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 Hafnarhólmi offers unusually close puffin viewing from wooden steps beside the nesting cliffs. I also like the mix of wildlife, folklore, and scenery: you get a turf house, elf rock, mountain views, and Gufufoss waterfall in one day. The catch is the long drive, limited stop time, and the simple fact that wild puffins do not work to a timetable.

This $214 excursion makes the most sense for cruise passengers who want a guided outing without arranging transport in remote East Iceland. The scenery is excellent, and several guides, including Eva, Nicki, Berlin, Brin Treva, and Veronica, have been praised for being friendly and entertaining. But late-season visits can produce very few puffins, and crowded buses may make the main viewing steps frustrating.

Key points to know before you go

• The puffin viewpoint is the main event: Wooden stairs bring you close to nesting Atlantic puffins, sometimes within about 10 feet.
• Expect a scenic but lengthy ride: The drive can take roughly 90 minutes each way, and the five-hour schedule includes all transport.
• Bakkagerði adds local character: Lindarbakki turf house and Alfaborg, the so-called elf rock, offer a short look at Icelandic tradition and folklore.
• Gufufoss is pleasant, not monumental: The waterfall is pretty and misty, but it may feel modest after the long bus ride.
• Timing affects wildlife: May through late July offers the strongest chance of seeing many puffins; August can be much quieter.
• Come prepared for crowds and uneven ground: The puffin site has many stairs, while the closer waterfall viewpoint involves rocky, uneven walking.

Why Hafnarhólmi makes this puffin trip special

The route leads to Hafnarhólmi, a small rocky islet beside the harbor at Borgarfjordur-Eystri. During summer, Atlantic puffins return here to nest and raise their young. The site is unusually accessible, which is the great strength of this excursion.

You are not watching from a boat that keeps moving offshore. You walk along wooden stairs and platforms near the cliffs, then look across the nesting area as puffins come and go. On a good day, the birds can be remarkably close. One useful tip is to look for a position on the right side of the stairs as you go uphill, where puffins may be within roughly 10 feet.

That closeness is why I consider this a better choice than a boat trip if your main goal is seeing puffins clearly. You can watch their bright bills, squat bodies, and quick wingbeats without relying on a long camera lens.

Still, set realistic expectations. These are wild birds. They may sit on the cliffs, fly past, or head out to sea for food. Later in the season, many leave the nesting area as migration begins. Some departures may show large numbers, while another group on the same day sees only three or four birds far away.

The site can also become crowded. Several buses may arrive close together, and the wooden stairs are not wide enough to feel relaxed when many people are trying to reach the rail. If you want the best view, move patiently toward the viewing area rather than stopping at the first open spot.

You should allow about an hour at Hafnarhólmi, though the exact time can feel short if the birds are active and the steps are crowded. A few people have wished for less time at minor stops and more time here. That is a fair point, since the puffins are the clear reason most people book this outing.

There is a restroom at the puffin site, and food or snacks may sometimes be available there. That matters because the route is remote and restroom breaks are limited. Do not assume lunch is included, however. Lunch is not part of the $214 price, and the schedule may not provide a proper meal stop.

The long ride from Seydisfjordur to the East Fjords

The tour begins at Ferjuleira in Seydisfjordur and returns to the same meeting point. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, and the group can be as large as 59 people.

The drive is part of the experience, but it is also the main weakness. The ride to Borgarfjordur-Eystri can take about 90 minutes each way, depending on the day and road conditions. With the stops added, the advertised five hours may stretch closer to five and a half or six hours.

The scenery helps. You pass broad views of East Iceland, quiet coastal areas, and rugged hills with very little development. If you like watching the country change outside the window, the ride gives you a good sense of how remote this region is.

If you prefer constant sightseeing action, the journey may feel too long. Some guides fill the drive with local stories, music, or singing. Guides such as Eva, Nicki, Brin Treva, Berlin, and Veronica have been praised for their warm manner, while the quality and amount of commentary can vary. One guide was described as difficult to understand, and another spent too little time explaining the area.

That inconsistency matters. The views are strong enough to carry part of the ride, but you are paying for a guided experience, not just a bus transfer. A good guide can explain puffin behavior, local customs, geology, and the stories behind the places you pass. You should not count on a full natural-history lecture every minute.

The buses have WiFi, and some vehicles may have a small restroom, but facilities on the route remain basic. A bathroom stop can take longer than expected when several buses arrive at once. Bring water and a snack, especially if you have medical or dietary needs.

Bakkagerði, turf houses, and the elf queen

The village of Bakkagerði gives the tour a welcome human touch. This small fishing community sits beside Borgarfjordur-Eystri, and the stop usually allows about 20 minutes for a look around.

Lindarbakki is the village’s classic turf house. Its thick turf walls and grass-covered roof once helped Icelandic families stay warm in a harsh climate. People continued living in houses like these into the early 20th century, so this is more than a decorative old building. It shows how ordinary Icelanders adapted to wind, cold, and limited building materials.

Do not expect a large museum visit. The stop is brief, and the house is viewed as part of a quick village visit. Some people find it charming; others find it less exciting after traveling so far for puffins.

Bakkagerði is also tied to Icelandic elf folklore. Alfaborg, or elf rock, rises on a hill above the fjord and is traditionally regarded as the home of the elf queen. You can take an easy uphill walk for wider views over the village and water.

