Itinerary
Experience the 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%.
Stop At:
• Gentle Giants Whale Watching, Husavik Iceland
See Availability.
Gentle Giants - Husavik Whale Watching, Garðarsbraut, 640 Húsavík, Iceland
2 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
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 20th approximately. More focus on whales outside the puffin season
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
Not allowed for passengers with heart- or back problems or pregnant women
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Posted By : 338essij
We booked a Whale Safari at the end of April. The boat ride itself was enjoyable; however, we unfortunately did not spot a single whale or sea mammals throughout the tour. Given the lack of sightings, we felt that the experience did not justify the expense. We cannot recommend this tour, especially at the beginning of the so-called whale season. Although we were provided with vouchers for a return trip, it seemed more like a marketing trick than genuine compensation. It's important to note that booking this trip at the start or end of the season significantly reduces the likelihood of encountering any marine life.
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Posted On : 2024-04-30
Posted By : sfurt
Incredible! Don’t miss this tour in Husavik! We saw whales and a cloud of puffins. The guide was attentive, a great boat driver and made sure that we didn’t miss a creature in or on the water. It was a little early to see any of the big whales, but we did see some Minky Whales. The landscape was breathtaking and I would absolutely do this again.
Tip: your ticket will also give you a discount to some of the local shops and restaurants. Pick up your ticket first and then go eat and shop.
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Posted On : 2024-04-27
Posted By : Voyager30288552747
We saw more than 10 whales and it was a great experience. The tour was very professional and fun. Would recommend to anyone!
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Posted On : 2023-10-25
Posted By : Ginger_W
What a great experience…our guide Victoria was informative, passionate about whales, concerned about all on the tour…and so very helpful. The captain was on point. What a great team
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Posted On : 2023-10-22
Posted By : N3198QRletiziab
amazing experience! I would recommend this speed boat over the big one even though it’s more expensive! you can easily get closer to the whales once they come to surface to breath
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Posted On : 2023-10-10
Posted By : Sam_D
Despite the bad weather we had a great time. We saw 3 whales during this trip. Next to that the communication about the weather conditions and a possible cancellation was clear and on time.
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Posted On : 2023-10-07
Posted By : jtravels37
I would NOT recommend this rib boat tour or company; I am really surprised this tour gets so many great reviews. Our guide was super nice/wonderful, but the tour was not worth the money, and the company did not seem to care much about its customers. The company said they might cancel the tour due to weather (even though there were no weather warnings) and so we moved our tour and when we arrived for the new one (30min before the start), they then said they might cancel the tour because they wouldn't go unless they had 6 people (5 people had already checked in, so it was clear the company only cared about money and not about potentially inconveniencing the 5 customers who had already planned their day around the tour). More people joined, so we did end up going, but we only saw 1 whale (no dolphins or anything else) and spent the entire 2-2.5 hours on the water in one spot waiting for that 1 whale to resurface. The tour didn't bother trying to find any other animals at all. Obviously it's not a guarantee you'll see any wildlife, but they really made no efforts to do anything else after they found that 1 whale. Also, I don't ever get seasick, but I was EXTREMELY seasick on this tour. This isn't really the company's fault but moreso a warning that if you get motion sick in the slightest, you really shouldn't do this tour (apparently the rib boats are even less nauseating than the traditional boats so I was thankful I at least wasn't on one of those). I am not exaggerating when I say that being on this tour was the most physically uncomfortable I felt throughout my 10 days in Iceland (and there was a day where winds were almost 80mph). I not only felt extremely ill from being seasick, but it was unbelievably cold despite wearing 5-6 layers and the warmsuit provided by the company. Again, my seasickness/discomfort was not the company's fault but is something to consider if wanting to do one of these tours.
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Posted On : 2023-10-01
Posted By : Edward_B
Our trip was remarkably with success in see three different whale species.
Also, our guide was so professional and knowledgeable of each species and his love for the whales was unmistakable.
I highly suggest this rib boat experience.
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Posted On : 2023-09-17
Posted By : Jeff_G
We had an amazing time! We saw minkes, humpbacks and the largest pod of dolphins I've ever seen jumping and playing all around our boat. Our guide and captain did a wonderful job! If you've never been on a rib boat before the seats are all individual - like a motorcycle or snowmobile - which allows you to bend your knees or stand when appropriate. This is important for when the boat is going fast and hits a wave hard. You will want to stand to prevent your back from being jolted on impact - think of it like going up and down in the saddle of a horse. Do not let this deter you - this was the best whale watching trip we've ever had!!
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Posted On : 2023-09-14
Posted By : GTorrente
It was an amazing experience. First we went to see the puffins and then the humpback whales. We saw like four or five different ones. Excellent team, captain and guide. I highly recommend Gentle Giants (august 2023)
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Posted On : 2023-08-21
