Discover Vestmannaeyjar: An ATV Tour Through Volcanic Landscapes and Puffin Colonies

Many people come to the Westman Islands for a short visit, so maximising the time that you have here is really important. One of the best ways to see as much of the landscape as possible is to book one of our ATV tours. You’ll cover much more ground than you would on foot, but you’ll still be out in the fresh air with nothing between you and the view.

There are a range of tours on offer but Heimaey itself will shine no matter which you pick. The scenery of this place is dramatic and varied. The island isn’t very large, but it packs a lot into a relatively small area. The only significant settlement on the island surrounds its harbour, which is where you’ll dock if you arrive on the ferry from the mainland. Even before you disembark, the sight of the steep cliffs that flank this narrow channel is a taste of what’s to come.

Stórhöfði is the peninsula in the south. It was once separate from the rest of Heimaey but volcanic activity has a habit of creating new land and so it’s now attached. You’ll notice how the land narrows, and as you drop down, there are coves and beaches on each side. In the far south, this is a wild and windy place, facing out over the Atlantic Ocean, but also boasts some of the most beautiful views. 

Stórhöfði is also where we show our ATV guests the puffin colonies for which the Westman Islands are famous – this is the largest in Iceland and in summer, about 830,000 breeding pairs come back to raise their chicks. The sight of these colourful birds would be a memorable moment in itself, but their comical behaviour and clumsy landings will endear them to you even more.

Across the island, we see some of the volcanic landscapes that remind us that the Westman Islands are still being shaped and created by tectonic processes. It’s been a little over 50 years since the creation of Eldfell, one of Heimaey’s volcanic cones. Much of this part of the island bears the scars of past lava flows. You can see in the patterns how the once molten rock flowed before it solidified. 

Following a track through the lava field on our ATVs is a remarkable experience. As you open up the throttle, ponder on what a dramatic transformation has occurred within many people’s lifetimes. The rugged terrain, so close to the town, is a world away from its paved streets lined with shops, restaurants and other businesses. This is our home and we are proud to be your guide as we unlock its past and show you the present. As for the future, who knows? But we know that the archipelago’s breathtaking views and extraordinary scenery will continue to wow those who come here for many years to come.