Húsavík: Whale Watching Oak Ship & Hot Chocolate
What do you actually see on a whale watching boat in Iceland?
You board a traditional oak boat in Húsavík and spend hours in Skjálfandi Bay watching humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and seabirds move through their habitat. A professional guide provides live commentary while you wear warm overalls and sip hot chocolate with cinnamon cookies. The tour includes everything (no separate tickets, no guessing where to go), and the crew's decades of experience means you're not just hoping to see something.
Step-by-step itinerary
Whale watching tour in Husavik
- Board traditional Icelandic oak boat
- Sail in Skjálfandi bay
- Spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds
- Enjoy warm overalls and hot chocolate
- Taste delicious cinnamon cookies
- Receive guidance from professional crew
What’s included
Your tour includes warm overalls to wear on deck, hot chocolate and cinnamon cookies served during the trip, a professional guide who provides live commentary throughout, and access to the traditional oak boat. All you need to do is show up at the Húsavík harbor at the scheduled time.
Times
- Every day 10:30
Last departure this season: 30 Nov
Another time? ›Before you book
Operated by North Sailing
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
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The experience
Húsavík sits on Skjálfandi Bay in North Iceland, and it's the kind of place where whale watching isn't a side activity. It's the whole reason the town exists. The Original Húsavík Whale Watching tour runs from the harbor here, and you board a traditional Icelandic oak ship that's built for this exact work. The boat leaves the dock and heads into the bay where humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and sea birds move through the water in their own rhythm. Your guide is there the whole time, pointing things out and explaining what you're seeing, not just standing silent while you squint at the horizon.
The tour takes you into Skjálfandi Bay itself (that's where the whales actually are), and the crew knows the water well enough that you're not just drifting. North Sailing, the company running this, pioneered whale watching in Iceland, so they've been doing this long enough to read the conditions and know where to look. The boat moves at a pace that lets you see without feeling rushed, and the ride itself is smooth enough that you're not fighting the motion the whole time. It's not a speedboat. It's a working vessel that happens to carry passengers.
What makes this different from other whale watching tours is the small detail that actually matters: you get warm overalls, hot chocolate and cinnamon cookies while you're out there. It sounds simple, but when you're on the water in Iceland for a few hours, that warmth and something sweet in your hands changes the whole experience. The professional crew handles the commentary live, so you're getting real-time information about what's moving in the bay, not a pre-recorded script. Children sit with an adult, groups stay manageable, and the boat is set up so people in wheelchairs can board and move around.
If you're in Akureyri or staying in North Iceland, Húsavík is the natural stop for this. The tour has built the town's reputation as the whale watching capital of Iceland, which means the infrastructure is there: the harbor, the boats, the crews who know the bay. You don't need to arrange transport separately or figure out timing. You show up at the dock, board the oak ship, and let the professionals handle the rest.
Is this one for you?Book this if you're in North Iceland and want to see whales without arranging your own transport or timing. The tour handles everything, and the crew's experience means you're not gambling on a sighting.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 15 years); Child (under 7): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What whales can you see in Skjálfandi Bay?
Humpback whales and minke whales are the main species. Dolphins and sea birds are also common in the bay.
Is the boat suitable for people with mobility issues?
Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed on board.
What's included in the tour price?
Warm overalls, hot chocolate, cinnamon cookies, professional guide, and live commentary on board are all included.
Can infants go on the whale watching tour?
Yes, infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during the tour.
Do I need to be fit to do this tour?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're seated on the boat for the duration.
Who runs the Original Húsavík Whale Watching tour?
North Sailing operates the tour. They pioneered whale watching in Iceland and have been running tours from Húsavík for decades.
Is the boat ride rough or calm?
The traditional oak boat provides smooth sailing in Skjálfandi Bay. The crew is experienced at navigating the conditions.
Húsavík: Whale Watching Oak Ship & Hot Chocolate
3h · EN
from US$ 88 per person
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