Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur

Puffins are the star of this East Iceland outing. From Seydisfjordur, you ride into the remote Borgarfjordur-Eystri area, where wooden steps at Hafnarhólmi can bring you remarkably close to nesting Atlantic puffins. I especially like the close bird viewing and the chance to see Bakkagerði’s turf house and elf folklore in one trip. The main drawback is the long bus ride, with roughly 90 minutes each way and limited time at the sites.

I also like the practical cruise-port format: the air-conditioned bus, onboard WiFi, and return to the same meeting point keep the day simple. But puffins are wild animals, not scheduled performers, and late-season visits can produce only a few distant birds. Your experience depends heavily on the date, weather, crowd levels, and the guide assigned to your bus.

Key points to know before booking

• Hafnarhólmi has unusually close puffin viewing, with wooden stairs and cliffside access above the nesting area.
• May through late July appears to offer the best chance of strong puffin activity, while August can be too late for a large colony.
• The bus ride is scenic but long, often taking about 90 minutes each way on curving East Fjord roads.
• Bakkagerði gives the tour more cultural flavor, with Lindarbakki turf house and Alfaborg, the supposed home of Iceland’s elf queen.
• Gufufoss is pretty but modest, and reaching its closer viewpoint involves uneven ground.
• The $214 price buys convenience and access, but the value drops if puffins are away or the group loses time to crowding and delays.

Why the puffin stop is worth the long ride

Hafnarhólmi is the reason to book this excursion. The small harbor islet near Borgarfjordur-Eystri supports a major Atlantic puffin colony during the nesting season. Unlike a boat trip, where birds may remain far out on the water, this site can bring you close to puffins on the cliffs.

A wooden staircase leads toward the viewing area. The best position, according to useful on-site advice, is often along the right side as you go uphill. From there, you may be within about 10 feet of the birds. You do not necessarily need to climb all the way to the top platform to get the best photographs.

That closeness is the tour’s strongest feature. You can watch puffins coming and going, carrying food, or resting near their burrows. The exact behavior changes from day to day, so I would treat the visit as a wildlife encounter rather than a guaranteed photo session.

The site is not effortless for everyone. Reports describe roughly 100 steps in places, and the staircase can become crowded when several buses arrive together. Reaching the rail may take patience, particularly when people stop to take pictures. If you have trouble with stairs, you can still enjoy the colony from a lower point, but you may not get the close view that gives this outing its name.

The stop is scheduled for about one hour. That sounds reasonable, but it can feel short once you allow for unloading, walking up, waiting for a clear viewing spot, taking pictures, and returning to the bus. Several departures have been delayed or grouped together, creating long lines at the stairs and restroom facilities. If close puffin viewing is your main goal, every lost minute matters.

The best time to see the colony

The tour runs during summer, but the season is not equally good from start to finish. The most useful practical advice points to May through the end of July as the safer window for seeing active nesting birds. By August, many puffins may have begun leaving or spending more time at sea.

Even during the best period, the birds may not cooperate. They feed offshore, and their numbers can change during the day. Some departures have seen large numbers close to the steps, while others have found only three or four birds in the distance. Weather can also prevent access to the main puffin site.

This is the point where expectations matter. If you need a guaranteed puffin experience, no wild-bird excursion can provide that. If you are happy to accept some uncertainty in exchange for a chance to watch these birds at close range, Hafnarhólmi offers a better setup than a distant boat tour.

I would also bring your own water and a snack. Lunch is not included, and the schedule does not reliably provide a proper meal break. A few people have found food or soup available near the sites, but you should not depend on a café being ready for a large bus group.

Bakkagerði adds folklore and old Icelandic homes

After the bird stop, the tour visits the small village of Bakkagerði in Borgarfjordur-Eystri. This is a useful change of pace after the crowded steps and camera work at Hafnarhólmi.

Lindarbakki is the village’s classic turf house. Thick turf walls and a grass-covered roof once helped Icelandic families deal with wind and cold. This style of home remained in use into the early 20th century, so the building offers a simple way to picture everyday life before modern insulation and central heating.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not enough for a long museum visit. The house is also modest, so visitors expecting a large historic attraction may find it brief.

Alfaborg gives you a choice. You can take an easy uphill walk toward the rock, or remain in the village and enjoy the views. Local folklore holds that the rock was home to the elf queen of Iceland. You do not need to believe in elves to appreciate the setting. The hill looks over the fjord and gives you a fine viewpoint across a quiet part of East Iceland.

The planned time here is about 30 minutes. That makes the walk manageable for many people, but it does not leave room for a leisurely hike. One practical frustration is that the exact division between the village, turf house, and elf rock may not always be clearly explained. Ask your guide before leaving the bus so you know where to go and when to return.

Gufufoss is a pleasant final stop, not a major waterfall

Gufufoss provides the tour’s final natural attraction. It is a small waterfall dropping over a rugged cliff, with a light mist that explains its name. Gufa means steam in Icelandic, and the spray gives the falls a soft, hazy look.

The waterfall is sometimes compared with Skógafoss in southern Iceland, but that comparison needs a little restraint. Gufufoss is far smaller and quieter. I would view it as a short scenic stop rather than a headline attraction.

The scheduled visit lasts about 30 minutes. From a distance, the falls are easy to appreciate, and you can take photographs without a long walk. A closer approach involves uneven ground, rocks, and a rough path. That may be uncomfortable for anyone with limited mobility or poor balance.

Crowding can also affect this stop. If several buses arrive together, the waterfall may feel less peaceful than the remote setting suggests. Still, the surrounding cliffs and open East Fjord scenery make it a worthwhile pause, especially after the long drive back toward Seydisfjordur.

