3-Day Wild and Wonderful Tour of Westfjords – Small Group Tour

The best part of this three-day trip is the sheer variety packed into Iceland’s remote Westfjords. You’ll follow gravel mountain roads to Látrabjarg, walk above cliffs more than 440 meters high, see Dynjandi pour down its rock steps, and trace seven fjords near Ísafjörður.

I like the small maximum group of 18, which keeps the long drives more manageable. I also like that your private en-suite room and two breakfasts are included, along with the vehicle, WiFi, and entry fees at Eiriksstaðir and the Arctic Fox Centre.

The main consideration is time. This is a busy route with long stretches on winding roads, and the final day can return to Reykjavík as late as 8 or 9 pm. Lunch, dinner, and optional swimming costs are extra, so you’ll need to budget beyond the $1,079 price.

Key points to know before booking

• Látrabjarg reaches Iceland’s western edge: Walk near huge sea cliffs and Bjargtangar Lighthouse, with bird colonies below.
• Dynjandi is the visual high point: The waterfall drops more than 100 meters in a broad, wedding-cake shape.
• Two private en-suite nights are included: You get a proper room and breakfast rather than a basic hostel arrangement.
• The route mixes nature and history: Eiriksstaðir, Ósvör Maritime Museum, the Arctic Fox Centre, and old fishing sites break up the scenery.
• The group has a limit of 18 people: Pickup is available from Reykjavík hotels, Skarfabakki harbor, or the nearest designated bus stop.
• The final day is long: Bolafjall, Ísafjörður’s fjords, seals at Hvítanes, and Grábrók Crater all come before the return to Reykjavík.

Why the Westfjords deserve three days

Iceland’s Westfjords reward people who want more than the country’s most famous short stops. Roads curl around wide fjords, mountain passes, black beaches, tiny fishing settlements, and cliffs facing open water. You do not simply check off one attraction here. The road itself is part of the experience.

This tour gives you a practical way to cover a region that is difficult to see quickly without your own car. You can look out the window instead of watching the road, and the guide can add local stories about Icelandic people, history, and everyday life.

The pace is active rather than lazy. Most stops last from 15 minutes to an hour, with a two-hour scenic stretch near Ísafjörður. That gives you many chances to get out, take photographs, and walk a little, but it does not leave room for long hikes or unplanned detours.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi. Those details matter on long driving days, especially when weather changes or the road becomes rough. With a maximum of 18 people, the group is still large enough to keep the price below a private tour, but small enough to avoid a full coach experience.

Day 1: From Borgarnes to the cliffs at Látrabjarg

Pickup begins at 9:00 am in Reykjavík. Central hotels often use designated bus stops because larger vehicles cannot enter every street, so check the exact pickup point sent after booking. Pickup is also offered from Skarfabakki harbor or the nearest suitable bus stop.

The first stop is Borgarnes, a town by Borgarfjörður and a useful opening point for the journey west. The visit is brief, about 15 minutes, so treat it as a short pause rather than a full town tour.

At Eiriksstaðir, the trip turns toward the Viking age. The turf-roofed longhouse is linked with Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky, who sailed to North America long before Columbus. The included admission makes this more than a roadside photo stop. You get a clearer sense of how the people connected with the Icelandic sagas lived.

The next coastal stop looks across a small bay in Breiðafjörður, where dozens of rocky islands fill the water. It is only about 20 minutes, but the view gives you an early taste of the Westfjords: open sea, scattered islands, and a road that feels far removed from Reykjavík.

At Vatnsfjörður, you’ll have about an hour around Þingmanná Waterfalls and a striking canyon. This is a good point to stretch your legs. The Westfjords are made for short walks and close views of rock and water, not just quick photographs from inside a vehicle.

The route then climbs over Kleifaheiði. At the high point, look for Kleifabúi, a five-meter stone figure built by the engineers who made the mountain road. It is an unusual bit of roadside character, and a reminder that getting through this region has always taken work.

The day’s major stop is Látrabjarg, at Iceland’s westernmost point and the western edge of Europe. You’ll follow gravel paths cut into steep slopes toward Bjargtangar Lighthouse and the famous bird cliffs. The cliff tops rise more than 440 meters above the surf.

Your scheduled time here is about 50 minutes. That is enough to take in the scale and look for birds, but it is not a long cliff walk. Stay well back from edges and follow the guide’s instructions, since the ground can be exposed and weather can change quickly.

Day 2: Colored sand, old boats, and Dynjandi

Day two begins with Gardhur, where an old stranded fishing boat is displayed. It is described as being as old as the Titanic, making this a quick stop with a strong link to the working coast.

Rauðisandur is the day’s first major natural attraction. This beach stretches for about 10 kilometers and is known for sand in shifting shades of red, gold, and other muted colors. You’ll have an hour here, enough to walk and take in the contrast between the beach, water, and surrounding slopes.

The route continues to Fossfjörður, where a waterfall drops beside the cliffs. This is a short 15-minute stop, useful for a photograph and a quick break. In the Westfjords, these smaller waterfalls are part of the pleasure. They appear in places where you might otherwise drive past without noticing.

An A-shaped house provides another short viewpoint. It is one of the more unusual photo stops on the route, and you’ll have about 15 minutes to take pictures before continuing.

The main event is Dynjandi. The waterfall falls more than 100 meters in a broad series of rock shelves, giving it the look of a wedding cake. The name means Thunderer, and the water spreads across the cliff in a way that feels much larger than a single narrow cascade.

