North Sailing - Húsavík Whale Watching

Had a good whale watching experience on the electric sailboat option. Recommend arriving early to find parking nearby and get checked in and fitted for a jumpsuit. We arrived 10 minutes early and that was cutting it too close. Thankfully we were able to hustle through the check in and board the boat on time. Recommend bringing warm layers and some snacks since it is much colder on the water and the boat arrives back in the harbor just after lunch time. Saw many kids looking a bit miserable by the end of the tour. Was very foggy on departure for us and slowly cleared up during the trip. Got to see a minke whale and a few humpbacks as well. Nothing spectacular like whales jumping out of the water, but still very cool to see the wildlife and try to snap a few photos of whale tails. The guide was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts about whales and the area in general. I recommend exploring the various viewpoints throughout the boat since it's a bit of random luck to be looking in the right area when whales are sighted. Otherwise, they are easy to miss.

A great pleasure to be there with you on whale watching tour. So amazing to see minke whales and humpback whales, who swim next to the boat moretimes before diving. An unforgettable tour. 🐋🐳👍 you are great and your informations about whales, the hot chocolate and the cookies. We love all of that. Go for it. Thank you very much. It was incredible😄☺️🌊🐳🐋

We had an amazing tour with Maja, Kaja, and Mausi. They slightly extended the tour to enable us to see the a Humpback whale resurfacing multiple times. We also saw a Minky whale from afar. Our guides were really nice and welcoming. The tour was really informative, based on scientific research, and they didn't shy away from difficult topics and were honest.

The entire process from booking the tour to getting the tickets to experiencing the tour was seamless. The wooden boats were well maintained, spacious and great to do whale watching without getting sea sick. The tour guides were amazing. Both the ladies were super well informed about the whales and offered tonnes of facts about them without making it boring. We saw 3-4 whales in total and one was really up close to the boat. The puffin island was a disappointment as you can’t really see puffins clearly from far.

We went on an evening whale watching tour from Húsavík with North Sailing mid June and it was the best experience of our whole trip to Iceland. The scenery is stunning, the crew super friendly and knowledgeable, and the cinnamon buns and hot chocolate are a nice touch. We saw various humpback whales, a minke whale and a few pods of white beaked dolphins. Amazing! Even the crew was super excited to see this many animals on the same trip. Highly recommended!

We went out on the Dagfari and took a cruise first up to Puffin Island and had a look at all of the flying and nesting Puffins while the guide explained the island, its private ownership, and hunting/capture rights. I have included pictures in a separate post as an added place. We then headed across the bay to an area where two known Humpback whales were know to frequent. On the way we saw a Minke Whale in passing. We spent a good hour amongst the two resident Humpbacks as they circled us and at one point one of the dived beneath us. When the whales were under water, I enjoyed the nearby scenic 'cliffs'. I was dressed for the outing, but the company provided some pretty warm and encompassing outdoor suits. Dagfari had an upper deck area suitable for 7-8 people and I headed up there for the best chance of catching pictures on either side. On the return voyage we were treated to buns and hot chocolate for a quick warmup. I have been closer to sleeping whales in Antarctica, but not to active Humpbacks so this was a great cruise.

We went in late June 2025: The company is amazing!!! We saw a massive pod of dolphins and two humpback whales repeatedly (plus some puffins!) the guide was so knowledgeable and funny and you can really tell this company actually cares about the whales and the environment and we just loved that. And the cinnamon roll and hot chocolate on the way back in was an added bonus. We would highly recommend this company/tour!!! Would do it again in a heartbeat.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely incredible whale watching experience! First, I want to give huge thanks to the lovely Polish lady at the reception - her warm approach, professionalism, and ability to speak Polish made the entire booking process smooth and pleasant. It’s rare to meet such kind and competent staff abroad! We had an unforgettable 3-hour whale watching tour with North Sailing in Skjálfandi Bay. The experience exceeded all our expectations! Our guide Alyssa had a very soothing, calm voice and was incredibly knowledgeable about whale species in the bay. Her expertise was impressive - from biological details to behavioral facts. Her calm tone perfectly matched the peaceful atmosphere of the cruise. During our tour, we were incredibly lucky to spot 4 different species: humpback whales (the absolute stars!), white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and pilot whales. What a feast for the eyes and proof of the rich marine life in Skjálfandi Bay! Practical tips: • The tour lasts 3 hours - perfect timing for thorough whale observation • Price: around 14,490 ISK (about $100) for adults - very reasonable for such a unique experience • Everyone gets special Regatta overalls that protect from cold and are buoyant - great safety solution! • Arrive 1 hour early for a discount - definitely worth it! • Ticket purchase gives additional discounts to local musicians and restaurants in Húsavík • Tours run every 2 hours between 9 AM and 8 PM Highly recommend the 8 PM tour! With good weather, it’s magical - beautiful light spreads over Skjálfandi Bay, creating an unforgettable landscape. Perfect time for photography and nature contemplation. Don’t miss the eco-friendly silent tours on electric boats - innovative approach that minimizes environmental impact and lets you hear the natural sounds of whales. Just ask staff if there are no cruise ships that day to avoid crowds. On the way back, everyone gets complimentary hot chocolate with cinnamon - perfect way to warm up and reflect on the amazing experience. Mega! North Sailing has a very long tradition in Húsavík - operating since 1995 and pioneers in whale tourism in Iceland. Their commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental protection is truly admirable. They’ve won many awards for innovation and ecological efforts. Húsavík rightfully holds the title of Iceland’s “whale watching capital,” and North Sailing is definitely the best company for such adventures. Professionalism, comfort, environmental care, and unforgettable experiences - everything at the highest level. Absolutely recommend! 🐋