If you’re looking for the best whale watching in Iceland, the town of Husavik is the answer. This charming town in the north of the country is without a doubt the best place to see whales in Iceland.
Husavik is also known as the whale watching capital of Europe, which gives an idea of just how good the whale watching here is. In this post, I’ve shared all you need to know about whale watching in Husavik.
On my last solo trip to Iceland, I spent two days in Husavik and went on several whale watching tours (excessive, I know). It was genuinely the best whale watching I’ve ever done. We saw endless Humpback whales, Minke whales and even TWO Blue whales. It’s an unforgettable experience and one of the best things to do in Iceland.
If you’re looking for the best whale watching in Iceland, a trip to Husavik is a must.
About Husavik
The peaceful town of Húsavík is a traditional Icelandic settlement in north Iceland. It’s believed to be one of the first places ever settled in Iceland, making it an important part of Iceland’s history.
The small town is home to only 2,300 residents and its main industry is fishing. If you’re hoping to experience authentic local life in Iceland, spending time in Husavik on your trip to Iceland is a must.
Husavik has grown in popularity in recent years after being featured in the Netflix movie ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’. The town even has a whole song dedicated to it. However, Icelandic locals have known for years about the town’s special charm.
Husavik is my favourite place in Iceland. This quaint town has a special feel to it. Even if you’re not planning to go whale watching in Husavik, a trip there is well worthwhile.
Nestled between the ocean and the mountains, this small fishing village is exactly how many people picture Iceland to be. It’s a little bit away from the ring road, so is often skipped on itineraries with visitors opting to visit Akureyri instead. In my opinion, Husavik has so much more to offer.
Where is Husavík?
Husavik is in the north of Iceland. While it’s a little away from the ring road, it can easily be built into an Iceland road trip. The town is a 40-minute drive from the main ring road and is one of the oldest settlements in the country.
To get to Husavik from Akureyri, turn onto Route 85. If you’re coming from Lake Myvatn, you may find Route 87 more convenient.
Husavik is part of Iceland’s ‘Diamond Circle’ which also includes Lake Myvatn and the famous Godafoss. If you’re planning a trip to the north of Iceland, don’t miss out on a trip to Husavik.
Whale species in Husavik
Situated on the shores of Skjalfandi Bay (or Shaky Bay), Husavik is the best place in Iceland to see whales (and the best place in Europe). Seeing this incredible marine life is a great reason to visit Iceland.
Husavik lies right below the Arctic Circle. The waters of Skjalfandi Bay are a hot spot for marine wildlife thanks to its rich arctic waters. With a variety of water sources from glaciers and ocean currents, the waters are full of food and nutrients creating important feeding grounds for the whales. This attracts over 20 different species of whales and dolphins making it an incredible place to go whale watching.
Here are some of the types of whales (and dolphins) you might come across on a whale watching tour in Husavik:
- Humpback whale: this baleen whale is the most sighted in Husavik.
- The Minke whale: another one of the most common species in Husavik is the Minke whale.
- The Blue whale: this is the largest animal on the planet. Husavik is one of the only places in the world where it’s common to see them (May/June is the best time to see them). It’s a rare opportunity to see the magnificent blue whale.
- Fin whale: fin whales are the second largest whale in the world and they’re a regular sight in Skjalfandi Bay.
- Orcas (Killer whales): this is one of the lesser-seen whales in Husavik, but it’s still possible to see them. For your best chance at seeing Orcas, join a tour in Olafsvik.
- Sperm whale: this is the largest toothed whale and can occasionally be seen in Husavik.
- White-beaked dolphins: these beautiful dolphins are a regular sight in Husavik and can often be seen from the shores.
- Harbour porpoises: these animals are the smallest dolphins in Iceland’s water. They’re very quick and tend to be quite shy.
No tour operator will ever guarantee a sighting, but Husavik is the closest you’ll get to a guarantee. Of all the whale watching I’ve done around the world, nothing compares to my experience in Husavik.
Unfortunately, Husavik does have a dark history with whales. It was a commercial whaling hot spot in Iceland for a few hundred years. It wasn’t until 1995 when the first whale watching tours began that the locals realised the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures. Thankfully, whaling no longer takes place in Husavik.
To learn more about the history of whaling in Husavik, consider a visit to the Husavik Whale Museum.
When is the best time of year to go whale watching in Husavik?
The whale watching season in Husavik runs from April to October. The summer months are said to be the best time to see the whales, but I went in May and saw endless whales.
If you’re keen to see a Blue whale, the best months to go whale watching are June and July.
It’s worth noting that Puffins are a common sight in Husavik between May and August. In fact, the Husavik area is home to over 2,000 of these beautiful birds. Most whale watching tours in Husavik include a stop at Puffin Island to see puffins as part of the tour. If you want to see puffins and have the best chance of seeing a Blue whale, I’d suggest visiting in late May or June.
