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    Thingvellir National ParkAttraction in Southern Region, Iceland, Iceland

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  • Explore Northeastern Region, Iceland
  • Places to see
  • Things to do
  • Top sights
  • Cities
  • Outside Northeastern Region, Iceland

Mývatn

Goðafoss Waterfall

Forest Lagoon

Grjótagjá Cave

Ásbyrgi

Námaskarð Geothermal Area

Skjálfandi

Tjörnes Peninsula

Eyjafjord

Skútustaðagígar

Mývatn Nature Baths

Dimmuborgir

Akureyri

Husavik

Seyðisfjörður

Egilsstaðir

Dalvík

Höfn

Nearby destinations

Southern Region, Iceland tours

South Coast, Iceland tours

Reykjanes Peninsula tours

Vatnajökull National Park tours

Highlands of Iceland tours

Snæfellsnes tours

Nearby sights

Thingvellir National ParkAttraction in Southern Region, Iceland, Iceland

Gullfoss WaterfallAttraction in Southern Region, Iceland, Iceland

Golden CircleAttraction in Southern Region, Iceland, Iceland

SeljalandsfossAttraction in Southern Region, Iceland, Iceland

SkógafossAttraction in Reykjavik, Iceland

Reynisfjara BeachAttraction in Southern Region, Iceland, Iceland

  • Top experiences

Jeep & 4WD tours

Beach trips

Northern Lights

Canoe & kayak tours

River rafting

Old town tours

Birdwatching

Speed & jet boat tours

Helicopter Tours

Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
1018 reviews
Activity provider:
Gentle Giants Whale Watching
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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat
Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
1018 reviews

Experience the original RIB speedboat tour from Húsavík, the Whale Capital of Iceland. Increase your chances of seeing these gentle giants on board a RIB speedboat with guides leading the way.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5
5 out of 5 stars
K
Kaytlyn – United States

Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind! We saw many whales and thoroughly enjoyed our time

5
5 out of 5 stars
A
Aakash – Iceland

We saw 5-6 humpback whales and we also saw 2 whales jumping up and down multiple times. Could not have asked for a better experience. Puffin Island thing is so-so. You don’t get to see them up close.

Select participants and date

Participants

Itinerary

  • Starting location:

    Gentle Giants – Húsavík Whale Watching

  • Husavik

    Safety briefing

  • Puffin Island

    Guided tour, Boat cruise, Sightseeing, Pass by, Wildlife viewing

  • Skjálfandi

    Guided tour, Boat cruise, Sightseeing, Dolphin watching, Marine life viewing, Scenic views on the way, Whale watching, Wildlife viewing (2 hours)

  • Arrive back at:

    Gentle Giants – Húsavík Whale Watching

Main sites passed
Other sites passed

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Cruise a larger area of Skjálfandi Bay on board a modern RIB speedboat
  • Increase your chances of observing big whales in their natural environment
  • Learn about Iceland's nature and wildlife from an expert guide
  • Stay warm and safe in specially made overalls
  • Choose a truly locally owned family company in Húsavík

Full description

Embark on a guided whale watching tour to Puffin Island from Húsavík. Take in the views of this island on a speedboat ride and learn about the local marine life and puffins from an experienced guide.
After you have been equipped with a warm safety overall and a life jacket, step aboard a modern RIB speedboat to begin your exciting adventure. Head out to the beautiful surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay while your specialized guide demonstrates safety on-board and gives you live commentary on the sights encountered along the way.

Your first visit will be Puffin Island during the nesting period (April 15 – August 15 approximately), where you can observe thousands of colourfully-beaked puffins, often called "the Clowns of the Ocean."

The high speeds of your boat will make it more likely you will spot some of the bigger whales, such as the majestic blue whales and acrobatic humpback whales. Watching whales in their natural environment from a RIB speedboat is a unique experience.

Your RIB speedboat is more spacious than most others in the area thus offering higher comfort and a personal atmosphere for the maximum of 12 passengers on board.

Includes

  • Round-trip RIB speedboat cruise
  • Specialized guide
  • Live commentary on-board
  • Warm safety overalls (obligatory), and rain jackets if needed
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Not suitable for

  • Children under 8 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with back problems
  • People with heart problems
  • Wheelchair users
  • People under 4 ft 3 in (130 cm)

Meeting point

Meet your guide at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center, look out for big blue flags

Open in Google Maps

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Outdoor clothing

Not allowed

  • Luggage or large bags

Know before you go

  • Tour is subject to favourable weather conditions. If this tour is canceled due to bad weather, you will be given the option of another date or a full refund
  • If no whales (dolphins included) are seen on the tour, you will be offered a voucher for a traditional whale watching tour on oak boats free of charge, however, no refund is given
  • The puffin season is from April 15th – August 15th approximately; there is more focus on whales outside the puffin season

From $165 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5
4.7 out of 5 stars

based on 1018 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Transportation
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5

Customer photos

+53
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5
5 out of 5 stars
K
Kaytlyn – United StatesJune 21, 2025 – Verified booking
Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind! We saw many whales and thoroughly enjoyed our time

Response from provider

June 22, 2025

Thank you for sharing your experience. We love when our guides get great feedback! We are pleased that you enjoyed your trip with Gentle Giants and managed to see many whales! Regards, Fiona

5
5 out of 5 stars
A
Aakash – IcelandJune 19, 2025 – Verified booking
We saw 5-6 humpback whales and we also saw 2 whales jumping up and down multiple times. Could not have asked for a better experience. Puffin Island thing is so-so. You don’t get to see them up close.

Response from provider

June 22, 2025

Thank you for your review. We are happy you manage to see humpback whales and even two of them breaching which is not so common here in Skjálfandi Bay! You were very lucky. Regards, Fiona

5
5 out of 5 stars
M
Madan Thangavel – IndiaJune 10, 2025 – Verified booking
We had a lot of whale spotting. Much more than the average counts 🤩

Response from provider

June 11, 2025

Thank you for your review! It is fantastic that you managed to spot many whales on your tour with Gentle Giants! Regards, Fiona

Product ID: 87638

Activity provider:
Gentle Giants Whale Watching
  • Iceland
  • Northeastern Region, Iceland
  • Skjálfandi

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