Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port

Puffins steal this show. From Seydisfjordur, this five-hour trip takes you across East Iceland to Hafnarhólmi, a rocky islet where thousands of puffins gather during the summer nesting season. I especially like the close bird viewing and the quiet charm of Borgarfjörður Eystri, a small fishing village framed by fjords and steep hills. The main drawback is the long ride, with nearly three hours spent on the road.

I also like the mix of nature and local culture. You get Gufufoss waterfall, the old Lindarbakki turf house, colorful village views, and the folklore of Álfaborg, the so-called Elf Rock. Guides such as Anna, Berglind, Eva, Petra, and Denis have been praised for warm, informative commentary, while drivers such as Kuba and Torve handled difficult roads with care. At $213 per person, this is not a cheap shore trip, but it can be worthwhile if puffins are high on your Iceland wish list.

The five details that matter most

• Hafnarhólmi brings puffins remarkably close: You can watch and photograph nesting puffins from a nearby viewing area during the summer season.
• The journey takes time: The drive to the eastern fjord includes about an hour at the beginning, another 25-minute stretch, and a long 70-minute return section.
• Borgarfjörður Eystri adds more than birdwatching: The village offers colorful houses, fishing-village character, Lindarbakki turf house, and access to Álfaborg folklore.
• Gufufoss is a peaceful final stop: Expect a 20-minute visit with a short walk, waterfall views, and fine mist rising from the falling water.
• Guides are a major strength: Several named guides have been praised for storytelling, Icelandic folklore, humor, and useful facts during the bus ride.
• Pack for wet, changeable weather: Comfortable shoes and rain gear are specifically advised, and there is no food or drink included.

Why this East Iceland trip takes five hours

This excursion begins at Ferjuleira 5 in Seydisfjordur, with pickup directly from the cruise ship terminal. From there, you leave the port behind and follow the route toward Borgarfjörður Eystri.

The schedule gives you about 20 minutes for an early sightseeing stop in the northeastern part of Iceland, followed by another 25-minute drive. Then comes the main event at Hafnarhólmi. After the puffin visit, the bus reaches Lindarbakki in roughly five minutes, allowing time for the turf house and village area. The return trip includes a much longer 70-minute ride before Gufufoss, then only about five minutes back to the port.

That timing tells you exactly what kind of outing this is. It is not a relaxed village tour with long café breaks. It is a scenic transfer through a remote part of East Iceland, broken up by four carefully chosen stops. If you enjoy looking out the window, hearing local stories, and watching the terrain change, the bus time will feel manageable. If you dislike long rides, the schedule may test your patience.

Several people praised the smooth driving on steep or difficult roads, especially in misty conditions. That matters here. The route is part of the experience, but road conditions and weather can make the journey feel more demanding than the mileage suggests.

Hafnarhólmi and the puffin encounter

Hafnarhólmi is the clear reason to book this tour. The small islet is home to one of East Iceland’s densest puffin-watching sites, with thousands of birds nesting there during summer.

The viewing area lets you see puffins at close range without needing a boat trip. You may watch them flying in with small fish, resting near their burrows, or gathering on the rocky ground. The supplied details do not promise a particular number of birds on any given day, but the site is known for a large summer colony and has been the most praised part of the outing.

Bring your camera, but do not spend the whole hour staring through a screen. Puffins are small, quick, and funny-looking in a way that photographs do not always capture. Give yourself time to watch their movements and listen for the other seabirds around the islet, including kittiwakes and gulls.

You get about one hour here, which is a useful amount of time. It gives you room to take photographs, look for birds, and enjoy the setting without rushing from the bus to the viewing area. One person noted that there was enough time to climb to the top, so you may have a little room for a higher viewpoint, depending on conditions and the exact guidance that day.

The visit is seasonal. Puffins nest here each summer, so the appeal is strongest during the nesting period. The tour description does not specify exact operating dates for the colony, so check the departure date carefully if seeing puffins is your main goal.

Borgarfjörður Eystri, where the village feels wonderfully small

Borgarfjörður Eystri is a small fishing village set beside a striking fjord. The appeal is not a long list of attractions. It is the feeling of arriving somewhere quiet, remote, and shaped by the sea.

Colorful houses provide a friendly contrast to the raw surroundings. You get time to look around, take photographs, and see how a working Icelandic village fits into its setting. This is a useful counterpoint to the puffin stop. Hafnarhólmi is about wildlife; Borgarfjörður Eystri gives you a sense of local life and place.

The village is also tied to Icelandic folklore. Álfaborg, known as Elf Rock, is said to be home to the elf queen. You do not have to accept the story literally to enjoy it. Icelandic folklore often gives ordinary rocks and hills a second layer of meaning, and the site also offers broad views across the area.

The tour description highlights Álfaborg as part of the village experience, though the timed stop specifically lists Lindarbakki. Your guide may explain the folklore during the village visit or from the bus. Guides such as Anna, Berglind, Eva, and Petra have been praised for bringing these stories to life, so the quality of the commentary can make a real difference here.

Lindarbakki turf house and Icelandic home life

Lindarbakki is one of the most distinctive stops because it shows a traditional Icelandic building style. The turf house is a rare surviving example of the sort of home people used in earlier times.

You have about 40 minutes for photographs, free time, and sightseeing. That is enough to appreciate the structure without pretending it is a full museum visit. The value is visual and cultural: turf-covered walls helped traditional homes blend into and withstand the local environment, while the compact design hints at the practical demands of life in a remote village.

I would pay attention to the details rather than simply taking a quick picture from the bus. The turf roof and old-fashioned form make this one of the more memorable architecture stops in East Iceland. It also helps explain why the village deserves time beyond the puffins.

