Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Join Iceland's original RIB whale watching tour on modern speedboats
Cover a wide area of Skjálfandi Bay aboard a fast, modern RIB speedboat to maximise your chances of spotting large whales in the wild
Learn about Iceland's nature and wildlife from an expert guide
Stay warm in safety overalls provided by the crew
Choose a truly locally owned family company in Húsavík
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Subject to favourable weather conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Please bring warm and waterproof clothing
Minimum age is 8 years and minimum height 130 cm
The puffin season is from April 15th – August 15th approximately. More focus on whales outside the puffin season. Should weather or sea conditions change, even with short notice, this may include skipping the visit to Puffin Island
A minimum number of passengers is required for all our tours. If the minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to change or cancel departures, even with short notice. In such cases, customers are offered alternative options or full refund
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Unfortunately, if no whales or dolphins are sighted on the tour, passenger refunds are not permitted. However, customers can receive a voucher to join a traditional whale watching tour free of charge, depending on availability
Please arrive at the Gentle Giants Ticket Center in Húsavík at least 40 minutes before departure
The tour on RIB speedboats is not allowed for passengers with heart- or back problems or pregnant women
Not allowed for passengers with heart- or back problems or pregnant women
What To Expect
Experience Iceland's original Big Whale Safari & Puffins from Húsavík – the Whale Watching Capital of Europe. Welcome aboard a RIB speedboat for a 2 hour fully guided adventure in search of the gentle giants of the ocean. Your chances of seeing whales are up to 99%.
Options
GG2 Big Whale Safari
Experience the Big Whale Safari & Puffins tour from Húsavík on board a RIB speedboat, with higher chances of finding the big whales. A visit to Puffin Island is included during the nesting period.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
Warm safety overalls (obligatory), and rain jackets if needed
Live commentary on board
Exclusive discounts with selected local partners in Húsavík
Transportation to/from attractions (Tour departure is within walking distance from most accommodations in Húsavík)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
429 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
HIGHLY recommended.
sen1271,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Top notch from the easy and informative check in followed by very helpful selection and fitting of tour provided ultra warm foul weather gear. All this before being released to our amazing guide Louisa for very clear safety briefing and discusion of what to expect. Louisa and our captain gave us a complete interesting fun-filled 2 hours where we saw puffins in the water and on the small island AND of course a number of whale sightings. The outing far exceeded our expectations AND Husavik remains our favorite town in Iceland!!!
Great trip!
Coastal28895441145,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alba and Sara did a great job helping us see Minke and Humpback whales! Saw lots of puffins along with fulmars and turns.
Fantastic experience
R4070JMlisav,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gentle Giants is a great company that was professional and fun all at the same time. Our guide, Louisa, is a marine biologist and gave us insightful and timely information about the animals we encountered. We saw both Bob and Magic the humpback whales in the bay. Beautiful and quirky puffins and as an extra bonus a pod of white-beaked dolphins played in our RIB’s wake! A trip of a lifetime
Cool experience
Explore597235,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a cool experience. Guide was very knowledgeable.
Fantastic!!
Robert G,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an incredible trip. The boat, captain and narrator/ naturalist were fantastic and we saw three different humpback whales, one right next to the boat. Highly recommend this!!
Absolutely Wonderful!!!
gabrielahG6153AB,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful experience! Saw humpback whales in full acrobatics!! Guide and captain were the nicest and most knowledgeable ladies. Top of the line gear kept us dry and warm. A delight from beginning to end!!!
Húsavík, Iceland’s whale watching capital.
costaathos,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience with gentlegiants.is. Huge thanks to our guide Fabio and our captain, you guys are the best.
Great Tour!
annewK10TY,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family and I enjoyed this exciting whale watch and puffin tour. It was fun to go far out into the bay and be low in the water to enjoy the whales and puffins. Our guide was knowledgeable and we enjoyed every minute!
With the RIB looking for Gentle Giants
Johanna M,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Looking for the whale in an adventurous way, because riding a RIB is almost like riding a roller coaster. We had a nice guide, Jelmer, who humorously taught us about puffins, whales and all the other living things in this bay. Don't expect to be able to take the pictures on the website, that was really done by professionals, but we saw 3 whales and that was beautiful!
Marvellous whalewatching.
Z8053RXmanons,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked a tour with a RIB-boat, it was awesome! Because it was end of season I was in a not so crowded boat. We had Dimitra as a guide and I really liked her enthousiasm. She told us about the whales and their behaviour, she also told us we saw something very unusual: whales who hunted together. We saw 8 individual humpbackwhales approximatly. The gear was great, I wasn't cold at any time. Admission fee was a bit higher but I would defenitly recommand the RIB-boat if your back allows it. We had a tour for aproximately 2.5/3 hours. Note: I booked a puffin and whale tour, but from september there are no puffins anymore. I was already aware of this and didn't mind. I went for the whales.
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Operated by Gentle Giants Whale Watching