- Getting around
- A rental car is by far the best way to base yourself in Husavik and reach the Diamond Circle sights, which have little public transport. The nearest airport with regular flights is Akureyri, about 90 minutes southwest, connected to Reykjavik by short domestic hops; Husavik also has a tiny airstrip with limited services. From Reykjavik the drive north takes around six hours, or you can fly to Akureyri and hire a car there. In town everything is walkable, but roads out to Dettifoss, Asbyrgi and Myvatn are long, sometimes gravel, and best tackled with a full tank. Check road and weather conditions before longer drives, especially outside high summer.
- Money
- Iceland uses the Icelandic krona, and it is a near-cashless country: cards and contactless are accepted everywhere, from whale boats to petrol pumps and the smallest kiosk, so you rarely need cash at all. Prices are high across the board, with restaurant meals and tours the biggest costs, so budget accordingly. Tipping is not expected, as service is included, though rounding up for exceptional service is welcome. Fuel, the geothermal baths and whale tours are the main expenses; self-catering from the local supermarket and packing snacks for long drives keeps costs down.
- Safety
- Husavik is extremely safe with almost no crime, so the real hazards are natural. On whale tours the sea can be cold and rough, so wear the overalls provided and take a seasickness tablet if you are prone. At geothermal sites like Namafjall Hverir the ground is scalding and unstable, so never leave the marked paths. Waterfalls such as Dettifoss have slippery, unfenced edges, so keep well back. Weather changes fast even in summer, with wind, rain and fog, so carry warm waterproof layers, check forecasts and road conditions before driving, and respect any route closures.
- Best season
- June to August is the prime window: whales are most active, boats run at full frequency, roads to the Diamond Circle are open, and the midnight sun gives endless daylight. May and September are quieter shoulder months with good whale chances and fewer crowds. Winter is dramatic and offers the northern lights, but whale tours are limited or paused, days are very short, and mountain roads can close, so it suits aurora seekers more than sightseers. Book whale tours and rooms well ahead for July and August, and always allow a spare day for weather.
- Where to stay
- Husavik itself is the natural base, with guesthouses and the Fosshotel clustered near the harbour and church, putting the whale boats, museum and restaurants on your doorstep; ideal for a whale-focused trip. Staying up near the GeoSea cliffs rewards you with sea views and easy baths access. For those touring the Diamond Circle more than the whales, a farmstay or hotel around Lake Myvatn, about an hour south, sits closer to the geothermal wonders. For a first visit, the compact harbour town is the most convenient and characterful choice.
Iceland
