Puffin Watching and Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur

Puffins reward patience. This five-hour trip from Seydisfjordur takes you across East Iceland to Hafnarhólmi, where wooden stairs bring you remarkably close to nesting Atlantic puffins. I especially like the rare access to the birds and the chance to pair wildlife viewing with Bakkagerði’s turf houses, elf folklore, and the gentle Gufufoss waterfall. The catch is the long bus ride, limited toilet time, and the simple fact that wild puffins do not follow a timetable.

This is a scenic cruise-port excursion with a clear priority: get you to the puffin colony and back to the ship. On a good day, you may photograph birds only a few feet away. On a late-season or crowded visit, you might see very few. Guides such as Eva, Nicki, Annalise, Brin Treva, and Veronica have earned praise for friendly, informative service, though the quality of commentary can vary.

Quick points to know

• The puffin stairs are the main event: Hafnarhólmi offers unusually close views from a wooden viewing route above the nesting birds.
• Expect a long ride: The drive can take about 90 minutes each way, with much of the five-hour outing spent on the bus.
• Puffin numbers change sharply: May through the end of July gives you the best odds. By August, many birds may have gone to sea or begun leaving.
• Bakkagerði adds culture and folklore: You can see Lindarbakki turf house and walk toward Alfaborg, the so-called elf rock.
• Gufufoss is pretty but modest: It is a short waterfall stop, not a second Skógafoss.
• Plan for basic conditions: Lunch costs extra, toilet stops are limited, and the puffin steps and waterfall path may challenge anyone with limited mobility.

Why this East Iceland puffin trip is worth considering

At $214 per person, this is not a cheap bus ride. You are paying for transport from the cruise port, a five-hour route through a remote corner of Iceland, WiFi on board, and the chance to reach a puffin colony that is awkward to visit independently during a short ship stop.

The value depends almost entirely on what you want from the day. If your goal is to see puffins at close range, this is one of the stronger options. The viewing stairs run along the cliff, allowing you to look across at birds on the ledges rather than watch tiny shapes from a boat offshore. If you want a relaxed village visit, a long lunch, or several hours of walking, the schedule may feel tight.

The tour is limited to a maximum of 59 people, so you should expect a proper group outing rather than a private nature trip. Several buses may serve the port and the same sites, which can produce crowded steps and confusing loading arrangements. On the positive side, the air-conditioned vehicle and onboard WiFi make the long ride easier.

The road from Seydisfjordur to Borgarfjordur-Eystri

The journey is part of the experience, but you need to be comfortable with it. The ride to the puffin area can take roughly an hour and a half each way, depending on traffic, loading, road conditions, and the day’s schedule. Some reports describe the full trip as closer to six hours, while the planned duration is about five.

That leaves limited time on land. A bathroom stop before reaching the puffins can feel especially costly because the colony itself has facilities, and another stop may occur in or near the village. If you are sensitive to winding roads, note that the route includes plenty of curves and inclines.

Still, this is not empty bus time. East Iceland gives you broad views of fjords, open countryside, steep slopes, and small settlements. The scenery drew some of the strongest praise, even from people who wished they had spent longer at the attractions.

The guide usually provides commentary about Icelandic life, customs, nature, and local stories. Some guides have added music or singing, which delighted some people and irritated others. Guide performance is not entirely predictable. Eva was praised for sharing a large amount of information, Nicki for humor and useful explanations, and Annalise for being warm and informative. Other passengers found a guide difficult to understand or insufficiently familiar with the region.

Hafnarhólmi, where the puffins steal the day

Hafnarhólmi is a small rocky islet at the harbor of Borgarfjordur-Eystri. Each summer, Atlantic puffins return to nest and raise their young. The site is unusually accessible, which is the reason this excursion attracts people who want close views without taking a boat.

