From Reykjavík: 3-Day Tour of the Wild Westfjords

The best part of this three-day Westfjords road trip is the sense of getting far from Iceland’s usual tourist routes. You follow empty coastal roads past fjords, cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and fishing villages, with time to stop rather than simply view the country through a bus window.

I especially like the visit to Dynjandi, whose broad, seven-tiered shape looks almost designed for a photograph, and the chance to walk at Látrabjarg, where puffins and other seabirds gather on the western edge of Iceland. The main caution is the pace: three days covers a huge amount of ground, and much of your time is spent on winding roads. Weather can also change the plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Látrabjarg brings you to Iceland’s westernmost point, with puffins, cormorants, fulmars, and steep sea cliffs in summer.
• Dynjandi is the visual high point, a wide, wedding-cake-shaped waterfall dropping in seven steps.
• The Seven Fjords Road fills Day 3 with coastal views, but the long drive may feel tiring if you prefer a slow base-and-explore trip.
• Two nights in private en-suite rooms with breakfast are included, which makes the price easier to assess.
• A group of up to 18 keeps the experience smaller than a large coach tour, with Wi-Fi and a USB charger at every seat.
• The optional Krosslaug pool requires swimwear, a towel, and a voluntary cash donation, so pack accordingly.

Why the Westfjords deserve three days

Iceland is often reduced to the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Ring Road. The Westfjords offer something different: fewer major attractions packed close together, more empty miles, and a stronger feeling that nature sets the schedule.

You will cross mountain passes, trace fjord edges, and stop at places that feel connected to local life rather than built only for sightseeing. The roads and weather matter here. A planned stop may be shortened, delayed, or changed if conditions turn poor, so bring warm, windproof, and waterproof clothing even in summer.

This is a road trip first and a sightseeing tour second. If you like moving through a large area and collecting very different experiences, the format works well. If you want long hikes or hours at each stop, three days may feel compressed.

The tour costs $1,142 per person. That is a serious price, but it includes a professional English-speaking guide, transport from Reykjavík and back, two nights in private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, breakfast, entry to Eiriksstaðir, and entry to the Arctic Fox Center. Lunch and dinner are extra, as are optional swimming costs. Compared with arranging a remote three-day route yourself, the value comes from having transport, accommodation, route planning, and a guide bundled together.

Day 1: Vikings, waterfalls, and the first fjords

Pickup from Reykjavík takes place between 8:30 and 9:00. You need to be ready at 8:30 at the confirmed pickup point, since central Reykjavík has restrictions on where tour buses may stop. The exact location is confirmed after booking.

The first major stop is Eiriksstaðir, a Viking heritage museum connected with Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky. You can enter a turf-roofed longhouse and get a feel for how a Viking-era home was built and used. This gives the trip a useful human starting point before the focus shifts to mountains and sea.

From there, the route continues toward Borgarnes and the coast around Breiðafjörður. This broad coastal area serves as the approach to the Westfjords, and the road begins to feel more remote as the fjords appear one after another. You will have scheduled stops for photos and short walks, but this is not a hiking tour with long trails.

At Vatnsfjörður Natural Reserve, the focus turns to Þingmanná Waterfalls and a canyon. The stop is a good reminder that the Westfjords are not only about huge viewpoints. Smaller waterfalls, rock walls, and changing watercourses are part of the appeal.

Birkimel Bay provides another change of scene, with a sandy beach and the option to visit Krosslaug. This natural geothermal pool is run by the local Youth Association. It is a simple, local experience rather than a polished spa. If you choose to bathe, bring swimwear and a towel, and leave a voluntary donation in cash at the box. The donation can be in any currency.

The pool is optional, which is useful if you would rather walk, take photographs, or stay dry. Since this stop depends on your own choice and the day’s timing, do not treat it as the main reason to book the tour.

The final notable feature of Day 1 is Kleifaheiði, a mountain range crossed by road. Look for Kleifabúi, a five-meter-high stone statue beside the route. It honors the work involved in building the mountain road and gives you a striking roadside marker in an otherwise open setting.

Day 1 contains several different stops, but it is also a full driving day. The reward is the gradual change from Reykjavík’s urban edge to the quieter, rougher Westfjords.

Day 2: Látrabjarg, Rauðasandur, and Dynjandi

Day 2 is the most wildlife-focused part of the trip. At Látrabjarg, you reach the westernmost point in Iceland and one of the country’s best-known bird cliffs.

In summer, thousands of seabirds use the cliffs. You may see puffins, cormorants, and fulmars. The birds are the main draw, but the setting matters just as much: high cliffs, open sea, and a strong sense of being at the edge of the country.

Stay aware near the cliff edges and follow your guide’s instructions. The attraction is not a formal zoo or enclosed viewpoint. Conditions are exposed, and the walk may feel windy even on a pleasant day elsewhere.

On the way, you can look for the Garðar shipwreck. It adds a human trace to the wild coast and gives the route another point of interest between the larger stops.

Rauðasandur offers a completely different view. Its name refers to the red or multicolored sand, and the beach’s changing shades make it one of the more unusual coastal stops in Iceland. You can take a walk here and enjoy views toward Fossfjörður waterfall and the distinctive A-House.

Beach time is weather-dependent in practical terms. Wind, rain, and limited time can affect how long you want to stay, so wear shoes and clothing suited to uneven ground and wet conditions rather than packing only for photographs.

The day’s big visual moment comes at Dynjandi. The waterfall spreads across the mountainside in a broad, stepped shape, often compared with a wedding cake. Its seven sections create a layered view, with water narrowing and widening as it drops.

