{"id":1088,"date":"2024-04-05T09:36:19","date_gmt":"2024-04-05T09:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/volcanoatv.is\/en\/?page_id=1088"},"modified":"2024-09-27T16:33:14","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T16:33:14","slug":"the-top-activity-tours-in-the-westman-islands","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/volcanoatv.is\/en\/westman-islands\/the-top-activity-tours-in-the-westman-islands","title":{"rendered":"The top activity tours in the Westman Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sightseeing\u2019s great, but there\u2019s nothing like doing<\/em> rather than seeing<\/em> to get the most out of a place when you visit. That\u2019s definitely true for the Westman Islands, where there\u2019s a wealth of tours and activities to choose from. We\u2019ve compiled a list of our favourites to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go on a RIB safari, kayak or boat trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The coastline of the Westman Islands is spectacular which means you should try to do at least one boat trip during your stay. There\u2019s a choice of vessels, from sedate cruisers to nippy RIBs. The former are great for parties that enjoy listening to a commentary and chatting about the places they\u2019re seeing. Meanwhile the high speeds attainable by RIBs inject energy, fun and thrills into the proceedings. Alternatively, slip through the sheltered coastal waters on a kayak tour. What doesn\u2019t change is the incredible scenery. Imagine grassy-topped cliffs teeming with sea birds or rocky outcrops whose faulting and folding shows why geology is such a fascinating discipline. Landmarks such as Elephant Rock, formed from basalt, and the jaw-dropping acoustics of Klettshellir cave mean this is far from an ordinary excursion, whichever mode of transport you pick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take a guided lava walk\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t really visit the Westman Islands without doing justice to Eldfell, the volcanic cone formed during the 1973 eruption on Heimaey. Though your ATV ride will have given you a flavour of what it\u2019s like, you may wish to consider returning on foot to explore at a more unhurried pace. Though it\u2019s easily possible to walk up there on your own, one of the best ways to learn about the place is to opt for the \u201cguided by a local\u201d tour. Being able to get a resident\u2019s perspective on the eruption and on how the islanders rebuilt their damaged town is a tempting opportunity. You\u2019ll start at the harbour and walk via Skansinn to the summit of Eldfell before looping back to the town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hike to Heimaklettur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The hilly terrain that characterises the Westman Islands means there are plenty of places where you can get a workout while admiring the striking landscape. One of the best hikes is up to Heimaklettur, though it\u2019s not a casual stroll. In Icelandic, Heimaklettur means \u201cHome Rock\u201d, and it\u2019s the destination for the signature walk of the Westman Islands. With its peak standing at 279 metres above the water in the harbour, it\u2019s the archipelago\u2019s highest point. To do this walk, you\u2019ll need to be fit and you\u2019ll also need to be comfortable with heights. Oh, and it\u2019s best in fine weather when the wind isn\u2019t too strong. Ladders, ropes and chains help hikers navigate the steep stretches. After that it\u2019s a moderate trail that leads to a fabulous view that is ample reward for the effort you\u2019ve just made. Similarly, the hike to Herj\u00f3lfsdalur is another that delivers on the promise of stellar views.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rent a bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mountain biking enthusiasts will relish the chance to get out and explore Heimaey on two wheels. Typically, online rentals are for five hours, which gives you enough time to cover a lot of the main sights on this compact island. You can arrange to pick up your bike right beside the ferry port, so you won\u2019t waste any time before you get pedalling. The mountain bikes used are well-maintained Trek 3700 or Trek Skye S models, so you can be confident that they will handle the terrain admirably, leaving you to focus on the sights themselves. One activity you might come across is locals honing their spranga technique. This abseiling-type sport was originally used to gather bird eggs from the cliff face though it is more dangerous than it looks. Shorter and longer rentals are also possible should you wish, making this a flexible option if you want to get some exercise and fresh air in this varied and interesting place.        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ride an ATV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From myriad lofty viewpoints you\u2019ll see just how beautiful the landscape of the Westman Islands is and be keen to explore it further. One of the most fun ways to do so is on our Volcano ATV tour. The chunky tyres and all-terrain capability of these vehicles means you can access places that a regular car would be unable to reach. You\u2019ll soon understand why so many people enjoy this activity. Suited up and wearing your gloves and helmet, you\u2019ll feel the wind on your face as you ride as a group around some of Heimaey\u2019s most iconic sites. Throw in some expert commentary and you\u2019ll be rapt with attention as you listen to the stories of events that took place along the way. From an extraordinary journey made by the survivor of a shipwreck to that infamous eruption, you\u2019ll be able to appreciate what makes this part of Iceland really special.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do some puffin-watching at St\u00f3rh\u00f6f\u00f0i<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Summer visitors to Iceland are often enchanted by the bird that has become its mascot. The Atlantic puffins arrive in huge numbers \u2013 we\u2019re talking hundreds of thousands \u2013 in spring. They make their nests in burrows in the cliffs and raise their young before departing for the ocean before the summer\u2019s over. It can be hard to find easily accessible places where lots of birds can be seen close up, but at St\u00f3rh\u00f6f\u00f0i on Heimaey, you can park your rental car right beside a spacious bird hide and watch them for hours. If you\u2019ve chosen to arrive on the island as a foot passenger, why not consider adding the puffin paradise<\/a> option to your ATV tour and let us take care of the rest?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sightseeing\u2019s great, but there\u2019s nothing like doing rather than seeing to get the most out of a place when you…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1180,"parent":1081,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1088","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nThe top activity tours in the Westman Islands | Volcano ATV<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/volcanoatv.is\/en\/westman-islands\/the-top-activity-tours-in-the-westman-islands\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" 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