Westman Islands
About
What It Is
The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are a volcanic archipelago off Iceland's south coast, consisting of 15 islands and numerous skerries and sea stacks. [1] Heimaey is the largest island and the only one with a permanent year-round settlement. [1] The islands are known for their volcanic landscape, dramatic sea cliffs, abundant seabirds, and strong fishing and maritime culture. Heimaey was dramatically reshaped by the 1973 Eldfell volcanic eruption, which forced the evacuation of the island's population and covered parts of the town with lava and ash. [2]
Long-term settlement on the islands began around 920 AD. The archipelago was seized by the Norwegian and later Danish Crown after 1400 and remained Crown property until 1874. [1] Three major population shocks shaped the community: a Turkish raid in 1627 that captured roughly 300 residents, an 18th-century wave of infant mortality, and the 1973 Eldfell eruption that reduced the population from approximately 5,100 to 200 for six months. [1] Around 4,300 people live there today. [1]
The archipelago's name derives from a Viking-Age event: Ingólfur Arnarson pursued Irish slaves, called "west men" by the Norse, to these islands, giving the islands their name. [1]
Activities and Experiences
- Explore Heimaey — Walk through the harbor town, coastline, lava fields, and volcanic landscapes. [1]
- Hike Eldfell — Climb the volcanic cone created during the 1973 eruption for views across Heimaey and the surrounding archipelago. [2]
- Explore the 1973 eruption landscape — See areas where lava reached the town and learn how the eruption transformed the island. [2]
- Puffin watching — Vestmannaeyjar is an important breeding area for Atlantic puffins, which are present during the breeding season. [2][3]
- Boat excursions — Travel around Heimaey and the surrounding islands to see sea cliffs, caves, offshore rock formations, and seabird habitat. [4]
- Wildlife viewing — Observe seabirds and, depending on conditions and season, marine wildlife around the islands. [3][4]
- Experience local maritime culture — Fishing remains an important part of Vestmannaeyjar's economy, history, and identity. [3]
- Golfing — Play the 18-hole Vestmannaeyjar Golf Course, dramatically positioned between volcanic terrain and the Atlantic Ocean. The front nine run through Herjólfsdalur, while the back nine follow the ocean; the signature par-3 17th requires a shot over the sea. [1]
- Additional activities available include puffin and volcano tours, RIB safaris, ATV rides on the volcano, hop-on hop-off bus, and e-scooter hire. [1]
Hiking options vary in difficulty. Saefell, the northernmost mountain on Heimaey's southern cliffs, is considered one of the easier hikes on the island. Stora-Klif on the northern cliffs is significantly more challenging and requires local advice before attempting. [1] Stafsnes peninsula offers views toward the outlying southern islands and is described as especially striking on late-summer evenings, though swimming there is strongly discouraged. [1]
Cultural venues include the Eldheimar Museum, which covers the 1973 eruption, as well as a Folk Museum, the Maritime Museum, and Sea Life Trust. [1] A wooden cross inside Eldfell's crater commemorates both the eruption and a worker who died there in 1993. [1] Golfing and a swimming pool are also available on the island. [1]
Several recurring festivals take place on the islands, including the Matey Seafood Festival, Hljomey music event, Thjodhatid festival held in Herjolfsdalur valley, Goslok festival, and a Puffin Run. [1]
Practical Access
The primary destination for visitors is Heimaey. It is connected to mainland Iceland by the Herjolfur passenger and vehicle ferry. [5] The normal ferry route operates between Landeyjahofn and Vestmannaeyjar, with the crossing taking approximately 35 minutes under normal operating conditions. [1][5] Passengers may travel with or without a vehicle. Advance reservations are advisable, particularly for travelers taking a car. [5] Ferry schedules and routes can be affected by weather and sea conditions. When conditions prevent operations through Landeyjahofn, services may be redirected to Thorlakshofn, which results in a considerably longer crossing. [5][6]
Heimaey is also served by an airport located north of Saefell on the island. [1] No admission fees for the islands themselves are mentioned in available sources, and a free map is provided by the local tourism office. [1]
Restrictions
- Most visitors independently explore Heimaey; access to many of the smaller islands is limited because they are uninhabited, rugged, and surrounded by steep cliffs.
- Visitors should avoid disturbing nesting seabirds and respect any seasonal closures or restricted nesting areas.
- Some hiking areas contain steep volcanic terrain, exposed slopes, and high sea cliffs, requiring appropriate footwear and caution.
- Swimming at Stafsnes peninsula is strongly discouraged. [1]
- Boat excursions and ferry transportation are weather-dependent and may be changed or canceled because of sea conditions. [5][6]
What Makes It Distinctive
The Westman Islands combine active volcanic history, immense sea cliffs, major seabird habitat, and a living fishing community within a remarkably compact landscape. What particularly distinguishes Heimaey is how visibly the 1973 Eldfell eruption remains part of the modern town. Visitors can walk across relatively young lava fields and climb the volcano created by the eruption while looking down on the community that was evacuated and subsequently rebuilt beside it. [2] The islands are also closely associated with Atlantic puffins. A distinctive local tradition occurs when young puffins, known as pysjur, become disoriented by town lights during their first journey toward the ocean. Local residents traditionally collect stranded birds and release them safely toward the sea. [2] Together, the volcanic landscape, wildlife, ocean setting, and inhabited community make Vestmannaeyjar more than a scenic island destination — it is a place where Iceland's geology, wildlife, and human resilience are unusually visible in the same landscape.
Sources
- Best months: June–August
- Typical duration: 2 days
Access & fees
- airport on heimaey
- free island map
Things to do
- atv volcano tour
- boat tours
- explore 1973 eruption lava landscape
- golfing
- golfing 18-hole course, par-3 17th over sea
- mountain hiking
- puffin tour
- puffin watching breeding season
- rib safari
- volcano hiking
- wildlife viewing seabirds and marine life
Amenities
- multiple museums
- swimming pool
Best time to visit
- late summer evenings
Events & seasons
- goslok festival
- hljómey music event
- matey seafood festival
- puffin run
- þjóðhátíð festival
Features
- 15 islands, numerous skerries
- 1973 Eldfell eruption reshaped Heimaey
- Eldfell crater cross commemorates 1993 worker
- name from Viking-Age Irish slaves
- only heimaey inhabited
- pysjur puffling rescue tradition
- settlement began ~920 AD
- three major population shocks
Good to know
- advance car reservations advisable
- alternate ferry via Thorlakshofn
- do not swim at stafsnes
- ferry carries passengers and vehicles
- ferry Landeyjahofn ~35 min
- population ~4,300
- stóra-klíf requires local advice
Photos
