Most reviewed
Gentle Giants
Three hours on an oak boat, with a local family firm
For the classic trip, at the lowest price here, with a firm that sails all the way into November.
Whale watching in Húsavík
6 tours on Skjálfandi Bay from €71: traditional oak boat, silent electric boat or RIB, and when each one sails.
- From
- €71
- Duration
- 2 to 3 h
- Best season
- Apr to Oct
- Tours compared
- 6
Why go whale watching in Húsavík?
For the bay, its oak boats and its long history of tours.
The town's Whale Museum says Húsavík is often called the whale capital of Iceland, and Visit Iceland says it has in some ways pioneered whale watching. The dates depend on who tells it: North Sailing says 1995, Friends of Moby Dick says its first boat sailed in 1994.
The museum lists humpback, minke, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and blue whale as the most common species in the bay. Visit Iceland says that finding a blue whale takes luck. Gentle Giants reports sightings on 97 to 99% of its tours on average.
Which whale watching tour from Húsavík?
An oak boat for the classic trip, a RIB if you want speed and Puffin Island.
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On an oak or heated boat
About 3 hours, from €71.
Heated indoors
Friends of Moby Dick
Three hours with a heated indoor area
For a heated room to warm up in, at nearly the same price.
With Puffin Island
North Sailing
Oak boat with Puffin Island on the way
For whales and puffins on an oak boat, with hot chocolate on board.
Electric boat
North Sailing
A silent tour on an electric oak boat
For a boat with almost no engine noise.
By RIB
About 2 hours, from €150.
Highest rated
Husavik Adventures
12-seat RIB to the bay and Puffin Island
For the highest rating among these tours, and 12 people at most.
Most reviewed RIB
Gentle Giants
Two hours by RIB, Puffin Island in season
For the most reviewed RIB here, with Puffin Island in season.
Compare in detail
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On an oak or heated boat | ||||||
Most reviewed in HúsavíkThree hours on an oak boat, with a local family firmGentle Giants Whale WatchingBoat: Oak boatIf no whales are seen: A voucher for another tour, dolphins count as a sighting. No refund.Keep in mind: Arrive at least 40 minutes early. Dolphins count as a sighting, so a voucher only comes if neither is seen. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Gentle Giants ticket centre, Garðarsbraut, Húsavík | €71 | See dates: Three hours on an oak boat, with a local family firm | ||
Three hours with a heated indoor areaFriends of Moby DickBoat: Boat with a heated cabinIf no whales are seen: A standby voucher, valid 2 years, dolphins count as a sighting. No refund.Keep in mind: No refund if nothing is seen: a voucher valid 2 years, on standby. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Hafnarstétt 23, Húsavík | €72 | See dates: Three hours with a heated indoor area | ||
Oak boat with Puffin Island on the wayNorth SailingBoat: Oak boatIf no whales are seen: Another tour for free.Keep in mind: It costs more than the other oak boat. The boats can't take wheelchairs. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Hafnarstétt 11, Húsavík | €115 | See dates: Oak boat with Puffin Island on the way | ||
A silent tour on an electric oak boatNorth SailingBoat: Electric oak boatIf no whales are seen: Another tour for free.Keep in mind: Shoes aren't provided. Wheelchair users should contact the operator first. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Hafnarstétt, Húsavík | €103 | See dates: A silent tour on an electric oak boat | ||
| By RIB | ||||||
12-seat RIB to the bay and Puffin IslandHusavik AdventuresBoat: RIBGroup size: 12 people at mostKeep in mind: From age 8 and 130 cm. A departure can be cancelled with fewer than 4 passengers. Overalls are compulsory. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h | Hafnarstétt 11, Húsavík | 8 years | €150 | See dates: 12-seat RIB to the bay and Puffin Island | |
Two hours by RIB, Puffin Island in seasonGentle Giants Whale WatchingBoat: RIBIf no whales are seen: A voucher for an oak boat tour, dolphins count as a sighting. No refund.Keep in mind: From age 8 and 130 cm. It ends at the close of October. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h | Gentle Giants ticket centre, Garðarsbraut, Húsavík | 8 years | €159 | See dates: Two hours by RIB, Puffin Island in season | |
Who sails from Húsavík?
Four firms, each with its own boats.
Gentle Giants
Oak boats and RIBs
Sails oak boats, and RIBs until the end of October. Its last month of the season is November.
North Sailing
Oak and electric boats
Its Andvari is a silent electric boat. It dates tours from Húsavík to 1995.
Friends of Moby Dick
April to October
Its oak boat, Moby Dick, was built as a fishing vessel in 1976. It sails from April to October.
Husavik Adventures
RIB
A 12-seat RIB, with overalls and life vests provided.
What else is there to do around a tour?
The Whale Museum, and the birds of the bay.
The Whale Museum
Its exhibits include 13 whale skeletons.
Puffin Island
North Sailing says many birds nest on Lundey and Flatey, the two islands in the bay. Gentle Giants gives about 15 April to 15 August for puffins.
Getting here
About an hour's drive from Akureyri.
Is Húsavík better than Reykjavik for whale watching?
It is not on the way to everywhere, so it suits a trip through the north.
What is the best time to see whales in Húsavík?
Friends of Moby Dick sails from April to October, and Gentle Giants into November. IceWhale says humpbacks are most often seen in the north from April/May to September/October.
The best timeWhich is the best whale watching tour in Húsavík?
Three hours on an oak boat, with a local family firm has the most reviews, and 12-seat RIB to the bay and Puffin Island the highest rating.
What happens if no whales are seen?
No refund, but another trip: a voucher at Gentle Giants and Friends of Moby Dick, another tour at North Sailing. Gentle Giants and Friends of Moby Dick count dolphins as a sighting.
Can you see blue whales from Húsavík?
The Whale Museum lists them among the most common species in the bay, and Visit Iceland says finding one takes luck. Don't book for that alone.
Can children go?
On the oak boats, their pages give no age limit. RIBs start at age 8 and 130 cm.
Going somewhere else in the north?
Eyjafjörður has tours about an hour's drive away.