Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port

East Iceland saves its best trick for the bird cliffs. At Hafnarhólmi, puffins gather close to the viewing paths, giving you a rare chance to watch these comical birds without a long hike or a boat ride. The setting is wild, windy, and worth the long road from Seydisfjordur.

I like the close puffin viewing and the chance to pair wildlife with real village life in Borgarfjörður Eystri. I also like the small cultural stops, especially Lindarbakki turf house and the stories around Álfaborg. The main drawback is simple: you spend a good part of the five hours on the bus, and the road to the puffins can feel long.

At a glance: the parts that matter most

• Thousands of summer puffins at Hafnarhólmi: This is the star stop, with good chances for close views and photographs.
• A long but scenic ride: The route takes about an hour to reach the East Iceland area, followed by another 25-minute ride before Hafnarhólmi.
• Borgarfjörður Eystri village life: Colorful homes, a fishing tradition, and a quiet fjord setting give the day more depth than a simple wildlife stop.
• Lindarbakki turf house: You get a quick look at an old Icelandic building style that once helped homes cope with the cold.
• Gufufoss on the return: The waterfall provides a peaceful final stop, with a short walk and mist rising from the falling water.
• Strong guiding and careful driving: Guides such as Anna, Berglind, Eva, Petra, Denis, and Ritchie have been singled out for warm storytelling, while drivers including Kuba, Lucas, and Torve handled steep and difficult roads well.

Why the puffins make this trip worth the bus ride

Puffins are not a guaranteed feature of every Iceland outing. Here, they are the reason to go. Hafnarhólmi is a small rocky islet near Borgarfjörður Eystri, and in summer it becomes home to a large nesting colony. The viewing area puts you close to the birds without requiring a strenuous walk.

You might see puffins perched on the rocks, flying in with food, or disappearing into burrows. Kittiwakes and gulls are also part of the scene. The bird activity depends on weather, season, and nature doing its own thing, but the stop is built around one of East Iceland’s strongest puffin sites.

Bring a camera with a zoom if you have one, but do not worry if you do not. The birds are close enough to make the visit enjoyable without expensive equipment. A phone can handle the wide view and some portraits, though the puffins are small and quick.

You get about an hour at Hafnarhólmi. That is useful. It gives you time to watch the colony instead of rushing off after a few minutes, and there is room to pause when the wind picks up or a bird lands in a good spot. The paths and viewing areas still require ordinary care, especially in rain or strong wind.

The road from Seydisfjordur to Borgarfjordur Eystri

The tour begins at the cruise terminal on Ferjuleira 5, with pickup and return at the same place. That direct port service matters on a cruise day. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi or work out local bus connections.

The first bus ride lasts about an hour. You then have roughly 20 minutes of sightseeing in the northeastern part of Iceland before another 25-minute drive to Hafnarhólmi. In plain terms, the first half of the day includes a lot of road time.

That is the trade-off. Borgarfjörður Eystri is not around the corner from Seydisfjordur, and the tour cannot offer close puffin viewing without taking you there. Some people will find the ride too long, especially if they want a day packed with short photo stops. Others will enjoy watching the fjords, slopes, water, and changing weather through the bus windows.

The quality of the guide matters here. A good guide turns the drive into part of the visit by explaining local culture, folklore, wildlife, and the places you pass. Several guides have been praised for doing exactly that. Anna has been described as warm and personable, while Berglind and Eva brought humor and local stories to the ride. Petra, Denis, and Ritchie have also led informative departures.

The vehicle includes free WiFi, which is handy on a long drive, though you should not book this trip expecting nonstop commentary or entertainment. The best departures appear to depend on the guide’s style. One guide may fill the road with stories and facts, while another may give you more quiet time to look outside.

Hafnarhólmi: the day’s main event

Hafnarhólmi is the point where the tour earns its price. The islet is small, but its bird colony is large, and the viewing setup lets you get close without disturbing the nesting area.

