Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

The best part of this Húsavík outing is the small, fast RIB boat. With no more than 12 people, you get a clear view from nearly every seat, and the captain can cover more water when whales surface. Humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, pilot whales, and even the rare northern bottlenose whale are possible.

I like the separate guide and captain, since one person can focus on safe handling while the other watches the water and explains what you’re seeing. I also like the respectful viewing style: the boat approaches carefully, then may cut its engine and let the whales choose how close to come.

The catch is the cold, wet, rough ride. The supplied thermal suit helps, but you still need a hat, gloves, warm socks, and layers. And if you are leaving from an Akureyri cruise port, Húsavík is about an hour away by road, not a short walk from the ship.

Key points to know before booking

• Up to 12 people: The small RIB gives you a much better chance at an unobstructed view than a large whale-watching ship.
• Two hours on the bay: The trip is long enough to reach wildlife areas without taking over your whole day.
• Puffins are seasonal: Lundey, or Puffin Island, is part of the trip from roughly April 15 through August 20.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive a water-resistant overall and life jacket, with rainwear available when needed.
• The ride is lively: Expect spray, movement, and cold air, especially while speeding out of the harbor.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: You may see several whales, dolphins, and puffins, or only a few fins and distant sightings.

A small RIB is the right tool for Skjálfandi Bay

Húsavík is one of Iceland’s best-known whale-watching bases, and this tour uses a Zodiac-style RIB rather than a broad sightseeing boat. That choice changes the whole outing.

A large vessel gives you shelter and more room to walk around. This boat gives you speed, a lower position on the water, and a close connection to the sea. The RIB can travel quickly to areas where whales have been seen, then slow right down once the search begins.

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people. That matters when a humpback suddenly surfaces on one side. You do not have a crowd blocking the view, and the guide can speak to a small group instead of trying to address a full deck.

The boat’s shape also means the ride itself becomes part of the adventure. You sit close to the water, and the hull moves sharply over waves. In calm conditions, that is exciting. In rough conditions, it can be tiring and wet, especially when leaving or returning to Húsavík.

Leaving Húsavík for Skjálfandi Bay

You meet at Húsavík Adventures on Garðarsbraut in Húsavík. The activity ends at the same place, and hotel pickup is not included.

The trip starts with a fast run into Skjálfandi Bay. Before you reach the main wildlife area, the crew provides a warm water-resistant overall and life jacket. The life jacket is compulsory under Icelandic law. Rainwear can also be supplied when needed.

Do not treat the overall as a replacement for proper clothing. Bring a wool or fleece layer, warm socks, a hat, and gloves. The wind can find its way through openings around your neck, wrists, and ankles, and several people found gloves especially important. The cold is sharper when the boat is moving quickly.

The guide and captain have different jobs. The captain handles the boat and sea conditions, while the guide watches for blows, fins, bird activity, and signs of feeding. Guides including Austin, Austen, Alessandra, and Danny have been praised for clear explanations and a friendly manner, although your crew will depend on the departure.

Wildlife in the bay: whales, dolphins, and porpoises

Skjálfandi Bay attracts more than 10 marine species during the year. Humpback whales are among the main targets, and you might also see minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, pilot whales, or less common species such as the northern bottlenose whale.

A good sighting can be brief. You may see a blow, a dorsal fin, or the curved back of a whale before it disappears. Sometimes an animal stays near the boat for a long time. One reported outing included a pod of more than 20 pilot whales and three humpback whales. Another produced several humpbacks and dolphins, while other trips saw only a minke whale and dolphins.

That range is important. The boat can search efficiently, but nobody can promise a close encounter. Weather, sea conditions, whale behavior, and the location of the animals all affect the result. A fast RIB improves your reach, but it does not turn nature into a scheduled performance.

The guide’s role adds real value here. You learn what to watch for and why a particular movement matters. A whale surfacing far away may be easier to follow once the guide points out the pattern of its blows. The experience is more than simply waiting for a fin.

Lundey and the puffin season

During the puffin period, the route includes Lundey, known locally as Puffin Island. The usual season is about April 15 through August 20. At other times of year, the trip is focused on whales, so do not book this outing expecting puffins outside that window.

In season, you may see large numbers of puffins flying, sitting on the water, or moving around the island. They can be close enough for a good look, but they are wild birds, not a staged attraction. On one July trip, the puffins stayed at some distance even though there were many of them.

The RIB gives you a low viewpoint that can make bird watching feel immediate. It also means you should keep your camera protected from spray. If puffins are your main goal, check the operating dates carefully and ask at booking how the current route is being handled.

Lundey is not the only point of interest. The tour also offers views toward the Tjörnes Peninsula, known for fossil layers dating back as far as two million years. The guide may discuss the peninsula while the boat is in the area, adding a bit of geology to the wildlife search.

The most exciting part, and the roughest part

The RIB’s speed is a major advantage once the crew gets news of whale activity. The captain can cover a great deal of water during a two-hour trip and reposition the boat when an animal surfaces elsewhere.