If you’re visiting Iceland outside of these months, it’s possible to go whale watching elsewhere in the country. While Husavik has the best whale watching in Iceland, there are a few other popular places where your chances of seeing a whale are very high.
For a unique experience, consider joining a midnight whale watching tour. During the summer months, Iceland experiences the “Midnight Sun”. This is when the sun sits right above the horizon at midnight. In Husavik, it’s possible to whale watch at midnight with Husavik Adventures. This is only possible in June and July.
Unfortunately, whale watching in Husavik isn’t possible during the winter months. This is due to the lack of wildlife and the freezing temperatures of the bay. A trip to Iceland’s north in the winter is still an incredible experience, however. Being further north, the Northern Lights tend to be much more powerful here.
Quick Guide to Whale Watching in Iceland
You can go whale watching in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, all year round. The most common whales in the Reykjavik area are Humpback whales. The tours operate in Faxafloi Bay.
The best months to go whale watching in Reykjavik are said to be the summer months, but the tours do operate all year.
Akureyri, the ‘capital of the North’, is another popular place to go whale watching. It’s close to Husavik and whale sightings here are very common.
To see Orcas in Iceland, visit the Olafsvik in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Join a tour with Laki Tours. Sperm whales are also a common sight here. If you want to see killer whales, this is the best whale watching in Iceland for you. The tours operate between February and September.
If you’re in the Westfjords, join a tour from Holmavik. This is one of the best places in Iceland to see Humpback whales.
Whale watching tours in Husavik
There are several options to choose from when selecting your whale watching tour in Husavik.
Choosing your tour
Here are the popular whale watching tour operators in Husavik:
I’d personally recommend going on a RIB boat with Gentle Giants. This is the best whale watching tour in Husavik and one of the best tours I’ve done anywhere in the world. The staff were very professional and had a clear passion for protecting the whales. I can’t recommend Gentle Giants enough.
North Sailing are another popular whale watching operator in Husavik. Their classic tour operates with traditional Icelandic oak boats offering a unique experience. They also have a silent electric boat. It’s believed this is a more ethical way to whale watching as there is minimal disturbance to the whales.
If you want to experience the Midnight Whale Watching, consider joining a tour with Husavik Adventures.
Tip: be sure to book your whale watching tour in advance, especially in the summer months. The tours can fill up well ahead of the tour itself.
Is a RIB boat better for whale watching?
Gentle Giants have a regular boat as well as a RIB boat. Deciding between the two can be a difficult decision. The traditional boat is often cheaper and is a more comfortable experience. You can go inside when it gets cold and there are normally toilets on board.
When on the RIB boat, you’re completely exposed to the elements. There’s no escape from the weather and you can’t move around the boat. However, RIB boats allow you to get much closer to the whales. The driver will often turn the engine off to minimise any disruption to the whale.
Here are some pros and cons to help you decide whether to go whale watching on a RIB boat or a regular boat:
Regular boat
Pros:
- Usually cheaper
- You can see the whales from higher up (and get a better view of them in the water)
- It’s normally more comfortable with facilities such as toilets
- You can (normally) go inside if you get cold
- Better for people with back problems or mobility issues
- You can move around the boat
Cons:
- It’s a less personal experience with so many people on the boat
- The boats can’t move as fast so you cover less ground
- The boats can easily injure or scare the whales, so you can’t get as close
RIB boat
Pros:
- You can get closer to the whales (our captain would stay at least 100 metres away, but the whales would often get closer themselves. He immediately turned off the engine when this happened to ensure the whale’s safety.)
- You can move faster and cover more ground in a short period of time
- It’s a much more personal experience
Cons:
- It can be a rough ride so not suitable if you have any back problems
- It can get very cold, and you will no doubt get soaked
- Being lower in the water means you’re closer to the whales, but this sometimes means you can’t see their true size
- You can’t move around the boat as easily
If you go with the RIB boat, you are sacrificing comfort but for me, it was the better experience.
What should you wear for whale watching in Iceland?
Even in the summer months, Iceland can be cold! This is especially true when riding on a boat around Skjalfandi Bay in Husavik.
It’s important to dress warmly for your whale watching tour in Husavik. In the colder months, the tour companies will provide customers with thermal overalls. They are normally optional on the regular sailing boats, but mandatory on the RIB boats.
Even if you are going to wear the thermal overalls, I’d advise dressing warmly underneath. I wore all my layers out on the RIB boat and was somehow still cold. Here are some items to consider taking with you (or wearing):
- Thermal base layer
- Fleece
- Warm sweatshirt or another fleece
- Down coat (don’t let this get wet)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Snood or scarf
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Sunglasses (even in the winter, the sun can be bright, especially when it reflects off the water).
