In a nutshell
- The Puffin & Gufufoss tour runs 5 hours and stops at Hafnarholmi, where puffins nest from the middle of April to the beginning of August.[1][2]
- Gufufoss stands approximately 88 feet (27 meters) tall, and the flat walk from the car park is no more than 150 meters.[3][4]
- Shore excursions from the port also head to Stuðlagil Canyon, a basalt rock formation in Jokuldalur Valley in East Iceland.[5]
- Rainbow Street in Seyðisfjörður ends at the town church, commonly called Bláa kirkjan, or the Blue Church.[6]
- The Norrona ferry, run by Smyril Line, docks in Seyðisfjörður, so you can step off the ship and walk into the centre.[7]
- Top choice Puffin & Gufufoss Tour from US$229 Duration5 hours[1]Rating4.63 from 270 reviews[1]GuideLive tour guide: English[1]CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours[1]StopsHafnarholmi and Gufu Waterfall[1] Check availability
- Vök Baths Geothermal Entry from US$61 Duration1.5 hours[8]Rating4.69 from 386 reviews[8]GuideHost or greeter: English, Icelandic[8]CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours[8]StopsGeothermal baths[8] See this tour
- Stuðlagil Canyon Excursion from US$229 Duration5 hours[9]Rating4.46 from 336 reviews[9]GuideLive tour guide: English[9]CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours[9]StopsStuðlagil Canyon and Gufu[9] See this tour
Hafnarhólmi is easily the most accessible Atlantic Puffin colony in Iceland where they nest every year from middle of April to beginning of August.
Is the Puffin & Gufufoss Tour Worth Booking?
Before you sail
On the day
Why Seyðisfjörður Is Worth a Day Ashore
Seyðisfjörður sits at the head of a narrow fjord in East Iceland, with steep mountains on both sides and a road that climbs over a pass before dropping into the valley. The town itself is compact and walkable, with colourful wooden houses along the water and a church that most visitors recognise before they know its name. What makes it a rewarding port stop is how much sits within reach of the harbour: a waterfall on the pass road, puffin cliffs to the north, a basalt canyon inland and geothermal baths on the way back.
Seydisfjordur attractions stretch from the fjord shore to the canyon country inland, and most of them fit comfortably into one port day. The Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port runs for 5 hours with a live English speaking guide and stops at Hafnarholmi, Lindarbakki and Gufu Waterfall.[1] Around it you can add canyon excursions, a fjord cruise, Vök Baths entry or a guided drive up Mount Bjólfur.
Puffins at Hafnarhólmi
Atlantic puffins nest at Hafnarhólmi in Borgarfjörður Eystri every year from the middle of April to the beginning of August, the window to aim for if the birds are the reason for your trip.[2] The Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port includes a stop at Hafnarholmi, along with Lindarbakki and Gufu Waterfall.[1] Once the nesting season ends, the burrows empty and the cliffs go quiet.
Puffins are small, upright and fast in the air, and they gather in noisy groups on the grassy slopes above the water. At this colony they are used to people, so a modest zoom lens is enough, but the birds move quickly and the wind off the sea does not help. Keep to the marked paths, stay low and quiet, and give nesting burrows a wide berth. A brightly coloured waterproof jacket photographs well, and a lens cloth earns its place in your pocket.
The puffin cliffs at Hafnarhólmi, where the birds nest through the summer months.
Gufufoss Waterfall on the Pass Road
Gufufoss waterfall stands approximately 88 feet (27 meters) tall and drops through a narrow, mossy gorge beside the road that climbs steeply out of the fjord.[3] Drivers pass the fall on the way in or out of town. The walk from the car park to the waterfall is no more than 150 meters long and completely flat, a minute or two of easy strolling.[4] Parking sits right by the trail, so it is an easy stop in almost any weather.
The waterfall is fed by the river that drains down from the pass, and after heavy rain it turns into a broad curtain of white water with spray drifting across the road. In drier spells it splits into thinner threads over dark rock, which is when the moss and the shape of the gorge show up best. Photographers often walk a little upstream for a wider view and use a slower shutter speed for the moving water. Watch for traffic while you set up, because the road is narrow and cars pull in quickly.
Gufufoss sits beside a working road and works as a stop rather than a hike. Pull in, walk the flat path, take your photographs and carry on with the drive.
