Husavik Whale Watching Tour in Iceland
Read everything you need to know about the whale watching tour in Husavik, Iceland, including tips on when to go, what to wear, what to expect, and how to get.
Whale watching is one of the best activities to do when visiting Iceland. There is no way around it.
And where else to take a tour than in Husavik (also spelled Húsavík), the capital of whale watching in Iceland.
Husavik is one of the most popular destinations in the country, where your chances of spotting the gentle giants of the deep are super high.
This brings us to another question. What are the best locations for whale watching in the world?
You would probably guess some of the countries, such as Canada, Costa Rica, or even Iceland. But in all honesty, would Husavik be on your list?
We knew that Iceland is a great place for whale watching, but we have to admit that we've never heard about Husavik before.
When we decided to make a spontaneous trip to Iceland and started planning our Iceland itinerary, we frantically searched for the best attractions to see and the top activities to do.
One of them that frequently popped up was taking the whale watching tour in Husavik.
As we had never taken a similar tour before, we felt that a small town in North Iceland where the life of the locals revolves around majestic marine mammals would be the perfect place to get our first experience of that kind.
So it happened that at the end of June, in the middle of the busy whale watching season that usually lasts between April and October, we arrived in Husavik.
There are a few companies to choose from, but we opted for the whale watching tour with North Sailing.
Obviously, we cannot compare the services of other tour operators, but the truth is that we left the town super-excited, with one of our best travel memories ever.
When the date of our tour was coming closer, the anxiety crept in, and we started to discuss whether we would actually see the whales.
We made nervous jokes that even though the tour operator claims their success rate is 98%, we will be among that unlucky 2 % of visitors.
Because it's us, right?
And even though our trip had a happy ending, we still woke up for the next few days thinking about how fortunate we were to see those incredible animals in the wild.
In other words, no matter how many wonderful waterfalls, fjords, and cliffs we saw, the whale watching tour was one of the main highlights of our trip to Iceland.
And we are not afraid to say it was one of the best adventures we experienced in the Land of Ice and Fire.
Things to Know About Whale Watching Tour
The main reason why we opted for Husavik was the statistics and excellent reputation of the location.
First of all, we must say that the tour would be absolutely wonderful even if we didn't see the whales.
These kinds of guided tours are usually above our typical travel budget, so we are always grateful for the opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience.
Secondly, the sea was unexpectedly calm, the sun was setting, and the scenery with fjords around us was absolutely breathtaking.
Still, you want to see the whales on the whale watching tour, right?
The local tour operators claim that they have an extremely high success rate in spotting whales in their natural habitat.
North Sailing says it's 98%, so we can now see why Husavik is one of the best places to see these giant marine mammals.
The reputation of this location definitely attracts the attention of travelers from all over the world.
On the other hand, such a high success rate can be both blessing and a curse at the same time.
The expectations are high, and we can imagine the disappointment when whales are nowhere to be seen on the day of your visit.
What is essential to keep in mind is that it is still nature. And seeing the wildlife is never guaranteed.
The local guides on the boat always do their best. They use their extensive knowledge, radio communication, and perfect eyesight to spot whales.
So you can only hope this is going to be your day.
Another reason was that we like to support local, family-owned businesses as we can see where our money goes.
Even though North Sailing employs experts and people who love whales from all around the world, you still can see the real faces behind the business.
And that's one of the things that we really appreciate on our travels.
You've probably noticed that lately, we have started to be more vocal about sustainable tourism.
It is something we are passionate about, we think it is the better way to travel, and we love to support people who are on the same page.
North Sailing is well-known for responsible whale watching (there is a guideline on how to approach whales), they respect nature, and they even have two vessels in their fleet powered by electricity that significantly lowers carbon footprint.
If you have a chance, try to book either the boat Andvari or Opal.
We went with Opal (the first ship in the world to have a regenerative plugin hybrid-electric propulsion) and absolutely loved the silent sailing.
How to Pick the Best Whale Watching Tour
So what is the best whale watching tour to choose in Husavik? It depends on your preferences, but you have several options.
Every tour operator has a different name for their product, but they usually offer a fairly similar experience.
If you do not have any preferences, book the one that fits your itinerary, as every tour has a lot to offer.
The most popular tour is the Husavik Original Whale Watching Tour.
If you like traditions, choose the Whales and Sails Tour, which will allow you to enjoy the trip from a traditional authentic sailing ship.
Except for whales, Iceland is a perfect place to see puffins.
If you want to see puffins in Iceland but don't have time to visit Borgarfjordur Eystri or Latrabjarg Cliffs, you can see them in Husavik.
The Whales and Puffins Tour gives you a perfect opportunity to see both whales and puffins in a single day.
