Vestmannaeyjar Puffins Volcanoes Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Heimaey Island's volcanic landscapes
- Visit the Eldheimar Museum to learn about the 1973 eruption
- Observe puffins in their natural habitat
- Enjoy a scenic ferry ride to the island
- Experience a guided tour with an English-speaking driver
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided minibus experience
- Eldheimar Museum admission
- Ferry tickets to Vestmannaeyjar
- WiFi on board
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking driver guide
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Personal expenses
Itinerary
Gear up for a fantastic journey to Vestmannaeyjar, the whimsical Westman Islands! Departing from Reykjavík, hop aboard our cozy 19-person minibus with our lively guide. After a two-hour drive, we'll reach Landeyjarhöfn for a quick ferry hop to Heimaey, all in just 30 minutes. Get ready for a day filled with laughter and island delights!
As soon as we arrive, get ready to be amazed by the breathtaking Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)! Carved from basalt rock during Eldfell's volcanic outburst, it's a sight to behold. With its unique silhouette resembling an elephant dipping its trunk into the water, it's like nature's very own sculpture garden.
Next up on our adventure, prepare for an enchanting session of puffin watching at Stórhöfði cape! Get your cameras ready because there will be plenty of opportunities to snap delightful photos of these charismatic birds as they go about their daily antics. Puffins, with their comical waddle and vibrant beaks, are the true VIPs (Very Important Puffins) of the Westman Islands. Nicknamed “sea parrots” or sometimes “clowns of the sea", Puffins spend 8 months at sea hunting for fish in the winter, returning to land only for mating and nesting from mid-April to August.
After our puffin-watching adventure, our next stop is the Eldheimar Museum, fondly known as the 'Pompeii of the North,' where you'll explore the events of the 1973 volcanic eruption and its lasting impact on the region. Following this enlightening visit, we'll head downtown for a lunch break (lunch expenses not included in the tour price).
After lunch, our adventure continues to Skansinn, located by the harbour and named after a historical fortress that once occupied this space. Here, you'll discover Stafkirkjan, a remarkable Norse 'Viking' Wood Church painted in bold black hues. Plus, don't miss the stunning vistas of the cliffs guarding Heimaey's harbour, offering a picturesque backdrop to your island exploration.
Next up, we're embarking on an exhilarating hike up Mt. Eldfell Volcano, known for its dramatic eruption in 1973. Once we conquer the summit, prepare to be dazzled by the breathtaking panorama unfolding before you – a mesmerizing vista of sprawling lava fields, the charming town, and the entire island spread out below like a patchwork quilt. After the hike, you'll have the freedom to leisurely explore the town or opt for a captivating stroll through the captivating lava fields on your way back to the harbor. The choice is yours!
In the late afternoon, we'll regroup at the harbor to hop aboard the ferry back to the mainland, guaranteeing a punctual return to Reykjavik by evening. It's the perfect finale to a day packed with unforgettable adventures in the enchanting Westman Islands!
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately.
- Please be on time to avoid missing the ferry departure.
- Inform the operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a waterproof jacket and layers to adjust to changing weather conditions.
- Ensure you have a valid ID for museum entry and security checks.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Good to know
- We are unfortunately unable to store or transport luggage or suitcases on this tour.
Traveler reviews
The tour had a ferry ride to the Westman Islands and we were able to see puffins up close!
Thor was punctual, informative and a lot of fun! He is a really great guide! The trip was easy to sign up for. I would recommend it
Great way to see the puffins!
Franklin was our guide and he really made this our favorite tour. Westmann Island is enchanting. We got to see several puffins, had an excellent lunch at Tanginn, visited the beluga whale sanctuary and climbed the dormant volcano Eldfell. Great tour!!
Great tour to see puffins!
I took the Westman Islands Tour with "Your Day Tours" in July 2025. We had Rebecca as our guide/driver. There were 19 people on our tour. I had a little confusion on the pickup time. My paperwork said pickup was from 8-8:45am, but the driver said pickup starts at 8:45am. So I waited at my bus stop for over an hour. I was picked up at 8:55am. Rebecca was a very fun, energetic and funny guide. You could tell she loved her job and loved showing us what Iceland had to offer on this tour. She was also very informative on what we were seeing on the tour. The big draw for me on this tour was the puffins. I will say the walk/hike to see them was somewhat difficult with the narrow trails zig zagging around puffin nests. I am glad I brought my trekking pole. As a suggestion, the company should note this on "things to bring". The hillside was very steep. Older folks with balance issues, would not be able to do it. Luckily, we had magnificent weather, to make everything easier. If that hillside would have been wet, it would have been extremely difficult to walk. It was a little confusing on where to get the best views of the puffins. At some point, people started to split off and go further down, but I stayed where we first saw some puffins. We also went to the Beluga Whale Museum (admission was not included in tour price). We saw Eldheimer which is the volcanic eruption museum from 1973. That was very interesting. We also hike around the volcanic crater rim of Mt Edfell. We saw Skansinn which is a church gifted to Iceland from Norway. The ferry ride to and from the island was smooth and faster than I expected. It was only about 35-40 minutes each way. The only thing we didn't have time to see was the Elephant Rock. It was mostly because we voted to stay a bit longer at the puffins. Great tour and I'd highly recommend getting to the island.
Beautiful Islands and cute puffins
We had Franklin as our guide and he was wonderful! Funny, informative, and knowledgeable. His love and excitement about all animals was a very endearing quality. He made our day fun and relaxing. This was a great tour, it is a long day but it went fast. We saw a lot-the puffins and Eldheimer Museum were highlights! Would recommend this tour and this company to anyone visiting Iceland.
Great trip! Excellent...
Great trip! Excellent puffin viewing. We were able to get close enough for spectacular pictures. The volcano hike and museum were also great! Very fun day!