Day Trips

Husavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Boat Tour

Whale breaching during a whale watching tour in Husavik, Iceland.

Humpback whale tail near tour boat on whale watching cruise.

Puffins on grassy cliff during whale watching and puffin tour cruise.

Puffin Island near Husavik with grassy cliffs and surrounding ocean.

Duration

3 hrs 30 mins

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.8/5(10)

Jerónimo B

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Magnificent and unforgettable experience. We were lucky enough to see two humpback whales very close up, and the team, formed by Marc, Daniel, and Robert, was exceptional at all times, sharing very interesting scientific facts that made the experience even better, if possible. Absolutely a must-do if you come to the north of Iceland.

Miguel R

Family

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

The tour and crew were great. We had a very good time and managed to see 4 whales. Marc, the guide, was really knowledgeable and gave a lot of insightful information about whales, puffins and other animals.

Ted B

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

They delivered on finding whales and then the whales delivered by putting on a spectacular show! A hunpback breached twice for us close the the Bjossi Sor which was a once in a lifetime experience

Ana A

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

Fantastic tour, good organisation. Ww saw the puffin island really crowded, and also whales. Accurate and interesting explanations from the guide. Thank you

Spot whales and puffins in their natural habitat on a scenic cruise from Húsavík, guided by local wildlife experts.

Sail on a traditional oak boat to Puffin Island, home to over 100,000 puffins. They arrive here each summer to breed, nest, and raise their chicks along its rocky shores.

Hot chocolate and cinnamon buns served onboard make for an irresistible treat in Iceland’s crisp weather.

Warm overalls and raincoats will be provided if needed, so you can focus on the adventure, rain or shine.

The crew shares fascinating insights about local birds and whales, making the experience both fun and educational for all ages.

3.5-hour whale and puffin watching tour

Visit to Puffin Island

Whale watching near Husavík

Expert whale watching guide

Hot chocolate and cinnamon buns

Warm overalls and raincoats if needed

Hotel pickup

TOTAL DURATION3 hours 30 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
Start point
North Sailing ticket office
Get direction
Passes By
Puffin Island
Skjálfandi Bay
End point
North Sailing ticket office
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

10 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Spain, Netherlands and over 6 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Jayeshkumar P
Group
Verified booking
Last week
Overall it was a good tour. We did enjoy our tour and staff was very good and supportive.
Ted B
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
They delivered on finding whales and then the whales delivered by putting on a spectacular show! A hunpback breached twice for us close the the Bjossi Sor which was a once in a lifetime experience
Jerónimo B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Magnificent and unforgettable experience. We were lucky enough to see two humpback whales very close up, and the team, formed by Marc, Daniel, and Robert, was exceptional at all times, sharing very interesting scientific facts that made the experience even better, if possible. Absolutely a must-do if you come to the north of Iceland.
Miguel R
Family
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The tour and crew were great. We had a very good time and managed to see 4 whales. Marc, the guide, was really knowledgeable and gave a lot of insightful information about whales, puffins and other animals.
Ana A
Group
Verified booking
May 2026
Fantastic tour, good organisation. Ww saw the puffin island really crowded, and also whales. Accurate and interesting explanations from the guide. Thank you

Spot puffins and whales on a 3.5-hour cruise from Húsavík, guided by local experts with hot chocolate and cinnamon buns included.

Getting started

Check in at the harbor in Húsavík, where your crew will welcome you and provide warm overalls or raincoats if needed. After a brief introduction to the day’s route and safety, board the traditional wooden boat and set sail for Puffin Island.

Boarding point: North Sailing ticket office

What to expect

This half-day tour covers two key wildlife areas in North Iceland: Puffin Island, where over 100,000 puffins nest each summer, and Skjálfandi Bay, one of the region’s most reliable whale-watching spots. Puffin Island offers consistent sightings during breeding season, while the bay’s nutrient-rich waters attract various whale species for feeding.

Highlights

Puffin Island: Circle this bustling breeding ground, home to a large colony of Atlantic puffins from mid-April to late August. Over 60% of the world’s puffins breed in Iceland.

Whale watching: Scan the bay for humpback, minke, and other whales, guided by experts who share insights into local marine life and behavior.

Birdlife observation: Spot a variety of seabirds nesting and diving around the island, with the crew pointing out notable species.

Did you know? - Puffins can carry up to 10–20 fish in their beaks at once. Their tongues hold each fish in place while they keep catching more, making them some of the most efficient hunters in North Iceland’s waters.

What to bring

Warm clothing is recommended as weather conditions at sea can be unpredictable.

Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at check-in.

Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are advised for sun protection.

Camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing.

What’s not allowed

Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not permitted on board.

Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.

Alcohol, drugs, and any form of intoxication are strictly prohibited during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the vessel.

Accessibility

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

The tour operates daily from April to August and lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

Puffins are present from mid-April to the end of August, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Warm overalls and raincoats are provided if needed.

Hot chocolate and cinnamon buns are served on board.

Children aged 0–6 join for free but must be included in your booking.

The tour departs from Húsavík, Iceland. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before departure.

The experience may be subject to weather and sea conditions; in case of cancellation, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

In case you end up not seeing any whales, you'll be offered another whale-watching tour free of charge.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.