My Honest Review of Whale Watching Tours in Husavik Iceland

What to Expect from the Tour in Husavik:

First things first, where the heck is Husavik?

Husavik is a tiny town (I’m talking a measly population of 2,500 people) in northern Iceland. It’s about 6 hours drive from Reykjavik and a short 30 minute detour off of Iceland’s Ring Road road trip. 

If you are doing the road trip around Iceland, it’s a must stop destination. If not, it might still be worth considering making the trip from Reykjavik.

For example, if you had 9 days in Iceland like I did and don’t want to rush, you could spend half the time exploring near Reykjavik, stop at the Snaesfellsnes peninsula, and then spend a couple full days up in the north near Husavik and Akureyri.

It’s a great combination of top sights in Iceland with the more authentic “real-life” in the lesser visited north. 

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Why are the tours in Husavik the best?

Husavik’s bay is considered the whale watching capital of Iceland. It has a rich, nutrient-filled ecosystem that attracts large numbers of whales, dolphins and orcas every year to feast. It is the place in Iceland that you’ll have the highest chance of seeing the largest number of whales. 

On any whale watching tour, anywhere in the world, they cannot guarantee that you will see the whales. I mean, it makes sense right? You aren’t visiting a zoo.

However, if you visit between June and August, specifically in Skjalfandi bay in Husavik, you will very likely see some whales. I saw many actually. Three different types. 

The Best Whale Watching in Husavik: Gentle Giants

There are four tour companies that operate whale watching tours out of Husavik. Gentle Giants sets sail on an eco-friendly and traditional oak boat. It was converted from an old fishing boat, made of wood, and almost resembles a pirate ship.

They have a deep love and desire to protect the whales, so they follow guidelines strictly on not approaching too close to the whales or producing too much noise pollution.

They even advocated at the end of our tour to help them raise awareness to ban whale hunting in Iceland. Overall, the company put on an excellent tour with local knowledge sharing and an exciting search for the whales in the wave. With also making us feel like we weren’t disturbing them in any way and were even going so far as to help protect them. 

Pro’s of the Whale Watching Tours in Husavik

1. You get 3 full hours of searching for whales

The captain and staff onboard are equipped with radios and all the different boats out on the water communicate together in their search for whales.

They start by heading to areas of recent sightings and then it doesn’t take long before they are radioed by another group who has spotted some and they take off in that direction.

I found it so fun, following the clues in search of the majestic beasts. 

2. You have a local marine scientist as a guide

The tour company I booked with, Gentle Giants, has an actual marine biologist as the main spokesperson on the tour. She is the one that provides information and commentary over the loudspeaker.

You get to learn a lot about the whales you’re seeing, but with a deeper insight from a biologist’s perspective. She also teaches you more about whale conservation and what’s being done to help protect the whales in Iceland.

Towards the end, she made her way around the boat so we got to talk with her and ask questions. No other whale watching tours I’ve done elsewhere in the world have had an actual scientist on board. 

3. You have the highest chance of seeing whales than anywhere else in Iceland

Husavik’s Skjalfandi bay is known for its high concentration of plankton, especially between June – September. The whales eat the plankton so it’s basically a free for all buffet with hundreds of whales that time of year. It’s why Husavik is known as the whale capital of Iceland.

4. Ethical and eco-friendly tour operators

Gentle Giants boat engine was re-built to use 75% less fuel and be 50% less noisy for the whales. They also contribute to local and international charities and are part of associations to protect the whales and fight for sustainable tourism.

Most importantly, they practice responsible whale watching. Which means, they don’t chase them, crowd them, or disrupt their natural activities as best they can.

Especially when embarking on a tour that handles precious wildlife, it feels really good to know that the company walks the walk, not just talks the talk.

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5. A Feeling of Local Authenticity

Gentle Giants is owned by a local, family owned company. They have over 160 years of history operating in Skjalfandi bay. 

6. Gentle Giants provides coveralls, hot chocolate and cinnamon buns

 Yes, even in summer, you’ll want the coveralls. The ocean air gets really crisp so even with my winter hat, fleece layers, and outer shells I wouldn’t have been warm enough without the provided coveralls. They also have rain jackets if needed. 

They serve cinnamon buns with hot chocolate at the end of the excursion as a complimentary warm-up snack.

