# Why You Should Visit Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland - URL: https://www.visiticeland.com/article/westman-islands/ - Last updated: 2026-10-19 > Explore live volcanoes, puffin colonies, and centuries of pirate history on Vestmannaeyjar. This side of Iceland is one most visitors never get to see. Just off Iceland’s South Coast sits a group of 15 volcanic islands. Only one is inhabited, and it has a town, a golf course set inside a volcanic crater, and thousands of puffins nesting along the cliffs. This is Vestmannaeyjar, often simply called “Eyjar” by locals and known internationally as the Westman Islands. Getting there is part of the experience. The ferry from Landeyjahöfn takes around 35 to 40 minutes, while flights from Reykjavík offer another quick option. Most visitors rush between the [Golden Circle](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-golden-circle/) and the South Coast, making the Westman Islands an afterthought. But there is a lot packed into one small island. This small group of islands has a 1973 volcano story, a 1627 pirate raid, and one of the largest [puffin colonies in Iceland](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/meet-the-peculiar-puffins-in-iceland/). Whether you have a spare afternoon or a whole weekend, here's why Vestmannaeyjar is worth making time for. ## What Makes Vestmannaeyjar Special Vestmannaeyjar stands out for its volcanic landscape, unusual history, and close-knit island community. The archipelago includes 15 islands and around 30 rock stacks, but Heimaey is the only inhabited island. Its name literally means “Home Island,” and today it has a busy harbour, its own football team, and plenty of sheep grazing around the island. The islands have also seen some extraordinary events. In 1627, raiders from North Africa sailed in and took more than two hundred islanders away. It's a story so wild it barely feels like real Icelandic history. Three and a half centuries later, in 1973, Eldfell Volcano erupted right at the edge of town. The entire population had to leave for mainland Iceland within a few hours. Luck played a part too, since the local fishing boats happened to be docked in the harbour that night and helped get everyone out safely. Locals later returned to dig their homes out from under the ash. You can still walk on the cooled lava today. The Eldheimar Museum tells the story of the eruption through a real house that was buried and later dug up again. *Image: Formed during a volcanic eruption that began in 1963, Surtsey is one of the youngest islands in Iceland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.* ## Puffins and Whales in Vestmannaeyjar If you have seen a puffin photo from Iceland, it may have been taken here. Vestmannaeyjar has the largest puffin colony in the country. Between May and September, the cliffs around Stórhöfði fill up with these small seabirds. Every autumn, young pufflings get confused by the town lights. They wander into the streets, and local kids pick them up and carry them safely to the sea. This has become a local tradition. Out on the water, watch for whales. Fin, minke, and humpback whales swim by in summer, and orcas appear all year. Heimaey is also home to the world's first open-water beluga whale sanctuary. Two rescued belugas, Little Grey and Little White, are gradually being reintroduced to the open bay after time in a landside care facility. For a photo your friends will ask about, go to Elephant Rock. This basalt sea cliff looks just like its name says: a giant elephant dipping its trunk into the Atlantic Ocean. ## Getting to the Westman Islands Reaching Vestmannaeyjar is straightforward, which is why it works well as a day trip or a longer stop from mainland Iceland. The ferry is the most reliable way to travel, with a seasonal flight as a backup option if the schedule lines up. ### By Ferry The Herjólfur ferry sails from Landeyjahöfn on the [South Coast of Iceland](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-south-coast/), with a crossing of around 35 to 40 minutes. It carries both cars and foot passengers, so you can bring a rental car to explore Heimaey on your own. In storms or heavy sand buildup, the ferry may reroute to [Þorlákshöfn](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/a-day-in-thorlakshofn/) instead, which stretches the crossing to nearly three hours. Book ahead on the Herjólfur website, especially in summer, and check the live schedule before you travel. ### By Air Flights between [Reykjavík](https://www.visiticeland.com/the-regions/reykjavik-the-capital/) and Vestmannaeyjar run on a limited, seasonal schedule. They are often part of short-term winter arrangements rather than a fixed year-round service. If the timing works for your trip, it's worth checking current availability, but don't build your plans around it as a guaranteed option. *Image: Heimaey’s volcanic history is written across its landscape, where black lava fields from the 1973 eruption are now dotted with colorful wildflowers.* ## The 5 Best Things to Do on Heimaey in Vestmannaeyjar Puffins and volcanic hikes will pull you in, but they're only the start of what Heimaey has to offer. As the only inhabited island in Vestmannaeyjar, this small patch of land still packs a surprising amount into a single day: ### 1. Hike Eldfell Volcano Eldfell erupted in 1973, adding new land to Heimaey and burying part of the town under ash and lava. The hike to the top takes under an hour and follows a clear gravel path up the red and black slopes formed by that [Heimaey eruption](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-heimaey-eruption/). At the summit, you get clear views over the town, the harbour, and the nearby islands. Wear sturdy shoes, since the ground is loose in places and still holds a bit of warmth near the top. ### 2. Visit the Heimaey Stave Church The Heimaey stave church was a gift from Norway, built to mark one thousand years since Iceland's conversion to Christianity. It follows the traditional Norwegian stave style, with wooden frames and steep, layered roofs. The church stands near Skansinn, one of the island's oldest sites, just a five-minute walk from the harbour. It's worth pairing with a stop at Skansinn itself, since both sit on the same stretch of coastline. ### 3. Play a Round at Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club offers one of the more unusual settings you'll