We opted for the Silent Whale Watching Tour, which was a fantastic experience, especially as the day was lovely, sea calm, and we could hear nothing but the waves, gentle breeze, and clicking of the camera shutters.
These are four of the most popular tours.
If you want to learn more, check out the official North Sailing website.
Duration
Allow yourself about three to four hours for a whale watching tour in Husavik.
On the day of our visit, whales were farther than they usually are.
Therefore, our captain and a guide wanted to provide us with the best experience, so our whale watching tour took over four hours.
Be prepared that, like any outdoor adventure, the tour operator can cancel the trip if the weather is not good.
When to Go
The best time to see the whales in Iceland is from April to September.
Whether you come to Iceland to see the whales in June, July, or August, you will have a good chance.
As the summer season is the best time to visit Iceland, it means that you don't need to alter your travel plans.
Whale Watching in Husavik
We arrived about an hour before our tour in Husavik, so we still had a bit of time to do some shopping and fill up the tank at the local gas station.
Then it was time to find the North Sailing office.
Check-In
Don't worry, the office together with the kiosks of other companies is located on the main road running through the town near the port, so you will not miss it.
We parked the car in front of the office, then went inside, picked up our tickets, and returned to our campervan to prepare for the next few hours.
Parking
We didn't have a problem finding an empty space directly in front of the office, but it can be a different story during peak times.
Fortunately, Husavik is very small and compact, and there is plenty of parking nearby.
Do I need to Make a Reservation in Advance?
Well, it is definitely better to reserve the whale watching tour in Husavik well in advance, especially if you know the dates of your trip.
Whale watching tours are extremely popular, and the demand is high in peak season, especially between June and August when tourists flock to Iceland.
The best part is that every reputable company usually has a 24-hour cancellation policy.
Price
Most of the whale watching tours in Husavik usually cost from 10990 ISK to 11990 ISK.
While it's not the most budget-friendly thing to do in Iceland, we believe the experience is worth the money.
What to Pack
Your next question might be what to wear for a whale watching tour and what to leave behind.
First of all, we are usually seasick just by looking at the sea, so we took a motion sickness medicine with us.
The sea was very calm that day, but we could read quite a few reviews where people were seasick when the sea was rough.
Iceland is quite cold, even in summer, so dress warmly.
We wore leggings and hiking pants on top of that, warm socks, hiking boots, a long-sleeved t-shirt, a down jacket, beanie, and gloves.
Does it seem like overkill?
Well, then you should know that on top of all that, we also wore a warm waterproof overall they gave us before the trip started, and we felt very comfortable and warm the entire trip.
And that was on a nice day, at least for Iceland standards. Really, do not underestimate the cold winds on the open sea.
We also brought a waterproof dry bag to keep our camera and valuables dry.
Also, a good wildlife camera and proper telephoto lens are a must-have for enthusiast photographers as the whales might be farther from the ship.
For more information on this topic, read our guide on what to pack for Iceland.
Changing Rooms
About thirty minutes before the official start of the trip, we all met in front of the North Sailing office.
We followed our guide, who took us to a changing room, where we could grab an overall.
Then we went to the harbor nearby, where we waited for the captain to let us on board.
The Ship
As we've mentioned before, we opted for the Opal boat.
It was our first experience with a silent, carbon-neutral ship, and at the beginning, we could not believe that the vessel would be that silent the entire time.
We still waited to hear the roar of the motor, but it never came.
The boat was about half full, so everyone had more than enough space. Even when the capacity is full, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the views.
Voyage
The beginning of our journey was very peaceful.
The evening light was soft, we could see the mountains around, and there was enough time to watch puffins and other birds hunting for food.
The surrounding of Husavik is very picturesque and makes the experience even better.
Our guide was very knowledgeable yet casual. It was clear that whales and marine life are her passion.
After some time, we spotted dolphins, and we could feel the rush of excitement on board.
Dolphins swam with us for some time, but we knew that everyone came here today to see some species of the largest mammals in the world.
One hour passed, then it was almost two hours, and we still had no luck.
We could see that the crew was working really hard to make our day special.
Even though no one wanted to admit it, the mood on board slightly shifted from being super-excited to wondering whether we really won't see whales in Husavik.
And then, one of the guides finally spotted whales in the distance.
Whale Watching Experience
The boat moved closer, and now it was clear that several humpback whales were swimming in the distance.
We could sense the change in the mood on board immediately.
Everyone jumped with excitement and pointed in the direction where the whales were seen.
Every time the whale expelled the air from its blowhole, a whale's fluke emerged from the water, or someone spotted a dorsal fin, you could hear the excited muttering and frantic clicking of cameras.
The ship was just silently floating over the sea, and the whales came closer.
