If you want a break from the norm of Iceland, head to Vestmannaeyjar, or the Westman Islands. They are an archipelago (there’s a vocab word for you) of about 15 islands and 30 reefs off the coast of South Iceland formed by underwater volcanic activity. Heimaey is the biggest island with the largest population. Heimaey is the only year-round inhabited island, although a few nearby islands have sporadic summer homes. The Westman Islands have a summer feel to them, and this day trip from Reykjavik is a great off-the-beaten-path activity for anyone. No trip to Iceland is complete without a trip to Vestmannaeyjar!
No trip to Iceland is complete without a trip to Vestmannaeyjar! Share on XGetting to the Westman Islands
Google Maps shows a line from South Iceland to the Westman Islands, so I foolishly thought there was a bridge and planned a last-minute trip to drive over there. There is no bridge.
Ferry
Herjolfur is the ferry to Heimaey, one option you can take from Iceland’s mainland to Heimaey. The boat carries passengers and cars. I highly recommend bringing a car on the ferry because, even though Heimaey is relatively small, it’s still too large to walk the entire island. If you want to see the famous active volcano Eldfell, the puffin colony, or the tiny airport in the south, you’re going to want a car.
The Herjolfur ferry has two starting points. The shorter trip leaves from Landeyjahofn, near the town Hvolsvollur and about two hours from Reykjavik, and takes about 35 minutes. The longer trip leaves from Þorlakshofn, about 40 minutes from Reykjavik, and takes about three hours. The price from both locations is the same: 1380 ISK ($13 USD) for foot passengers or 2220 ISK ($21 USD) for passengers with a car.
Side note: The ferry is so much fun! There are two tv rooms, a bar, a restaurant, and lots of outside room. We saw a whale jump out of the water! Party boat to the islands!
Plane
Flying by plane to the Westman Islands is a second option. It’s a unique way to see Iceland and Vestmannaeyjar from above (I wish I got a bird’s eye view for this post!) Planes are the fast and convenient to get to the islands, but it’s the most expensive.
There is a small airport in Bakki, about 5 minutes from the Landeyjahofn ferry terminal. The flight is about 5-10 minutes. It costs 8500 ISK ($81 USD) with a minimum of 2 people.
Additionally, there is a flight from Reykjavik with Eagle Air, which is about a 20 minute flight. The price is 18,600 ISK ($178 USD).
What to Do in the Westman Islands
Like Iceland’s mainland, Vestmannaeyjar is full of natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and unique geological formations. However, the Westman Islands have a different feel to them than the mainland. The Westman Islands have a “summer getaway” feel. I also couldn’t stop thinking Heimaey was like Gibraltar with the big volcano and high cliffs. It’s a small island with only 4,300 people living on it, but there is still plenty to do.
Boat Tour
Boat tours run in the summer. Remember, Iceland is cold, even in summer. Being on a boat is even colder. Dress warmly! But if you travel in summer, a boat tour around the Westman Islands is a must. You can see the unique shapes along the coastline like Elephant Rock, a natural rock formation that looks like an elephant.
Rope Swings
Sprangan is a local islander sport in the Westman Islands. It’s not for the faint of heart! The object is to swing on long ropes hanging from cliffs above deep abysses without falling to your death. There are no safety ropes or harnesses, you just hold on really tight and swing. It started when people went looking for eggs in nests high above the sea level town. Now, it’s a sport that anyone can try – if you dare!
Puffin Colony
The best way to see puffins in Iceland is to go on a tour of the puffin colony in Vestmannaeyjar. Eyjatours is a family run company with local knowledge; what better way to get the best tips than from locals? The largest puffin breeding colony in the world, with around 1.1 million birds, is in the Westman Islands. There is a puffin observation tower amidst the colony where you can see lots of birds (in season) and the holes they use to burrow their nests in. Make sure you plan accordingly though, the puffins are only in season in the summer!