The road is part of the experience, for better and worse

This is not a compact excursion. The tour lasts about five hours, and the driving time takes up a large share of the day. In practice, some departures have lasted closer to six hours, especially when the guide allowed extra time or the group ran behind.

The route through East Iceland is the reward for accepting the bus time. You pass broad fjords, steep hills, quiet settlements, and long stretches of open countryside. The scenery is genuinely beautiful, but it is not packed with attractions every few minutes. If you need constant stops, the ride may feel repetitive.

The roads also include curves and inclines. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride feels most stable and carry whatever helps you manage winding roads. Restroom breaks can be limited, and remote East Iceland has few facilities. Some buses have been reported to include a small bathroom, but I would not rely on that as your main plan.

The air-conditioned vehicle matters on a long summer ride. WiFi is included, though performance can vary as the bus moves through remote areas. The maximum group size is listed as 59 people, so this can be a large coach excursion rather than a small personal tour.

Guides can make or break the day

Guide quality appears to vary more than the scenery does. Strong guides have included Annalise, Eva, Nicki, Brin Treva, and a guide called Berlin in different departures. Positive experiences describe guides who were warm, entertaining, clear, and willing to share information about the region.

Some guides have also used music or singing to fill the long drive. That can be a charming Icelandic touch if you enjoy an informal style. It may be less welcome if you booked mainly for detailed information about puffin behavior, geology, plants, or local history.

The guide may not accompany you at every stop. On a large group outing, you can be dropped near the stairs or waterfall and asked to explore independently before returning at a set time. That gives you freedom, but it also means you should listen carefully to meeting instructions.

Guide communication is especially important here. A few departures have had unclear commentary, difficult-to-understand English, or a guide who seemed unfamiliar with this particular route. Others have had excellent, well-spoken guides who added much more value than the basic schedule promised.

The driver deserves credit too. The East Fjord roads require care, and drivers such as Kuba and Lukas have been praised for safe handling and useful local input. Since you spend so long on the bus, a good driver and a clear guide can make the difference between a pleasant scenic ride and a tiring transfer.

How the timing works from Seydisfjordur port

The meeting point is at Ferjuleira in Seydisfjordur, and the tour returns there. That makes it suitable for a port day, but you still need to allow a buffer before your ship’s departure.

Bus loading can be confusing when multiple departures use the same area. Vehicles may not have obvious signs, and buses scheduled 30 minutes apart have sometimes left together or been reorganized. Cruise disembarkation can also delay the start, particularly when passengers reach shore by tender.

Do not wander far from the assigned loading area. Confirm the bus time and look for the guide or driver before boarding. If your group is moved to another coach, ask for the new return instructions right away.

The operator sometimes changes the order of stops to reduce crowding. That can work well, but it may also mean the village visit is shortened or explained poorly. Keep your own watch handy and return promptly after every stop. One late passenger can affect the entire group, and the drive back to the port is long.

Is $214 a fair price?

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. You are paying for transport from Seydisfjordur into a remote fjord area, a chance to reach Hafnarhólmi without arranging a car, and a route that combines wildlife, folklore, old architecture, and a waterfall.

The price makes more sense for cruise passengers. Renting a car for a short port call can be awkward, and driving unfamiliar East Iceland roads under a ship deadline is not for everyone. The included vehicle, driver, WiFi, and taxes remove several practical worries.

The value is weaker if the puffins have already left, if weather blocks access, or if delays reduce the village and waterfall stops. It also feels expensive if you mainly want a few minutes at Gufufoss, since a large portion of the day goes toward the bus ride.

I would pay the price for a May, June, or July departure when puffins are your clear priority. For August, I would book only if the wider East Fjord scenery and Bakkagerði appeal to you even if the bird count is low.

Who should choose this excursion?

You should consider it if you want to see puffins from land at close range and prefer an organized port excursion. It suits people who enjoy scenic driving, short walks, local folklore, and a full half-day away from Seydisfjordur.

It is less suitable if you dislike long bus rides, need frequent restroom stops, have difficulty with stairs, or expect a slow, quiet wildlife visit. Families and older visitors can still enjoy it, but the puffin staircase and rough path near Gufufoss deserve honest attention.

Bring sturdy shoes, a snack, water, a light rain layer, and patience. Keep your camera ready, but do not forget to watch the birds instead of viewing the whole stop through a screen.

Should you book the puffin and Gufufoss tour?

Book it if your top goal is the best chance to see puffins close up from land, especially between May and late July. Hafnarhólmi can deliver an extraordinary wildlife moment, and the Bakkagerði stop gives the day more character than a simple out-and-back bird trip.

Skip it if your schedule is tight, you need a highly structured guide, or you are visiting late in the season mainly for guaranteed puffins. The scenery is beautiful, but five hours is a serious commitment for a stop that may produce only a few birds.

My practical verdict: this is a worthwhile but weather-sensitive excursion with a superb puffin site, an ordinary waterfall, and a long road connecting the two. Book early, watch the season, carry food, and treat the bird count as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The stated duration is approximately five hours, including driving time. Some departures have taken closer to six hours because of traffic, group delays, or extra time at the sites.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Ferjuleira, 710 Seydisfjordur, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Are puffins guaranteed?

No. Puffins are wild birds that may be feeding at sea or beginning their seasonal migration. The number visible can range from many birds close to the stairs to only a few far away.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You should bring water and a snack, since the schedule may not provide a dependable meal stop.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is generally open to most participants, but the puffin viewing area includes stairs, and the closer approach to Gufufoss has uneven ground. You can view the waterfall from farther away, but the close puffin viewpoint may be difficult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when made at least 24 hours before the start time.