But speed has a tradeoff. The ride can be bumpy, particularly in rough water and near the harbor entrance. Several accounts describe getting wet, and one notes that the boat moved significantly while traveling fast. The supplied suit does a good job of protecting your main clothing, but your hands, face, and lower legs may still feel the cold.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider this carefully. The supplied information does not promise medication or special seating, so bring anything you normally use. Children must be with an adult, and the minimum age is eight years, or 130 centimeters in height.

The seating arrangement may also require some flexibility. The crew can adjust positions to balance the boat safely in changing conditions. If you are traveling with children, tell the crew at the start that you want to remain together and ask how seating will work.

Respectful whale watching, not a chase

The boat is built to get you toward whales quickly, but responsible viewing rules limit how aggressively it approaches. The crew searches from beyond 300 meters, then reduces speed inside that area. Within 100 meters, the captain slows further or turns off the propeller.

At that point, the whale decides what happens next. If an animal approaches the boat, you may get an extraordinary close view. If it moves away or shows signs of disturbance, the crew should back off. The stated approach also limits time with a single animal, often to about 20 to 30 minutes.

This may frustrate you if a whale surfaces just beyond the boat and the captain does not race straight toward it. That restraint is a good sign. The point is to see wild animals without forcing them to change their behavior.

Some of the most memorable sightings have happened under this approach. A humpback has come close enough for spray from its blow to reach the boat, and another swam near enough for a passenger to take a selfie. Those moments are thrilling precisely because the animal made the final choice.

What the $203.16 price buys you

At about $203.16 per person, this is not Iceland’s cheapest whale trip. You are paying for a small group, a fast boat, an on-board guide, a captain, protective overalls, a life jacket, and roughly two hours on the water.

The value depends on what matters most to you. If you want shelter, a roomy cabin, and a steadier ride, a larger ship may suit you better. If you want a better chance of seeing the water from an unobstructed position and like a lively ride, the RIB offers a stronger fit.

The small group is especially useful for people who want to ask questions. The guide can spend more time pointing out wildlife and explaining behavior without shouting across a crowded deck. You also avoid the common problem of reaching a sighting area and finding your view blocked by rows of people.

The price does not buy guaranteed whales or puffins. It buys a well-equipped search in a productive bay, with a boat that can move quickly and a crew that can interpret what you see. That distinction matters in wildlife tourism.

Timing, transport, and planning your day

The tour offers several departure times, which helps you fit it into a Húsavík stay. The trip lasts about two hours, so you still have time for other activities in town or nearby.

Build in time before departure for check-in and changing into the supplied suit. You do not want to arrive at the last moment, especially if the harbor is busy or the weather is unsettled.

The biggest planning issue is the location. The activity starts in Húsavík, not at Akureyri’s harbor. Húsavík is about an hour from the Akureyri cruise port by road. If you are arriving on a cruise ship, arrange transportation carefully and check the exact meeting address before paying. A short walking transfer from the Akureyri port will not work.

The tour can be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this Húsavík whale tour?

I would choose this trip if you want the most active version of whale watching and do not mind feeling the sea beneath you. It suits couples, families with children old enough to meet the age or height rule, and photographers who want a clear view from a compact boat.

It is also a good fit if you have limited time in Húsavík. Two hours is enough to reach the bay and search for wildlife without consuming an entire day.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold air, rough movement, or the possibility of returning with wet clothing. A large boat may be more comfortable. I would also think twice if your schedule is so tight that a weather delay or cancellation would spoil the rest of your day.

The experience is strongest in puffin season if you want both birds and whales. Outside that period, the name still refers to the same outing, but the focus is whales and other marine life.

Should you book the Big Whales and Puffins RIB tour?

Yes, if you want a small group, an energetic boat ride, and a serious chance at close wildlife viewing. The combination of a 12-person limit, a fast RIB, separate captain and guide, and respectful whale-watching rules makes this a strong choice from Húsavík.

Book it with realistic expectations. You might see humpbacks breaching, dolphins racing alongside the boat, puffins filling the water around Lundey, or a rare species such as a northern bottlenose whale. You might also see only distant fins. Bring the right clothing, confirm the Húsavík meeting point, and leave enough time for the drive from Akureyri.

If those conditions work for you, this is the kind of Iceland excursion where the ride itself is part of the story.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Húsavík Adventures on Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can ride on the boat?

The RIB boat carries a maximum of 12 people.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, pilot whales, and other species found in Skjálfandi Bay. More than 10 species visit the bay during the year.

Are puffins seen all year?

No. Puffin season is approximately April 15 through August 20. Outside that period, the tour focuses on whales and other marine life.

Is warm clothing provided?

A warm water-resistant overall and life jacket are provided. Rainwear is available when needed. You should bring your own hat, gloves, and warm layers.

What is the minimum age?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The minimum age is eight years, or 130 centimeters in height.

Is transportation from Akureyri included?

No. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and transportation to and from the attraction are not included. The meeting point is in Húsavík, about an hour from the Akureyri cruise port.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The trip includes a driver or guide and live commentary on board. The captain operates the boat while the guide focuses on wildlife and explanations.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.