From Seydisfjordur: Studlagil Canyon Shore Excursion

Stuðlagil Canyon is the main event: huge, six-sided basalt columns rise above the Jökla River, where the water can look a striking turquoise blue. The canyon was little known until the Hálslón dam changed the river’s flow and made this dramatic sight easier to reach.

I like two things right away. First, the trip gives you a strong taste of East Iceland without asking you to plan complicated transport from the port. Second, the stop at Gufufoss waterfall adds a quieter, less famous view on the return drive. The main drawback is the travel time: you spend about 110 minutes going inland and another 90 minutes coming back, with roughly an hour at the canyon.

Key points to know before you book

• Stuðlagil’s basalt walls reach about 30 meters high, creating the trip’s most memorable view.
• The canyon is about 90 minutes from Seydisfjordur, so expect a scenic road trip rather than a quick port outing.
• Gufufoss drops 27 meters and gives you a second waterfall stop near the end of the day.
• Guide Kjartan receives special praise for his Iceland stories, friendly style, patience, and careful driving.
• The canyon viewpoint requires stairs, so comfortable shoes and rain gear are sensible.
• The $205 price buys convenience, with cruise-terminal pickup, return to your ship, a guide, and WiFi on board.

Why Stuðlagil deserves the long ride inland

Iceland has no shortage of dramatic sights, but Stuðlagil feels different from the country’s broad waterfalls and open volcanic fields. Here, the attraction is the close-up pattern of the rock. Tall basalt columns fit together in hexagonal shapes, like a giant stone organ built along the riverbank.

The columns formed as volcanic lava cooled and cracked into regular geometric shapes. At Stuðlagil, many of them rise roughly 30 meters above the water. Their straight lines and dark color contrast sharply with the pale river, making this a particularly good place for photographs.

The river is part of the Jökla system, fed by glacial water. Its color can look blue-green and almost unreal beside the black basalt. The exact appearance depends on water conditions, but the contrast between river and rock is the reason this stop feels so special.

I also like the story behind the canyon. It was not always a well-known stop on an East Iceland route. Construction of the Hálslón dam changed the amount of water moving through the river and revealed more of the canyon’s column walls. You are not just looking at pretty rocks. You are seeing a place whose modern appearance is tied to a major change in the region.

Leaving Seydisfjordur for East Iceland

The trip begins at Ferjuleira, the port area in Seydisfjordur, after you leave your cruise ship. Pickup and return are built around the ship’s docking window, which is the most important practical feature of this tour. You do not need to find a separate meeting point in town or arrange your own ride back to the vessel.

The first drive lasts about 110 minutes. That is a long stretch, but it is not wasted time. You travel through East Iceland’s quiet countryside, with an English-speaking guide providing context along the way. The information supplied for the tour does not promise a constant stream of stops, so you should think of this section as a scenic transfer rather than a series of scheduled photo breaks.

Guide Kjartan is worth noting by name. His approach includes personal stories about growing up and living in Iceland, along with explanations of local life and Seydisfjordur. That kind of local voice can make a long drive feel more connected to the place than a silent bus ride.

The transport also matters on a shore day. One review specifically praised the driving and the sense of safety and comfort on the road. That is useful when you are spending several hours away from the ship. You want a driver who handles the route calmly and a guide who keeps the timing under control.

Reaching the Stuðlagil viewing area

You get about one hour for sightseeing at Stuðlagil Canyon. That is enough time to reach the viewing area, take photographs, look closely at the columns, and listen to the guide, but it is not an open-ended hike.

There are stairs leading down and back up to the viewing platform. The steps are the main physical issue to plan for. A reviewer described the staircase as extensive, so I would not treat this as a flat, effortless stop. Wear shoes with a firm grip, and bring rain gear even if the sky looks friendly when you leave Seydisfjordur.

At the viewpoint, take time to study the column shapes instead of snapping one photograph and rushing away. Some columns are nearly straight, while others show irregular breaks and angles. The river below gives the scene scale, and the height of the rock walls becomes clearer when you look for people or the waterline in the frame.

Weather can change quickly in Iceland, and the canyon is an outdoor stop with little shelter. Rain may make the steps slippery, while wind can make the open viewpoint feel colder than the port. Comfortable shoes are listed as essential equipment for good reason.

The hour also sets a useful limit. You can enjoy the canyon without turning the stop into an exhausting walk. If stairs are difficult for you, this is the part of the outing to consider most carefully before booking. The tour information does not describe an alternative step-free viewpoint.

The return drive and Gufufoss waterfall

After Stuðlagil, the bus takes about 90 minutes to head back toward Seydisfjordur. The return journey is broken by a 25-minute stop at Gufu Waterfall, also called Gufufoss.

Gufufoss drops 27 meters and is described as resembling Skógafoss, one of the better-known waterfalls in southern Iceland. It is smaller than Skógafoss, but that comparison helps you picture a broad, clean waterfall with enough height to make a short stop worthwhile.

The waterfall gives the day a different pace. Stuðlagil is about rock formations, color, and a river enclosed by high walls. Gufufoss is a simpler water-and-mountain view, with time to look from different angles and take photographs without the longer stair section associated with the canyon.

You get 25 minutes here, so bring your rain jacket from the bus rather than leaving it behind. Spray and changing weather are part of any waterfall stop. The walk and exact viewing conditions are not described in detail, so use the time for the accessible viewpoints you can comfortably reach rather than counting on a lengthy hike.

