Húsavík
Húsavík
Whale Watching Companies
There are four different companies offering whale-watching trips here in Húsavík: Gentle Giants, Húsavík Adventures, North Sailing and Salka Whale Watching. All the companies have very friendly, multilingual guides who are passionate about whales.
They all operate out of the "Whale Watching Centre", so you can easily compare offers and prices.
Types of Boat
Traditional Wooden Boats
Traditional oak wooden fishing boats, which have been carefully restored and adapted to a new role without compromising their original character.
Prices: 80€ for 3 hours
RIB Speedboats
RIB speedboats are great fun and can cover greater distances, faster, meaning that you are more likely to see whales. They can go further out in the ocean and find the larger species of whale.
Despite the speed and power of RIB boats, their noise and impact on whales is minimal because they operate in a different frequency range than common boats.
Prices: 140€ for 2 hours
Sea Kayaking
Paddle along the breathtaking coast of Skjálfandi Bay in a sit-on-top sea kayak and be one with Icelandic wilderness. For the ultimate combination of adventure and peace, experience the stunning nature while stroking yourself along our bay’s coastline. Hear nothing but the dripping of water from your paddle, the sound of sea birds and possibly even a whale blow.
Prices: 110€ for 2-3 hours; 150€ for 4-5 hours; 185€ for 5-6 hours
Our experience
The first time out on one of the traditional oak boats, we loved the experience. You do feel, an authentic experience of going back in time. It's the most relaxed way to go and we had a great captain, who gave us a lot of background information. There is a lot of time on the way out and back where things are less exciting. Maybe we were unlucky, but we did not see a single whale. In the far distance, we could see the water spouting and a slight glimpse, so we knew that they were there, just out of our reach. On the other hand we did see dolphins. The captain told us, that he had never seen so many at one time. There must have been close to a hundred, all putting on a show for us, jumping out of the water as they raced alongside the boat. We went to Puffin Island and saw puffins flying in and out from the cliffs. I was a little disappointed to not be able to stay longer and get a little closer. There were a few people on the boat feeling sea sick, despite the calm weather. On the way back they served hot chocolate and a pastry.
The RIB speedboats take you to a whole new level of experience. It's exhilarating as you bump over the waves. You have to stand up and bend you knees when you hit a wave, so not for people with back problems. Some boats seem to chase after the whales, but that is not a good strategy. Our captain anticipated the direction where the whales were likely to go and headed that way, then cut the motor.
Next time, I am seriously thinking of taking a kayak tour. To get close to the puffins, this has got to be the best.
More things to do
Situated right next to the whale watching departure point, this is a great experience to fit in, either before or after a trip to real things. Housed in an old harbourside slaughterhouse, the museum is bigger than we expected and houses some huge skeletons including a blue whale skeleton. Plenty of information about the ecology and conservation of whales all beautifully presented.
Price: 15€
Hiking and Bird Watching
With coastline, lakes and mountain paths, Húsavík has plenty more to offer. Spend some extra days to explore and relax.
For a full list of activities in and around the area we recommend visithusavik website.
Tour Company Links
