Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur

The great prize here is puffins at eye level. At Hafnarhólmi, a wooden stairway climbs beside the nesting cliffs, putting you far closer to the birds than a boat usually can. You may watch them land, shuffle along the ledges, or sit offshore with their bright bills pointed into the wind.

I like two things in particular: the route gives you a real look at the quiet East Fjords, and the stop in Bakkagerði adds local character beyond the birds. Guides such as Eva, Nicki, and Brin Treva have been praised for warm, lively commentary. The catch is the long bus ride and short viewing window, especially when several buses arrive together.

Key points to know

• Puffins from a cliffside stairway: The viewing point can bring you within about 10 feet of nesting birds.
• A scenic 90-minute ride each way: The road is part of the experience, but curves and limited stops may feel tiring.
• Bakkagerði offers three small sights: See Lindarbakki turf house, walk toward Alfaborg, and enjoy the village.
• Gufufoss is pretty but modest: It is a brief waterfall stop, with uneven ground if you want to approach.
• Bird numbers depend on season and weather: Late August can be poor, while May through July offers better odds.
• Bring food and plan ahead: Lunch is not included, and the schedule may leave little time for a proper meal.

The real reason to go: puffins at Hafnarhólmi

Hafnarhólmi is a small rocky islet by the harbor at Borgarfjörður-Eystri. Each summer, Atlantic puffins return to nest and raise their young. The site is unusually easy to reach, which is why this trip appeals to anyone who wants a close look without taking a boat or hiking far into the countryside.

The key feature is the wooden stairway along the cliff. From the stairs, you can look across the nesting area at close range. A useful tip is to try the right side while walking uphill, where you may get especially near the birds. The top platform is not necessarily the best spot. Some people prefer to remain on the stairs, where the puffins may sit closer to the rail.

This is a wild-bird encounter, not a staged show. Puffins may be everywhere, or they may be out at sea feeding. By late summer, many have already begun leaving the colony. That makes the timing important. The strongest period is generally May through the end of July, while August can bring only a handful of birds.

The site also has a restroom and, at times, snacks or simple food for purchase. Still, do not count on this as your lunch plan. The tour price does not include lunch, and the schedule may provide only 45 to 60 minutes at the colony. When multiple buses reach the stairs at once, the narrow approach can become crowded, with long lines for both the viewing area and restroom.

If puffins are your main reason for booking, treat the bird stop as the heart of the day. You will want a camera with a useful zoom, patience, and realistic expectations. A clear view of one puffin at close range can be wonderful, but nobody can make wild birds come ashore.

Why the ride to East Iceland matters

The trip from Seydisfjordur takes you into a quieter corner of Iceland. The journey can last about 90 minutes each way, and the full outing is listed at roughly five hours. Some departures run closer to five and a half or six hours, so you should keep a generous cushion before your ship leaves.

The road scenery is one of the tour’s strongest features. You pass open countryside, fjord views, steep slopes, and sparse settlements. This is not a quick shuttle to one attraction. The bus ride is a large part of the day, and it gives you a sense of how remote this part of Iceland can be.

That same fact is also the main drawback. Several people have found the bus time long, especially with few restroom breaks. The road includes inclines and curves, so motion sickness is worth considering. The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi, and one departure was reported to have a small onboard bathroom, but you should not assume that using it will be as convenient as a regular rest stop.

The maximum group size is listed as 59 people. A group that large can make loading, bathroom stops, and the puffin stairs slower. Cruise-day timing adds another layer. If passengers arrive late from a ship tender, buses may wait, then several groups may reach the same place close together.

Bakkagerði gives the outing some local character

Bakkagerði is a small village in Borgarfjörður-Eystri. The stop is not packed with major attractions, and that is part of its appeal. You get a short break from the bus and a look at a rural Icelandic community rather than another grand waterfall.

The village stop is meant to let you choose how to spend your time. You can see the old turf house, walk toward Alfaborg, or simply enjoy the setting. The total suggested time is about 20 minutes at Lindarbakki and 30 minutes at Alfaborg, though the exact order and time can change when buses are being managed around the fjord.

Lindarbakki turf house

Lindarbakki is a classic Icelandic turf house with thick grass-covered walls and a green roof. These materials helped protect people from the cold and wind before modern building methods. Icelanders continued to live in homes like this into the early 20th century.

The sight is small, so do not expect a long museum visit. Its value is visual and historical: it helps you understand how people adapted to the climate with local materials. Some visitors have found the house underwhelming, while others appreciate it as a quick, authentic detail in the village.

Alfaborg, or Elf Rock

Alfaborg is a hill overlooking the fjord and is tied to Icelandic stories about elves. It is said to be the home of the elf queen. You do not need to accept the folklore literally to enjoy the stop. The hillside offers broad views and a short walking option for anyone who wants to stretch their legs.

The path is described as easy, but the tour schedule is tight. If you want to walk all the way up, ask your guide how much time you have before setting off. You may prefer to enjoy the view from below rather than turn this brief village visit into a rushed climb.

Gufufoss is a gentle final stop

Gufufoss is smaller and softer than Iceland’s famous Skógafoss. Water slips down a rugged cliff, creating a light mist. Its name comes from gufa, meaning steam, a reference to the vapor around the falls.

