Husavik: Whale Watching Tour on Traditional Oak Boat

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/6

Duration3h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Whale watching in Husavik with oak boat sea air coffee and wild moments

You’ll head out from Husavik on an old oak boat into Skjálfandi Bay, bundled in warm overalls with coffee or hot chocolate in hand. Watch for humpbacks, dolphins, maybe even blue whales if luck’s with you—and share quiet moments with your guide and fellow travelers while seabirds circle overhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay

Board traditional oak boat
Cruise into Skjálfandi Bay
Watch for whales and dolphins
Listen to guide's explanations
Enjoy coffee or hot chocolate
Return to harbor

The Experience

The first thing I noticed was the slap of water against the side of our old oak boat, that hollow sound echoing under my feet as we left Husavik harbor. Our guide, Sigrún, had this way of pointing things out without making it feel like a lecture—just a quick nod or a story about her uncle who once saw a blue whale right here in Skjálfandi Bay. I pulled the weatherproof overalls up to my chin (they’re actually pretty cozy), and tried to look like I wasn’t shivering, but honestly, the air out here smells so clean it kind of wakes you up.

I’d never been on a real whale watching tour before—definitely not one this far north. The sky kept changing its mind between sun and clouds, and you could see everyone scanning the water for that first sign. Suddenly someone yelled “there!” and we all rushed to one side, nearly tripping over each other. A humpback surfaced, slow and huge, then slapped its tail so hard I felt it in my chest. Sigrún grinned at us and poured hot chocolate from a battered thermos; I almost spilled mine when a dolphin zipped by after that. You don’t really know how much you want to see these animals until they’re right there.

There’s this weird hush that falls after the excitement—just seabirds calling overhead and people whispering like they’re afraid to scare off whatever comes next. I tried asking Sigrún about how often they spot blue whales (I probably mangled the Icelandic word), and she laughed—said you never know in early summer but sometimes you get lucky. We didn’t see one this time but honestly? That didn’t matter as much as I thought it would.

What’s included

Your day includes a three-hour cruise from Husavik with a professional local guide leading the way through Skjálfandi Bay.
warm weatherproof overalls to keep out that Icelandic chill.
coffee or hot chocolate served right on deck.
access to bathroom facilities.
plus discounts for both Geosea baths and entry to the Husavik Whale Museum if you want to keep exploring after you’re back on shore.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Salka Whale Watching