The Westman Islands, Vestmannaeyjar, are reached by the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn on the South Coast in around 35 to 40 minutes; a one-way adult ticket costs ISK 2,700 and a car ISK 4,050 each way (visiticeland.com, read 7 November 2026). Heimaey is the only inhabited island of the 15-island archipelago. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.
Highlights
The harbour of Heimaey
The ferry arrives at the island's harbour town; Heimaey means Home Island.
Eldfell
The volcano that erupted at the edge of town in 1973; residents were evacuated to the mainland within hours, and the hike to the summit takes under an hour.
Eldheimar Museum
Tells the story of the 1973 eruption through a real house that was buried and later dug up; open year-round with shorter winter hours.
Puffins at Stórhöfði
Puffins nest on the cliffs from roughly May through August and head out to sea by early September.
Heimaey stave church and golf course
Also listed by Visit Iceland, the golf course set partly inside a crater.
Practical info
Tips
- Children under 12 travel free on the ferry. In storms or heavy sand build-up the ferry may be rerouted to Þorlákshöfn, which stretches the trip to nearly three hours, so a tight schedule is a risk. Flights from Reykjavík run on a limited, seasonal schedule. With a car you drive to Landeyjahöfn on the South Coast, which is the same coast as Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Vík; for the South Coast route itself see the South Coast tours. For puffins from Reykjavík instead, see puffin tours in Iceland. Car hire is compared in Iceland car rental; the Discover Cars link in the box leads to the Iceland page.
How to get there
Ferry from Landeyjahöfn, South Coast, 35 to 40 minutes; the alternative port is Þorlákshöfn in rough weather. Cars and foot passengers both travel.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
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