Cold water. Big thrills.

This RIB speedboat tour is built for the Húsavík-style of whale watching: fast runs across Skjálfandi Bay, guided by people who know where to look, and wrapped in warm safety overalls so the cold stays outside your layers. Add in the chance to visit Puffin Island during breeding season, and you get a trip that feels like wildlife hunting with training wheels.

I also like the team approach. You’re not just tossed onto a boat with a captain and a prayer; the on-board commentary and the guide’s whale spotting help you understand what you’re seeing, from humpback behavior to porpoise surfacing. Guides such as Nicoletta, Witt, Mario, Clara, Victoria, and Milo are repeatedly praised for keeping everyone focused and for communicating what matters on the water.

One drawback to plan for: wildlife is still wildlife. If sea conditions change, Puffin Island may be skipped, and if no whales or dolphins are spotted on your tour, you won’t get a cash refund.

Key Things I’d Watch For

• Skjálfandi Bay is built for speedboat spotting with runs that can put you close to active whales
• Warm safety overalls are provided and required, which makes a big difference on a cold day
• Up to 99% whale sighting chances with expert guidance and live narration
• Puffin Island is seasonal, roughly mid-April to mid-August, and can shift with weather
• Max group size is 12, which helps you keep your bearings and hear instructions
• Phone vs. zoom camera matters on the island side, where puffins can be farther than you expect

Húsavík’s Whale Energy: Why This Area Works

Húsavík earns its reputation as Iceland’s whale watching hub for a simple reason: the coastline and offshore waters here are set up for repeat sightings. When you’re in the right bay at the right time, even a short trip can deliver serious wildlife action, not just a distant “maybe.” This is exactly the kind of place where a quick 2-hour window can still feel like a full wildlife session.

I like that the tour is framed around searching in real time, not just cruising. That matters because whales and porpoises don’t show up on a schedule you control. What you can control is the plan and the boat type, and this one leans hard into both.

The RIB Ride and Safety: What You’re Really Signing Up For

You’re on a RIB (rigid inflatable boat), so expect speed and water movement. That’s part of the appeal, but it also means your body gets the message fast when the waves pick up. The good news is you’re not dressing like it’s a city walk—this tour requires warm safety overalls and provides rain jackets if needed.

In reviews, people call out how helpful the survival-suit style overalls are, including on bitter cold days. One tip that shows up repeatedly: keep your phone where your hands can react fast, and if you care about photos, a zoom camera is the safer bet than relying on a phone for sharp shots in choppier moments.

If you’ve never ridden a RIB, I’d prepare for individual seating and the option to shift your posture for comfort. Some riders describe seats like those on a motorcycle or snowmobile, and they suggest standing at times when the boat hits a wave hard to reduce jolting. Use that advice if you need it, but always follow the crew’s safety cues first.

From Gentle Giants to the First Whale Hunt

The tour starts at Gentle Giants Whale Watching in Húsavík at Garðarsbraut, and it returns to the same meeting point. Plan to arrive early—40 minutes before departure is the recommended buffer so you can check in and get kitted up without rushing.

Once you’re out on the water, the experience becomes a guided search. The guide provides live commentary and helps interpret what’s happening around you. This is where you’ll feel the difference between generic spotting and actual guidance: you’re more likely to understand why the boat is turning, what signs to watch for, and what a quick surface moment means.

In places like this, whales can appear and disappear quickly. The guide’s job is to keep you from wasting attention and to help you look at the right patch of water at the right time. People specifically praise the guide-captain teamwork, including skilled captains navigating rougher conditions while trying to position the boat for sightings.

Wildlife You Might Spot: Whales, Porpoises, and Dolphins

The promise here is about opportunity. The tour states up to 99% chances of seeing whales, and that’s a big deal in a business where sightings depend on real ocean variables. The ride is built to chase those moments quickly.

What you might see includes:

• humpback whales (often the headline species)
• minke whales
• blue whale sightings (some trips are lucky early in the season)
• porpoises
• dolphins, including energetic pods around the boat

A lot of reports highlight multiple humpbacks in a single outing, plus close-up behavior when conditions cooperate. One rider described getting within roughly 300 yards of a whale doing tail slaps—exact distances vary by animal behavior and regulations, but the overall point is that the boat is designed to reach active wildlife zones, not just observe from far out.

Just remember: you’re not guaranteed specific species. The ocean decides what you get that day, and the crew’s best job is making sure you see what’s available.

Puffin Island: The Bird Stop That Depends on Timing

If you’re traveling during puffin season, Puffin Island is a major reason to book. The tour says the puffin season is roughly April 15 to August 15, with more focus on whales outside that window. Even during the season, the visit can shift if weather or sea conditions change, including possible skipping of Puffin Island with short notice.

