting, not a guaranteed close-up wildlife portrait session. The boat must keep a safe distance, and the final approach depends on the conditions. A camera with a strong zoom will do much better than a phone.

Puffins are often more rewarding to watch with your eyes than through a screen. Keep your phone in your pocket for at least part of the visit. The birds in the water may come closer to the boat, while those on the island can remain distant.

Outside the puffin season, the tour puts more attention on whales. If puffins are your main reason for booking, schedule the trip before mid-August rather than hoping for late-season sightings.

What the small boat changes

A larger whale-watching boat usually gives you more room to walk around and may feel steadier. The RIB offers something different: speed, maneuverability, and a close-to-the-water view.

The captain can cover more of the bay during the two-hour outing and turn quickly when a whale surfaces. That agility has helped the boat follow a blue whale while larger boats remained farther away. It also lets the crew react when dolphins appear beside the boat.

The tradeoff is comfort. The RIB has no spacious indoor viewing area, and the ride can be rough in six-foot waves or poor weather. The thermal suits help with cold, but they do not remove the motion of the sea.

Several trips have taken place in difficult weather and still produced whale sightings, but favorable conditions remain important. If the weather is poor, the company may cancel the trip and offer another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.

The maximum group size of 12 is a strong point for anyone who dislikes crowded excursions. You will not have to compete with a large crowd for every view, and the guide can give clearer directions. The small group does not change the unpredictability of wildlife, but it does make the searching feel more personal.

Is $180.27 a fair price?

At $180.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for whales in Iceland. You are paying for a two-hour guided outing, a small RIB, safety equipment, warm overalls, and a crew that can move quickly around the bay.

The value makes the most sense if you care about the boat itself as much as the animals. The ride is part wildlife safari and part brisk sea trip. You cover more of the coast than you would at a slow pace, and the small group gives you a better chance of hearing the guide and following the action.

The price is harder to justify if you want a calm, sheltered cruise or a guaranteed close puffin photograph. A quiet day at sea can produce only brief whale sightings, and even an excellent puffin visit may leave your phone camera struggling.

The ticket also includes discounts with selected local partners in Húsavík. Those discounts are a useful extra, but they should not be the main reason you book. The real value lies in the RIB, the crew, and the chance to see wildlife in open water.

Who should book this Húsavík safari?

I would choose this trip if you want an active outing and enjoy the possibility of a fast ride between wildlife sightings. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a small group to a large boat.

It is also a good choice for photographers who bring proper camera equipment, especially a zoom lens. The boat can put you in a strong viewing position, but you still need patience and quick reactions.

You should think twice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, dislike bumpy rides, or want a warm indoor cabin. The tour also requires enough flexibility to accept that puffin viewing may be changed or skipped if conditions shift.

Guides such as Clara, Nicoletta, Victoria, and Mario have been praised for clear explanations, enthusiasm, and care for passengers. The best guides do more than point at a whale. They help you understand why it surfaced, how to identify it, and where to look next. The captain’s skill matters just as much, particularly when the water is rough or several animals appear at once.

Book at least a few weeks ahead if your Iceland schedule is fixed. This experience is booked an average of 50 days in advance, which tells you that summer departures can fill early. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Original Big Whale Safari?

Book it if you want a small, fast, open-water adventure and accept that nature sets the schedule. The combination of skilled crew, warm safety gear, and a maximum of 12 people gives you a strong setup for whale watching.

If puffins are your priority, go between April 15 and August 15 and bring a camera with a zoom lens. If whales are your priority, the tour remains worthwhile outside that period, with the focus shifting toward humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and other sightings.

I would skip it if you need a gentle, stable boat or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. For everyone else, this is one of the more exciting ways to search Skjálfandi Bay, provided you dress warmly and arrive ready for a lively ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

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

How long is the tour?

The guided RIB experience lasts approximately two hours.

What is the minimum age?

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

When can I see puffins?

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

What should I wear?

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

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund if poor weather causes the company to cancel. The same options apply if the minimum number of passengers is not reached.