Shore Excursions from Westman Islands – Heimaey Port

On a clear day, travelers on the south coast of Iceland will clearly see the Westman Islands in the distance – yet relatively few people take the time to visit. They are missing out – Heimaey is the largest of the Islands and offers plenty of natural beauty, museums, local cuisine, and activities.

The island is renowned for the prominent cliffs on its northern and western shores, as well as the 1973 eruption that forever chnaged the landscape here. In summer Heimaey hosts the world´s largest Atlantic Puffin colony. There is plenty of things for visitors to see and do while visiting this windy outpost.

Learn more about our Westman Islands Shore Excursions

About Heimaey Port

Heimaey is the largest and only inhabitied of the Westman Islands, an archipelago of some 15 islands off the southern coast of Iceland. With a population of some 5000 people, the population swells in summer with day visitors from the mainland, as well as those arriving on cruise ships.

The local ferry Herjólfur makes up to 8 round trips daily to and from Landeyhöfn port on the mainlan, and transports locals, tourists, and goods. This 40 minute ferry ride is a vital connection for locals.

The port is also of course serves as the base for the Heimaey fishing fleet – the industry is one of the largest employers on the island.

Highlights on Our Shore Excursion on Heimaey

North Iceland offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes and cultural sites. Our shore excursions are carefully designed to showcase the region’s best highlights—however, each tour includes a selection of these locations. Please refer to individual tour details to see exactly what’s included.

Höfði Puffin Colony

Höfði is a small peninsula on the southern tip of Heimaey. It is hilly with sheer cliffs around the its edge – these cliffs are perfect nesting grounds for the one million plus puffins who nest here each summer. Take a stroll along the walking path that runs by the cliffs and spot these wonderful creatures in every direction.

Elephant Rock

Elephant Rock looks like something on overly-excited AI image generator might come up with. It´s a relief then on arriving to Heimaey to discover that is is somehow real. The waves have over time eroded and carved the porous basalt rockface into the shape of a giant elephant head, complete with ear and trunk. 

Eldfell Volcano

The 1973 eruption of the volcano Eldfell changed life on Heimaey forever. The days, weeks and months after this eruption demonstrated the bravery and resiliance of the townspeople – the population was evacuated on fishing boats from the island and the mainland, many of which made multiple journeys. Then began the battle to save homes, and more urgently the harbour itself – an ingenius system was devised to pump seawater on the magma and save the harbour. All told around 400 houses were destroyed and lie now forever under the new lava fields. But crucially the harbour was saved, meaning the town´s economic life blood was maintained.

We visit some viewpoints which offer panoramic perspectives, as your guide tells you all about the eruption, and the town´s remarkable recovery.

Stafkirkjan Church

This pretty black church was gifted to the island in 2000 by Norway to commemorate Iceland´s conversion to Christinanity. This authentic recreation sits in the harbour area with the harbour cliffs sheltering the church and now serves as a heritage center.

Nearby see fortifications and a cannon used for defence.

Optional stop: Eldheimar Museum

After the conclusion of our tour, we could drop you to Eldheimar Museum which commemorates the 1973 Eldfell eruption. The museum was built around and preserves an actual hoem which was lost during the eruption – it is frozen it time with childrens´toys visibel amongst the rubble and ash. Learn about island life before and after the eruption.

Optional stop: Beluga Whale Sanctuary

Alternatively once our tour concludes, you could visit the Sea-Life Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary. Little Grey and Little White were rescued from a Shanghai water park and brought all the way to Heimaey.

You can also see rescued puffins, who are being nursed back to health by the dedicated staff here.