Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Húsavík’s RIB speedboat safari gives you a lively way to search for whales across Skjálfandi Bay. The boat is larger than many local RIBs, carries no more than 12 people, and moves fast enough to cover more water. I especially like the chance to see Puffin Island and the attention guides such as Matteo, Serena, Rui, and Zara give to animal behavior and safe viewing.

I also like that the company is locally owned and supplies the bulky safety overalls you need. The catch is the ride: in rough weather, this small boat can feel like a roller coaster, and sea sickness is a real possibility. The wildlife is wild, too, so no sighting is promised.

Key points before you book

• Puffin Island is seasonal: Thousands of puffins can be seen from roughly April 15 to August 15.
• A small group covers more bay: The RIB holds up to 12 passengers, giving you a more personal outing than a large vessel.
• Fast travel helps with whale searches: You may reach new sightings more quickly, especially when humpbacks are active.
• The ride can be rough: Rain and wind may make the trip bumpy, so bring warm layers and consider your tolerance for motion.
• Guides add real value: Guides including Matteo, a marine biologist, have explained whale behavior, dolphins, puffins, and local sea life in clear, lively terms.
• There is a wildlife fallback: If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak-boat whale tour, but not a cash refund.

Leaving Húsavík for Skjálfandi Bay

You meet at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags, then allow time to get fitted with a warm safety overall and life jacket before heading to the boat.

The overalls are not decorative. They are obligatory and provide useful insulation against cold air and spray. You should still wear warm outdoor clothing underneath, along with comfortable shoes. Add a hat and extra socks on a cold day. One outing began with temperatures below freezing on land, so Icelandic summer does not always mean light clothing at sea.

Before departure, the guide gives a safety briefing and explains how to sit, hold on, and move around the boat. You then head out from Húsavík into Skjálfandi Bay, with live commentary beginning as the town recedes behind you.

The ride itself is part of the appeal. A RIB can move quickly across a larger area than a slower sightseeing boat, giving the crew more options when searching for whales. You should not mistake speed for a guarantee of sightings, though. It simply gives the crew more ground to work with during the two-hour trip.

Puffin Island from April to August

When the birds are nesting, Puffin Island is usually the first major stop. The stated season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15, though the exact timing depends on nature and conditions.

The island is best appreciated as a living colony rather than a quick photo stop. Thousands of puffins may gather around the cliffs and water, their bright bills making them easy to pick out even when the boat remains offshore. The guide explains puffin behavior and the other marine life around the island while the captain positions the boat for views.

Puffins are small, so your experience depends on light, sea conditions, and how close the boat can safely approach. Bring a camera if you like, but keep your attention on the colony. The scene changes constantly as birds fly, float, and return to their nesting areas.

Outside the puffin season, the tour places more emphasis on whales. That makes the activity useful beyond the bird season, but you should not book it expecting puffins in every month.

Searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales

After Puffin Island, the boat works through Skjálfandi Bay. This is the main part of the safari, and the guide watches for blows, backs, fins, and changes in the water while explaining what you are seeing.

Humpback whales are the species most often highlighted in the accounts of this outing. You might see one surfacing quietly, another resting, or an active whale lifting its tail or moving with more force. Some trips have produced several humpbacks, while other outings have had only a few sightings. That difference is normal for wildlife watching.

Blue whales have also been seen, along with dolphins and minke whales. One especially strong outing included humpbacks, blue whales, and hundreds of puffins. Another had a large dolphin group. These are memorable possibilities, not scheduled attractions, so you need to accept some uncertainty.

The RIB’s speed matters most when the crew hears of activity or spots a whale at a distance. The boat can cover ground quickly, then slow down for viewing. A good captain also turns often so both sides get a fair chance to see the animal. Sarah, named as captain on several outings, was specifically praised for making those adjustments.

The guide’s role is just as important as the boat. Matteo, Rui, Serena, Alberto, Miro, Marc, Jo, and Zara are among the guides associated with particularly well-liked trips, but the person on your departure may be different. Guides have explained whale behavior, species differences, feeding patterns, and the surrounding sea life. Some are marine biologists, which adds useful context without turning the trip into a classroom lecture.

What the RIB feels like on the water

A RIB offers an exciting ride, but it is not a soft, quiet cruise. In calm conditions, the speed feels smooth and playful. In rain or wind, the boat can bounce over waves, and several passengers found the motion intense enough to compare it to a roller coaster.

