Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port

East Iceland saves its best trick for Hafnarhólmi, where puffins nest on a small rocky islet close enough for you to watch their comic landings, bright bills, and busy burrows. This is the tour’s main prize, and it is a good one. I also like the visit to Lindarbakki turf house, which gives the day a human story, and the stop at Gufufoss, a quiet waterfall wrapped in fine mist.

The catch is the road time. You spend much of the five-hour outing on a bus, including a long stretch to Borgarfjörður Eystri. Still, guides such as Anna, Berglind, Petra, Eva, and Ritchie have been praised for filling the ride with folklore, facts, jokes, and local color. Bring rain gear, and be ready for steep, rough roads and weather that can change its mind.

Key points to know before you go

• Puffins are the star attraction: Hafnarhólmi offers close views of a large summer nesting colony, along with kittiwakes and gulls.
• The bus ride is part of the day: The route is scenic, but you should be comfortable spending long stretches seated.
• Borgarfjörður Eystri adds local character: You see a small fishing village, colorful houses, and the fjord setting rather than only a wildlife stop.
• Lindarbakki is a useful history stop: The turf house shows how traditional Icelandic homes were built and lived in.
• Gufufoss is a peaceful finale: You get about 20 minutes for photographs and a short walk near the waterfall.
• The price buys convenience: At $213 per person, pickup, transport, a guide, and WiFi are included, but food and drinks are not.

Why Hafnarhólmi makes this trip special

If you are choosing this excursion for one reason, choose the puffins. Hafnarhólmi is a small islet near Borgarfjörður Eystri with a dense nesting colony during the summer season. The birds gather close to viewing areas, making this one of the easier places in Iceland to see puffins without a long hike or a boat ride.

You can watch them fly in with beaks full of food, shuffle across the rocks, and disappear into their burrows. They are charming, but the setting matters just as much. The birds occupy a raw coastal place backed by East Iceland’s steep slopes and open water, so even a quiet viewing period feels special.

The stop lasts about an hour. That gives you enough time to look for birds, take photographs, and enjoy the site without being rushed from the bus to the next stop. You may also see kittiwakes and gulls, which adds variety for anyone who likes birdlife.

Bring a camera with a decent zoom if you have one. You can see puffins close up, but a zoom lens helps you photograph birds without crowding them. Comfortable shoes matter too, since the viewing area includes walking and the ground can be wet.

Puffins are seasonal, so this is not a guaranteed year-round sight. The tour description places the main colony activity in summer. If seeing puffins is your main goal, check that your sailing date falls within the bird season before paying the full price.

The long road to Borgarfjörður Eystri

The tour begins at Ferjuleira 5, where you are picked up near the Seydisfjordur cruise terminal. The drive to the Borgarfjörður area takes about an hour before the first sightseeing portion, followed by another bus ride of roughly 25 minutes. The full route includes several long stretches, and one return leg is listed at about 70 minutes.

That sounds like a lot because it is. If you prefer a shore excursion with constant activity, this may feel slow. The reward is access to a part of East Iceland that is not right beside the port. You are not simply circling Seydisfjordur for a quick photo. You are going farther into a quieter part of the region.

The quality of the guiding matters here. A good guide turns the drive into part of the outing, and that seems to be one of this tour’s strongest points. Anna has been singled out for her warm, personal approach, while Berglind was praised for being funny and informative. Eva brought Icelandic folklore to life, and Ritchie used a WhatsApp group to share information during the day.

Names and guide assignments can change, of course. The useful point is that the guide can make a real difference during the road sections. Several guides have received praise, while one assessment found the commentary less engaging. Your experience may depend partly on who leads your departure.

The roads can be steep and difficult in places, especially in misty weather. Drivers named Kuba, Cuba, Torve, and Lucas received strong marks for handling the route carefully. I would not choose this trip if winding roads make you uncomfortable, but the driving is an important part of reaching the puffins.

