Whale trips
On wooden boats.
Jerzy Strzelecki — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jerzy Strzelecki — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hansueli Krapf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hansueli Krapf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jerzy Strzelecki — CC BY-SA 4.0
Húsavík is a small town on the north-east coast of Iceland, on Skjálfandi bay, with about 2,500 people. It is known as the whale-watching capital of Europe and lies about 70 km north-east of Akureyri. Many whales live in or pass through Skjálfandi bay, including humpbacks and minke whales and sometimes blue whales, along with dolphins and puffins. Traditional old wooden boats, once fishing vessels, leave the town's harbour carrying visitors on whale-watching trips that usually last about three hours. Colourful houses, cafés and seafood restaurants line the harbour, along with the Whale Museum in an old waterfront building, which displays complete whale skeletons. The town's best-known landmark, the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja built in 1907, looks over the harbour, and behind the town Mount Húsavíkurfjall overlooks the bay. Exploring the harbour is free, and whale trips are paid. Trips run most of the year, but the best season is June to August, and the sea can be cold, so bring warm clothes.
On wooden boats.
Complete skeletons.
Since 1907.
Húsavík, North Iceland
June to August.
About three hours.