Húsavík: Whale Watching & Puffin Island RIB Boat Tour

Chase whales in Skjálfandi Bay on a fast boat built for close encounters

You board a small RIB boat in Húsavík and spend two hours searching Skjálfandi Bay for whales, dolphins and porpoises with an expert guide. The boat's speed and small group size — maximum 12 passengers — mean you cover more water and have unobstructed views. Warm gear, life jacket and raincoat are provided. Depending on the season, you'll also see puffins on Lundey Island and fossil cliffs on the Tjörnes peninsula. The tour departs from Húsavík harbor and returns the same way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and puffin island tour

• Get warm clothes and gear
• Board speedy RIB boat
• Sail to Skjálfandi Bay
• Spot whales and dolphins
• Visit Lundey Puffin Island
• See Tjörnes peninsula fossils

The Experience

There's something that pulls you toward the water when you know what's beneath it. Húsavík, on Iceland's north coast, sits at the edge of Skjálfandi Bay — a stretch of ocean where humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and porpoises show up most days of the year. More than ten species pass through. The RIB boat tour leaves from the harbor and heads straight into that bay, and the speed of the boat means you're not just waiting for something to happen — you're actively hunting for it, covering miles in two hours to find where the animals are.

The boat holds a maximum of 12 passengers, which changes everything about how the experience feels. You're not crammed shoulder-to-shoulder fighting for a spot at the rail; there's actual room to move, to breathe, to turn around when something surfaces behind you. Everyone gets a warm water-resistant overall suit, a life jacket (required by Icelandic law), and a raincoat if the weather turns — and in the North Atlantic, it will. An expert whale-watching guide and the captain stay on board the whole time, reading the water, spotting fins and blows, and explaining what you're seeing as it happens. The guide knows the bay's patterns, which species are most active that week, where the dolphins tend to hunt. That knowledge is the difference between a boat ride and an actual encounter.

On the way back or during the tour, depending on the season, the boat passes Lundey — Puffin Island — where thousands of the birds nest between mid-April and late August. Outside puffin season, the tour focuses entirely on whales. You'll also see the Tjörnes peninsula, a stretch of cliffs layered with fossils, the oldest ones nearly two million years old. It's the kind of detail that makes you realize how much geological time is stacked into one small corner of the ocean.

The whole thing takes two hours from start to finish. Bring a hat and gloves — the bay stays cold even in summer, and the wind on the water cuts through. The boat moves fast enough that you need to hold on sometimes, and the ride itself is part of what makes the whale watching work. If you've ever wondered what it feels like to be out on open water with nothing between you and a 40-ton animal, this is how you find out.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a warm water-resistant overall suit, life jacket, and raincoat (when needed), all required safety gear.
• An expert whale-watching guide and captain remain on board for the full two hours, providing live commentary and navigation.
• Entry to Skjálfandi Bay and views of Lundey (Puffin Island, seasonal) and the Tjörnes peninsula are part of the route.
• All taxes, fees and handling charges are covered in the price.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Husavik Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to actually search for whales rather than hope they appear — the RIB boat's speed and small group size mean you cover more of the bay and have clear sightlines, which is what makes close encounters possible in two hours.

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Top questions

What whale species are most common in Skjálfandi Bay?

Humpback whales and minke whales are the most frequently sighted. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises also appear regularly. More than ten species visit the bay throughout the year.

When can you see puffins on this tour?

Puffin season runs from mid-April to late August. Outside those months, the tour focuses on whale watching only.

How many people are on each boat?

Maximum 12 passengers per RIB boat, plus a guide and captain.

What's included in the tour?

Warm water-resistant overall suit, life jacket, raincoat (if needed), expert guide, captain, and live commentary. All taxes and fees are included.

How long is the tour?

Two hours total, departing from Húsavík harbor.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a hat and gloves — the bay is cold even in summer. All protective gear is provided.

Is there a minimum age?

Children must be at least 8 years old or 130 centimeters tall and must be accompanied by an adult.

What if the weather is bad?

Raincoats are provided if needed. The RIB boat operates in most weather conditions, though tours may be cancelled in severe conditions.