A small fishing village with a big setting

Borgarfjörður Eystri is a small Icelandic fishing village set beside a fjord. It is not a major town with a long list of shops and attractions. That is exactly why it works here. You get a brief look at ordinary rural Iceland, with colorful houses set against stark natural surroundings.

The village stop helps balance the bird viewing. Puffins are wonderful, but an outing made only of wildlife watching can feel narrow. Here, you also see how a small community fits into the fjord, road, and weather around it.

Expect the stop to be simple rather than heavily programmed. The value is in walking around, taking photographs, and noticing the contrast between painted buildings and the bare hills. The village also provides context for the older turf house and the folklore tied to the area.

There is a practical point to keep in mind: facilities along the route are limited. One person specifically found a bathroom stop too small for the number of people using it. Plan ahead when you have a chance, and do not assume every stop will offer a cafe, rest area, or several toilets.

Lindarbakki and the practical side of turf houses

Lindarbakki is a traditional turf house and one of the most useful stops for understanding older Icelandic life. Turf was not just a decorative choice. It helped insulate homes in a country where wood was limited and the weather could be severe.

The house gives the route a sense of scale. At a waterfall or bird colony, you are looking at nature. At Lindarbakki, you are looking at the practical choices people made to live in that nature. The stop includes about 40 minutes for photographs, free time, and sightseeing.

This is not a full museum visit with a long indoor program. Think of it as a compact architectural and cultural stop. You can study the turf-covered walls, photograph the house, and listen as your guide explains how it fits into Icelandic tradition.

I like this part because it keeps the day from becoming a string of scenic viewpoints. It also suits visitors who want more than photographs of birds. If you are mainly interested in wildlife, 40 minutes may feel longer than necessary. If you enjoy buildings, local customs, and old ways of living, it is time well spent.

Álfaborg and the folklore of East Iceland

The tour also introduces Álfaborg, known in local folklore as Elf Rock and said to be the home of an elf queen. The site adds a touch of Icelandic storytelling to the day without needing a formal attraction or a long indoor visit.

You do not need to believe in elves to enjoy the stop. Folklore helps explain how people have understood unusual rock formations, remote places, and the forces of nature around them. The location also offers wide views, so the story and the scenery work together.

Ask your guide to explain the local version of the tale. The guides on this route have been praised for sharing folklore and small facts during the bus ride, and Álfaborg is a natural place for those stories to take center stage.

The stop is best approached with an open mind and a camera. It is not presented as a major archaeological site or a long walk. Its appeal comes from the combination of a striking rock, local legend, and views across the fjord area.

Gufufoss brings a quiet finish

On the return journey, the bus stops at Gufufoss waterfall. You have about 20 minutes for photographs, sightseeing, and a short walk. The name is often associated with steam or mist, and the falling water can send a fine spray into the air.

Gufufoss is smaller in reputation than Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, but that is part of its appeal. You are not spending the final stop in a crowded headline attraction. Instead, you get a short, peaceful pause beside rushing water before returning to Seydisfjordur.

The weather can change the mood. In mist or light rain, the waterfall may feel especially atmospheric, though you will want waterproof clothing. In clear weather, the surrounding slopes and water are easier to photograph.

Twenty minutes is enough for a look and a few pictures, but not enough for a long walk or relaxed picnic. Since food and drinks are not included, do not count on this stop for refreshments. Bring your own water and a snack for the bus.

What the five-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is five hours, with pickup and drop-off at the cruise port. The schedule includes bus travel, sightseeing in the northeastern part of Iceland, the puffin stop, Lindarbakki, and Gufufoss.

The rhythm is fairly clear:

• You start with pickup near the ship at Ferjuleira 5.
• You spend the first part of the trip on the road toward Borgarfjörður Eystri.
• You have a short sightseeing portion before continuing to Hafnarhólmi.
• You spend about an hour watching puffins.
• You reach Lindarbakki after a short ride and have about 40 minutes there.
• You take a longer return ride toward Gufufoss.
• You finish with the waterfall stop before returning to the port.