Saeheimar Aquarium
If you miss puffin season or can’t catch a tour to the puffin colony, have no fear. There is a second option! The Saeheimar aquarium is a small aquarium with a few fish, a few local rocks and plants, and a few stuffed local animals. It’s attached to the owners’ house and only open a few hours during the day or during local tours. Make sure you plan a stop here though, because it’s the only place you can get up close and personal with a live puffin!
A few years ago, Toti the puffin was an abandoned and hurt baby puffin. The aquarium family took Toti in to care for and rehabilitate him. After some time in captivity, you can’t release puffins back into the wild or they wouldn’t survive (like with any wild animal in captivity). So Toti has become a permanent fixture in the aquarium and is one of the biggest tourist draws on the island. Toti is totes adorbs! The cost to enter the aquarium is 1200 ISK ($11.50 USD).
Golf Course
Golfers, rejoice! There is an 18-hole seaside golf course on Heimaey, where you tee off with a backdrop of volcanic walls. It’s the perfect test of skill with the changing winds from one swing to the next. Playing across and over the sea is one feature of this golf course! This course is well-known for having some of the best greens in the country. Golfers can rent clubs for 3500 ISK ($33.50 USD). The golf course is walkable from the marina, and it’s about a 10 minute walk.
Volcano Museum
The main attraction on Heimaey is Eldfell, the 200-meter (656-foot) high volcano in the center of the island. Not so long ago, the volcano erupted spontaneously in the middle of a cold winter night in 1973 only a mile from the town. The residents had no warning, and it took about a day to evacuate. Luckily, no one was hurt. The volcano continued to erupt for about six months covering the island in ash and destroying hundreds of homes. At one point, the water surrounding Heimaey heated to 111°F (44°C) from the lava flow. It took about a year after the end of the eruption for all the residents to return to the island.
The Eldheimar museum was formed after the eruption to commemorate the natural disaster and inform visitors of the terrible destruction the residents experienced in 1973. There is an interactive exhibition and impressive photos to help educate you on Eldfell. The museum is open for four hours daily and costs 2300 ISK ($22 USD) to visit.
Gott Restaurant
Every local we talked to recommended Gott restaurant, which translates to Good in English. It’s a small mom and pop shop that focuses on healthy meals. It’s not cheap, but it certainly is delicious! And it’s obvious the chef at Gott takes a lot of pride in what he does. You will need to eat in Vestmannaeyjar, so plan a trip to Gott! Click here for a menu.
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!
Even if you want to go to the Westman Islands and spend no money, you can. The town relies on fishing and tourism, so don’t be afraid to support the local economy. But if you’re on a tight budget, the best thing you can do in Vestmannaeyjar is take pictures! Hike the trails to get some amazing vantage points. Puffins make great models. And the town is very Icelandic and super cute for photos. The best part about Heimaey (and the ferry ride there) is how photogenic it all is!
How Much Time Do You Need in the Westman Islands?
The Landeyjahofn ferry and air flights goes back and forth multiple times a day, so you have plenty of options of how long to stay. The Þorlakshofn ferry only goes back and forth twice each day because of the long trip.
The Westman Islands are a different feel to mainland Iceland, so you might want to consider staying overnight. There are a few hotels and hostels in town. However, I found that I only needed a few hours in Heimaey. Without a car, there wasn’t much to do within walking distance that would require more than three hours. If you take a tour, you can probably accomplish everything in a few hours as well. However, if you like to hike, there are tons of hiking trains, including the cliffs in the marina and the volcano. If you’re a hiker, it might be worth staying overnight to get the most out of those trails.
To see a live webcam of Vestmannaeyjar, click here!
Visit shewenttospain.com/westmanislands to see a live webcam view of the Westman Islands! Share on XHave you been to the Westman Islands? Did you know this is a great excursion while in Iceland? Is it going on your travel bucket list? Talk to me in the comments below!
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P.S. You might also enjoy Chasing Waterfalls in Iceland or When is the Best Time to Visit Iceland