From Reykjavík: 3-Day Tour of the Wild Westfjords

The best part of this three-day Westfjords tour is how much remote Iceland you reach without driving yourself. You’ll pass fjord after fjord, walk below Dynjandi’s wedding-cake falls, watch seabirds at Látrabjarg, and finish with the cliff-top views from Bolafjall.

I like the small group, limited to 18 people, and the fact that accommodation is in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. I also like the mix of famous sights and quieter stops, from the turf buildings at Ósvör to the warm waters of Krosslaug. The main drawback is the pace: this is a long road trip with plenty of time in a minibus, and the final arrival in Reykjavík can be around 20:30.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven fjords in one day: Day three follows a coastal road with repeated views of mountains, glaciers and narrow sea inlets.
• Dynjandi is the visual high point: The broad, stepped waterfall is one of the Westfjords’ most memorable sights.
• Látrabjarg suits bird watchers: In summer, you may see puffins, cormorants and fulmars along the high sea cliffs.
• Private rooms are included: Two nights with breakfast and en-suite bathrooms add useful comfort to a rugged itinerary.
• Weather controls the schedule: Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothing, since roads and ferry plans can change.
• Guides shape the experience: Previous departures have included David and Halldor, both praised for adding interest and a friendly spirit to the drive.

Why three days is a smart way to see the Westfjords

The Westfjords are not a quick side trip from Reykjavík. Roads twist around broad inlets, mountain passes and remote beaches, so visiting independently takes planning and a willingness to spend long hours behind the wheel. This tour handles the driving and links the main sights into one route.

You pay $1,142 per person, which is a serious price. The value comes from what is bundled in: three days of transport, an English-speaking guide, two nights in private en-suite rooms, breakfast, entry to Eiriksstaðir, entry to the Arctic Fox Center, Wi-Fi and USB charging on the minibus.

Lunch and dinner are not included. The schedule allows stops where you can buy meals and snacks, but you should still bring water and something small to eat. The price makes more sense for you if you want a guided trip and do not want to rent a car, plan remote roads or arrange hotels in several locations.

The group limit of 18 is another practical advantage. It is small enough for a more personal feel, but not so tiny that the price becomes even higher. Guides David and Halldor have been singled out for their friendly and professional approach on earlier departures, though your guide will depend on the date.

Day one, Vikings, waterfalls and a warm pool

Pickup in Reykjavík takes place between 08:30 and 09:00. Be ready from 08:30 at the confirmed location, since central Reykjavík has designated bus stops for tour pickups. Your exact meeting point is confirmed after booking.

The first major stop is Eiriksstaðir, a Viking heritage museum. The turf-roofed longhouse is linked with Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky. This gives the opening day more character than a simple scenic drive. You are not only looking at mountains and water; you are also getting a sense of the people who lived in this harsh part of the North Atlantic.

From there, the road reaches the coastal cliffs around Breiðafjörður, the gateway to the Westfjords. This is when the trip begins to feel properly remote. The route includes many fjords, so the scenery keeps changing as the minibus turns inland, then back toward the coast.

At Vatnsfjörður Natural Reserve, you’ll stop for Þingmanná Waterfalls and a canyon. The visit adds a short nature walk and a change of scale. After the wide coastal views, the canyon gives you a closer look at the rock and water that shape the region.

Birkimel Bay brings a sandy beach and the optional Krosslaug swimming pool. Krosslaug is a local geothermal pool run by the Youth Association. If you want to soak, bring swimwear and a towel. A voluntary cash donation in any currency goes into the donation box, so keep a little money handy if you plan to use it.

Krosslaug is not a polished resort experience, and that is part of its appeal. It is a simple local stop in a striking setting. Still, the visit is optional, and you should not count on a long swim. The day includes a lot of driving, and the guide needs to keep the group moving.

The route then crosses Kleifaheiði mountain range. Look for Kleifabúi, a five-meter-high stone statue beside the mountain road. It honors the effort involved in building this route through difficult terrain and makes a memorable roadside pause.