Puffins have a funny, almost cartoonish look, but watching them here is more than a quick photo stop. You can see how busy a nesting colony becomes, with birds coming and going against the water and rock. The sound, wind, and movement make the visit feel more genuine than seeing a single puffin in a display or at a distant cliff.

Give yourself time to watch instead of taking one photograph and leaving. The most entertaining moments may last only a few seconds. A bird lands, another flies past, and suddenly the whole group is looking in the same direction.

The weather can change quickly in East Iceland. Wear a waterproof outer layer, not just a warm sweater. Rain gear is specifically recommended, and comfortable shoes are important for the viewing paths. You should also keep your clothing practical for wind. Iceland has a habit of making a calm morning look very different by lunchtime.

The stop is suitable for anyone who can walk around a viewing area, but the tour is not suitable for children under two. It is also not designed as a strenuous hike. The main physical demand is standing and walking outdoors in uncertain weather.

Borgarfjörður Eystri and its colorful village

After the bird stop, the group moves into Borgarfjörður Eystri, a small fishing village set beside a broad fjord. This is where the tour gains a sense of place. You are not only checking off a bird colony. You are seeing how a small Icelandic community fits into a remote corner of the country.

The village is known for colorful houses set against stark natural surroundings. The contrast is part of the appeal: bright paint, quiet roads, open water, and rough hills. You get time to look around rather than being pushed through a large town with a long list of sights.

This stop is short and calm. That is good if you want a taste of village life, but it is not a full walking tour with shops, museums, or a long lunch. Food and drinks are not included, so bring something with you if you tend to get hungry during a five-hour outing.

The village also helps explain why the long ride is part of the point. The appeal of Borgarfjörður Eystri is its distance from Iceland’s busiest routes. You get a quieter setting and a better sense of the region, but you pay for it with time on the road.

Lindarbakki turf house and old Icelandic building methods

Lindarbakki is one of the most memorable smaller stops. This turf house is a fine example of the homes used in Iceland in earlier times, when local building materials and insulation mattered a great deal.

Turf walls helped protect homes from cold weather. The house gives you a concrete link to the past, not just another scenic photo. Look closely at the structure and think about how different daily life was before modern heating, roads, and building supplies.

You have about 40 minutes here for photographs, free time, and sightseeing. That gives you room to appreciate the house and the nearby setting without turning the stop into a lecture. The visit is particularly useful if you want history and culture mixed into a wildlife day.

Do not expect a large open-air museum or a long interior tour. The appeal is the building itself and the chance to see a traditional Icelandic home in its own setting. If you prefer dramatic scenery at every stop, this may feel quieter. I think it works well as a change of pace after the birds.

Álfaborg and the folklore of the fjord

Álfaborg, known as Elf Rock, adds a touch of Icelandic folklore. Local tradition says it is the home of the elf queen. You do not need to believe in elves to enjoy the stop. Icelandic folklore is part of how people have explained and related to the land, and the story gives the rock a personality.

The site also offers broad views around the fjord. That makes it more than a story stop. You can take in the open setting, hear the local tale, and understand why unusual rock formations often gather legends.

The supplied schedule does not give Álfaborg a separate timed stop, so your guide may cover it as part of the Borgarfjörður Eystri visit. Ask your guide about it if the story does not come up. The guides who enjoy folklore can add a great deal here, especially if you like the human stories behind Iceland’s natural features.

Gufufoss: a quiet finish near Seydisfjordur

On the return journey, the bus stops at Gufufoss waterfall for about 20 minutes. The name is linked to the mist that rises from the falling water, and the stop gives the day a soft ending after the excitement of the puffin colony.

You will have time for photographs, sightseeing, and a short walk. It is not a long hike, but comfortable shoes still matter. Rain gear is useful here too, since waterfall spray and Icelandic weather can both leave you damp.

Gufufoss is described as serene rather than enormous. That is part of its charm. You can hear the water, watch fine mist drift through the air, and enjoy a final outdoor pause before returning to the port.

Some departures also include a view of a church near the waterfall. The precise feel of this stop can change with weather and timing, but it gives you one last scenic break before the five-minute ride back to Ferjuleira 5.

