Husavik: Whale & Puffin Watching Tour with Local Crew

Summary

Puffins crowd Lundey island as whales breach in Husavik bay

You’ll sail from Husavik to Lundey Island with local guides, get close to wild puffin colonies during breeding season, then head out into Skjálfandi Bay for whale watching—sometimes seeing dolphins too. Hot drinks on board help with the chill, and live commentary brings each moment to life. There’s something quietly thrilling about sharing space with these creatures.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Puffin and whale watching tour

• Travel to Puffin Island
• Observe puffin colony
• Sail to whale watching areas
• Watch whales, dolphins, and birds

Top questions

When is the best time for whale & puffin tours in Husavik?

Puffins are present from late April to mid-August; after August 15th only whale watching tours run.

How long does the combined whale & puffin tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Are refreshments included on board?

Yes, light refreshments such as hot drinks are included during the tour.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; tours depart from Husavik harbor.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes, warm overalls are provided for comfort on board.

Is this tour suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; children must be accompanied by an adult.

What wildlife can I expect to see in Skjálfandi Bay?

You may see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins (white-beaked), porpoises, and large numbers of puffins during season.

Do I need to book in advance for peak season?

It’s recommended to book ahead during summer months due to high demand.

What’s included

Your trip includes warm overalls for chilly weather on Skjálfandi Bay, live commentary from a professional local guide and captain throughout both puffin and whale watching segments, light refreshments like hot drinks served on board, plus discounts for entry at Geosea baths and Húsavík Whale Museum after your return.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly dropped my phone when the first puffin zipped past — they’re smaller than I’d pictured, and honestly, a lot clumsier in the air. Our guide, Einar, grinned and said they’re “little flying potatoes.” We’d just pulled away from Husavik harbor, bundled in those thick overalls that make you feel like a marshmallow but somehow still cold around the nose. The boat cut through the gray water toward Lundey Island, and you could actually smell the seaweed before we even saw all those orange beaks clustered on the rocks. There must have been thousands — it felt like every puffin in Iceland was yelling at once.

After circling Lundey for a while (I tried to count puffins but gave up at 40), we headed out deeper into Skjálfandi Bay for the whale watching part. Einar handed out hot chocolate — which I spilled a little because I was busy gawking at a humpback’s tail slapping the surface. You don’t realize how quiet everyone gets until someone finally spots a spout and then suddenly everyone’s pointing and whispering. The whales here are massive, but there’s this weird calm about them. At one point, a dolphin pod zipped by too fast for photos — just flashes of white and gray. I didn’t expect to feel so small out there.

I asked Einar if he ever gets bored of this job and he just laughed — said every day’s different, sometimes you get blue whales early in summer if you’re lucky. He pointed out how even the birds seem to know when whales are coming up for air. It started drizzling near the end but nobody seemed to mind; you kind of forget about your wet socks when you’re watching something that old and big glide right under your boat. Oh — they give you discounts for the Geosea baths and the whale museum too, which is nice if you want to warm up after. Still thinking about those puffins though, especially that one who looked straight at me like he knew I had no idea what I was doing.