As we were the only boat there, the entire experience was very calm, and we could only hope even for the whales.
We do not know how long it took, probably thirty minutes or more. It's hard to tell as we were completely immersed in the present.
We only know that we watched the whales in awe, and the time passed too fast this time.
And then, it was time to return to Husavik.
When we thought that the action was over, a humpback whale far in the distance jumped out of the water and landed with an enormous splash, and then it happened once again.
It probably wanted to give us a proper goodbye.
As it was summer, a time when the sun in Iceland (barely) sets even after midnight, we could still enjoy the sun, calm voyage, and hot chocolate and cinnamon buns on the way back.
And even on the way to the campground, we were still recollecting everything that had happened in the past few hours.
By the way, we saw humpback whales on our trip, but it's not unheard of to see also orcas, blue whales, minke whales, and some other species in Husavik.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Where to Stay in Husavik
Husavik is a small town with a population of a little bit more than 2000. However, the presence of whales near its shore attracts thousands of travelers every year.
Especially during the peak season, approximately between April and October, you should make your hotel reservation well ahead.
The selection of hotels in Husavik is surprisingly good, but if you travel on a budget, you must take into account that everything in Iceland is fairly expensive.
As a result, real cheap accommodation does not exist in Iceland as you might be used to from more affordable destinations.
Still, we've selected the best hotels in Husavik for every type of traveler.
Budget | Arbot Hostel - If you are a budget traveler, Arbot Hostel in Husavik is the perfect choice for you. This conveniently located, clean hostel with friendly staff offers both dormitories and private rooms for low prices.
Mid-range | Husavik Cape Hotel - This hotel has a central location, clean rooms with views over the harbor, and a buffet breakfast. Great value for your money.
Luxury | Fosshotel Husavik - Fosshotel Husavik is one of those wonderful hotels where you always know what you get for your money. It features a modern design, beautiful rooms, and excellent service. These factors are the main reasons why this hotel chain is popular among local and international visitors.
Camping
As we were traveling around Iceland in a campervan, we searched for the best campground to spend a night after the whale watching tour.
There is Husavik Campground right in the town center.
Due to its perfect location, it is often crowded, but that's something you can survive.
However, we decided to travel a bit further to Camping 66.12 North.
The facilities were clean, there were just three other campervans, and we could watch amazing sunset/sunrise over the sea.
The price was 1500 ISK per person, including a hot shower and the use of the kitchen.
Read this post if looking for more information about camping in Iceland.
How to Get to Husavik
Husavik is located in North Iceland, and getting there might, for many travelers, might seem like too much hassle.
Hopefully, we've just shown you that visiting the place and seeing the whales is totally worth it.
So what are the best ways to get to Husavik?
Car
The chances are that you are traveling around Iceland either by car or campervan. Having your own car is the easiest way to get around the country by far.
From Lake Myvatn, we followed Road 87, and then we took Road 85, which took us to Husavik.
By the way, Myvatn Nature Baths are known as a great alternative to the iconic and touristy Blue Lagoon.
Husavik is approximately 75 kilometers northeast of Akureyri and 460 kilometers from Reykjavik.
Here you can find the best deals on rental cars in Iceland.
Public Transport
Fortunately, there is a fairly reliable bus service running between Husavik and nearby towns if you want to keep your Iceland travel budget at bay.
Bus 79 runs between Akureyri and Husavik two or three times a day on weekdays.
Plane
If you are short on time but still cannot leave Iceland without the whale watching experience, check out flights from Reykjavik to Husavik operated by Eagle Air Iceland.
Yes, despite its small size, Husavik has an airport.
However, we believe that it would make much more sense in this case just to take a whale watching tour from Reykjavik to save time and money.
What to Do in Husavik
Obviously, whale watching tour is the main reason for the vast majority of travelers to travel to Husavik.
The question remains is there anything else you to do in Husavik?
If you want to know more about whales, visiting The Husavik Whale Museum in Husavik definitely makes sense.
When you purchase your tour ticket with North Sailing, you will get a 20 percent discount.
Also, it is possible to apply a 10 percent discount for GeoSea Baths Husavik.
Soaking in geothermal seawater before or after the whale watching tour might be a perfect way to end or begin your day.
We were quite surprised by the nightlife in town as some bars were still open when we were returning from our voyage just before midnight.
Husavik also lies on Iceland's Diamond Circle, one of the most scenic drives in Iceland.
The northern part of the loop is not yet as popular as the Golden Circle near Reykjavik, but we believe that's a good thing.
Still, with attractions such as Hverir Geothermal Area, Asbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss Waterfall, Godafoss Waterfall, and Lake Myvatn, we believe it deserves your time and attention.
This post was written in collaboration with North Sailing. All opinions are our own.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
