Welcome to our Westman Islands Day Trip by Vestmannaeyjar Ferry to Heimaey Island, Iceland!
The Westman Islands, known as Vestmannaeyjar, are one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets, offering dramatic volcanic landscapes, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and a rich history. It is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with one of the best puffin-watching spots in Iceland located on Heimaey Island. The Westman Islands are located off the south coast of Iceland, and they are accessible by the Vestmannaeyjar ferry, making them a fantastic day trip option from the mainland.
We decided to add this day trip to the Westman Islands to our full 10 day Iceland itinerary, and we are glad we did! Heimaey Island is absolutely worth visiting, even if you have a tight schedule. Thanks to the convenience of the Vestmannaeyjar Ferry and its extensive timetable, you can explore the Westman Islands in just a few hours. If you are not renting a car for your Iceland trip, there are Westman Island tours that depart from Reykjavik.
Note that all photography in this guide (and throughout our website) was shot by me (Alina), and if you wish to purchase any, some are available at my Etsy shop.
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How to get to the Westman Islands, Iceland
Before we dig into our Westman Islands day trip itinerary, we will elaborate on how to get there. You can see the location of the Westman Islands on the maps below:
Vestmannaeyjar Ferry
Vestmannaeyjar Ferry is the way to get to the Westman Islands. It is very convenient and comfortable, and you can easily take your rental car along with you. The Vestmannaeyjar Ferry departs from the Landeyjahöfn Ferry Terminal seven times each day, and it’s important to arrive at least half an hour before your scheduled departure time. We paid 16800 ISK for a round trip for 2 with a car. Book online as early as possible since the time slots can fill up quickly, especially if you are taking your car.
On board the Vestmannaeyjar Ferry, there are plenty of seating options available both inside and outside, although it can be windy outside. There is a coffee shop and toilets on board. Keep in mind that you cannot access your car during the journey, so if you brought snacks, make sure to take them with you before leaving the car.
The trip itself is smooth and takes just 35 minutes. As we approached the Westman Islands, we spotted puffins in the water and flying around. The view as we were entering the port of Heimaey Island was absolutely breathtaking, with high cliffs and numerous birds flying overhead.
Important tip: In bad weather, the ferry may depart from Þorlákshöfn, which takes 2 hours and 45 minutes instead of 35 minutes. Always check the schedule before you go!
Another tip: keep your eye out for whales during your sail. You might be lucky, we spotted one for a brief moment right before our departure. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to snap a photo.
Westman Islands Day Trip Itinerary on Heimaey Island
Now that we’ve arrived at Heimaey Island on the Westman Islands, we will move to the itinerary for this Westman Islands day trip. Heimaey Island is the only populated island of the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, and this is the island we will be visiting on this beautiful day trip. Heimaey Island is also the largest island of the Westman Islands, but overall, it is not very big, and the farthest point of the island can be reached in just a 10-minute drive.
If you’re not bringing a car with you on the ferry, there are guided tours available for exploring Heimaey Island:
Below, you will find a map of our suggested Westman Islands day trip itinerary. Now, we will elaborate on each attraction.
Puffin Watching at Stórhöfði, Great Cape
Heimaey Island is home to Iceland’s largest puffin colony, located on Stórhöfði, also known as the Great Cape, which is the Southernmost tip of the Island. Puffins play a significant role in the ecosystem and culture of the Westman Islands. Many local residents participate in a project called the Puffling Patrol. During August and September, young puffins (pufflings) sometimes get confused and drawn by the town lights. The Puffling Patrol members search for these young birds in town, rescue them, and release them back into the ocean the next day.
If you love these beautiful birds, then here is some info on when to see them. In Iceland, the puffin season runs from mid-April to mid-August. If you’re visiting Iceland at the end of August or in September and would like to see puffins, take this day trip to the Westman Islands! The puffin colony stays there longer than on the mainland, often into September. We saw thousands of puffins there in late August.
The Stórhöfði Loop Trail is a 2.4 km moderate difficulty hike with 96 meters of elevation gain. We recommend parking near the Puffin lookout platform. There, we saw many puffins, most of them swimming in the water, which happens when it gets too windy for them. Occasionally, some individuals flew up to their nests near the Puffin lookout platform, giving us a closer look at those special birds. Along the trail, there are more puffin watching opportunities.
From the Puffin lookout platform, you can begin your anti-clockwise loop hike. Besides the puffin watching opportunities, the scenery is exceptionally beautiful, with ocean views and the scattered Westman Islands, and even some sheep roaming around.
In some places, the trail is not clearly visible, but you can simply follow the edge of the cliffs. Just be careful not to get too close to the edge! You will finish the loop hike when you see the ladder in the photo on the right. It will lead you to the main road and back to the parking area. It took us around one hour to explore the whole loop, including the puffin watching.
Eldfell Volcano Hike
The Eldfell Volcano Hike is a moderately challenging 2.7 km trail. Also, it is a steep hike up the volcano with 500 meters of elevation gain. It takes about 2 hours to complete the hike.
The scenery along the Eldfell Volcano hike is absolutely stunning, offering incredible views of the island, the town, and the surrounding ocean. Note that on a windy day, the winds can get extremely dangerous as you hike up the volcano. We managed to hike halfway and stopped as the winds were getting very strong, so be careful! The views are still fantastic even if you don’t hike all the way to the top of Eldfell Volcano. If you are short on time or prefer a less strenuous option, consider taking a Volcano ATV tour instead.
Eldheimar Museum
The Eldheimar Museum is located near Eldfell Volcano, and it is all about the 1973 Eldfell Volcano eruption when the lava flow destroyed half the town. The museum is built around the remains of a house that was lost to the eruption, along with many photos and interactive exhibits. You will simply relive the 1973 eruption by walking around the museum. Tickets can be purchased online. It should take about one hour to explore the museum.
Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock is a naturally shaped rock that resembles an elephant, best viewed from the Golf Course. We parked at Herjólfsdalur, from where we walked to the beach to see the Elephant Rock along with beautiful views of the ocean, islands, and the rugged coast. There are toilets near the parking lot. Alternatively, you can also park at the Golf Course. Later, we will discuss the Ribsafari Boat Tour, which offers an opportunity to see the Elephant Rock up close.
Flakkarinn Scenic Overlook
A scenic spot overlooking the high cliffs surrounded by the ocean, located over the lava-covered area. This is a nice place to watch the Vestmannaeyjar Ferry approach the port of Heimaey Island.
Ribsafari Boat Tours
Taking a ride on a RIB Speedboat is an excellent way to explore caves and rock formations, including the famous Elephant Rock, up close. You may also have the opportunity to spot marine birds, whales, and seals. Ribsafari Boat Tours offers a 1-Hour RIB Speedboat Tour or a 2-Hour RIB Speedboat Tour, which is up to you and the time you have on Heimaey Island.
Overnight Stay on Heimaey Island, Westman Islands
In case you have more time to spend on the Westman Islands, you can stay overnight and explore Heimaey Island more. Unfortunately, we didn’t have more time, and we visited the Westman islands as a day trip, part of our 10 day Iceland itinerary.
More Iceland related Blog posts to explore:
Well, that is all for now! We hope our Westman Islands Day Trip by Vestmannaeyjar Ferry to Heimaey Island, Iceland, helps you plan your amazing day trip.