The folklore adds something distinctive to the day. Even if you do not believe in elves, the story gives the rock and hillside a sense of place. Icelandic folklore is not just a museum subject here. It is part of how people have explained unusual rock formations and the difficult natural world around them.

The walk is optional, which is useful if you want to save your legs for the puffin stairs. Some departures may also include a short look at the church, cemetery, or other village sights. Clarify with your guide where to find Lindarbakki and Alfaborg, since directions may not always be obvious when the stop is short.

Gufufoss is a quiet finish, not another Skógafoss

Gufufoss is the final major stop. Its name relates to the mist rising from the falling water, and the falls are sometimes compared with Skógafoss in southern Iceland.

Keep the comparison modest. Gufufoss is smaller and gentler, cascading down a rugged cliff rather than thundering into a broad pool. It is attractive, especially when the spray catches the light, but it is not likely to be the most dramatic waterfall you see in Iceland.

You usually have about 30 minutes here. The main view does not require a long walk, but reaching a closer position can involve uneven ground and rocks. If you have limited mobility, you may prefer to stay back and enjoy the waterfall from the easier viewpoint.

This stop can feel rushed after the long ride and the puffin visit. Some people would trade it for extra time at Hafnarhólmi or in Seydisfjordur. I think it works best as a short final nature stop, not as the main reason to book the tour.

How the timing affects your day

The schedule is shaped by cruise-ship departure times, so the company has to move a large group through several remote places and return to Seydisfjordur on time. That explains why each stop is fairly short.

The basic pattern is:

• About one hour at Hafnarhólmi for puffin viewing
• About 20 minutes in Bakkagerði
• About 30 minutes for Alfaborg or nearby village sights
• About 30 minutes at Gufufoss
• The remaining time spent on the road

In practice, the order can change. Several buses may visit the same locations, and guides may adjust the sequence to reduce crowding. That can work well, but it can also create confusion if buses leave at different times or passengers do not know where to meet.

Arrive at the Seydisfjordur meeting point early and identify your bus and guide before boarding. Some departures have involved unclear bus signage or last-minute movement between buses. Cruise passengers should also protect their return time. The company aims to return to the port, and one especially positive account described the bus extending the outing slightly while still getting back on time, but delays can happen on a long route.

The tour is listed for about five hours, but you should not plan a tight activity immediately afterward. A six-hour day is possible, particularly if loading takes time or the group waits for late arrivals.

Is $214 a fair price?

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap half-day outing. The price includes transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, and fees, but not lunch.

The value depends on what you want. If you are visiting Seydisfjordur on a cruise and have no practical way to reach Borgarfjordur-Eystri, the price buys access to a remote area that would otherwise be difficult to see. It also combines puffins, a village, folklore, and a waterfall, rather than offering only a short photo stop.

The value drops if you mainly want a long, quiet wildlife session. The puffin stop may last only 45 to 60 minutes, and some of that time can disappear into stair queues and crowds. If the birds are at sea, the result may feel disappointing after three hours on a bus.

I would also factor in food. The tour does not include lunch, and the schedule may not provide enough time for a full meal. Eat before departure and carry snacks. A soup stop in Bakkagerði has been a highlight for some people, but you should not rely on it being available or reserved for your group.

Who should book this East Iceland excursion?

I think this tour suits you if your priority is seeing puffins from land at close range. It is also a good fit if you want an organized cruise excursion, prefer not to drive unfamiliar roads, and enjoy scenic bus rides between short stops.

It suits photographers who want a chance to capture puffins without a boat rocking beneath them. Bring patience, since the best bird activity may not happen immediately. A phone can work, but a camera with some zoom will help when the birds move farther out.

It is less suitable if you dislike long bus rides, need frequent restroom breaks, or want a slow visit at every stop. The tour also requires care around stairs and uneven ground. Most people can participate, but the puffin viewpoint includes many steps, and the closer Gufufoss path is rocky. You can enjoy both places from easier positions, but the most rewarding views may require walking.

The month matters. May through the end of July offers the strongest chance of seeing active puffin colonies. By August, many puffins may have left or spend more time at sea. No month guarantees a large show, but late summer carries more risk.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if puffins are high on your Iceland list and you accept that wild animals set the schedule. Hafnarhólmi can deliver one of the closest puffin encounters available on a land-based outing, and the East Fjords scenery makes the long drive worthwhile on a clear day.

Skip it if you want a relaxed, flexible day in Seydisfjordur or if a sparse puffin sighting would ruin the experience. The strongest plan is to book for May through late July, bring food and water, expect stairs, and treat Bakkagerði and Gufufoss as useful extras rather than equal attractions. At $214, it is a specialized excursion with real rewards, but only if you value the chance of close wildlife viewing more than comfort and free time.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour is scheduled for approximately five hours, including driving time. Some outings may last closer to five and a half or six hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Ferjuleira in Seydisfjordur and ends back at the same meeting point.

How close can I get to the puffins?

Wooden stairs and viewing areas at Hafnarhólmi can bring you very close to the birds. One viewing position may place you within about 10 feet, though crowds and bird movements affect what you can see.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. Food or snacks may be available at the puffin site or during the village stop, but you should bring your own snack and water.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

Most people can participate, but the puffin area includes many stairs and the closer route at Gufufoss can be rocky and uneven. You can view the waterfall from farther away without walking over the rougher ground.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.