The whale watching capital of Europe, on Skjálfandi bay, 40 km north of the hotel. Tours leave the harbour through the summer, and the sea baths on the cliff above town are there for afterwards.
From Laugar, the road follows the valley north to the coast, reaching Húsavík’s harbour in about forty minutes. This small town of wooden buildings faces the bay, with its 1907 church above the quay and the whale watching boats below.
Skjálfandi bay offers rich feeding grounds for whales from spring to early autumn. Humpbacks are the usual summer sighting, alongside minke whales and dolphins. From June to August, tours run several times a day on old oak boats and faster RIBs, and last two to three hours, depending on the boat and the operator. Booking ahead is recommended in summer; dress for a cold day, whatever the morning suggests.
Afterwards, GeoSea’s sea baths offer hot water and the whole bay from a cliff at the edge of town. For a wet afternoon, there is the Whale Museum by the harbour.
40 km · 40 min north
Measured on OpenStreetMap roads, October 2026
Hótel Laugar is the red square, Húsavík the blue pin.
Directions from the hotel (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
Run by local companies. Each opens on our TourDesk page in a new tab, where you choose the date and pay. Every tour from Laugar
Prices are per adult, from TourDesk on 10 November 2026; the price for your date, and for children, shows when you book.
North Sailing
The tour that made Húsavík known as the capital of whale watching in Iceland. A professional guide, live commentary on board and light refreshments.
Collect your boarding card at the Whale Watching Centre, Hafnarstétt 9, 30 minutes before you sail.
Gentle Giants
A local family company with more than 160 years of history on Skjálfandi bay. Warm overalls and rain jackets are provided, and GG3 adds a countryside ride on Icelandic horses.
Húsavík is 40 km from the hotel, about 40 minutes by car north through the valley.
Two to three hours depending on the boat and the operator, from the harbour, several times a day from June to August. Humpback whales are the most common sighting in summer.
Booking ahead is recommended in summer. The tours on this page show the dates that are free. The hotel is forty minutes from the harbour.
Húsavík is 40 km by road, and dinner is served from six. Book direct for our best available rate.
You finish on the hotel’s own booking page.
Their other two places to stay, both west of Laugar on the ring road towards Akureyri.
