Cruises in Húsavík

Húsavík is a town of about 2,300 on the north coast, and nearly all its fame rests on one thing: boats leave its harbour for Skjálfandi bay. The bay is deep, sheltered from the open sea by headlands, and holds enough plankton that whales come in to feed right under the shore. Húsavík is about an hour from Akureyri along the ring road.

The four sailings in the catalogue differ not by route but by vessel. The classic run on a converted wooden schooner lasts three hours at 109 dollars. The sailboat covers the same time for 122: on the crossing the sails go up and the engine goes off. The zero-emission electric boat costs 135 and moves almost soundlessly — whales let it come closer than motor craft.

The longest sailing is three and a half hours at 139 dollars: the whales are joined by a call at a puffin colony nesting on an islet in the bay from May to August. The season runs April to October, peaking in June and July. Insulated overalls and binoculars are handed out on board. GetExperience lists 4 boat programmes in Húsavík, from 109 to 139 dollars. Dates and seats are picked in the calendar, with online card payment.