Incredible stories of survival
Our adventure also takes us towards the coastline, where some of the island's most extraordinary maritime stories unfolded.
At Prestvík, discover the fascinating story of Pelagus, a fishing vessel that ran aground along the island’s rugged coastline. Its story is part of Vestmannaeyjar’s rich maritime history and a reminder of the powerful North Atlantic and the challenges faced by generations of seafarers.
Nearby, we'll explore the story of Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, whose remarkable survival became famous throughout Iceland and inspired the film The Deep. After his fishing vessel, Hellisey VE 503, sank in freezing waters, Guðlaugur managed to swim approximately 5–6 kilometres to shore in darkness and extreme conditions.
Standing near the place where he reached land gives this incredible story an entirely different perspective.