Day one is mainly about reaching the Westfjords. You’ll see plenty of scenery, but you should expect a full travel day rather than a series of long walks. That is a fair trade for covering so much ground in a region where distances can look short on a map but take time on the road.

Day two, sea cliffs, red sand and Dynjandi

Day two brings the most concentrated run of famous Westfjords sights. The first major setting is Látrabjarg, the westernmost point in Iceland. Its high cliffs are known for summer seabird colonies, including puffins, cormorants and fulmars.

Bring a warm outer layer even if Reykjavík feels mild. Látrabjarg is exposed, and wind can make the cliff edge feel much colder than the temperature suggests. You should also follow the guide’s instructions near the cliffs and avoid treating the area like a casual photo stop.

The Garðar shipwreck may be visible on the way. It adds a human touch to an otherwise stark coastal scene. At Látrabjarg, the main pleasure is simply standing at the edge of the country and watching the sea and birds below. Bird sightings depend on the season and conditions, so this is best approached as a chance to look rather than a guarantee of a close puffin encounter.

Next comes Rauðasandur, a beach known for its changing red, gold and other warm sandy tones. The colors make it different from Iceland’s more familiar black-sand beaches. You’ll have time to walk and take in the open shore, though the weather may affect how long you want to stay outside.

The route also includes views of Fossfjörður waterfall and the A-House, a distinctive local landmark. These shorter stops help break up the day and give you more than one type of Westfjords scenery.

Then comes Dynjandi, the day’s great visual payoff. The waterfall spreads across the mountainside in a series of broad steps, often compared to a wedding cake or a waterfall ladder. It is not a narrow stream dropping straight down. Instead, the water widens as it descends, making the falls look larger and more dramatic from below.

Give yourself time to look upward and take in the full shape of the cascade. The stop is one of the clearest reasons to choose a dedicated Westfjords tour rather than a quick drive through the region. Even if you are not a serious photographer, Dynjandi gives you a strong sense of the area’s scale.

The second night is in Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords. This is useful because the day does not end with another long transfer to a distant hotel. You’ll have a chance to settle in and explore on your own during the evening, depending on the schedule and arrival time.

Day three, Bolafjall and the Seven Fjord Road

The final morning starts high at Bolafjall, which reaches 638 meters. A skywalk viewing platform sits above steep cliffs, giving you wide views over the water and surrounding mountains. This is an exposed viewpoint, so firm footwear and warm clothing matter.

Bolafjall can be a memorable start to the day, but it is also one of the stops most affected by weather. Fog, wind or road conditions may limit the view. That is not a flaw in the tour so much as a reminder that the Westfjords do not offer scenery on demand.

At Ósvör, you’ll see a small fishing village recreated with turf-roofed buildings. The nearby Óshólaviti Lighthouse adds another coastal marker. Together, these stops show the old working life of the region, not just its dramatic scenery.

The central event of day three is the Seven Fjord Road. The road follows the shoreline and rises and falls around seven fjords. You’ll see mountains, glaciers and water in several directions, with frequent changes in view as the road bends along the coast.

This section is why I would not recommend the tour to anyone who dislikes long drives. You spend a great deal of time in the minibus, but the road itself is the attraction. You can look out without worrying about navigation, narrow roads or the next turn.

Keep watch for Arctic foxes. They are Iceland’s only native land mammal, and the Westfjords are one of the places where you might spot them in the wild. A sighting is never promised, so do not build your decision around it. If luck fails, the Arctic Fox Center provides a more reliable way to learn about and support their protection, and admission is included.

Hvítanes is another worthwhile stop, especially if you like wildlife. It is one of the more accessible places in the Westfjords for spotting seals. The animals may be at a distance, so binoculars would be useful if you have them, though the tour does not list them as included.

