Discover the Westman Islands: Unforgettable ATV Tours in South Iceland

All-terrain vehicles are an excellent way of getting off the beaten track with far less effort than you’d need if you were exploring on foot. We offer a range of ATV tours on Heimaey. They vary in duration, location and theme, so we’re confident that there’ll be one that suits your interests and needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most unforgettable ATV tours in our part of South Iceland as we discover the Westman Islands together.

Volcano Tour

Duration: 1 hour

Available: April to end October/November

Minimum age: 6 years (passenger)

This tour is the ideal introduction to the Westman Islands. With an hour at our disposal, we’ll head over to Prestvik Beach. This beach is a reminder never to underestimate the power of the ocean as it was where a fishing boat called Pelagus was shipwrecked in 1982. A couple of years later, against the odds, an Icelander called Guðlaugur Friðþórsson survived being in the cold ocean for six hours after his boat capsized – we’ll see where he eventually made it ashore. Finally, we’ll take in some of the lava flows formed during the 1973 eruption that was responsible for the formation of Eldfell. Throughout this fun ride, you’ll be treated to phenomenal views.

Volcanic Vistas and Puffin Paradise Tour

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Available: mid May to mid September

Minimum age: 6 years (passenger)

This longer ATV tour gives you a wider sense of what the Westman Islands are like, beginning with a view of one of its most iconic rock formations: the Elephant. We’ll continue on to reach Stórhöfði, the southerly peninsula that is known for its wild scenery and windy weather. On a fine day, it’s possible to see as far as Surtsey, the newest and southernmost island; you’ll get an appreciation of the archipelago as a whole if so. This is also a great place to observe puffins in summer; we’ll stop for a while to find out more about these very special seabirds and how they migrate here to breed. The last part of this tour is an exhilarating ride off-road over the lava field to a relatively remote part of Heimaey’s coastline. 

Puffins and Pirates Tour

Duration: 1 hour 

Available: mid May to mid September

Minimum age: 6 years (passenger)

You’ll probably be expecting puffins but pirates? This tour begins with a view over to Elephant Rock, so named because the rock resembles a pachyderm with its trunk in the water. Afterwards, we’ll pay a visit to the Stórhöfði puffin colony where these comical seabirds are usually spotted until August. Nature has blessed this part of Iceland with some spectacular scenery and we’re confident you’ll agree this is a remarkable place, particularly if the visibility is good and you can see Surtsey, the most southerly island in this volcanic archipelago. The final aspect of this tour unlocks the devastating raid on Heimaey in 1627 by Algerian corsairs; the guide will recount the terrible events that took place at the hands of those pirates and what the locals did to survive the surprise attack. Lastly, we move on to a replica Viking house at Herjólfstown to find out about another period in the islands’ history.

In addition to these group tours, we offer a bespoke service where we can fully customise the route to suit your needs on a private ride. A luxury alternative incorporating a delicious seafood meal is another option you might be tempted by. Whichever you choose, the adrenaline rush you get as you set off on these exciting rides is the same. We believe that this is the most fun you can have during your Westman Islands stay, so why not book a tour and see if you agree?