Is whale watching ethical and sustainable?
I don’t think whale watching on a boat can ever be 100% sustainable or ethical. The only way to achieve that would be for the tours (and boats in general) not to exist. However, I’ve taken part in whale-watching tours around the world and my experience in Husavik was by far the best from a welfare perspective.
On my tours, there was never more than one boat with a whale at any one time. The boats would keep their distance and never chase the whales. Once on the RIB boat, a whale decided to come and check out the boat, the captain immediately turned off the engine until the whale was safely away from the boat. We also didn’t spend more than a few minutes with each whale to allow it space.
Disclaimer: I did do the tour in May ahead of the peak season, so perhaps my experience was different to the height of the season in July when more boats will be operating.
What really jumped out at me was the passion the crew had for the whales. They were full of knowledge and genuinely cared about their welfare.
The town of Husavik also has a whale-watching museum. The museum aims to educate visitors about the history of whales in Iceland, from its dark whaling history to its booming whale-watching industry.
It’s worth noting as well that while whale watching is never going to be perfectly ethical, it does have benefits too. Thanks to the whale watching industry, whaling in Iceland has almost completely ended. The locals can see the importance of these animals. It’s a great way to educate people about why we need to protect our oceans.
Other things to do in Husavik
Husavik might be famous for its whale watching, but there are plenty of other things to do in this quaint town.
Relax at the geothermal spa
One of the best things to do in Husavik is visit the GeoSea Geothermal Baths.
The luxury thermal spa has an infinity pool over the bay. I spent an hour relaxing in the hot pools and watching Humpback whales play out in the bay.
The GeoSea spa is a five-minute drive out of the town. It’s the perfect place to warm up after freezing on the whale watching tour.
Visit the Whale Museum
A trip to the Whale Museum in Husavik is a great way to learn more about the history of whaling in the area.
The museum aims to educate visitors on the country’s complicated history with these beautiful creatures. You can also see a giant skeleton of a whale.
If you’ve been on a whale watching tour in Husavik, show your ticket at the Whale Museum. They normally offer a discount.
Go horse riding
Husavik boasts some stunning countryside with amazing views, and one of the best ways to experience this is on horseback.
Gentle Giants even offers the chance to combine a whale watching tour with horse riding to save some money.
Explore the town and try some food
Husavik is a traditional Icelandic town and being one of the oldest settlements in the country, it’s full of history.
Spend time walking around the town (which sometimes feels like a ghost town) and be sure to visit the historic wooden church known as Husavikurkirkja.
Husavik is also known to serve up some of the best fish in Iceland. I’d recommend trying the fish and chips at Gamli Baukur.
Explore Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn is a gem in Iceland. Think powerful waterfalls, volcanic activity and geothermal caves
Myvatn will likely be part of a ring road trip, but if you’re just sticking to Husavik area, consider adding Lake Myvatn to your itinerary.
Husavik or Akureyi?
When planning a trip to Iceland, it’s common for people to question whether to visit Akureyri or Husavik.
Akureyri is a large town about a 40-minute drive from Husavik. It’s known as the capital of the north and is part of the famous Diamond Circle. It’s where many cruise ships anchor up to allow their passengers to explore the Myvatn area.
Deciding between Akureyri and Husavik comes down to what you want. Do you want to visit a serene, authentic Icelandic town with the best whale watching in Iceland (Husavik)? Or do you want to base yourself somewhere a little livelier with a bit more going on (Akureyri)?
Husavik is a good day trip from Akureyri, but basing yourself in Husavik is the better option if you want to go whale watching.
There are several whale watching tours in Akureyri, but it doesn’t compare to whale watching in the famous Skjalfandi Bay.
If you have the time to visit both, great! But ultimately, Husavik is the better option (in my opinion).
Summary: the best whale watching in Iceland
Husavik is without a doubt the best place in Iceland to go whale watching (unless you want to see Orcas, in which case go to Olafsvik). In fact, Husavik is one of the best places in Europe, if not the world, to go whale watching.
I’ve been whale watching all around the world and nothing comes close to the unforgettable experience I had in Husavik. There were so many whales, I didn’t know where to look.
If seeing whales is high on your Iceland bucket list, be sure to include a trip to Husavik on your Iceland itinerary. A visit to this charming town can also be combined with a drive around the ring road and visiting the nearby Lake Myvatn.
Note: while Husavik is known to have the best whale watching in Iceland, it’s impossible to guarantee sightings. Whales are wild animals and it’s difficult to predict their behaviour. Most of the operators will offer you a free trip if you don’t see the whales on your tour. The success rate of seeing whales in Husavik is about 97%.
