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Tours Iceland
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Why choose Whale and Puffin Watching Tour in Iceland

✔️ Sail either of Iceland’s richest wildlife zones — Skjálfandi Bay (Húsavík) and Faxaflói Bay (Reykjavík)

✔️ High success rates for spotting humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises

✔️ Seasonal visits to Puffin Island or nearby nesting islets (mid-April to mid-August)

✔️ Choose your style: fast, agile RIB boats or classic, scenic oak vessels

✔️ Expert wildlife guides with live commentary throughout every tour

✔️ Warm overalls, safety gear, and waterproof layers provided

✔️ Flexible booking with free cancellation on many tours

✔️ Ideal for travellers who want close-up wildlife encounters, stunning scenery, and a high chance of memorable sightings

What to expect on Whale and Puffin Watching Tour in Iceland?

Start from Reykjavík or Húsavík
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Start from Reykjavík or Húsavík

You’ll depart from two of Iceland’s richest wildlife hubs. Puffins are seen here from April to August — nesting on Puffin Island near Húsavík, and on Akurey and Lundey just off Reykjavík. Whales frequent both bays throughout the season.

See puffins and whales in one journey

Your crew leads you straight into feeding grounds where humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises surface regularly. Near the nesting islands, puffins circle overhead and dive around the boat.

Choose your vessel

Classic oak boats offer a steady, relaxed sail with room to move around and take photos. RIB speedboats, on the other hand, cut across the water faster and bring you closer to the whales.

Light refreshments on board

Many tours serve hot chocolate and fresh cinnamon buns — a small Icelandic comfort that feels perfect against the cool sea breeze.

Guides who truly know the waters

Visit between April and August and your RIB tour may swing past lively puffin colonies, especially in Húsavík where offshore islands become packed with thousands of these bright-beaked summer visitors.

Responsible wildlife viewing

All tours follow the IceWhale code of conduct, approaching gently, keeping proper distance, and limiting how many boats enter each area. This protects the animals’ natural behaviour while still giving you close, meaningful encounters.

Things to know before booking your Whale and Puffin Watching Tour in Iceland

  • Choose between RIB boats and oak boats: RIB tours are fast, small-group, and get you closer to the action (max ~12 people). Oak boats are steadier, spacious, and offer onboard facilities like toilets and refreshments.
  • Puffin season is short and location-specific: Puffins are only seen from mid-April to mid-August. Tours from Húsavík go to Puffin Island whereas the ones starting from Reykjavik head to Akurey or Lundey. Outside these months, tours focus mainly on whales.
  • Weather controls departures: All boats, especially RIBs, are sensitive to wind and sea conditions. Delays, route changes, or cancellations are possible, with free rescheduling or refunds offered by operators.
  • Sightings guarantees differ: Some operators offer a free return ticket if no whales are spotted (common in Húsavík). Puffin-only tours from Reykjavik offer a 100% puffin-sighting guarantee in season.

Compare your options 

TourBoarding pointDurationInclusionsBoat typeBest for
Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Tour on RIB speedboat

Old Harbour, Reykjavik

2 hours

High-speed wildlife tour led by trained whale-watching experts, warm overalls, gloves, goggles and full safety gear

RIB

Thrill-seekers, photographers, and anyone who wants a short, high-adrenaline, up-close encounter with Reykjavik’s wildlife

Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík

1 hour

Relaxed guided cruise with puffin experts, 100% puffin sightings guarantee, binoculars on board, access to multilingual app content for deeper insights

Traditional oak boat

Families, relaxed explorers, and visitors who want a smooth, easy puffin-spotting trip 

Husavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Tour on Cruise

Husavik Harbour

3 hours

Live storytelling and spotting guidance from a professional guide, hot chocolate and cinnamon buns served on board, warm overalls

Traditional oak boat

First-timers, couples, slow-travel lovers

Husavik: Whale Watching and Puffin Tour on RIB speedboat

Husavik Harbour

2 hours

High-speed RIB adventure, expert guide with live commentary, warm overalls and rain jackets

RIB

Adventure lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and small groups 

Plan your Whale and Puffin Watching Tour in Iceland

Frequently asked questions about Whale and Puffin Watching Tour in Iceland

Boats never chase or crowd wildlife. Captains approach slowly and let the animals decide the distance. RIBs can get closer because they are smaller, but they still follow the same viewing rules.