Skjálfandi Bay rewards fast boats. This 2-hour RIB whale and puffin safari from Húsavík is built for real sightings, with expert nature guides giving live commentary as you search the coast. It also keeps you moving, not stuck watching from one spot.

I love the warm safety overalls that actually do the job when the sea air bites. One consideration: the Puffin Island stop can change with weather, sea conditions, and season timing, so you should go with a whale-first mindset.

Key Highlights That Matter

• Up to 99% whale sighting odds, helped by expert spotting and constant searching
• Max 12 people, which makes it easier for the crew to manage viewpoints on a small boat
• Warm safety overalls plus rain jackets, the combo that keeps you comfortable in cold wind
• Puffin Island visit during breeding season, but the stop may be skipped if conditions or tides shift
• RIB seats are individual and you may be encouraged to stand, which can improve comfort when waves hit

Húsavík’s RIB Whale Safari: Why This One Feels Made for Sightings

Húsavík is the whale-watching hub in North Iceland, and this tour leans into that reputation. You are not doing a slow scenic cruise where wildlife is an optional bonus. You are on a fast RIB speedboat for a focused search, guided by staff who aim to put you where whales and porpoises are most likely to surface.

The “original” angle matters less as a marketing claim and more as a clue about format: a tight timeframe, an active route, and live guidance that helps you read what you are seeing. When you are out in the water, that kind of real-time help can turn a blurry “maybe something out there” moment into a proper sighting.

From what you can learn from the experience details and the pattern of results, the tour is consistently built around multiple possibilities, not just one guaranteed animal. You should come ready to enjoy whales as the main event, with puffins as a very worthwhile second goal when conditions and season align.

Before You Go: Gear, Meeting Point, and a Small-Group Advantage

Your meeting point is at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center, Gentle Giants – Husavik Whale Watching, Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík. The tour ends back at the same place, so you do not have to plan another transfer.

I like that the departure is within walking distance from most accommodations in Húsavík, and the start is near public transportation. That makes it easier to fit into a day without burning time on extra logistics.

Two practical things to plan for:

• Arrive at least 40 minutes early. This is when you get set up for the weather gear and get your bearings.
• You will be in a maximum group size of 12. On a boat, that translates to less crowding and better chances that the crew can point and reposition people quickly.

Dressing for a RIB Day in Iceland

Bring warm, waterproof clothing. Even with the suits provided, you still want layers that work with cold wind off the water. The overalls are described as warm safety overalls, and rain jackets are provided if needed.

A standout theme from the experience write-ups is comfort in genuinely cold conditions. People specifically call out staying warm even when the temperature was below freezing, and that the suits felt like proper one-piece survival gear. That is a big deal on a fast boat where windchill hits harder.

Stop 1: Gentle Giants Whale Watching in Skjálfandi Bay

The core of your trip is the whale and porpoise search during the main on-water segment. This is where expert nature guides and live commentary do the heavy lifting, because wildlife spotting is half patience and half knowing what to look for.

This tour’s promise is strong: the chances of seeing whales are listed as up to 99%, and the experience details also emphasize help from expert guides. In plain terms, that means the crew is not treating sightings like luck. They are actively scanning and navigating to find the right area.

What You Might See (and Why the Crew Keeps Searching)

Expect the tour to target whales and porpoises, and many sightings reported include humpbacks. Other species mentioned in the experience notes from past trips include minke whales, and there are also reports of very exciting rarities like blue whales. Dolphins also show up in the reports, even though the formal tour description focuses on whales and porpoises.

One useful insight: you may be able to get surprisingly close when conditions allow. Some past experiences describe getting within a few hundred yards of whales, along with moments where whales stayed visible long enough for repeated looks.

The Real-World Reality: Whales Are Unpredictable

Here is the honest part. Even with strong odds, whales can be unpredictable, and your day can be affected by sea state and animal movement. Several experience notes reflect this, including the idea that the crew does its best to make the outing feel like it was worth it, even when sightings take time.

Also note a key policy detail: if no whales or dolphins are sighted, a passenger refund is not permitted. Instead, you receive a voucher to join a traditional whale watching tour free of charge, depending on availability. So the best mindset is whale-focused, flexible, and ready for the crew to do multiple attempts.

The Puffin Island Stop: When You Actually Get the Lundey Moment

The puffin portion is tied to timing. The puffin season is approximately April 15 to August 15, and the tour notes say there is more focus on whales outside puffin season. In other words, you should treat Puffin Island as a seasonal bonus, not a guaranteed stop year-round.

During the breeding season, you visit Puffin Island, sometimes referred to as Lundey. That visit is the reason many people choose this specific tour. Puffin Island is known for huge numbers of birds nesting, and when you get there during the right window, you can see puffins in flight and resting on the water.

Why Puffin Island Can Change on Short Notice

The tour also warns that if weather or sea conditions change, even with short notice, the Puffin Island visit may be skipped. That is not a small detail. On a RIB day, tides, sea state, and safe viewing distance can shift.

A couple experience notes also highlight that puffins are often not as close for perfect close-up photos as you might imagine. You might see many birds, but some will be on the island side where phones have limitations, and you may need zoom to get tight shots. Past experience advice even suggests leaving your bag behind and keeping your phone more protected or stowed, because boat movement and distance can make handheld shots harder.

Photo Reality Check

If you care about photos, plan for two layers of expectation:

• You can enjoy puffins from the water and near the boats, and you may spot birds without needing extreme zoom.
• For crisp portraits from Puffin Island itself, a zoom camera helps, and steady photo timing matters because the boat is moving.

