Region
Northeast Iceland
90 km from Akureyri
Husavik: Iceland's Whale Watching Capital
Iceland's whale watching capital: a fishing town with whale-watching departures, geothermal sea baths, and Eurovision fame.
Population
~2,300
Northeast Iceland • Whale watching
Quick Answer
Húsavík pairs whale-watching departures on Skjálfandi Bay with a museum of real whale skeletons, GeoSea sea baths and places associated with Fire Saga.
Husavik is Iceland's main whale watching town. Nutrient-rich Skjalfandi bay is a habitat for humpback whales, minke whales and dolphins. The harbor town appeared in the Eurovision movie, and it also has the Whale Museum and the GeoSea baths.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Husavik is a key stop on the Diamond Circle route in North Iceland.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Population
~2,300
Fishing and whale watching town
Known for
Whale watching
Check the trip season and departure port
Choose a sailing for your travel dates
North Sailing’s published tour list, checked September 10, 2026, gives different seasons for its Húsavík departures: Original Whale Watching runs March 1–November 30, Silent Whale Watching June 1–September 30, and Whales and Puffins April 15–August 10. The puffin trip is listed at about 3.5 hours, compared with about three hours for the other two.
For a September stay, that means comparing the original and electric-boat departures without building the day around a puffin tour that has finished its listed season. Check the booking calendar for the actual sailing and keep the Whale Museum as a separate part of the visit. North Sailing also sells trips from Árskógssandur, so confirm Húsavík is the departure port on your chosen ticket.
Top Attractions in Husavik
Whale Watching Tours
See humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins
GeoSea Geothermal Baths
Infinity pools with bay views
Husavik Whale Museum
Full-size whale skeletons and exhibits
Husavik Church
Wooden church from 1907
Puffin Island Tours
Puffin boat trips in summer
Exploration Museum
Space and Arctic exploration history
How to Get to Husavik
From Akureyri: 1 hour via Route 85.
From Reykjavik: About 6 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road).
Diamond Circle: Husavik is a key stop alongside Godafoss, Dettifoss, and Asbyrgi.
Best Time to Visit Husavik
Summer (June-August): Summer offers different tour formats, but puffin trips and evening sailings have their own season dates.
Year-round: Confirm the boat timetable and bath opening separately; do not assume a summer departure operates in winter.
Planning help
Husavik FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Husavik?
Husavik has approximately 2,300 residents.
Why is Husavik the whale watching capital?
Several whale-watching trips depart from Húsavík into Skjálfandi Bay. Compare the departure season, boat and wildlife focus for your date; a town-wide success percentage does not describe what any particular sailing will see.
How far is Husavik from Akureyri?
Husavik is about 90 km from Akureyri, approximately 1 hour by car via Route 85.
Was Eurovision filmed in Husavik?
Yes. The 2020 Netflix film 'Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga' was set in Husavik, and the song 'Husavik' was nominated for an Oscar.
What is GeoSea?
GeoSea is a geothermal sea bath with infinity pools overlooking Skjalfandi bay and the mountains, one of Iceland's most scenic spas.
What is the Husavik Whale Museum?
The Húsavík Whale Museum lists 13 real whale skeletons, alongside exhibits on whale biology, conservation and whaling history.
Can I see puffins from Husavik?
Yes, boat tours visit puffin colonies on nearby islands during summer (May-August).
Is Husavik on the Diamond Circle?
Yes, Husavik is a key stop on the Diamond Circle route, which also includes Godafoss, Dettifoss, and Asbyrgi.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.