That is the main drawback of choosing this format. You are more exposed to the elements than on a traditional oak boat, even with the safety overalls and rain jackets supplied when needed. The special clothing helps with cold and spray, but it cannot remove the movement of the sea.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take that seriously when deciding. One particularly wet outing came with an accurate warning that the ride would be bumpy, and sea sickness affected some people. If you already know that motion bothers you, ask yourself if the speed and smaller group are worth the tradeoff.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people under 130 centimeters tall. It is also not suitable for people with back or heart problems. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you can keep safely with you.

A small group with a personal feel

The maximum of 12 passengers is one of the better features of this trip. You are not packed onto a large vessel with hundreds of other people, and the guide can speak directly to the group.

That size also helps during wildlife viewing. The captain can turn the boat so different sides get a look, and you have less competition for a clear view. You still need patience, since everyone may need to wait quietly while a whale disappears below the surface.

The small boat does not mean private service. You share the RIB with other passengers, and the amount of personal attention depends on the guide and the wildlife on that day. Still, the group limit gives the trip a friendly, close-up feel without making it a private charter.

The company is a locally owned family business in Húsavík. That matters here because Húsavík’s whale watching industry is closely tied to the town and bay. You are booking with a local operator whose guides work in this water regularly, rather than treating the stop as a quick add-on to a larger Iceland itinerary.

What the two hours are worth at $159

At $159 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Húsavík. You are paying for the RIB, the small group, the safety gear, an English-speaking guide, and the ability to search a broad section of the bay.

I think the price makes the most sense if you value the boat ride itself as much as the wildlife. Even when the whales stay hidden, the fast run across the bay and the mountain views around Skjálfandi can make the outing feel active rather than passive. If your only goal is to guarantee a whale sighting, no operator can honestly promise that, and this price will feel harder to justify on a quiet day.

The wildlife guarantee also needs careful reading. If you see no whales or dolphins, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale watching trip on an oak boat. That gives you another chance, but it is not a refund, and it does not compensate for the time if your schedule is tight.

I would book early in an Iceland itinerary when possible, then keep some flexibility around the day. Weather can cancel the trip, in which case you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your route is still changing.

How to prepare for a better ride

Wear outdoor clothing even if Húsavík looks mild when you leave the hotel. The bay can feel much colder at speed, and spray adds to the chill. Comfortable shoes are important because you need stable footing before and during boarding.

Keep your belongings small. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and loose items are inconvenient on a moving boat. A phone or camera can be useful, but secure it carefully and keep it protected from water.

The captain may slow down near wildlife, but the boat is still moving and the viewing moments can be brief. I would use a camera strap if you have one, then spend most of your time watching rather than trying to record every surfacing.

Give yourself two hours for the activity, plus a little extra time around check-in and equipment fitting. The tour begins and ends at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center, so there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip fits you best if you want an active whale safari, prefer a small group, and like the idea of racing across open water between wildlife sightings. It is a strong choice for visitors who want both puffins and whales during the nesting season, especially if a traditional sightseeing boat sounds too slow.

Families with children eight and older can enjoy it, provided everyone meets the height and health requirements. The guides have engaged younger passengers well on some trips, particularly when explaining animals in an entertaining way.

I would think twice if you dislike bumpy rides, have back or heart problems, or are likely to feel sick on a small boat. A traditional oak-boat tour may suit you better, especially if comfort matters more than speed.

You should also allow for nature’s schedule. Some outings have produced repeated humpback sightings, dolphins, blue whales, and huge puffin colonies. Other trips have seen only a few whales or no whales at all. The crew will search hard, but it cannot direct the animals to the boat.

Should you book the Gentle Giants RIB safari?

I would book it if you want the most energetic version of whale watching in Húsavík and you are comfortable with cold, wind, and a lively ride. The combination of a maximum 12 passengers, warm safety gear, skilled local guides, Puffin Island in season, and a fast boat gives you a lot in two hours.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are buying a well-run wildlife search, not a guaranteed performance. If you can accept that, the chance of seeing humpbacks, dolphins, blue whales, or thousands of puffins makes the $159 worthwhile for many people.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet your guide at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík. Look for the big blue flags. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the whale safari last?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

When can I see puffins?

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

What clothing and equipment are included?

A warm safety overall is provided and is obligatory. Rain jackets are available if needed. You should bring warm outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes.

What happens if no whales are seen?

If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale watching tour on an oak boat. No refund is given for the original trip.

Who cannot take this RIB tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back or heart problems, or people under 130 centimeters tall. Large bags and luggage are also not allowed.