Herjólfur Ferry & Boat Travel Guide: Getting to and Around the Westman Islands
As an island archipelago it makes sense that to see Vestmannaeyjar properly, you’ll find yourself on the water at some point. In this guide we’ll take a brief look at what you need to know about catching the Westman Islands ferry and using boat trips to enhance your sightseeing.
The Herjólfur ferry guide
The Herjólfur ferry connects Vestmannaeyjar’s only inhabited island, Heimaey, with the Icelandic mainland. It’s an affordable way of getting to the Westman Islands with or without a car. Heimaey is relatively small, so if you have plenty of time you can hike to most parts of the island. With less time on your hands, you might consider taking your rental car on the ferry or booking a tour such as our Volcano ATV rides.
Herjólfur ferry schedules are posted online on the company’s website. You’ll have the greatest flexibility in summer; for instance in June boats leave Landeyjahöfn seven times a day, the first at 7am and the last at 10pm. The ferries are similarly frequent in the opposite direction, running from 8.15am to 11.15pm.
For a day trip, choose the first out and last back to maximise your sightseeing time. The crossing time takes on average 30 to 35 minutes and weather information is displayed on the website too. Be sure to check up to date schedules when you book as they are subject to change.
Taking a car, motorbike or bicycle
If you’ve chosen to take your rental car on board, you’ll need to make sure you add a car onto your booking. First you input passenger details and then you’ll have the option of selecting car, motorbike or bicycle. Add whichever vehicle you require and pay the increased fare. You’ll leave it on the vehicle deck while you head upstairs to the passenger lounge to relax and enjoy the crossing.
It’s wise to book ahead during the summer peak season, particularly if you want to take the car over as space is limited on the ferry. However if you’ve left it a bit late, don’t worry. There’s plenty of parking at the Landeyjahöfn port and you can leave your vehicle there until you return. It really comes down to personal preference and how organised you like your itinerary to be.
Boat trips around the Westman Islands
Once in Heimaey, you may decide you want to take to the water. Boat trips depart regularly and are a popular sightseeing option. If you like to chase an adrenaline rush – and you’ve come to our ATV ride website after all – then perhaps the most thrilling is a RIB safari. These boats are capable of high speeds but also are small enough to venture into caves and tight nooks. Children aged six and up are welcome on board.
If you’re looking for something a little more sedate, then a regular boat trip might be more suitable. Such trips go at a slower pace for a more relaxing experience. They depart from Heimaey’s harbour and make a loop so that you can enjoy views of the archipelago’s breathtaking rock formations and catch sight of some of our feathered friends. Time it right and you should see puffins as well as other seabirds.
Unless you are especially tight for time it’s not necessary to book far in advance. However, once you’ve worked out your schedule it is a good idea to make your boat trip booking so that you can relax knowing you won’t miss out. As with the Herjólfur ferry, this is particularly important in summer when the south of Iceland experiences high demand for trips and tours.
Heimaey travel tips
- Combine both land-based and waterborne sightseeing to get the most out of your visit. Boat tours typically run from May to September but can be weather dependent.
- Although you can tour the highlights in a day, the Westman Islands reward travellers who stay a little longer.
- Booking a guided excursion, such as with Volcano ATV, allows you to understand some of the pivotal moments in the islands’ history and explore Vestmannaeyjar’s rich cultural heritage through compelling commentary.