Do not expect a meal break here. Food and drinks are not included, and the supplied information does not promise a café stop. Bring anything you need for five hours, especially if you prefer regular snacks or a hot drink.

Gufufoss gives the return trip a quiet finish

Gufufoss is the last major stop, reached after the long ride back toward Seydisfjordur. You get about 20 minutes for a short walk, photographs, and waterfall views.

The waterfall sends a fine mist into the air, giving the stop a cool, gentle feel. It is described as serene rather than thunderous, so do not expect the overwhelming force of Iceland’s largest falls. Its appeal is the setting and the peaceful pause after a day of birdwatching and road travel.

This stop is brief, but that is probably right. You have time to stretch your legs, see the water, and take photographs without turning the return journey into another long excursion. Rain gear is useful here even if the sky looks clear. Spray, wind, and Icelandic weather can change quickly.

One useful detail from the outing is the mention of a church near the waterfall, along with beautiful surrounding views. The exact stop arrangement can vary, but Gufufoss is the reliable highlight listed for the return route.

The bus ride, guides, and road conditions

Transportation is a major part of the experience. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal, an English-speaking live guide, and free WiFi. Some departures have used a comfortable newer bus, which makes the long stretches easier.

The guide can make or break a road-heavy day. Anna was praised for being personable, while Berglind was described as warm, funny, and good at keeping the long drive interesting. Eva received strong praise for explaining Icelandic culture, and other guides, including Petra, Denis, and Ritchie, were credited with useful facts and friendly conversation.

That praise is worth considering because the schedule includes a lot of bus time. A quiet ride with little explanation could feel expensive. A good guide turns the drive into part of the visit by explaining the villages, terrain, folklore, and places you pass.

Driving is not always simple on this route. Mist, steep sections, and difficult terrain were mentioned, but several people felt safe with their drivers. There was one complaint about a driver not opening the bus door promptly in the rain, and another about confusion at the start, when several buses were serving different excursions. Arrive ready to follow the pickup instructions closely, and ask staff if you are unsure which bus is yours.

Is $213 a fair price?

At $213 per person, this is a premium shore excursion. You are paying for a five-hour guided trip, port pickup and return, a dedicated route to a remote puffin site, and several stops that would be difficult to combine independently during a cruise call.

The price makes more sense if you value convenience and certainty. You do not need to arrange transport through East Iceland, watch the clock for your ship’s departure, or work out how to reach Borgarfjörður Eystri. A guide also gives context to the turf house and elf folklore, while a driver handles the more demanding roads.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a waterfall or a short scenic ride. Gufufoss receives only about 20 minutes, and much of the day is spent traveling to the puffins. Some people felt the price was high, even while deciding that the puffin encounter made it worthwhile.

My view is simple: the price is justified by the birds and the remote route, not by the waterfall alone. If puffins are a top priority and you have limited time in port, the cost can be reasonable. If you are seeking a broad, leisurely tour with many stops, you may want something less focused.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you are visiting Seydisfjordur by cruise ship and want a guided route into a less familiar part of East Iceland. It suits birdwatchers, photographers, first-time visitors, and anyone who likes combining wildlife with village culture.

It also suits people who enjoy listening while they travel. The road time is not a flaw for everyone. With a strong guide, it becomes a moving lesson in local life, folklore, and geography.

I would think twice if you have limited tolerance for bus rides, need frequent facilities, or want a food-focused excursion. One person pointed out that a bathroom stop had only one bathroom, so facilities may feel basic. Children under two are not permitted, and the tour requires comfortable shoes and rain gear.

The tour is also weather dependent in spirit, even if the schedule still runs. A sunny day can show the puffins, fjords, and village at their best. Mist and rain can make the roads feel harder, though they also give Gufufoss its soft spray and mood.

Practical advice before you go

• Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. The day includes wildlife viewing, village sightseeing, and a walk at the waterfall.
• Pack rain gear even if the forecast looks friendly.
• Bring snacks and water because food and drinks are not included.
• Keep your camera ready at Hafnarhólmi, where the puffins are the main prize.
• Listen for the guide’s local stories during the long drives. They help the time pass.
• At the port, confirm the correct bus before boarding. Several buses may gather for different excursions.
• Allow yourself flexibility around the puffin season. The colony is a summer attraction.
• The tour offers free WiFi, which is useful during the longer road sections.

Should you book the puffin and Gufufoss tour?

Book it if you want close puffin viewing and are willing to spend much of five hours on the road. The combination of Hafnarhólmi, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Lindarbakki, Álfaborg folklore, and Gufufoss gives you more variety than a simple wildlife outing.

Skip it if you want a short port-side activity, a guaranteed meal stop, or a relaxed schedule with little time on the bus. At $213, the decision comes down to one question: how much are puffins worth to you? If the answer is a lot, this focused East Iceland trip offers strong value, especially with a warm guide and careful driver.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Ferjuleira 5 in Seydisfjordur, with pickup from the cruise ship terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts five hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

What is the main wildlife attraction?

The main attraction is Hafnarhólmi, a small islet with a large nesting colony of puffins during the summer.

How much time is spent at Hafnarhólmi?

The planned visit to Hafnarhólmi lasts about one hour.

What is Lindarbakki?

Lindarbakki is a traditional Icelandic turf house and a surviving example of an older Icelandic home style.

What is Álfaborg?

Álfaborg is known as Elf Rock and is connected with the story of Iceland’s elf queen.

How long is the stop at Gufufoss?

The Gufufoss stop lasts about 20 minutes and includes sightseeing and a walk.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear. Children under two are not suitable for this activity.