You follow wooden stairs and walkways toward the viewing area. From the right side of the stairs, one person reported getting within about 10 feet of the birds. That is a remarkable distance for wildlife viewing, though it is not guaranteed. The puffins may sit near the burrows, fly past your head, or spend the day out at sea feeding.

The stairs are also the biggest practical warning. One account describes roughly 100 steps to the viewing area, and busy periods can create queues. The route is not ideal for anyone who struggles with stairs, uneven ground, or standing in a crowded passage. You can still enjoy the setting from lower points, but the closest views require climbing.

Allow yourself to be patient. Puffins do not perform on demand, and their numbers change with the season and the weather. May through the end of July is the safer period for this outing. In August, many birds may already have left, and several people saw only a handful or none at close range. A poor-weather day can also affect access to the main puffin area.

The schedule usually allows about an hour here. That sounds reasonable until you account for getting off the bus, using the facilities, walking the stairs, waiting for a clear view, and returning to the vehicle. On a crowded day, an hour can disappear quickly.

Bakkagerði and the old turf house at Lindarbakki

Bakkagerði is a small village with a strong sense of place. Its best-known traditional feature on this route is Lindarbakki, a classic Icelandic turf house with thick turf walls and a grass-covered roof.

These houses were built for survival, not decoration. Turf provided insulation against Iceland’s cold, wet, and windy conditions, and some Icelanders continued living in houses of this type into the early 20th century. Lindarbakki helps you picture daily life before modern building materials made warmth easier to achieve.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes, so think of it as a quick look and photo opportunity rather than a full museum visit. Directions can be unclear when several buses arrive, and the village stop may be adjusted to manage crowds. In one particularly poor outing, the Bakkagerði portion was shortened badly, while other buses received more time.

This is also the place to find a snack or simple meal if something is available, but lunch is not included and should not be assumed. One person strongly recommended the soup with bread and butter. Others were disappointed when a planned meal did not happen, so bring food if you need reliable sustenance, especially if you have dietary or medical reasons for eating on schedule.

Alfaborg and the story of Iceland’s elf queen

Alfaborg is a rocky hill overlooking Borgarfjordur-Eystri. Local folklore identifies it as the home of Iceland’s elf queen, making this a good stop for understanding the imaginative side of Icelandic culture.

You do not need to accept the story literally to enjoy the place. The hill gives you open views over the fjord and the surrounding country, and the short hike adds movement after a long bus ride. The listed time is about 30 minutes, though the route may be treated as free exploration within the village stop.

Do not expect a major mountain walk. This is a modest outing, and the attraction is the combination of view, local belief, and atmosphere. If your main goal is puffin photography, you may prefer every spare minute at Hafnarhólmi. If you enjoy folklore and want a break from the bus, Alfaborg earns its place.

The same village period may also include views of local buildings, a church exterior, or a cemetery, depending on the guide and the day’s arrangements. Some people find these details pleasant and revealing. Others see them as time taken away from the birds.

Gufufoss, a gentle waterfall near the return route

Gufufoss is a smaller waterfall, sometimes compared with Skógafoss because of its shape. The name refers to the mist rising from the falling water, though the effect depends on flow and weather.

You spend about 30 minutes here. From a distance, the falls are easy to appreciate and photograph. Getting closer may require an uneven walk over rocks and dirt, so you do not need to attempt the roughest section to enjoy the view.

This stop divides opinion. After a long ride, some people find it underwhelming, especially if they expected a major Icelandic waterfall. Others enjoy the quiet scale and the chance to stretch their legs. The site can also become crowded when several buses arrive, making the short visit feel even shorter.

I would treat Gufufoss as a pleasant extra, not the reason to book the excursion. The puffin colony carries the day. Gufufoss helps round out the route and gives you one last scenic stop before returning to Seydisfjordur.

Group timing, food, and comfort on the bus

This is a cruise-port trip, so the clock matters. The tour begins and ends at Ferjuleira in Seydisfjordur, and you return to the same meeting point. Some outings ran longer than the advertised five hours, though one extended trip still reached the ship on time.