The final listed stop is by the colorful Grábrók volcanic craters. This gives the return journey a volcanic finish after several days dominated by fjords and sea cliffs. The drive back to Reykjavík is long, and the estimated arrival is around 20:30, depending on weather and road conditions.

What the minibus and accommodation mean for you

The minibus has Wi-Fi and a USB charger beside every seat. Those details matter on a three-day trip because you can keep your phone charged for photos, maps and messages. Wi-Fi quality can vary in remote Iceland, so I would still download anything important before leaving Reykjavík.

Pickup and drop-off are included within Reykjavík, either at your hotel or at a nearby designated meeting point. Central streets have restrictions on tour buses, so do not assume the minibus will stop directly outside your accommodation.

Two nights of accommodation are included in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and breakfast service. That is a real comfort after days outdoors and on winding roads. If you are traveling alone, a single-room supplement is mandatory, so check the final cost before booking.

The tour operates in all weather. Pack a waterproof and windproof outer layer, warm mid-layers, sturdy shoes, and clothing that can handle wet ground. For Krosslaug, add swimwear and a towel. You will be happier carrying a few useful layers than trying to make one light jacket work for every stop.

A ferry ride may be part of the plan, but weather or safety can cancel it. If that happens, the group drives to the Westfjords and the ferry fee is refunded. This is a useful safeguard, but it also shows why you should keep your final evening in Reykjavík flexible.

Who will enjoy this Westfjords trip most

I would choose this tour if you want to see the Westfjords but do not want to drive yourself. It suits people who value scenery, wildlife, small museums, local buildings and a guide who can keep the journey interesting.

It is also a good fit if you want a mixture of major sights and less obvious stops. Dynjandi and Látrabjarg are the headline attractions, while Krosslaug, Ósvör, Hvítanes and the Viking longhouse give the trip more variety.

You should think twice if you want slow mornings, long hikes or plenty of free time. The route covers a large area in only three days. Some stops are brief, and much of the experience happens through the minibus windows.

The tour can work well for solo visitors because transport, accommodation and group company are arranged. Just remember the single-room supplement. Couples and friends may find the private-room setup especially convenient.

Is $1,142 a fair price?

The cost is high, but the Westfjords are expensive and time-consuming to reach independently. Here, you are paying for the driver, guide, minibus, route planning, accommodation, breakfast, selected admissions and the ability to focus on the view instead of the road.

The included Eiriksstaðir and Arctic Fox Center admissions add some value, while Wi-Fi and seat chargers make the long transfers easier. Private en-suite rooms also make the price more reasonable than a basic group trip with shared facilities.

You still need to budget for lunch, dinner, snacks and the optional pool donation. If you want complete freedom over meals and stops, renting a car may suit you better. But you would then take on the road conditions, ferry changes, hotel planning and responsibility for a long three-day route.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Westfjords are a priority and you want a guided route that reaches the region’s biggest sights in a short window. The combination of Dynjandi, Látrabjarg, Rauðasandur, Bolafjall and the Seven Fjord Road gives you a strong first look at this remote corner of Iceland.

I would skip it if you need a relaxed pace or dislike spending hours in a vehicle. For everyone else, the tour offers a practical way to see a difficult region, with private accommodation, a small group and guides such as David or Halldor adding warmth to the long road days.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts three days and includes two nights of accommodation.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is within Reykjavík, from your hotel or the nearest designated meeting point. Pickup takes place between 08:30 and 09:00, and the exact location is confirmed within 24 hours after booking.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Two nights in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and breakfast service are included. A mandatory single-room supplement applies to solo travelers.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner are not included, but the schedule includes stops where you can buy meals, snacks and drinks.

What should I bring for the weather?

Bring warm, windproof and waterproof clothing because the tour operates in all weather conditions. For the optional Krosslaug pool, you need swimwear and a towel.

Can the ferry crossing be canceled?

Yes. Weather or safety conditions can lead to cancellation. In that case, the group drives to the Westfjords and the ferry fee is refunded.