Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur

The star here is Hafnarhólmi’s puffin colony, where a wooden stairway can bring you remarkably close to nesting Atlantic puffins. I like the chance to watch the birds from land rather than from a boat, and I like that the tour adds a small turf house, local folklore, and Gufufoss waterfall to the day.

The tradeoff is time. You may spend roughly 90 minutes each way on the bus, while the puffin stop can feel short and crowded. Puffins are wild, seasonal birds, too, so a summer visit can bring a remarkable colony or only a few birds out at sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Puffins from a cliffside stairway: Hafnarhólmi can put you within about 10 feet of the birds when conditions and crowds allow.
• A long ride through East Iceland: The scenery is a major part of the outing, but the drive takes much of the five-hour schedule.
• The best season is roughly May through late July: By August, many puffins may have left or spend more time at sea.
• Bakkagerði gives the tour cultural flavor: You can see Lindarbakki turf house and walk toward Álfaborg, the legendary home of Iceland’s elf queen.
• Gufufoss is pretty but not the main event: The waterfall is easy to view from a distance, though the closer path is uneven.
• Bring food and plan for crowds: Lunch is not included, restroom time can be limited, and several buses may arrive together.

The long road from Seyðisfjörður

The tour begins at Ferjuleira in Seyðisfjörður and returns to the same meeting point. It is designed around a cruise-ship stop, so the schedule tries to reach several East Iceland sights in one outing.

That means you should picture this as a scenic road trip with a wildlife stop, not five hours spent watching puffins. The listed duration is about five hours, including driving, but some departures have taken closer to six hours. That extra time may give you more scenery, but it also matters if you want time to walk around Seyðisfjörður before returning to your ship.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi. The maximum group size is 59, so this can feel like a full coach excursion rather than a small-group outing. The guide speaks English, and the guiding style can vary. Guides such as Eva, Nicki, Brin Treva, Veronica, and Berlin have been praised for being warm, funny, or informative, while some departures have had unclear commentary or guides with limited experience on this particular route.

The scenery helps make the driving worthwhile. You pass through a remote part of East Iceland, where quiet roads and open views replace city sights. Still, if you suffer from motion sickness, pay attention to the length of the drive and the many inclines and curves.

Hafnarhólmi, the reason to take the tour

Hafnarhólmi is a rocky islet by the harbor near Borgarfjörður-Eystri. It is home to one of the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colonies, and the viewing area is unusually friendly to land-based wildlife watching.

A wooden stairway runs along the cliff. From the right spot, particularly on the way up, you may stand very close to puffins perched or nesting near the path. One visitor described getting within about 10 feet of the birds, which is far closer than you usually get from a puffin boat.

That setup is the tour’s strongest feature. You can take photographs, watch the birds come and go, and see their bright bills and compact bodies without relying on binoculars. There is also a restroom at the site, and food or snacks may be available, though I would not depend on this as your meal plan.

There are two important cautions. First, the stairs can be crowded and difficult to navigate when several coaches arrive together. Some people have been unable to reach the best viewing rail because the steps were packed. Second, the climb is not effortless. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but the stairway and uneven ground can be challenging for anyone with limited mobility.

The birds themselves are even less predictable. Puffins may spend much of the day at sea feeding, and their numbers decline as the season ends. By mid-August, many have already departed or begun their migration. You might see hundreds in excellent conditions, or only three or four distant birds. The company cannot control that part of the day, so book this for a strong chance of seeing puffins, not a guarantee of a close encounter.

Bakkagerði and the turf house at Lindarbakki

Bakkagerði is a small fishing village in Borgarfjörður-Eystri. The stop gives you a break from the coach and a look at a quieter side of Iceland.

The village is known for Lindarbakki, a classic turf house. Its thick turf walls and grass-covered roof once provided insulation against Iceland’s cold and rough weather. Houses of this kind remained in use into the early 20th century, so this is more than a quaint photo stop. It shows how ordinary Icelanders adapted their homes to the climate before modern building materials became common.

You may have about 20 minutes here, though the exact time and order can change when several buses are operating. The turf house is attractive, but it is not a large museum visit. Think of it as a quick glimpse rather than a full historical presentation.

This is also the place to ask about food. Some departures have had a chance to buy soup, bread, and butter in town, while other groups have not had a proper lunch stop. Since lunch is not included, bring a snack that works for you, especially if you need to eat at a set time.

Álfaborg and Icelandic elf lore

Álfaborg, or Elf Rock, rises near Bakkagerði. Icelandic folklore holds that the hill is the home of the country’s elf queen.

You do not need to believe in elves to enjoy this stop. The hill offers broad views over Borgarfjörður-Eystri, and the story gives you a window into Icelandic beliefs and local identity. Folklore here is not just a decorative tale added for visitors. It is part of the way Icelanders have explained unusual rock formations and made sense of a powerful natural setting.

The walk is described as easy, but the schedule is short, usually around 30 minutes. You may have time to walk partway up and look around, but not necessarily to linger. Some people may prefer to stay in the village, visit Lindarbakki, or simply enjoy the view at ground level.

This stop will appeal most if you like local stories and small cultural details. If your only goal is wildlife photography, you may wish the time were added to Hafnarhólmi instead.