A short five-minute drive follows before you return to Ferjuleira. If the schedule allows, you may also have time to see Seydisfjordur’s famous Rainbow Road before boarding. This is not guaranteed, so treat it as a pleasant extra rather than a central part of the booking.

What the five-hour schedule really means

The advertised duration is five hours, and the listed driving times account for most of it:

• About 110 minutes from the port toward Stuðlagil
• About one hour at Stuðlagil Canyon
• About 90 minutes returning toward the port
• About 25 minutes at Gufufoss
• About five minutes for the final return to Ferjuleira

These timings leave little room for a late departure or a long unscheduled stop. That is normal for a cruise excursion, but it makes punctuality important. You should be ready at the agreed pickup point after disembarkation and follow the guide’s timing at each stop.

The benefit is that the day has a clear shape. You see one major geological sight, one waterfall, and the countryside between them, then return to the ship. The limitation is that you cannot linger at Stuðlagil if the weather is perfect or spend extra time wandering around Seydisfjordur.

For a port day, I see that tradeoff as reasonable. Independent transport into East Iceland would require planning, a suitable vehicle, and close attention to your ship’s departure time. Here, the return to the cruise terminal is part of the plan.

Is $205 a fair price?

At $205 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. The value depends on what you are paying to avoid.

The price includes an English-speaking guide, pickup and drop-off at the cruise terminal, and free WiFi. It does not include food or drinks, so you should bring your own refreshments for the long bus sections. The tour does not list meals or a restaurant stop.

For me, the strongest value is the combination of distance and ship timing. Stuðlagil is not right outside Seydisfjordur, and the canyon requires a long round trip. Paying for organized transport removes the worry of finding the route, watching road conditions, and getting back to the ship on time.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick view near the port. You will spend more than three hours on the bus, and only about 85 minutes at the two named sights. You are paying for access to a remote East Iceland highlight, not for a full day of walking or a packed list of attractions.

The 4.1 rating from 58 reviews suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The strongest praise centers on the guides, the scenery, and safe driving. The clearest criticism is the price, along with the long drive and stairs at the canyon. Those points match the schedule, so you can judge the cost honestly.

The guide can shape the whole day

A five-hour excursion with long road sections depends heavily on the guide. Kjartan is specifically praised for sharing personal stories, explaining Icelandic life, and staying patient with a young child. His friendly and flexible manner is especially useful on a mixed-age group tour.

You should also expect English-language guiding. The tour lists English as the operating language, both for the live guide and the available information. If you want a guide who can connect the scenery to daily life in Iceland, the personal stories described for Kjartan are a strong point.

No guide can change the distance to Stuðlagil or remove the stairs, but a good one can make the bus ride feel purposeful. The reviews also describe careful driving, which matters on a shore excursion when you want to relax rather than monitor every bend in the road.

Who will enjoy this excursion most?

I would choose this tour if you want to see a major East Iceland sight without renting a car. It suits cruise passengers who prefer a planned route, a local English-speaking guide, and a direct return to the terminal.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy geology and unusual rock formations. Stuðlagil is not simply a waterfall photo stop. The basalt columns give you something to examine, and the dam story adds useful context.

Families can take the tour, and a three-year-old was handled patiently by the guide according to the information provided. Children under two are not suitable for the activity. Parents should still consider the long bus rides and the stairs at the canyon.

I would hesitate if you dislike bus travel, need a slow and flexible pace, or have difficulty with stairs. I would also think twice if your main aim is to explore Seydisfjordur itself. This outing takes you inland for most of the day, with only a possible short look at the Rainbow Road at the end.

Practical tips for a better day

Bring waterproof rain gear, not just a light sweater. You will visit a canyon and a waterfall, and Icelandic weather can change during a five-hour outing.

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. The stairs at Stuðlagil are the key physical challenge, and wet conditions can make them harder.

Pack food and water because neither is included. A small snack is especially useful during the long drives, since the schedule lists no meal stop.

Keep your camera ready on the road, but follow the guide’s timing. The countryside between Seydisfjordur and the canyon is part of the appeal, yet the group needs to reach Stuðlagil and return to the ship on schedule.

Finally, ask about the Rainbow Road only after the main route is complete. If time allows, it can be a nice final glimpse of Seydisfjordur, but it should not influence your decision to book.

Should you book the Stuðlagil shore excursion?

Book it if Stuðlagil is high on your Iceland wish list and you want the security of cruise-terminal pickup and return. The canyon’s tall basalt columns, glacial river, and unusual backstory make it a strong choice for a single day in East Iceland.

Skip it if $205 feels too high for a tour with long bus rides, or if stairs are a serious problem. This is a focused excursion, not a relaxed local outing. For the right person, though, the combination of Stuðlagil, Gufufoss, a local guide such as Kjartan, and a ship-friendly schedule gives you a practical way to reach one of the region’s most distinctive sights.

FAQ

How long is the shore excursion?

The excursion lasts five hours. The schedule includes about 110 minutes of driving to Stuðlagil, one hour at the canyon, about 90 minutes returning, 25 minutes at Gufufoss, and a final five-minute drive back to the port.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Ferjuleira in Seydisfjordur, with pickup from the cruise ship terminal.

Where does the tour end?

You return to Ferjuleira, where you can rejoin your ship.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

What is the main attraction?

The main attraction is Stuðlagil Canyon, known for basalt column cliffs up to about 30 meters high and the glacial river below.

How high is Gufufoss waterfall?

Gufufoss is 27 meters tall.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own refreshments.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear.

Can children join the tour?

Children under two years old are not suitable for this activity. The tour information does not give a maximum age limit.