The RIB Ride: Fast, Fun, and Cold-Proof (If You Dress Right)

RIB speedboat tours feel like the “real action” version of whale watching. The best part is how the boat’s maneuverability can put you on the right side of a sighting. The tradeoff is ride intensity, especially when waves are up.

Several past experiences mention the boat handling serious waves safely, including descriptions of rougher conditions and strong winter cold. That is exactly why the warm overalls come up again and again in feedback. When the crew outfits you properly, you can focus on the wildlife instead of thinking about freezing.

How to Stay Comfortable on Individual Seats

One practical piece of advice shows up in multiple ways: RIB boats often have individual seats, and you may need to adjust your posture when the boat hits waves. A helpful comparison given in past experience notes was basically riding like a horse saddle. Standing or shifting position can reduce the jolting that happens when the boat takes a hit.

That tip matters because it changes comfort fast. If you try to sit rigidly the entire time, you may feel more impact. When you follow the guidance from the crew and use the right body position, the ride can feel more controlled.

Small Tip That Can Save Your Day

Bring a plan for your phone and camera. One recurring suggestion: keep your phone in a pocket, avoid juggling gear, and do not drag a bag along unless you have a secure way to store it. You want your hands free when the crew points out what to look at.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Should Skip It

This is not a casual “everyone gets off the bus and strolls” type of outing. It is active, on water, and weather dependent.

Best Fit

You will probably love this if you want:

• A short, focused whale hunt with live guide commentary
• A small-group experience rather than a huge crowd
• The thrill of an RIB ride where the boat can chase the moment when animals show

It also suits people who like wildlife behavior. The guides often explain what you are seeing, including puffin behaviors and animal patterns, and the excitement level described in past experiences suggests the crew truly pays attention, not just performs a script.

Age and Health Limits

This tour has a minimum age of 8 years and a minimum height of 130 cm. It also states that passengers with heart- or back problems should not join, and pregnant women are not allowed.

If any of that applies, you should choose a different whale watching option that fits your needs. RIBs involve fast movement and firm handling, so the safety limits are there for a reason.

Price and Value: Is $180.27 Worth 2 Hours on the Water?

At $180.27 per person for about 2 hours, this is not a budget activity. But the value comes from how the tour is built.

Here is what you get for that price:

• A RIB speedboat experience, which is part of what makes whale watching feel exciting and close
• A professional guide with live commentary
• Warm safety overalls (and rain jackets if needed)
• A focus on actively searching in the most promising area around Húsavík
• Small group limits, which can improve the experience quality compared to larger tours
• Exclusive discounts with selected local partners in Húsavík, so you may be able to offset some costs

You also get a practical “sighting backup” policy. If whales or dolphins are not sighted, you do not lose the money with nothing to show for it. You can receive a voucher to join a traditional whale tour free of charge, depending on availability. That is not the same thing as a refund, but it does reduce the downside risk.

The main reason the price can still feel fair is that this tour targets quality viewing time in a tight window. If you only have a day or two in Húsavík, two hours that actually look for animals rather than just cruise around has real value.

What to Expect From the Guides and Captains

One thing that repeatedly comes through is that the crew cares about getting it right. Guides you might meet from past trips include Nicoletta, Witt, Mario, Clara, Victoria, and Milo. Different names, same pattern: people describe guides as upbeat and engaged, and they point out that the captain drives skillfully to handle changing conditions.

Why that matters to you: whale watching is not just finding animals. It is also positioning, timing, and managing viewpoints. A capable captain helps you stay safe while the guide turns scanning into something you can actually understand.

Your Booking Checklist for a Smooth Day

If you want this tour to feel effortless, do these things:

• Pack warm waterproof layers, not just a windbreaker
• Wear clothing that works under warm overalls
• Plan to arrive early so you are not rushed in gear prep
• Keep your phone and camera strategy simple (phone in pocket, zoom for the best shots)
• Bring the mindset that puffins are seasonal, but whales are the main target

Also keep an eye on weather. The tour is explicitly subject to favorable conditions, and if the tour cancels due to poor weather, you should be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Should You Book Gentle Giants Big Whale Safari and Puffins?

I think this is a strong choice if you want a high-energy, small-group RIB whale safari out of Húsavík, and you are okay treating puffin viewing as a bonus that depends on timing and sea conditions. The warm gear, the live guiding, and the active search approach are the big reasons the outing earns its high recommendation rate.

If your priority is guaranteed close-up puffin photos, be realistic. Puffin Island viewing can involve distance limits and tide and weather factors. Go for the experience and the chance to see wildlife up close, not for perfect studio-style bird portraits.

If you want the best odds for both whales and puffins, aim for the puffin season window, and especially earlier rather than late summer.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Gentle Giants – Husavik Whale Watching, Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $180.27 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

When is puffin season, and is Puffin Island always visited?

Puffin season is approximately April 15 to August 15. Puffin Island is typically visited during the breeding season, but if weather or sea conditions change, the visit may be skipped, even with short notice.

What should I wear?

Bring warm and waterproof clothing. Warm safety overalls are provided, and rain jackets are provided if needed.

What are the age and height limits?

Minimum age is 8 years, and the minimum height is 130 cm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if there are no whale or dolphin sightings?

If no whales or dolphins are sighted, passenger refunds are not permitted. You can receive a voucher to join a traditional whale watching tour free of charge, depending on availability.

What is the cancellation policy if weather affects the tour?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.