Studlagil Canyon & Gufufoss: Day Trip from Seydisfjordur

Summary

Basalt columns, turquoise river and misty falls near Seydisfjordur

You’ll start in Seydisfjordur and travel with a local guide through Iceland’s wild countryside to Studlagil Canyon, where you’ll feel the chill of glacial air and see those famous basalt columns up close. Afterward, pause at Gufufoss waterfall for a quieter moment before heading back—all timed perfectly if you’re coming off a cruise ship.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Stuðlagil Canyon and Gufufoss Waterfall

• Travel 60 minutes to Stuðlagil Canyon
• Explore Stuðlagil Canyon for 60 minutes
• Travel 75 minutes to Gufufoss Waterfall
• Visit Gufufoss Waterfall for 45 minutes
• Return to Seyðisfjörður port town

Top questions

How long does the Studlagil Canyon & Gufufoss tour take?

The tour lasts about 5 hours total, including around 3 hours of driving time.

Is pickup included from my cruise ship in Seydisfjordur?

Yes, pickup is included at Seydisfjordur port and fits cruise schedules.

How far is Studlagil Canyon from Seydisfjordur?

It takes about 60 minutes by vehicle from Seydisfjordur to reach Studlagil Canyon.

How much time do we spend at Studlagil Canyon?

You’ll have around 60 minutes to explore Studlagil Canyon during the tour.

What is special about Gufufoss waterfall?

Gufufoss is known for its misty spray (“gufu” means steam) and quiet location near Seydisfjordur.

Are entry fees or taxes included in this day trip?

Yes, all fees and taxes are included in your booking price.

Is WiFi available during the tour?

WiFi is available on board the vehicle throughout the trip.

Is this tour suitable for families or people with limited fitness?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels and offers specialized infant seats if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup right at Seydisfjordur port (perfect if you’re arriving by cruise), comfortable air-conditioned transport with WiFi onboard, all entry fees and taxes covered—and a local guide who keeps everything running smoothly so you don’t have to worry about timing or logistics along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the silence. We’d just left Seydisfjordur behind, winding through hills that looked almost too green for Iceland. Our guide, Hrafn, pointed out how the fog was lifting—said it was a good omen. I didn’t really know what to expect from this Studlagil Canyon tour, except I’d seen those photos online with the wild blue water and those weirdly perfect rock columns. But seeing it in person? The air felt colder by the river, sharp with that glacial smell—almost metallic—and when we walked down to the edge, all I could hear was water moving fast over stone. Someone in our group tried to count the sides on one of the basalt columns (hexagons? octagons?), but gave up laughing.

It took about an hour to get there from Seydisfjordur—felt shorter somehow because Hrafn kept telling us stories about how no one even knew this place existed until they built that dam nearby. He said before that, most of these rocks were underwater. Now you can stand right next to them, run your hand over their grooves (they’re colder than you’d think), and watch the Jökulsá river do its thing—icy blue against all that grey stone. I still think about that view sometimes; it’s like your brain can’t decide if it’s real or something out of a movie.

On the way back we stopped at Gufufoss waterfall, which Hrafn called “the steamer” because of all the mist. It’s not huge but there’s something quiet about it—like you could just sit there and listen to nothing but water for hours. My shoes got soaked on the rocks (should’ve worn better boots), but honestly, I didn’t care much by then. We made it back to town just as some cruise folks were heading out for coffee—felt like we’d been somewhere miles away even though it was only five hours round trip.