The perfect day trip to the Westman Islands

When we think about travelling to islands, we perhaps think that it might take too long for a brief visit. But as the ferry crossing between the mainland and the Westman Islands is only a little over half an hour, Heimaey is a definite possibility for a day trip. We think you might be surprised at just how much you can fit in during a single day. Intrigued? We have put together a brief guide that shows you what a day in the Westman Islands might look like.

The ferry crossing

First up, let’s get you there. The ferry terminal on the mainland is at Landeyjahöfn, about ten minutes’ drive south of the ring road close to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Coming from Hella it takes about half an hour, though you might want to leave a little extra time to park up in the terminal’s car park. Remember to allow plenty of time to check in and board.

The ferry schedule is published online and you should double check the times of your preferred sailing before you set out. Normally, the earliest ferry departs at 8.15am, arriving around 9am. The latest return is typically at 10pm, meaning that there’s ample time to enjoy a range of activities and have a meal before catching the boat back.

Unless you are bringing a car over, it’s not always necessary to book, though you might prefer to in summer as that’s peak season. One especially busy time is at the start of August when the islands host the annual Þjóðhátíð festival. It’s very popular. However, extra ferry sailings are put on to accommodate the extra demand. Regardless, for peace of mind you may wish to book your crossing in advance. If so, it’s easy to do this via the website.

Once you arrive

Heimaey is not a large island and it is possible to enjoy a day out using it as a base for activities without needing to bring a car. The ferry docks close to the town and it’s only a two minute walk across. Many of the tours that you might want to book, including the Volcano ATV tour and boat trips, depart from this part of town. We think it’s a good idea to arrange something both on land and on the water, as this gives you the opportunity to appreciate the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the Westman Islands from multiple perspectives.

You’re also a short walk from some of the visitor attractions, including the Beluga Whale Sanctuary which is close to the quayside. If you’re keen to visit a museum while you’re in the islands, Eldheimar is around 20 minutes from the dock and offers a fascinating insight into the volcanic eruption that took place here five decades ago. Note that while the harbour area is pretty flat, you’ll have to walk uphill as you venture further inland.

Things to do

The proximity of the Westman Islands’ tourist attractions to each other means that you can take a mix and match approach to your day. Online booking makes everything very easy. If you’ve rented a car to get to the ferry you’ll find this is an ideal day out if you’re keen to travel independently without a tour guide. We’ll take a look at some of the things you might like to do and how to incorporate them into a single day.

The volcano ATV tour

Why should you choose it?

This ATV tour is a fun activity that’s a great way of seeing some of the scenery on the island without too much effort. You’ll ride your ATV over some of the island’s most beautiful landscapes including Prestvik Beach and see some of the places that made their mark on the island’s history. It’s this combination of heritage and scenery that makes this such a great idea if you only have a single day free in your schedule to explore the Westman Islands.

Anything else you should know?

Passengers as young as six years old can double up too, so even those who don’t hold a driving licence can ride alongside, making this a great choice for adventure-loving families or groups of friends. Helmets, gloves and overalls are provided.

Timings

The standard volcano ATV tour takes one hour and should be reserved in advance if possible. From April 1^st to November 30^th, there are three tours a day, departing at 10.30am, 12 noon and 3pm. You’ll need to arrive half an hour before your tour starts, making this a good first activity to do after the ferry docks. Private tours can also be arranged.

A RIB safari

Why should you choose it?

A RIB safari is an exciting way to get a different perspective on the island – this time from the water. These high speed boats are designed to cover a lot of ground fast. Your adrenaline will be pumping and you might get splashed, particularly if you choose to sit towards the front of the boat. But when the engines are cut, you almost glide into the caves and between rock formations as these vessels are highly maneouvrable. A highlight is seeing Elephant Rock and also testing the acoustics inside a sea cave.

Anything else you should know?

Some parts of the Westman Islands can only be reached by boat and you’ll see some of these from the RIB. Though you might get wet during the ride, suits are provided and pull on over your own clothing. These also help protect you from the chilly wind when you enter less sheltered water.

Timings

The one hour RIB safari is enough to give you an introduction to the islets and sea caves that form part of the Westman Islands archipelago. In summer departures are at 12 noon, 2.30pm and 4pm, all of which work with your day trip ferry crossings. It is possible to extend this activity and book a two-hour option which covers more distance. This is a better tour if you’re hoping to maybe spot whales too, though you’re likely to see plenty of seabirds (including puffins, in season) even on the short tour.

A boat trip

Why should you choose it?

Thrill rides aren’t for everyone, so if a more leisurely excursion is more your style then you’ll be pleased to learn that there’s another boat trip that you can take in the Westman Islands. For instance, there’s a spacious cruiser that will also take you to see famous landmarks such as Elephant Rock and colonies of seabirds as well as give you a view of some of the archipelago’s uninhabited islands. Marine mammals such as whales and dolphins are also commonly sighted on this trip.

Anything else you should know?

This tour is more sedate and therefore it might be more suited to anyone who has mobility issues or injuries that might be aggravated by sudden motion such as back problems. You’ll also get a detailed commentary so you can learn about the islanders’ history and way of life as the scenery passes by.

Timings

From mid-May to mid-September, the boat departs at 2.15pm each day. The tour lasts about one and a half hours, leaving you plenty of time before your ferry departs.

Other activities

In between the tours we have listed, you might be looking for other things to do. Why not try these suggestions during your Westman Islands day trip?

Many visitors to the Westman Islands call in to the Beluga Whale Sanctuary. This is a rescue centre which has embarked on a lengthy process to rehabilitate a pair of beluga whales that were once captive in a Chinese water park. Little Grey and Little White are being cared for by a diligent team of carers as they work towards releasing them back into the ocean. The centre also rescues and releases injured or disoriented puffins. Allow an hour or so for a visit; the sanctuary is open year-round with extended opening hours in summer. Check their website for details.

During the summer months, a large colony of puffins can be found on the island. These comical creatures come in spring to nest in grassy clifftop burrows and raise their young. They stay until the middle of August, after which they return to the ocean. It’s enjoyable to watch their delightful antics and the good news is that there’s a bird hide over on the southern edge of Heimaey. It’s easy to lose track of time up here so you’ll need to keep a close eye on the time if you don’t want to miss the ferry.

It’s quite a hike from the port but an easy drive if you have rented a car and brought it over with you. If not, consider booking your ATV tour with the puffin paradise add-on. This option incorporates a visit to Stórhöfði where you’ll have time to watch the puffins and listen to the guide’s informative commentary without missing the chance to ride an ATV. The tour lasts around 1 hour 45 minutes all told.

Hiking to a volcanic crater is also possible on Heimaey. In summer, a carpet of lupines spreads across the rugged lava field. A trail leads up to the summit of Eldfell, the volcanic cone created during the 1973 eruption. There are also excellent views back towards the mainland from up here. It’s worth calling in to the Eldheimar museum which tells the dramatic story of the 1973 eruption. You can also see a partially excavated house that was engulfed, like many others like it, by the lava flows that altered the Westman Islands’ landscape forever. The museum is open daily between 11am and 5pm from early May until mid October.

Close to the harbour and ferry terminal you’ll also find a number of excellent cafés and restaurants; it’s worth noting that refreshments can also be purchased on board the ferry too. On a fine day in summer, this part of town is a good place to enjoy the sunshine and watch the comings and goings at the harbour. It’s an enjoyable place to spend the day and Heimaey’s compact size means that you can easily combine a number of activities without wasting a lot of time as you travel from one to the other. Why not get that Westman Islands ferry booked and start choosing the tours you’ll pick to fill the time in between?