You have about an hour here. Use it to walk toward the waterfall if conditions allow, rather than viewing it only from the parking area. The sound grows as you approach, and the changing angles make this one of the best places on the trip for photographs.

The day ends around Önundarfjörður. At the pier, you’ll see a black sand beach and dunes framed by the fjord. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, so it is a scenic pause rather than a beach outing.

Food is not included. The route makes scheduled stops where you can buy lunch, dinner, or snacks. That arrangement gives you some choice, but it also means you should not expect restaurant meals to be part of the package. Local options can include hearty lamb soup and fresh fish, both mentioned as memorable parts of the food stops.

Day 3: Mountain platforms, fishing culture, and seven fjords

The final morning starts at Bolafjall, a 628-meter mountain above the coast. The vehicle drives high up the mountain, and you can use a skywalk platform for broad views. This is a short 20-minute stop, so bring your camera and be ready to make the most of the time outside.

At Ósvör Maritime Museum, turf-roofed buildings show how local fishermen once worked and lived. The visit lasts about 20 minutes and adds useful context to the villages and boats you see along the route. It also balances the natural sights with a look at the people who depended on these difficult waters.

Óshólar Lighthouse brings another coastal viewpoint. You’ll have about 15 minutes to see the lighthouse and the surrounding sea. The stop is brief, but the repeated pauses keep the long driving day from becoming one continuous stretch in the vehicle.

Near Ísafjörður, the road traces up and down seven fjords. This is the longest scenic section on the trip, with about two hours allowed for views and stops. I like this part because it shows the true scale of the region. One fjord is impressive; seven in succession explain why this area feels so remote.

The Arctic Fox Centre is an included visit lasting about 45 minutes. Arctic foxes are Iceland’s only native land mammal, and the center gives you a chance to see them if you have not spotted one outside. Your admission also supports the center’s protection work.

Do not count on seeing a wild fox. The center is the practical backup, and it turns a lucky wildlife sighting into a useful stop even when the animals stay out of view.

At Hvítanes, you’ll look for seals from one of the more accessible viewing spots in the Westfjords. The visit lasts about 40 minutes. Keep your eyes on the water and bring binoculars if you have them, although binoculars are not listed as part of the tour equipment.

The final sightseeing stop is Grábrók Crater, reached on the way back toward Reykjavík. Stairs lead to several viewing platforms, and the 30-minute stop gives you a chance to walk after a long day in the vehicle. The estimated arrival in Reykjavík is 8 to 9 pm, so do not schedule a tight onward connection that evening.

What the $1,079 price includes

At $1,079 per person, this is not a cheap bus outing. The value depends on how you calculate the remote driving, lodging, and time saved arranging the Westfjords on your own.

The price includes:

• Two nights in a private room with an en-suite bathroom
• Two breakfasts
• Air-conditioned transportation
• WiFi on board
• Admission to Eiriksstaðir Viking Longhouse
• Admission to the Arctic Fox Centre
• Pickup from eligible Reykjavík locations or nearby meeting points

Private en-suite rooms are a meaningful part of the price. You are not giving up comfort completely to reach the remote Westfjords, and breakfast removes two early meal decisions from the trip.

You still need money for lunch, dinner, snacks, and any optional swimming. Swimwear and a towel are not supplied. If the route includes an optional visit to Krosslaug, a donation to the Westfjords Youth Society is requested, and it can be paid in cash in any currency.

The tour is offered in English. A guide described in the supplied feedback was praised for patient driving, humor, storytelling, and extra attention to small details. That matters on a route where good timing and clear explanations improve the experience. No guide name is provided, so you should not book expecting a particular person.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would choose this tour if you have only three days for the Westfjords and want the major natural sights without renting a car. It suits you if you enjoy scenery, short walks, local history, wildlife, and long road journeys.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a private room and breakfast but still want a group price. The maximum of 18 gives you more breathing room than a large coach, though it is not the same as traveling with only a handful of people.

You may want a different plan if you prefer a slow schedule, long hikes, or plenty of free time in each town. This route covers a lot of ground. Weather can affect the operation, and the final day is especially long.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Westfjords tour?

Book it if you want a carefully arranged introduction to one of Iceland’s most remote regions, and if the combination of cliffs, fjords, waterfalls, wildlife, Viking sites, and private lodging sounds right for you.

The strongest reasons to choose it are Látrabjarg, Dynjandi, the seven-fjord drive near Ísafjörður, and the included accommodation. The main tradeoff is the pace. You’ll spend many hours on the road and pay extra for most meals.

For a first visit to the Westfjords, the $1,079 price is reasonable when you add two private en-suite nights, breakfasts, transport, entry fees, and the work of driving this route yourself. Just pack for changing weather, bring cash for optional costs, and keep your final Reykjavík evening free.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am with pickup from eligible Reykjavík hotels, Skarfabakki harbor, or the nearest designated bus stop. The exact central Reykjavík pickup location is sent after booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 18 participants.

Are meals included?

Two breakfasts are included. Lunch, dinner, and snacks are not included, but the route has scheduled stops where you can buy food.

What accommodation is included?

The price includes two nights in a private room with an en-suite bathroom.

Which admission fees are included?

Admission to Eiriksstaðir Viking Longhouse and the Arctic Fox Centre is included.

Is swimming part of the tour?

Swimming is optional, not included. You need to bring swimwear and a towel, and using Krosslaug may involve a cash donation to the Westfjords Youth Society.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.