Join your private driver-guide for an 8-hour wildlife adventure along North Iceland’s scenic coast.
Departing from Akureyri, you’ll explore charming fishing villages, learn whale biology at a local museum, embark on a full whale-watching cruise, visit Puffin Island, and enjoy a stroll and snack in Húsavík before returning home.
Highlights of Our Húsavík Whale-Watching Express Day Trip
Private hotel pick-up and drop-off in Akureyri
Whale biology orientation at the Húsavík Whale Museum
Eco-certified whale-watching cruise in Skjálfandi Bay
Close-up views of puffins at Lundey (“Puffin Island”)
Leisurely harbor stroll and café stop in Húsavík
Customizable timing and photo breaks
Our Húsavík Whale-Watching Express Itinerary
All our day trips are fully customizable. Below is our suggested plan, please let us know if you’d like to shorten the cruise, add a lunch stop, or extend the time ashore.
Departure from Akureyri and Coastal Drive
Your driver-guide will collect you at your Akureyri accommodation and head onto the coastal road toward Húsavík.
Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of snowy peaks, grassy lava fields, and traditional fishing villages. Your guide will introduce the region’s volcanic past, point out fjord-carved shorelines, and share local folklore about sea spirits and legendary mariners.
Whale Museum Orientation
On arrival in Húsavík, begin with a brief visit to the Whale Museum.
Here, you’ll explore life-sized whale skeletons, interactive exhibits on baleen vs. toothed whales, and local conservation efforts. Your guide will explain feeding habits, migration routes, and how Skjálfandi Bay’s rich waters attract humpbacks, minkes, and even orcas—preparing you to recognize each species at sea.
Whale-Watching Cruise in Skjálfandi Bay
Next, board an eco-certified vessel for a three-hour whale-watching cruise.
As the boat glides past black-sand beaches and basalt cliffs, keep your eyes peeled for spouts and breaches.
Your guide will help identify each whale’s unique blow shape and tail-fluke pattern and share anecdotes about their behaviors. Binoculars and ample deck space ensure everyone gets prime viewing—and photography—opportunities.
Puffin Island Encounter
On the return leg, circle Lundey—“Puffin Island”—home to thousands of nesting Atlantic puffins.
From the boat, observe these colorful seabirds as they dive for sand eels and tend to their burrows. Your guide will describe puffin breeding rituals, chick-rearing habits, and how these charismatic birds survive Iceland’s calm waters.
Húsavík Harbor Stroll & Café Break
Back on shore, enjoy a leisurely walk through Húsavík’s picturesque harbor.
Historic wooden houses painted in bright hues line the waterfront as you wander to a cozy café for Icelandic coffee or a slice of rhubarb pie. Your guide will recount tales of the town’s whaling past, modern eco-tourism initiatives, and community life in this friendly coastal village.
Return Drive to Akureyri
After your maritime discoveries, settle in for the drive back to Akureyri.
Arrive at your accommodation enriched by a seamless blend of wildlife adventure and regional culture.
Optional Extras for Your Húsavík Whale-Watching Tour
Arctic Fox Centre in Súðavík: Learn about Iceland’s only native land mammal through interactive exhibits and, if you’re lucky, live viewing of rescued Arctic foxes.
GeoSea Geothermal Sea Baths – Just outside Húsavík, unwind in ocean-front hot tubs heated by geothermal water, with sweeping views of Skjálfandi Bay.
Tjörnes Peninsula Fossil Cliffs: Stop at dramatic coastal cliffs renowned for Miocene-era marine fossils and learn how ancient seabed layers now tower above the sea.
Húsavík Drama Museum: Dive into Icelandic theater history with quirky memorabilia, from folk plays to modern performances, in this small but charming local museum.
Local Fish Market Tasting – Sample freshly smoked Arctic char, shellfish chowder, and other North Iceland seafood specialties at Húsavík’s harbor market.
Ásbyrgi Canyon Detour: If you have extra time, venture north to this horseshoe-shaped glacial amphitheater, famed for its towering cliffs and serene woodland trails.