Things to do in Husavik

Embark on a whale-watching cruise in Húsavík with live commentary. Marvel at the natural beauty of Skjálfandi Bay and get up close to whales, dolphins, and sea birds. Cruise by the north coast of Iceland on a traditional oak boat with light refreshments and warm overalls included. Observe the large diversity of marine animals in Skjálfandi. Enjoy a smooth, safe sailing adventure in an Icelandic oak ship and treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa and some cinnamon buns on the return trip. This round-trip tour is an authentic wildlife activity operated by the pioneers of whale watching in Iceland. With informative commentary from your guide, learn why Húsavík has turned into Iceland’s whale-watching capital.

Climb aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat and experience a traditional whale watching tour from Europe's whale watching capital at Húsavík. Keep warm and dry with the use of high-quality overalls and raincoats. Sail out into the bay and prepare to be captivated by the work of Mother Nature. Your specialized guide will give a safety demonstration on board the boat and then feed you live commentary on all the sights you will encounter. Skjálfandi Bay is known for its rich wildlife, including numerous types, shapes and sizes of whale. Keep a look out for the acrobatic humpback whales and giant blue whales. This is wild nature and therefore unpredictable, but your chances of seeing whales in their natural environment is very high. Sail back to Húsavík harbor and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Embark on a guided whale watching tour to Puffin Island from Húsavík. Take in the views of this island on a speedboat ride and learn about the local marine life and puffins from an experienced guide. After you have been equipped with a warm safety overall and a life vest, step aboard a modern RIB speedboat to begin your exciting adventure. Head out to the beautiful surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay while your specialized guide demonstrates safety on-board and gives you live commentary on the sights encountered along the way. Your first visit will be Puffin Island during the nesting period (April 15 – August 20 approximately), where you can observe thousands of colorfully-beaked puffins, often called "the Clowns of the Ocean." The high speeds of your boat will make it more likely you will spot some of the bigger whales, such as the majestic blue whales and acrobatic humpback whales. Watching whales in their natural environment from a RIB speedboat is a unique experience.

Benefit from pick-up from your cruise ship in Akureyri Port, and then drive to Lake Mývatn and the surrounding wetlands area near Krafla volcano. Stop at Goðafoss waterfall and hear about its important role in the history of Iceland. Continue to the pseudo craters of Skútustaðagígar, formed when hot flowing lava met with ice-cold water from the lake. See the lava fields of Dimmuborgir, rich in mythical sagas and stunning to look at for the lava pillars and rock formations.   Discover the thermal waters of an underground river at Grjotagja, where you will stand on the continental rift between Europe and America. End with a look at the boiling mud pools of Hverir and gaze in awe at the steaming fumaroles and sulfur pits. Return to Akureyri Port at least 1 hour before your ship’s departure for the end of the tour services.

The original whale watching tour is now available carbon neutral. The local tour operator has adopted an active environmental policy based on the idea of sustainable development. In 2015, it became the first whale watching company in the world to offer carbon neutral whale watching. In cooperation with some other actors, a unique hybrid propulsion system that allows running the ship on renewable energy instead of fossil fuel has been developed.  Experience the tour on a carbon neutral boat and discover the magnificent nature of Skjálfandi Bay observing whales, dolphins and seabirds in their natural habitat. Enjoy smooth sailing and treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa and cinnamon buns. Join the tour and enjoy an authentic wildlife adventure with the pioneers of whale watching in Iceland.

Embark on a guided RIB speedboat tour around Puffin Island. See the thousands of puffins in their natural habitat before heading to Skjálfandi Bay to spot whales with frequent sightings of humpback and minke whales. After check-in at the ticket office, be escorted to the dressing room to receive warm water-resistant overalls and life vests. Sit back and peel your eyes across the rocking waves of the Atlantic, looking for any sign of life. Make sure to bring hats and gloves—it's always colder in the bay than in the town. When everybody is ready the guide will show the way to the boat where passengers will find their seats and get informed about safety regulations on board. During puffin season, the first pit-stop will be Puffin Island. Circle around the Island, enjoying the view of thousands of puffins during their breeding period. See Tjörnes peninsula, known for its fossil layers with the most ancient one being two million years old. The next destination is whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay, an area renowned for its rich wildlife, Víknafjöll and Kinnarfjöll mountain ranges. There are 20 different species of cetacean in Iceland, the most common being humpback and minke whales. There is a chance to spot rarer species like orcas, Harbour Porpoises, Blue Whales, and more. With a smaller vessel like a RIB, your captain can get much closer to where these animals swim as small boats make less noise, and are less likely to deter whales. After 2 hours of cruising the ocean, begin the return journey back to the harbor. On your way, you will likely pass one of the numerous nesting Puffin colonies that live in the area—just another fantastic reason to come aboard.

Bathe in the relaxing warm waters of the GeoSea Geothermal Baths with this ticket. Soak your muscles in the rich seawater, enjoy a drink from the swim-up bar, and marvel at stunning views of Icelandic nature. Head up to Husavik to visit the beautiful GeoSea Geothermal Baths. Step into the warm, mineral-rich seawater heated by the Earth's core. As you float in the baths, perched on a cliffside overlooking Skjálfandi Bay and the Arctic Circle, keep an eye out for whales and the iconic Northern Lights. Chat with locals and tourists alike as the 38-39°C water relaxes your muscles, stimulates circulation within the body, and rejuvenates your skin. Take a break from the water to visit the steam room to alleviate stress and calm the senses. Swim up to the bar and treat yourself to a refreshing soft drink or an alcoholic beverage while floating and enjoying the view. Before leaving, wash off in the showers with the provided shower gel, shampoo, and hair conditioner from the Icelandic natural skincare company, Sóley Organics.

On this 3-hour tour on a traditional oak boat you can discover the magnificent nature of Skjálfandi Bay, observing whales, dolphins and puffins, as well as with other sea birds, in their natural habitat.   Marvel at Puffin Island, the home of thousands of puffins, while enjoying smooth, safe sailing of a traditional Icelandic oak ship. Finally, treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa and some cinnamon buns on this authentic wildlife adventure that is suitable for the whole family. 

Do something different on your visit to Iceland and look for wildlife aboard a traditional wooden sailing ship. Discover the magic of the ocean and get back to nature off the north coast of Iceland. Depart from the harbor in Húsavík and spend 3 hours aboard the oak ship looking for whales and other marine life. Experience the traditional coastal culture of Iceland as you get hands-on and help to raise the sails. Assist the skipper as you cruise around the breathtaking bay of Skjálfandi, created over the centuries by glacial activity. Avail of the services of an attentive crew, who will supply you with warm clothing when needed. Sip tasty hot chocolate and cinnamon buns, available free of charge.

With the Iceland complete audio guide, you get all the information that a tour guide would otherwise give you. Using GPS, the app recognizes where you are on your round trip and provides you with exciting information in the right places. So nothing stands in the way of your individual rental car tour. Your digital Iceland travel guide for the whole island of fire and ice! This audio guide offers more than 340 stations (7.5 hours of playing time) worth knowing about the country, people, and sights in all parts of the country. It includes not only the Ring Road and the Golden Circle but also the Reykjanes and Snaefellsnes Peninsulas, the Westman Islands, the East and West Fjords, and the wild Icelandic Highlands.