Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

The biggest appeal here is speed. A RIB can cover more of Skjálfandi Bay than a slow boat and move quickly toward a whale surfacing in the distance. Humpback whales are the usual stars, but blue whales, bottlenose whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins can all enter the picture.

I like the small group of no more than 12 people and the warm safety overalls, which make this a more personal outing than a crowded boat trip. I also like the local feel: Gentle Giants is a family company based in Húsavík, and guides such as Matteo, Carla, Jo, and Beatriz add useful wildlife detail rather than simply pointing at fins.

The tradeoff is the ride itself. A RIB is fast and bumpy, especially in rain or rough water. If you are prone to seasickness, have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or simply want a calm cruise, the slower oak-boat option may suit you better.

Key points at a glance

• A maximum of 12 passengers: You get open views and less crowding around each sighting.
• Puffin Island from April 15 to August 15: Expect many birds, but not necessarily close-up views.
• Fast access across Skjálfandi Bay: The boat can reach distant whale sightings quickly.
• Whales are never guaranteed: If no whales or dolphins appear, you receive a voucher for a traditional oak-boat tour, not a cash refund.
• Warm gear is supplied: Wear comfortable shoes and bring extra warm, waterproof clothing.
• A lively ride: Rough water can turn the trip into a roller coaster, so consider your comfort before booking.

Why the RIB makes a difference in Skjálfandi Bay

Húsavík is known as Iceland’s whale-watching center, and Skjálfandi Bay gives boats a broad area to search. The point of choosing this speedboat is not simply to go faster for fun, though the speed is certainly part of the entertainment. It lets the captain move from one reported sighting to another without spending as much time crossing open water.

That matters when whales surface only briefly. A humpback may appear far off, then disappear for several minutes. A fast boat has a better chance of reaching the general area before the animal resurfaces. Several outings recorded multiple humpbacks, while others included blue whales, bottlenose whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

The boat also gives you a good view from nearly every seat. With only 12 people aboard, you are less likely to find your view blocked by a crowd. The captain can turn the boat as the animals move, and the guide helps everyone understand where to look.

Still, speed does not guarantee sightings. You are watching wild animals on their schedule. Fog, rain, wind, and sea conditions can reduce visibility or make it unsafe to reach Puffin Island. The boat may skip the island with little notice if conditions change.

Meeting the crew in central Húsavík

You meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. Look for the large blue flags, and arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. That early arrival is important because you need time to check in, receive your safety instructions, and put on the required gear.

The crew supplies a warm safety overall and a life jacket. Rain jackets are available if needed, but you should still arrive in warm, waterproof outdoor clothing. Comfortable shoes are a must. Leave luggage and large bags behind, since they are not allowed on the boat.

The staff have received frequent praise for getting people dressed properly and keeping the operation organized. Guides have included Matteo, Carla, Jo, Beatriz, Clara, Louisa, Fabio, and others. The exact guide changes, but the format remains similar: safety instructions first, then live explanations about the bay, birds, whales, and other marine life.

English is the tour language. One useful point to keep in mind is that accents and wind noise can sometimes make commentary hard to follow. If a guide’s voice is difficult to catch, move closer when possible and ask for a repeat. The tour is much more rewarding when you hear the explanations rather than treating it as a fast boat ride with animals attached.

Puffin Island from April 15 through August 15

During the nesting season, the first main stop is Puffin Island. The season runs approximately from April 15 through August 15, though weather and sea conditions can change the plan. You cruise past the island while the guide points out the birds and explains their place in the local ecosystem.

This is a fine way to see large numbers of puffins. Several outings recorded thousands of birds, along with other seabirds. Their bright bills and quick, clumsy-looking flight make them easy to enjoy, even when the boat cannot approach closely.

Keep your expectations realistic. Puffin Island is a sightseeing stop, not a walk ashore or a close animal encounter. You may see the birds in groups around the island, but they are not guaranteed to sit beside the boat for photographs. One useful tip is to bring a camera with a secure strap and keep it ready, but do not spend the whole stop staring through a screen.

Outside puffin season, the tour puts more emphasis on whales. Even in summer, the island visit may be skipped if the sea becomes rough. That is not a failure of the trip. It is a sensible safety choice, and the crew can spend more time searching for marine life in the bay.

Two hours of searching for whales

After Puffin Island, or directly after leaving the harbor outside puffin season, the RIB heads into Skjálfandi Bay. This is where the trip becomes less predictable and more exciting. You may spend time scanning the water with the guide, then suddenly change direction when a captain spots a blow, back, fin, or group of dolphins.

Humpbacks are often the main target. Their tall blows, dark backs, and occasional tail lifts make them easier to identify than smaller species. The sightings can range from a few distant appearances to repeated encounters with several individual whales. One outing recorded nearly a dozen humpbacks, while another included three humpbacks appearing several times.

You might also see a blue whale, the largest whale species in the world. A blue whale sighting can be brief and distant, so the RIB’s ability to move quickly is useful. Bottlenose whales and dolphins have also appeared close to the boat, including a pod with a calf and an animal breaching more than once.