So what’s it like once you arrive? Reviews suggest you can see puffins both in flight and resting on the water, and that puffins are often visible around the boat during the tour, not only when you land. That’s helpful because getting “island-only” views can be hit-or-miss depending on safety distance and tides.

For photos, here’s the practical bit. One review warns that puffins on the island side can be too far for a phone camera to capture clearly. If you want tighter detail, bring a zoom camera and expect the boat’s motion and wind to affect what’s sharp. Also consider leaving bags stowed in a safe spot and keeping your phone accessible only when you’re ready for a quick shot.

Weather Reality: When the Sea Changes the Plan

This is an outdoor tour, and it runs on weather. The operator says departures depend on favorable weather conditions, and it specifically notes that if the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

On the water, expect decisions to be weather-smart. If the sea state rises, the route and which stops you can safely attempt may change. Puffin Island is a good example of that, since it can be skipped if sea conditions change even at short notice.

You should also know this tour has exclusions for safety. It’s not allowed for passengers with heart- or back problems or for pregnant women. If any of that applies to you, it’s worth choosing a different whale activity with calmer constraints.

And if you’re sensitive to cold, treat clothing like it’s part of the tour. Bring warm waterproof layers even though you’ll get the required overalls. Think of it as adding a buffer against wind and wet spray.

Group Size: Why Max 12 Matters on a RIB

A maximum of 12 travelers per tour is a big practical advantage. On a small RIB, everyone has more space to move and a clearer line of sight to the guide’s directions. It also means you’re less likely to be stuck behind taller people or fighting for attention during a quick spotting moment.

Small-group design also helps with pacing. When sightings happen fast, you want a crew that can communicate and reposition efficiently without bottlenecks. People repeatedly describe smooth organization and a feeling of safety in how the crew runs the boat.

Value for $180.27: Where the Money Actually Goes

Let’s talk value, not just cost. At about $180.27 per person for roughly 2 hours, you’re paying for more than “a boat ride.” You’re paying for:

• a guide with live commentary during the hunt
• required warm safety overalls (so you don’t have to solve cold-weather clothing yourself)
• a captain and crew willing to position the RIB aggressively for sightings, within safe limits
• a format that can cover more coast than slow tours because the boat is built for speed

You also get small perks that add up in Húsavík—there are exclusive discounts with selected local partners near the meeting point. If you’re planning food or a warm drink after the tour, that’s a nice bonus.

Does this tour feel “expensive”? It can, until you compare what you’d otherwise do in a DIY day: booking your own boat, dealing with gear, and hoping you’ll find wildlife without guidance. Here, the guiding and weather-tested experience are built into the ticket.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a strong fit for families and wildlife lovers who can handle a brisk ride. The minimum age is 8 years and minimum height is 130 cm, and children must be accompanied by an adult. If your group wants whales and puffins in one outing, and you’re traveling during the broader season window, this format is a smart way to pack a lot into 2 hours.

I’d be more cautious if:

• you get overwhelmed by speed and bouncing on water
• you have heart- or back issues (not permitted)
• you’re pregnant (not permitted)
• you’re traveling at the very end of puffin season and your main goal is puffins

If your top priority is guaranteeing puffins, you’ll have to line up with the season and accept that the sea can change the plan. If your priority is whales, this tour’s structure is built around that search.

Should You Book Gentle Giants Big Whale Safari and Puffins?

If you want the Húsavík experience in its most active form, I think this is a solid booking choice. The mix of RIB speed, required warm gear, expert onboard guidance, and strong stated whale sighting odds makes it feel like a purpose-built tour rather than a slow sightseeing cruise.

Book it if you’re flexible about exact species and you’re ready for real North Atlantic weather. Bring warm waterproof layers, keep your camera strategy realistic (zoom beats phone at distance), and arrive early so you start the hunt calm instead of rushed.

Skip or reconsider if you cannot do a fast boat ride, or if your schedule is so tight that you’d struggle with weather-driven changes and short-notice adjustments. In that case, you may prefer a different type of whale watching that better matches your comfort level.

FAQ

How long is the Original Big Whale Safari and Puffins speedboat tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start in Húsavík?

You meet at Gentle Giants – Husavík Whale Watching, Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What should I wear?

Bring warm and waterproof clothing. The tour provides warm safety overalls (obligatory), and rain jackets if needed.

Is Puffin Island included?

It’s included during breeding season (approximately April 15 to August 15). Outside that time, the tour focuses more on whales, and Puffin Island may be skipped if weather or sea conditions change.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. The tour states chances of seeing whales are up to 99%, but wildlife sightings still depend on the ocean that day.

What happens if no whales or dolphins are sighted?

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

What if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?

If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be given an option for an alternative date or a full refund.

What are the age and height limits?

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

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers, and it also requires a minimum number of passengers for departures. If the minimum isn’t reached, departures may change or cancel with alternative options or a full refund.

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