find on a golf course. The front nine plays inside a dormant volcanic crater, while the back nine runs along the Atlantic coastline. It has been ranked among Continental Europe's top 200 courses by golf publications, an unusual honour for a course built half in a crater. Bring warm layers, since the wind picks up fast this close to the coast. ### 4. Take a Boat Tour Around the Outer Islands Boat tours reach parts of Vestmannaeyjar you can't see on foot. This includes sea caves, tall rock stacks, and cliffs packed with nesting seabirds. Operators like Ribsafari and Eyjatours run these trips on small boats built to get close to the coastline. Tours depend on the weather, so it's worth booking ahead and checking conditions the morning of your trip. ### 5. Wander the Harbour and Town The harbour is the busiest part of Heimaey. It's the only inhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, and it remains one of the country's most productive fishing ports. Restaurants nearby serve that catch, often within hours of it landing. Walk the waterfront to watch the boats work. Then explore the interactive SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary, which houses a native species aquarium and the island's famous puffin rescue centre. *Image: The Westman Islands are a popular stop for cruise ships, with dramatic volcanic cliffs and beautiful coastal scenery welcoming visitors to the islands.* ## How Long to Spend There Vestmannaeyjar rewards whatever time you can give it. A single day is enough to hit the highlights, but stay overnight, and the island starts to show you a different side. ### Day Trip - Catch an early ferry over - Hike up Eldfell Volcano - Walk through the Eldheimar Museum - Eat a seafood lunch in town - Head back on a later sailing ### Overnight Stay - Watch the sunset paint the crater rim gold - Wander the harbour once the day boats have sailed, with the streets to yourself - Spot puffins early at Stórhöfði - Add a leisurely boat tour - Sit by the waterfront with coffee Got a spare two days? You get to do all of the above, at a pace that actually feels like a holiday. When to Visit Vestmannaeyjar You can visit Vestmannaeyjar in any season, and each one offers something different. Here's what to expect month by month. ### Spring (March to May) The days grow longer each week, reaching close to 15 hours of daylight by May. Migratory seabirds start returning to the cliffs ahead of the summer puffin season. Puffins themselves usually don't arrive until May. Ferry sailings run on the regular daily schedule, with fewer passengers than in the summer months. ### Summer (June to August) This is the busiest season, with daylight lasting close to 20 hours in June. Puffins nest on the cliffs from May through August, and boat tours from Ribsafari and Eyjatours run daily. Ferry sailings are now most frequent, with departures roughly every 1 to 2 hours. ### Autumn (September to November) Daylight drops to around 10 hours by November, and puffins leave the cliffs for the open sea by early September. Fewer boat tours run during this period, so check schedules before you plan around one. The Eldheimar Museum stays open year-round with shorter winter hours. The Heimaey stave church closes to visitors for the season, though its striking black exterior is still worth a look from outside. ### Winter (December to February) This is the darkest stretch of the year, with only around 5 hours of daylight in late December. The [Northern lights in Iceland](https://www.visiticeland.com/the-northern-lights/) are visible on clear nights away from town lights. Sightings depend on weather and solar activity. Ferry sailings may shift to Þorlákshöfn during storms, adding hours to the crossing. ## Responsible Travel on the Islands Vestmannaeyjar is a tight-knit community, and a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. A few simple habits help keep the islands feeling as genuine as they are today. - Stick to marked paths on the crater and coastal walks. This protects your footing and the fragile plant life slowly recolonising the 1973 lava field. - If you spot a puffin burrow, admire it from a distance rather than crouching right beside it for a photo - Remember that the island of Heimaey is home first and a destination second, so a friendly hello goes a long way - Have a bit of patience with ferry queues, especially during busy summer sailings - Support local, family-run boat tours and cafés to help keep the place feeling unpolished, the way it is *Image: Hiking up Eldfell offers beautiful views over the town of Heimaey, its harbor, and the surrounding volcanic landscape.* ## Vestmannaeyjar Is Worth the Extra Stop If you've returned to Iceland for another trip, Vestmannaeyjar is more than just a side note this time. In one small area, you get a volcano you can walk on and one of the country's largest puffin colonies. There's also a golf course inside a crater, and a history that swings from pirates to eruptions. However much time you can spare, Heimaey sits close enough to the South Coast of Iceland to fit into almost any itinerary. Catch the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn, or build the crossing into a longer road trip along the Ring Road. Either way, the extra stop shows you a side of Iceland that most visitors miss entirely. _All photos: Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson_ ## FAQs ### Q: How much does the ferry to Vestmannaeyjar cost? A: A one-way adult ticket costs 2,700 ISK, and children under 12 travel free. Bringing a car costs an extra 4,050 ISK each way. ### Q: What is Þjóðhátíð in Vestmannaeyjar? A: Þjóðhátíð is Iceland's largest festival, held on Heimaey every August bank holiday weekend. It draws around 15,000 people for live music, bonfires, and sing-alongs. ### Q: Is Surtsey part of Vestmannaeyjar, and can you visit it? A: Surtsey is the archipelago's newest island, formed by a 1963 to 1967 eruption. It is a protected UNESCO site, closed to the public except for approved scientists. ### Q: Do you need a car once you're on Heimaey? A: Heimaey is small enough to explore on foot or by bike, so a car isn't required. A car helps most if you want to reach Stórhöfði quickly for puffin watching. ### Q: What food is Vestmannaeyjar known for? A: Vestmannaeyjar is known for fresh seafood, especially langoustine and cod. Harbourfront restaurants often serve the catch within hours of it landing.