Large groups create practical problems. Buses may leave at different times, signage may not be obvious, and several departures can end up reaching the puffin site together. If you are joining from a ship, get clear instructions before leaving the port and keep track of your bus.

Lunch is not included. The route is remote, and a café may not be ready to serve a large group. Bring water and a snack rather than counting on a meal stop. Toilet opportunities are limited, although facilities have been available at the puffin site. One bus was reported to have a small bathroom, but you should not rely on that as your main plan.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and includes WiFi. That matters during a long ride, especially if you want to check messages or follow the route. The maximum group size of 59 means the ride can feel busy, but the transport is practical for reaching a place far beyond the easy walking area of Seydisfjordur.

The best season and the right expectations

Puffins are wild animals, and their presence is the one part of this experience nobody can guarantee. They may be feeding offshore, hidden in burrows, affected by wind, or already moving on for the season.

For the best chance of seeing a large colony, aim for May through July. By mid-August, sightings can drop sharply. One person saw only three or four birds late in the season, while other departures found large numbers close to the walkway. That difference is not necessarily a sign of poor planning. It is the nature of wildlife viewing.

Weather also matters. The tour requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a changed date or a full refund. Even on a clear day, bring layers and waterproof clothing. You will be outdoors near the coast, and the viewing area can feel exposed.

Expect possibility, not certainty. If seeing puffins is your only reason for booking, the seasonal risk deserves serious thought. If you would still enjoy fjord scenery, Bakkagerði, local folklore, and Gufufoss, the day has more to offer if the birds are scarce.

Who should book this excursion

I would recommend it to you if you are visiting Seydisfjordur by ship, want close puffin views, and do not mind spending much of the day on a bus. It suits photographers, bird lovers, and people who want to reach a remote East Iceland village without arranging their own vehicle.

It is less suitable if you need frequent toilet stops, dislike winding roads, or have difficulty with stairs and uneven ground. It may also disappoint you if you expect a private guide, a quiet colony, or a generous lunch break.

The guide can make a real difference. Friendly figures such as Eva, Nicki, Brin Treva, Veronica, and Annalise have helped turn the ride into part of the experience. But you should not book solely on the promise of a certain guiding style. Commentary has varied from highly informative to sparse or hard to follow.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Last-minute changes are not accepted, and poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can lead to a rescheduled experience or refund.

Should you book the Seydisfjordur puffin tour?

Book it if close puffins are your top priority and you are visiting during the main nesting months. Hafnarhólmi gives you a rare chance to stand near the birds from a land-based walkway, and the East Iceland scenery is excellent company during the long ride.

Think twice if you are visiting in August, need a leisurely pace, or expect every listed stop to receive equal time. Pack food, allow for crowds, wear sturdy shoes, and treat the waterfall and village as worthwhile extras rather than the main prize.

At $214, the tour is fair value only if the puffin access matters to you. When the birds are active, it can be a memorable cruise-port day. When they are gone or the site is overcrowded, the long bus ride becomes much harder to justify.

FAQ

How long is the puffin tour from Seydisfjordur?

The planned duration is approximately five hours, including driving time. Some outings have lasted closer to six hours, depending on the day’s timing.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Ferjuleira, 710 Seydisfjordur, Iceland, and returns to the same meeting point.

How close can I get to the puffins?

The wooden stairs and viewing route at Hafnarhólmi can bring you very close to the nesting birds. Some people have been within about 10 feet, but the exact distance depends on bird activity and crowding.

What months offer the best puffin sightings?

The strongest period is generally May through the end of July. By August, many puffins may have left or may spend more time out at sea.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price. Bring food and water because café service in this remote area may not be available for every group.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is WiFi available on the bus?

Yes. WiFi on board is included.

Is Gufufoss easy to access?

You can view the waterfall from a distance without walking far. Reaching the closest point may involve uneven rocks and a dirt path.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings may also result in another date or a full refund.