Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Three whale-watching companies now operate from Húsavík harbour. Don't stress
too
much over picking an operator; prices are similar and services are comparable for the
standard three-hour tour (guiding, warm overalls supplied, plus hot drinks and a pastry).
Where the differences are clear, however, is in the excursions that go beyond the stand-
ard. When puffins are around, all companies offer tours that incorporate whale-watching
with a sail by the puffin-festooned island of Lundey: North Sailing does this on board an
atmospheric old schooner over four hours; Gentle Giants does it over 2½ hours in a high-
speed rigid-inflatable boat (RIB).
Trips depart throughout the day (June to August) from around 8.30am to 8pm, and large
signs at the ticket booths advertise the next departure time. Boats also run in April, May,
September and October with less frequency (North Sailing even has a daily tour in
November). You can't miss the offices on the waterfront: North Sailing with its yellow
flags, Gentle Giants dressed in blue, and smaller Salka operating from its cafe across the
road.
Questions worth asking when you're booking a last-minute standard tour: how big is the
boat, and how many passengers are booked on the tour. Consider taking an early-morning
or evening cruise (bus groups visit in the middle of the day).
Note: prices listed here were current at the time of writing; see websites for up-to-date
rates.
North Sailing
WHALE WATCHING
Ikr9280/4640)
The original operator, with a fleet of lovingly restored traditional boats, including the oak
schooners
Haukur
and
Hildur
. Its four-hour 'Whales, Puffins & Sails' tour is onboard an
old schooner; when conditions are right, there may be some sailing without the engine.
Overnight sailing adventures to Grímsey are available in summer.
Gentle Giants
WHALE WATCHING
3900)
Gentle Giants has a flotilla of old fishing vessels, plus recent additions of high-speed rigid-
inflatable boats (RIBs) and Zodiacs, offering a way to cover more ground in the bay.
