Húsavík sits on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay in northern Iceland.
The airport has no scheduled bus. Two local companies run shuttles instead, so arrange your ride before you land.
At a glance
- Where: eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay, North Iceland
- Population: 2,403
- Getting there: Húsavík Airport, then a shuttle from Fjallasýn or Skutlþjónustan Húsavík
- Main activity: whale watching, with tours from March 1 to November 30
- Festival: Mærudagar (Candy Days), end of July
- June to August run from 56 to 58°F (13 to 14°C) for highs.
Where is Húsavík and what is it like?
Húsavík is on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay, in North Iceland. It’s the largest town in the Þingeyjarsýsla district, with just over two thousand people.
The town is small and centered on its harbor. Behind it rises Húsavíkurfjall, 1,368 feet (417 meters) above sea level. Southeast of town lies Lake Botnsvatn, which covers 1.05 km² (about 0.4 square miles). The Botanic Garden runs along the Búðará River.
Húsavík is known as the Whale Capital of Iceland, and whale watching in the bay is the activity most visitors come for.
What is there to do in Húsavík?
Whale watching on Skjálfandi Bay
North Sailing runs several tours. Húsavík Original Whale Watching goes from March 1 to November 30 and lasts 3 hours. Silent Whale Watching runs May 1 to September 30, also 3 hours. Whales & Puffins sails from April 16 to August 19 and lasts 3.5 hours.
Húsavík Adventures offers Midnight Sun Whale Watching from June 1 to July 31. The North Sailing office is at Hafnarstétt 9 and the Húsavík Adventures ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, both at the harbor. Gentle Giants has run tours from Húsavík since 2002. Over seven whale species visit in summer. Highs stay in the 30s to 50s °F (about 0 to 14°C) through the season, so dress warmly for three hours on the water.
If you want whales, this is the reason to come. The Original tour runs from March 1 to November 30. With children, the shorter tours are easier to plan around. Anyone who dislikes cold, open boats will enjoy the museums more.
The Whale Museum, Exploration Museum and Husavik Museum
The Whale Museum shows 11 full whale skeletons, including a blue whale. The Exploration Museum is at Héðinsbraut 3a. Its main exhibition covers Apollo astronaut training near Húsavík in 1965 and 1967. Husavik Museum, Safnahúsið, is at Stórigarður 17.
These three make a good indoor plan for a rainy afternoon. September and October bring 3.5 to 4 inches (90 to 101 mm) of precipitation each.
They suit curious adults and school-age children. If you only have one free afternoon, pick the whale skeletons or the astronaut story, depending on who is with you.
The Eurovision Song Contest Exhibition
The Eurovision Song Contest Exhibition is at Húsavík Cape Hotel, Höfði 24. The Eurovision Museum opened in 2021.
It’s a short stop, easy to combine with a walk through town. Gamli Baukur restaurant, at the harbor, is a natural place to eat afterward.
Music fans will like it most. If you’re traveling for nature alone, you can skip it.
Húsavíkurfjall, Botnsvatn and the Kaldbakstjarnir ponds
Four ponds called Kaldbakstjarnir lie south of Húsavík. Svarðarmýrartjörn faces the sea from the road, and Yltjörn is another of the four Kaldbakstjarnir ponds. Lake Botnsvatn lies just southeast of town.
These are free outings that fit between boat tours.
Walkers and bird-watchers get the most from this. If you prefer museums and restaurants, the harbor area covers you.
The Mærudagar (Candy Days) festival
Mærudagar is held in Húsavík at the end of July every year.
Plan to book lodging well ahead for that weekend.
Families and anyone who likes a party will enjoy it. Travelers who want a quiet town should pick another week.
Where to stay in Húsavík
Fosshotel Húsavík is in the heart of town, within walking distance of the harbor. It has 63 standard rooms and 47 deluxe rooms with king size beds.
Húsavík Green Hostel has bunk beds in dorms and single or double rooms, with a minimum stay of two nights. Húsavík Camping Ground is within walking distance of the swimming pool and grocery store, and the Húsavík campsite takes tents, caravans, camper vans and motorhomes. For late July, book early, since the harbor area is the center of the festival.
How do you get to Húsavík and get around?
Húsavík Airport has no scheduled coach or bus. Fjallasýn runs a shuttle to and from the airport; book by phone at 464 3940 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Skutlþjónustan Húsavík runs the other one: call 898 9853 or write to [email protected].
In town, most of what you’ll visit is close together. Fosshotel Húsavík is a walk from the harbor, and the boat offices sit at Hafnarstétt 9 and 11.
When should you go to Húsavík?
June to August is the mild window. Highs run 56 to 58°F (14°C) and lows stay above 41°F (5°C). Every whale tour operates in these months, including the Midnight Sun trips in June and July.
May and September are cooler, with highs near 51°F (11°C). The Original tour still runs from March 1 to November 30. Winter is cold: from December to March, highs sit between 34 and 35°F (1 to 2°C) and lows fall to 24°F (-4°C). October is the wettest month, with 4 inches (101 mm) of precipitation.
What to know before visiting Húsavík
U.S. citizens need no visa for up to 90 days in Iceland for tourism or business, according to the State Department (travel.state.gov).
- Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area. Six months is recommended.
- Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
- No vaccinations are required.
- Iceland is generally a safe destination for travelers.
Booking Húsavík for November: what to know
In November, North Sailing’s Original whale watching still runs, up to its last day on November 30. Highs are 37°F (3°C) and lows 28°F (-2°C), so bring warm layers.
The Húsavík Green Hostel offers various discounts when you book directly, and has a two-night minimum. If you’re camping, pay at Húsavík Camping Ground reception during working hours, 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
Sources
- northiceland.is (https://www.northiceland.is/en/experiences/culture-and-heritage/exhibitions/the-exploration-museum), checked 2026-10-30
- aeco.no (https://aeco.no/guideline/community-and-research-station/husavik-community-guidelines/), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/historical-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/husavik-adventures/), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/north-sailing-whale-watching/), checked 2026-10-30
- gentlegiants.is (https://gentlegiants.is/location/), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25