The timing is efficient, but it leaves little room for major delays. A misty road, a slow boarding process, or confusion among several buses can eat into the day. One departure had a disorganized start, with people unsure which bus to board and a wait of about 25 minutes.

That is useful to know if you are visiting by cruise ship. Arrive at the pickup area with time to spare and look carefully for the correct bus or staff member. The provider offers port pickup and drop-off, which removes much of the transport worry, but you still need to get organized at the start.

Guides, drivers, and the value of a good road crew

The guide and driver are central to this outing. The road is long, and the route includes steep sections and difficult conditions. A careful driver lets you watch the scenery instead of worrying about every bend.

Kuba received repeated praise for safe driving, while Torve was noted for handling steep roads well. Lucas was also mentioned positively. Another guide-driver team kept the day moving smoothly despite mist and rough terrain.

The guides add a second layer of value. Anna was described as personable, Berglind as warm and funny, Eva as especially good at bringing Icelandic culture to life, and Petra as informative. These qualities matter because the tour includes long stretches without a scheduled stop.

The experience is not perfectly uniform. One person found the guide less engaging, and one bus-door mix-up left passengers waiting in the rain. Those incidents do not define the whole outing, but they are fair reasons to keep expectations realistic. This is a human-led tour, not a private car with a custom schedule.

Free WiFi is included, which can be useful on the long ride, though you should not depend on it for every moment of the route. The bus has been described as comfortable and new on at least one departure.

Is $213 a fair price?

At $213 per person, this is an expensive shore excursion. You are paying for five hours, port pickup and return, a live English-speaking guide, a driver, and access to a remote bird site that would be awkward to reach independently during a cruise stop.

The price makes more sense if you value convenience and the puffins are high on your list. Renting a car for a short port visit would bring its own costs and timing risks, while public transport does not offer the same direct route to Hafnarhólmi. The tour also combines wildlife, a village, turf architecture, folklore, and a waterfall in one outing.

Still, you should not mistake the price for a luxury experience. Food and drinks are extra. You spend substantial time on a bus, the group schedule limits how long you can linger, and the bathroom facilities may be basic.

I would call it good value for a cruise passenger who wants a direct route to the puffins and does not want to manage Icelandic roads. It is weaker value if you dislike long drives or could visit Borgarfjörður Eystri independently with more time.

Who should book this excursion?

This tour suits you if puffins are a priority, you want an English-speaking guide, and you prefer having port transport arranged. It also works well for photographers, birdwatchers, and anyone who likes combining nature with local stories.

You should be comfortable with several bus rides, changing weather, and some walking on uneven ground. Comfortable shoes and rain gear are not optional extras in spirit, even if they are simple items to pack.

Children under two are not accepted. Older children may enjoy the puffins, but a long ride and changing weather can test young patience. If you are traveling with children, bring snacks and something to occupy them during the road sections.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a slow, private day or a food-focused visit. There is no included meal, and the schedule is built around reaching the wildlife site within a fixed cruise-port window.

Should you book the Puffin and Gufufoss tour?

Book it if you want close puffin views and an organized way to reach Borgarfjörður Eystri from Seydisfjordur. The birds are the clear highlight, and the combination of Hafnarhólmi, Lindarbakki, Álfaborg, the fishing village, and Gufufoss gives the day more substance than a single wildlife stop.

Skip it if the long bus ride sounds worse than the scenery sounds appealing. At $213, you should be certain that puffins and remote East Iceland are worth the cost.

For most cruise passengers with that priority, I would book it, pack waterproof layers, arrive early at the port pickup point, and save room on the camera for the puffins.

FAQ

How long is the Puffin and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour?

The tour lasts five hours, including pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship terminal in Seydisfjordur.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup begins at Ferjuleira 5, near the Seydisfjordur cruise terminal.

Will I see puffins on the tour?

The tour visits Hafnarhólmi, a small islet with a large nesting puffin colony during summer. Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, but puffin viewing is the main focus of the stop.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own water and snacks.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour has a live guide in English.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear. The route includes walking, waterfall viewing, and changing weather conditions.

Can children under two join?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under two years old.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.