Húsavík: Small-Family Run, Responsible Whale Watching

Whale Watching Húsavík

Join us for a friendly, family-run whale watching tour in the whale watching capital of Europe. Our daily tours will provide you with a personal experience, whether you're a first-time adventurer or a seasoned wildlife enthusiast. 

You will have the chance to see whales like Humpback whales, Minke whales, Blue Whales, Sei Whales, Fin Whales, Sperm Whales, Killer whales, Northern Bottlenose whales, Pilot Whales, or White-beaked dolphins in their natural environment. Along the way, we’ll share fascinating facts about these incredible animals and the ecosystem they call home.

Why choose us? We’re a small, local team that will go an extra mile for your personal, unforgettable experience. Our tours prioritise sfaety of our passengers with equal respect to the whales and we're proud ambassadors of the Code of Conduct - we follow and advocate for strict guidelines to ensure minimal disturbance and interference with the whales’ natural behaviour. 

We invite our guests to join us and learn about these incredible animals, proving that responsible tourism can go hand in hand with creating unforgettable experiences. We're known for giving more than just a boat ride - it’s a chance to connect with nature in a relaxed, enjoyable and sustainable way.

Whether you're traveling solo, with friends, or as a family, our experienced crew will truly want to show you the beauty of Iceland’s most precious marine wildlife.

About our boats

We operate our tours on two different boats, and you can select your boat based on the departure time and our seasonal schedule:

Vinur - a stable, ferry-style whale-watching boat with a heated indoor area, large windows, and multiple outdoor viewing platforms. Vinur is ideal for colder days, winter tours, families with children, and guests who prefer the option to warm up between sightings.

Moby Dick - the most classic, beautifully restored traditional Icelandic oak boat with a wide open deck, offering excellent visibility and superb conditions for photography with unobstructed wildlife viewing.

*Read more about our boats here: https://www.friendsofmobydick.is/our-boats

Comfort, safety & sustainability

Safety and animal well-being are at the heart of everything we do. We follow responsible whale-watching guidelines, operate at respectful distances, and prioritize calm, predictable behavior around wildlife. Our approach is sustainable, educational, and respectful, ensuring that whales and dolphins are never disturbed for the sake of sightings.

Tour details

• Duration: approx. 2.5 - 3 hours
• Location: Húsavík, North Iceland
• Season: March-December
• Boats: Vinur or Moby Dick (choose by schedule)
• Included: warm overalls, professional guide, family-friendly service

If you’re looking for a genuine, small-scale whale-watching experience led by people who truly care about the ocean, Friends of Moby Dick offers a warm welcome, unforgettable encounters, and memories that last long after you return to shore.

Meeting Point:

• Please note that departures may take place from an alternative harbour if weather conditions require it. In such cases, we will contact you directly with updated information. We kindly ask all guests to arrive at our meeting point at least 20 minutes prior to departure.

Our ticket office in Húsavík harbour - Friends of Moby Dick

Hafnarstétt 23, 640 Húsavík

North Iceland

• FLOATATION SUITS - windproof, waterproof & safe
• EXCELLENT GUIDANCE - by highly qualified guides 
• 20% DISCOUNT ON WHALE MUSEUM ENTRANCE , 10% discount for Geosea, 10% Salka restaurant, 5% discount Fisn N chips by showing your booking confirmation at the entrance.
• SAFETY EQUIPMENT ONBOARD (incl. Life Jackets)
• All taxes & fees

• Take your camera or phone - you will want to capture these views!
• Warm clothes - we offer safety overalls free of charge but it’s good to have layers, hats, gloves, and good shoes. It’s always colder at sea than on land.
• Sunglasses / Ski goggles - good UV protection is a great idea!
• Optional - strap to hold your camera or phone - a waterproof case may not be necessary, but it's a good idea to secure your camera or phone with a strap. It can get rocky on board and you may want to have your hands free and not drop your belongings - our safety overalls have great pockets too!

• NO AGE LIMIT - everyone is welcome on board, from 0-100 years old!
• Our boat is NOT wheelchair accessible.
• Infant seats are unavailable.
• Smoking on board is strictly forbidden. 

DEPARTURES & BOATS

• Please note that departures may take place from an alternative harbour if weather conditions require it.  In such cases, we will contact you directly with updated information. We kindly ask all guests to arrive at our meeting point at least 20 minutes prior to departure. 
• We operate our tours on two boats - Moby Dick & Vinur*
  *Read more about our boats here: https://www.friendsofmobydick.is/our-boats 

Whale and Dolphin Sightings Policy!

At Friends of Moby Dick, we appreciate the inherent unpredictability of natural wildlife encounters. Although our expeditions have had over 98% success with whales and dolphins, sightings cannot be guaranteed. In case of a no sighting tours, we do not offer a refund.  Nevertheless, we extend an offer to our guests to partake in an alternative departure, subject to availability. We are dedicated to ensuring a memorable experience for all our patrons, regardless of the whims of nature.

For all bookings of day tours, a minimum of 24 hours' notice prior to your scheduled departure is required in order to receive a full refund. If a cancellation is made with less than 24 hours notice, no refund is given.

For all bookings of multi-day and custom private tours, a minimum of 72 hours' notice prior to your scheduled departure is required in order to receive a full refund. If a cancellation is made with less than 72 hours' notice, no refund is given*

*Note that in the event the client requests a refund for any reason, Tour Desk reserves the right to charge a 3% administration fee to cover costs incurred.

Cancellation and refund requests need to be sent in writing to info@tourdesk.io