Stuðlagil Canyon and the Basalt Country
Studlagil Canyon is a basalt rock formation in Jokuldalur Valley in East Iceland.[5] Shore excursions from Seyðisfjörður port include it. One 5 hour trip combines Stuðlagil Canyon with Gufu Waterfall, another adds Rjukandi Waterfall on a 6 hour day, and a 7 hour option pairs the canyon with Vök Baths.[9][11][12]
The walls of the gorge are built from tall, regular basalt columns, and the river at the bottom shifts between glacial blue and grey. Visitors either look from the viewpoints above or walk down to the water, where the ground is uneven and often slippery. Sturdy shoes, a waterproof layer and patience with the wind cover most of it. The canyon sits well inland from the fjord, and the drive there crosses open country with big views along the way.
If you have already seen the canyon, the surrounding valley is worth the drive on its own: wide open country, sheep near the road in summer and long views towards the highlands. The journey is part of the day rather than just transport, so settle in, and keep an eye on the clock if your ship leaves in the evening.
from US$229
Runs from Seydisfjordur port with a live English speaking guide and stops at Hafnarholmi, Lindarbakki and Gufu Waterfall.[1]
Vök Baths and Other Ways to Warm Up
Vök Baths: East Iceland Geothermal Baths Entry starts from US$61 and lasts 1.5 hours, and the listing notes wheelchair access with a host or greeter who speaks English and Icelandic.[8] It is rated 4.69 from 386 reviews, with Guide at 4.8 and Value for money at 4.5.[8] Reserve now and pay later is available, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance gives a full refund.[8] Combination trips that pair the baths with a canyon hike also run from the port.[12]
The baths sit on the shore of a lake, with hot water piped up from below and steam drifting over the surface. Moving between warm pools while cold air crosses your face is the whole point, and the contrast is what people remember afterwards. Bring a swimsuit and something dry to change into, and book a slot in advance rather than arriving and hoping. Even in midsummer the air can be chilly, so a warm hat within reach is not a bad idea.
Allow time afterwards to cool down and change before you head back to the ship, and keep wet swimwear away from the rest of your bag.
Rainbow Street, the Blue Church and the Town
Rainbow Street in Seyðisfjörður is a popular spot for selfies, lined with old historic houses, and it ends at the town's picturesque church, commonly called Bláa kirkjan or the Blue Church.[6] Visitors come year round, so you may wait a moment for a clear frame, but the painted surface and the wooden houses photograph well in soft light too. The street is short and steep, and it takes only a few minutes to walk.
Lindarbakki is a colourful turf house in the village of Bakkagerði, and it features as a stop on the Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port.[1][13] The town itself rewards a slow hour: the lagoon walk, the old wooden buildings and the harbour where the Norrona ferry, run by Smyril Line, docks in the small town of Seydisfjordur.[7]
Back at the water, the fjord itself is worth a leisurely walk. The mountain walls rise on both sides of the town, and the light changes quickly across the valley.
Getting There, Weather and What to Wear
The town sits at the head of a steep-sided fjord, and the road in descends over a mountain pass before it reaches the water. At sea, the Norrona ferry, run by Smyril Line, docks in the town.[7] In July the average daily temperature ranges from a high of 51°F (11°C) to a low of 43°F (6°C).[10] Rain can arrive at any hour and wind funnels down the valley, so waterproof outer layers earn their place in your bag.
Shore time is the thing to plan around. The Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port lasts 5 hours and leaves from the port, with a live English speaking guide, reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.[1] Shorter options include the 1.5 hour Vök Baths entry and a 4 hour private Gufufoss and Vök Baths tour, while canyon days run to 6 and 7 hours.[8][11][12][14] Whichever you pick, be back at the ship with time to spare.
Listed tour durations from Seyðisfjörður
Listed durations from GetYourGuide for these Seyðisfjörður tours:[8],[15],[14],[1],[12].
Compare from-prices for Seyðisfjörður tours
From-prices in US dollars for these listings:[1],[8],[9],[15].
When to Plan Your Seyðisfjörður Visit
How to plan your day
Match the tour to your port call
The Puffin & Gufufoss tour runs 5 hours from the port. Check it against your ship's schedule before you book.[1]
Choose cliffs or canyon
Puffins, a waterfall and a turf house on one loop, or a longer day out to the basalt columns at Stuðlagil Canyon.[5]
Pack for cool, wet weather
July averages sit between 43°F (6°C) and 51°F (11°C). Bring a waterproof outer layer, warm mid layers and grippy shoes.[10]
Leave time for the town
Rainbow Street and the Blue Church are easy on foot, and the walk ends among the old historic houses.[6]
Keep your plans flexible
Reserve now and pay later is available, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.[1]
Book the Puffin & Gufufoss Waterfall Tour from Seydisfjordur Port
from US$230Reserve now & pay later