Gufufoss, a quiet finish near Seyðisfjörður

Gufufoss is a smaller waterfall that drops over a rugged cliff. Its name comes from gufu, the Icelandic word for steam, referring to the mist that rises around the falls.

It is sometimes compared with Skógafoss in South Iceland, though Gufufoss is much more modest. The setting is pleasant, and the water sliding down the dark rock makes a good final stop after the long drive.

You can enjoy the waterfall from a distance, but the closer path has uneven ground and rocks. If you have trouble walking on rough surfaces, stay back and use the viewpoint rather than trying to reach the base.

The stop usually lasts about 30 minutes. Some visitors find the waterfall underwhelming after the puffin colony, especially when it is crowded with several buses. I would treat it as a scenic extra, not the reason to buy this tour.

How much of the day is spent on the bus?

The main route can take about 90 minutes each way, depending on traffic, road conditions, and the day’s schedule. With stops at the puffin site, Bakkagerði, Álfaborg, and Gufufoss, the driving becomes a large part of the experience.

That is not necessarily a flaw. East Iceland is remote, and the scenery outside the windows is one of the day’s rewards. You see a quieter region that would be difficult to reach during a short cruise stop without organized transport.

Still, the balance can feel off if the puffins are your only priority. A 45 to 60 minute viewing period may be all you get, and waiting for late passengers or restroom lines can reduce the time available. Several buses may arrive at the same place together, creating a rush at the steps and toilets.

Restroom breaks are another practical issue. Facilities in this remote area are limited, and one stop has reportedly served two buses with only one toilet. A small onboard bathroom may be available on some vehicles, but do not assume regular facilities along the route.

Price, group size, and overall value

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap half-day outing. The price pays for transport across a remote part of East Iceland, a driver, an English-speaking guide, WiFi, an air-conditioned vehicle, and access to several sights in a single cruise-port excursion.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want the best chance to see puffins from land and do not have a rental car, the price is easier to justify. Hafnarhólmi’s stairway gives you a viewing angle that boat tours cannot match.

If you mainly want a waterfall and a short scenic drive, the price feels high. Gufufoss is pleasant but small, and the village and elf-rock stops are brief. You are also paying for convenience and ship-safe transport rather than long, unhurried time at each site.

The group limit of 59 is worth noting. A full coach can make loading, restroom breaks, and narrow viewing paths slow. Tour staff may split people up or let you explore independently rather than keeping the entire group together. That gives you some freedom, but it also means you need to watch the meeting time carefully.

Timing, weather, and the puffin calendar

The best chance for a lively puffin colony is generally from May through the end of July. The exact number of birds can change by day, and even an early-season visit may find many birds at sea.

August is a riskier choice if puffins are your main reason for booking. By then, many have moved on, and some groups may see only a handful. The tour does not control bird behavior, but the description could leave you expecting a larger show than nature provides. I would book earlier in the season whenever possible.

Weather matters for the route as well. The excursion requires suitable conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy protects you from taking a long mountain road trip when conditions are unsafe, though it can make cruise planning uncertain.

The tour requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Who should book this East Iceland tour?

I would choose this tour if you:

• Want to see puffins close up from land.
• Are visiting Seyðisfjörður from a cruise ship.
• Prefer a single organized outing to arranging remote transport yourself.
• Enjoy scenic drives and small cultural stops.
• Can handle stairs, uneven ground, and a long coach ride.
• Are visiting between May and late July.

I would think twice if you:

• Need frequent restroom stops.
• Have limited mobility on stairs or rocky paths.
• Want a quiet, small-group wildlife outing.
• Expect a guaranteed large puffin colony.
• Need a full lunch included.
• Have only a narrow window before your ship departs.

Bring water, a snack, layers, and comfortable shoes. Keep your camera ready on the bus, but do not let the long ride raise false expectations. The day’s payoff is concentrated at Hafnarhólmi.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if close puffin viewing is your main goal and you accept the seasonal and crowd-related limits. Hafnarhólmi can provide one of the best land-based puffin encounters in East Iceland, and the route adds a turf house, local folklore, and a waterfall.

Skip it if you want a relaxed day with generous time at each stop. The bus ride is long, the group may be large, and late-season puffin numbers can be disappointing. For the right visitor, this is a worthwhile cruise excursion. Just think of it as a scenic East Iceland road trip with a chance at excellent puffin watching, not a guaranteed puffin show.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Ferjuleira, 710 Seyðisfjörður, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is approximately five hours, including driving time. Some departures have taken closer to six hours.

Are puffins guaranteed?

No. Puffins are wild birds and may be out at sea feeding or beginning their seasonal migration. Late-season visits may produce very few sightings.

When is the best time to see puffins?

The strongest period is generally May through the end of July. August can be too late for large numbers because many puffins may have left.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food or snacks may be available at some stops, but you should bring your own snack and water.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Most people can participate, but the puffin site includes stairs and the closer route to Gufufoss has uneven ground and rocks. The main waterfall view can be enjoyed from farther away.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi onboard, and all listed fees and taxes. The English-speaking guide is part of the organized excursion, but lunch is not included.