The guide does more than identify species. You receive explanations about whale behavior, local marine life, and the conditions around the bay. Guides such as Matteo and Clara have been singled out for their energy and clear wildlife explanations, while captains have been praised for turning smoothly and positioning the boat so people on both sides get a look.

The boat must still respect the animals. You are observing wildlife in its own environment, not arranging a show. A good sighting may involve a whale surfacing several times, then vanishing. You need patience, a good lookout, and a willingness to accept that nature does not perform on demand.

What the ride really feels like

On calm water, the RIB is exciting without feeling out of control. The open design gives you a strong sense of the bay, and the quick movement makes the journey part of the experience rather than dead time between sightings.

On a rough day, the same boat feels very different. One outing in rain and wind was described as a roller coaster, with high waves and a real chance of seasickness. The supplied overall keeps you warm and dry, but it does not make the sea smooth.

Think carefully about your own tolerance. The activity is not suitable for children under eight, people under 130 centimeters tall, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with back or heart problems. Those restrictions are especially relevant on a fast boat that may bounce over waves.

If you are healthy, enjoy outdoor adventure, and like the idea of being close to the water, the rougher ride can add to the memory. If you want a quiet, stable platform for photography, the traditional oak boat is likely the wiser choice.

Is $175 a fair price?

At $175 per person, this is one of the more expensive ways to watch whales in Húsavík. You are paying for the RIB, the smaller group, warm equipment, and the ability to cover a larger area quickly. You are not paying for a guaranteed whale encounter.

I think the price makes sense if your main goal is to maximize mobility and avoid a crowded boat. The speed can be valuable when sightings are spread across the bay, and the 12-person limit gives you a better chance of seeing over the side without a wall of heads in front of you.

The value is less clear if you mainly want puffins. Puffin Island is seasonal, and the birds may be farther away than you expect. In that case, compare the trip with a slower whale-watching cruise before booking.

The no-whale policy also matters. If you see no whales or dolphins, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching trip on an oak boat. You do not receive a refund. That gives you another chance, but only if you have enough time in Húsavík to use the voucher.

Weather, cancellations, and planning your day

This is an outdoor trip in Iceland, so weather should shape your plans. The tour runs only in favorable conditions. If the company cancels because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Do not schedule a tight airport transfer or long drive immediately afterward. The stated duration is two hours, but wildlife sightings can make the time on the water run longer. One outing lasted more than two hours while the crew followed several whales.

The best practical plan is to leave room in your itinerary for a second attempt. This helps if fog blocks the bay, the sea turns rough, or the first outing produces no sightings. The company’s voucher system is useful, but it works best for people spending at least another night in the area.

Who should choose this tour?

I would choose this RIB safari if you want the most active version of whale watching in Húsavík. It suits you if you enjoy speed, can handle cold and spray, and care about getting to distant sightings quickly.

It is also a strong pick for small families with children eight and older, couples, photographers who want open views, and anyone who prefers a personal group. The supplied overalls remove some of the worry about Iceland’s cold weather, though you still need proper layers underneath.

I would hesitate if you are easily seasick, have mobility or medical concerns listed in the restrictions, or dislike unpredictable boat motion. A large oak boat may be slower, but it should be the more comfortable choice for a calm outing.

The guides can make a real difference. Past trips have featured marine-focused staff such as Matteo, and enthusiastic guides including Carla, Jo, Beatriz, and Clara. You cannot select a particular guide, but the company’s approach is clearly built around live explanation, wildlife spotting, and close attention to the group.

Should you book the Húsavík RIB safari?

Book it if the extra cost fits your budget and you want a fast, small-group search for whales rather than a gentle cruise. The strongest reasons are the 12-person limit, open views, quick movement across Skjálfandi Bay, and the chance of seeing much more than one species.

Go in with sensible expectations. Puffins are seasonal and may stay at a distance. Whales can be plentiful one day and scarce the next. Rough water can make the trip uncomfortable, and no sighting brings a voucher rather than money back.

For an adventurous visitor with flexible plans in Húsavík, I think the RIB is worth considering. For a visitor who values comfort above speed, choose the oak boat instead.

FAQ

How long is the Húsavík RIB whale safari?

The scheduled experience lasts two hours, though a sighting can occasionally keep the boat on the water longer.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Gentle Giants ticket center in central Húsavík. The large blue flags make the location easy to find.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure for check-in, safety instructions, and fitting the required overall and life jacket.

When can I see Puffin Island?

Puffin Island is visited during the approximate nesting season from April 15 through August 15. The stop can be skipped if weather or sea conditions change.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed. If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a voucher for a traditional whale-watching tour on an oak boat, with no cash refund.

What clothing should I bring?

Bring warm, waterproof outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes. Warm safety overalls are supplied, and rain jackets are available if needed.

Can children join the tour?

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

Is the tour suitable for people with back or heart problems?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, heart problems, pregnancy, wheelchair users, or anyone who may struggle with the motion of a fast RIB boat.