Town guide
Húsavík hotels: base for the best whale-watching in Iceland
Húsavík is a small harbour town on Skjálfandi Bay in North Iceland. It has the highest whale-sighting success rate in the country, a Eurovision-famous concert hall, and three hotels that book out from June through August.
Húsavík (Hoo-sa-veek, meaning house bay) sits 91 km north-east of Akureyri on Skjálfandi Bay. The bay’s cold current draws humpbacks, minkes, and occasionally blue whales from April through October. North Sailing and Gentle Giants (the two main operators) both run oak schooners from the harbour and claim above 95 percent summer sightings. Yes, the town in the Eurovision Song Contest film is real.
We may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com or direct-hotel links on this page. See how we recommend hotels.
Three hotels worth booking
Fosshotel Húsavík
The 63-room four-star two streets back from the harbour. Sea-view rooms on the top floor, decent restaurant with local arctic char, walkable to every whale-watching pier.
Price band: $250 to $340 shoulder season, $390 in peak July. Booking.com widget; islandshotel.is direct.
Cape Hotel Húsavík
The newer 42-room boutique on the hill north of the harbour. Panoramic bay-view rooms, on-site spa with hot tub, better for adults than families.
Price band: $290 to $390 shoulder season. Booking.com widget; capehotel.is direct.
Guesthouse Árból
The historic 1903 wooden guesthouse a block from the church. Seven rooms, shared bathrooms, best-value option in town if you accept small quarters.
Price band: $110 to $170 shoulder season. Booking.com only; email booking on arbol.is.
Three practical notes
1. Book the 08:30 whale tour, not the afternoon
Skjálfandi Bay is calmest in the morning. North Sailing’s 08:30 sailing has the best combination of light for photography and flat water. Around $95 per adult, three hours, warm suits provided.
2. GeoSea is the honest hot-tub call
GeoSea, the geothermal sea baths on the cliff north of town, is a $40 soak with the whale-bay view. Open until 23:00 in summer, 22:00 winter. Better than the harbour restaurants for the sunset hour.
3. Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss are day-trip range
Ásbyrgi canyon and Dettifoss waterfall sit 65 km and 90 km east on Route 85 and 862. Doable as a full-day loop from Húsavík. Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall by volume; go for the west bank.