Dynjandi is one of those places where distance helps. From below, you see the full form. If the conditions and schedule allow a walk closer, the scale becomes more powerful, but the supplied itinerary does not promise a long hike or a fixed amount of time at the falls. You should expect a scenic stop with walking, not a dedicated half-day trek.

The day ends in Ísafjörður, the main town of the Westfjords. This overnight stop gives you a chance to eat dinner independently and explore a little in the evening. That free time is important because the rest of the tour is tightly organized around the road and nature stops.

The guide can make a real difference on a route with so much driving. David has been specifically praised for an adventurous, nature-focused approach, while Halldor has been singled out for making the experience more interesting and professional. Your guide may be someone else, but the tour’s strongest feedback points to friendly leadership as a major part of its appeal.

Day 3: Bolafjall and the Seven Fjords Road

The final morning starts at Bolafjall, rising to 638 meters. A skywalk viewing platform projects over steep cliffs, giving you a high viewpoint across the coast. This is not a place for anyone who dislikes exposed heights, although the tour description does not provide further details about barriers or access.

From Bolafjall, the route continues to Ósvör Fishing Village. The site is a collection of turf-roofed buildings that represent the working life of an old fishing community. Along with Óshólaviti Lighthouse, it adds a useful cultural stop before the long scenic drive.

The centerpiece of Day 3 is the Seven Fjords Road. The road follows the coastline, rising and dropping around seven fjords. You will see mountains, glaciers, water, and small settlements from changing angles as the minibus works its way along the coast.

This is where the tour feels most like a true road journey. There is no single attraction to check off. Instead, the appeal comes from the repeated shifts in light, distance, and weather. You may want a window seat, though the small group and wide range of views mean every seat should offer something during the day.

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. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the tour also includes entry to the Arctic Fox Center, giving you a more reliable way to learn about and see these animals.

Hvítanes is the planned stop for seals. It is described as one of the more accessible places in the Westfjords to look for them. Bring patience and binoculars if you have them, since animal viewing depends on where the seals are and how visible they are from shore.

The final stop is by the colorful Grábrók volcanic craters. This closes the trip with a geological feature rather than another fjord or waterfall. Afterward, the estimated return to Reykjavík is around 20:30, though weather and road conditions can change that timing.

That late arrival matters. Do not schedule a tight evening flight or an important connection after the tour. You will also want a plan for dinner once you are back in Reykjavík, since the trip does not include evening meals.

Transport, meals, and accommodation

The tour uses a minibus with a maximum of 18 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach, while still large enough that you should not expect a private guide experience.

Wi-Fi is available on the bus, and every seat has a USB charger. These are practical touches on long driving days, especially if you are using your phone for photographs, maps, or translation. Signal and connection quality can still vary in remote areas, so do not depend on Wi-Fi as your only way to access important information.

Two nights of accommodation are included. You receive a private room with an en-suite bathroom and breakfast service. This is a meaningful part of the $1,142 price, since arranging two nights independently in the Westfjords can be difficult during the busy season.

Lunch and dinner are not included. The schedule has planned stops where you can buy food or snacks, but you should budget for these meals and consider carrying extra snacks. On a route this remote, your choices may be more limited than in Reykjavík.

If you travel alone, a single-room supplement is mandatory. That can push the total cost higher, so solo visitors should check the final price carefully before booking.

A ferry ride may be part of the planned route, but it can be canceled for weather or safety reasons. If that happens, the operator will drive to the Westfjords and refund the ferry fee. The key point is flexibility: the route may change without removing the main purpose of the tour.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see the Westfjords but do not want to rent a car, plan remote roads, or manage accommodation in several locations. It suits you especially well if you enjoy scenic drives, wildlife, short walks, local history, and varied stops.

It also works for photographers who value changing views over long hikes. You will have chances to photograph waterfalls, cliffs, beaches, turf buildings, lighthouses, fjords, and wildlife.

I would think twice if you need a slow schedule. The route covers a great distance in only three days, and you will spend many hours in the minibus. It is also not the best match if your main goal is serious hiking, since the itinerary emphasizes sightseeing stops and road travel.

Pack waterproof outerwear, warm layers, sturdy walking shoes, swimwear, and a towel. Keep your camera and phone charged, but do not forget that weather, not your preferred timetable, controls much of the Westfjords.

Should you book the Wild Westfjords tour?

Book it if you want a guided introduction to one of Iceland’s least developed regions and value the convenience of transport, private rooms, breakfast, and planned access to difficult-to-reach places. The combination of Látrabjarg, Rauðasandur, Dynjandi, the Seven Fjords Road, seals, and Arctic foxes gives you a wide sample of the region in a short time.

At $1,142, it is not a budget excursion. The price makes the most sense for you if you would otherwise need to rent a car, arrange two nights, plan a complex route, and manage changing road conditions yourself.

The final decision comes down to pace. If a long, scenic road trip sounds exciting, this is a strong choice. If you want to stay in one town and explore on foot, spend more time in Ísafjörður or choose a slower itinerary.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

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

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available within Reykjavík, either at your hotel or at the nearest designated meeting point. Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00, and the exact location is confirmed within 24 hours of booking.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an English-speaking professional guide, minibus transport, Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, two nights in a private en-suite room with breakfast, entry to Eiriksstaðir Viking Longhouse, and entry to the Arctic Fox Center. Wi-Fi and USB chargers are available on the bus.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner are not. Scheduled stops allow you to buy meals or snacks during the trip.

Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?

Bring both if you want to use the optional Krosslaug geothermal pool or another swimming pool during the trip. A voluntary cash donation to the Westfjords Youth Society is requested at Krosslaug.

What happens if the ferry is canceled?

The tour will drive to the Westfjords instead, and the ferry fee will be refunded. Ferry travel can be canceled because of weather or safety conditions.