This is a short stop of about 30 minutes. You can see the waterfall without walking far, but the closer route includes uneven ground and rocky dirt. If you have limited mobility, remain at the easier viewing point rather than trying to reach the base. The waterfall is attractive, but it may feel modest after the long drive, and crowding can reduce the sense of quiet.

I see Gufufoss as a pleasant extra rather than the main purpose of the outing. If the puffins are active, they will likely be the highlight. If the birds are scarce, the waterfall and scenery help give the trip more balance.

Guides can shape the whole day

The quality of the guide matters on a five-hour outing. Strong guides add context during the long drive, explain puffin behavior, and help you understand the customs, stories, and daily life of East Iceland. Eva has been praised for sharing plenty of information, while Nicki has been described as informative and funny. Brin Treva has also been noted for a personable approach.

Other departures have had weaker commentary. Some guides have spoken very little, focused more on music, or been hard to understand. One guide played guitar and sang, which some people enjoyed but others found unrelated to the tour. That difference is worth noting because the bus ride is long. A quiet or unclear guide can make the journey feel much longer.

The operator has acknowledged that large groups may sometimes explore independently at stops. At Hafnarhólmi, that means you may be dropped near the stairs and left to find your own viewing place. If you want help identifying puffin behavior, ask directly. Do not assume the guide will stay beside you throughout the bird stop.

The best departures appear to balance nature facts, local stories, and practical help. A guide who explains when puffins feed, why they sit offshore, and how to avoid blocking the narrow stairs can make a major difference.

Timing problems are possible on cruise days

The meeting point is at Ferjuleira in Seydisfjordur, and the tour returns there. It is built for a port day, but you still need to keep your ship’s departure firmly in mind.

Several buses may run the same route. Departure times can become confusing if buses are not clearly marked or if one fills before another is ready. A late start can shorten time at the village or waterfall, or cause the entire day to run beyond the advertised five hours.

The operator may change the order of stops to reduce crowding. In one case, the village portion became much shorter than expected, while other buses completed more of the planned stops. This is not a reason to reject the tour, but it is a reason to ask at the start which stops your bus will make and how much time is planned at each one.

Restroom planning deserves attention. A stop with one toilet serving two buses can eat up a surprising amount of time. There are facilities at the puffin site, but a line may form. Use the restroom when you have the chance, and bring a small snack and water.

Is $214 a fair price?

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap bus outing. The price includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, and fees, but not lunch. You are paying for access to a remote puffin colony, a full route into East Iceland, and the convenience of returning to Seydisfjordur without arranging a rental car or private driver.

The value is strongest if you see many puffins close up and enjoy the scenery between stops. A close puffin encounter from the wooden stairs can justify the cost for bird lovers. The value is weaker if you visit late in the season, see only a few birds, and spend most of the day on the bus.

I would compare it with the cost and effort of arranging private transport. A private option might give you more control over time, but this tour provides a simple cruise-port solution and includes several sights in one outing. For a ship passenger with only part of a day in port, that convenience has real value.

Because the tour is often booked about four months ahead, reserve early if your schedule is fixed. Before booking, check the expected season and make sure your expectations match a wild-bird outing rather than a guaranteed animal sighting.

What to bring for a better day

Pack light, but prepare for a remote outdoor stop.

• Bring a snack or lunch. No meal is included, and the lunch plan may not be consistent.
• Wear shoes with a steady grip for the puffin stairs and uneven ground near Gufufoss.
• Carry water and a rain layer. East Iceland weather can change quickly, and the puffin site is exposed.
• Bring binoculars or a camera with zoom. You may see birds offshore even when few are near the cliffs.
• If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare for the long ride and many curves.
• Keep track of the return time at every stop. The bus cannot wait indefinitely for one person.

Most people can take part, but the phrase accessible for most should not be read as fully step-free. The puffin area includes many stairs, and the closer waterfall route is rocky. You can enjoy Gufufoss from farther away, but the best bird views require reaching the stairway.

Should you book the puffin and Gufufoss tour?

Book it if seeing puffins close up is your top goal, you are visiting between May and late July, and you are comfortable spending much of the day on a bus. The cliffside stairway offers one of the better land-based ways to see Atlantic puffins at close range.

Think twice if you need a relaxed schedule, frequent restroom stops, a guaranteed lunch, or a fully step-free route. Late August brings a real risk of seeing few birds, and crowded buses can reduce your time at the best viewing places.

For the right person, this is a memorable East Iceland outing: puffins first, remote scenery second, village folklore and a modest waterfall filling out the day. Just bring food, allow extra time before your ship’s departure, and book with the understanding that nature, weather, and cruise-port logistics all have a say.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is about five hours, including driving. Some departures may run closer to five and a half or six hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Ferjuleira, 710 Seydisfjordur, Iceland, and returns to the same meeting point.

Are puffins guaranteed?

No. Puffins are wild birds, and they may be offshore feeding or beginning their seasonal departure. Late August can produce especially low numbers.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. Bring food and water, since the schedule may not allow time for a full meal.

Is the tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?

Most people can participate, but the puffin site includes a substantial wooden stairway, and the closer route near Gufufoss is uneven. You can view the waterfall from farther away.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, and all fees and taxes. It does not include lunch.