7. You get discounts at local companies in Husavik

Your Gentle Giants ticket gets you discounts at local companies like the Husavik whale museum (20% discount), the Geosea thermal baths (15% off entrance ticket), the Naustid seafood restaurant (10%), Fish & Chips restaurant (5%) and more – including other restaurants and clothing stores. 

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Cons of Whale Watching Tours in Husavik

1. Husavik is far from Reykjavik

While Husavik is the best spot for whale watching, it is also over 6 hours drive from Reykjavik. However, depending onhow you look at it, this can be a pro because it adds authenticity and escapes the crowds that stick close to the capital. 

2. There is no 100% guarantee you will see whales

On any whale watching tour, anywhere in the world, they cannot guarantee that you will see the whales.

I mean, it makes sense right? You aren’t visiting a zoo. However, if you visit between June and August, specifically in Skjalfandi bay in Husavik, you will VERY likely see some whales. I saw many actually. Three different types. 

3. Sea Sickness

This goes for any whale watching tour. If you get motion sickness easily like I do, you could get a little woozy on the waves.

I took motion sickness medication and standing out with the wind on my face, I didn’t feel too sick from this tour. But it is always a consideration.

My Experience Whale Watching with Gentle Giants

Immediately, I loved the extra touch Gentle Giant’s beautiful old oak boat provided. It was charming in a ‘this-thing-has-a-history’ kind of way.

It didn’t take long before we saw our first whale sighting. There were chatters over the radio, excitement from the captain and crew as they took off to a spot another boat had seen a minke whale breach.

There were a few other boats there when we arrived. The crew kept a respectful distance, letting the whales do their thing. No chasing. No crowding. Just quietly watching them live their best whale lives.

This continued to happen several times for the duration of the 3 hours. My highlight, that I still tell stories about, was seeing a blue whale. If you don’t know, it is the largest living creature to have ever graced planet Earth.

My brain didn’t know how to compute as it glided effortlessly through the water, its back rising out of the waves.

After three hours of pure magic, they topped it off by handing me a hot chocolate and a warm cinnamon bun. Which, if you ask me, is exactly how every bucket-list experience should end.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Next to walking on top of real dried lava in Iceland, whale watching was the highlight of my trip.

How to Go Whale Watching in Husavik?

The best time to go:

Whale watching tours in Husavik run between April 1st and November 30th. If you want the highest chance of seeing the largest number of whales, you should go between June – August when the plankton concentration in Skjalfandi bay is highest. The whales migrate here for that time period to feast on the rich ecosystem. 

Tour Company Options – Gentle Giants vs RIB boats:

You already know that I’m a huge fan of Gentle Giants. There are a few other tour options that change the experience slightly. 

For example, if you want to add puffins to your experience and a little more adventure, you can try a Rib boat tour.

The rib boats are small inflatable boats that fit up to 12 passengers instead of 70 ish people. They zip through the waves a lot quicker and add extra adventure. You still get the live commentary, in a much more personalized group.

👉 Here’s the RIB boat puffins and whale watching tour option!

Alternative Destinations to Go Whale Watching in Iceland

1. Reykjavik

This is the easy option for whale watching because most tourists spend a few days in Reykjavik already! Boats leave right from the Old Harbour and head into Faxaflói Bay.

Unlike Husavik, the tours run year-round. You can see minke and humpback whales, white beaked dolphins, and porpoises. They provide similar amenities to the ones in Husavik like warm overalls and snacks.

Compared with Husavik’s plankton-rich Skjalfandi Bay in summer, Reykjavik is the convenient pick rather than the highest-concentration hotspot.

👉 Here’s the highest rated whale watching tour out of Reykjavik!

2. Akureyri

Akureyri is in north Iceland and only 1 hour drive from Husavik. It’s considered the north’s “little big city” with cute wooden houses, views of mountains, and Eyjafjörður (a sheltered fjord).

Whale tours leave right from town. The water is a little calmer than Husavik, thanks to the fjord. It’s really scenic and you still have a good chance of seeing whales here too. Husavik still reigns as the winner for the higher number of whale sightings.

👉 Here’s the best whale watching tour from downtown Akureyri!

FAQs About Husavik’s Whale Watching

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Read More About Adventuring in Iceland:

• 22 EPIC Day Trips From Reykjavik (Half and Full Days)
• My Honest Review of Whale Watching Tours in Husavik Iceland
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