What the price buys you at $213

At $213 per person, this is not a cheap shore outing. The value depends on what you want from your day in port.

You are paying for a five-hour guided trip into a remote part of East Iceland, direct pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal, an English-speaking guide, transportation over difficult roads, and access to a top puffin site. The driver is part of the value too. Roads around the fjords can be steep and challenging, and several departures were praised for smooth, careful driving in misty conditions.

You are not paying for lunch, drinks, or a long list of included admissions. Food is not included, so plan ahead. If you compare this with a simple waterfall transfer, the cost may feel high. If you compare it with arranging transport to Borgarfjörður Eystri yourself while your ship is in port, the guided structure and port pickup become more useful.

I would call it good value for someone who considers puffins a major Iceland goal. It is weaker value for someone who wants a short ride, many stops, or a lower-cost overview near Seydisfjordur.

Guides, buses, and the small practical details

The strongest part of the human side is the guiding. Recent departures have included guides named Anna, Berglind, Eva, Petra, Denis, and Ritchie. Their styles vary, but the best ones have been warm, funny, and full of useful facts about Icelandic culture and local stories.

Drivers named Kuba, Lucas, and Torve have also drawn praise for handling steep roads and poor weather. That matters more here than it would on a flat city tour. You will spend time on the bus, so a calm driver and a guide who keeps the ride interesting can shape the whole day.

The start can be busy when several buses are leaving the port at once. Make sure you confirm which vehicle is going to Borgarfjörður Eystri before boarding. Clear signs may not always be available, and one departure lost about 25 minutes while people sorted themselves out.

The schedule leaves little room for major delays. The tour returns to the same port where it starts, but you should still check the timing against your ship’s departure. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride feels most comfortable and bring what you normally use. The road includes difficult sections, and the journey is long enough for this to matter.

Who should book this East Iceland shore excursion?

I would choose this tour if you want one strong wildlife moment and are happy to spend time reaching it. It suits photographers, bird fans, first-time visitors to East Iceland, and anyone who wants a small village and traditional architecture alongside scenery.

It also works well for cruise passengers who want a structured day with port pickup. You can leave the driving to someone else, hear local stories, and return to the same place without trying to piece together a remote route on your own.

I would hesitate if you dislike long bus rides, need frequent food and bathroom options, or want a gentle town tour. One stop has limited bathroom capacity, and food and drinks are not provided. Families with very young children should note the minimum age of two.

The group size is not specified, so do not assume a private outing. The tour uses a bus or coach, and the atmosphere will depend on the departure. You might get a lively guide and a friendly group, or a quieter ride with less conversation.

Should you book it?

Book it if seeing puffins up close is high on your Iceland list and you can accept a long ride to reach them. Hafnarhólmi is the clear payoff, while Lindarbakki, Álfaborg, Borgarfjörður Eystri, and Gufufoss keep the day from being only a bird stop.

Skip it if you want maximum time off the bus or a low-cost outing close to Seydisfjordur. At $213, this is a specialty shore excursion, not a quick local sightseeing loop.

For most cruise passengers who may never return to East Iceland, I think the price can be justified. Pack rain gear, wear shoes you can walk in, bring food or a snack, and arrive ready for a scenic ride. The puffins are the stars, but the remote road, village, folklore, and careful guiding are what make the day feel like East Iceland rather than just another stop on a cruise schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Ferjuleira 5 in Seydisfjordur and returns to the same location. Pickup and drop-off from the cruise ship terminal are included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including transportation, sightseeing, the puffin stop, the village and turf house visits, and the Gufufoss waterfall stop.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Are puffins guaranteed?

The tour visits Hafnarhólmi, a small islet with a large nesting colony of puffins in summer. Wildlife sightings can vary with season and conditions, so the tour does not control exactly what the birds will do.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan accordingly for the five-hour outing.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear. Practical clothing for changing Icelandic weather is also sensible.

Can children under two join?

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