Vestmannaeyjar, Puffins & Volcanoes Small Group Day Tour
Description
Welcome to Vestmannaeyjar, also known as the Westman Islands—The New York Times' pick for one of 2024's top travel spots! Get ready for a day filled with rugged beauty, wildlife wonders, and unforgettable experiences. We'll explore Heimaey's best, from iconic Elephant Rock to puffin-spotting at Stórhöfði cape. Dive into local history at the Eldheimar Museum, hike up Mt. Eldfell for epic views, and return home with memories to last a lifetime! You'll enjoy this day trip from the comfort of a 19 seat minibus, small group guaranteed.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Gear up for a fantastic journey to Vestmannaeyjar, the whimsical Westman Islands! Departing from Reykjavík, hop aboard our cozy 19-person minibus with our lively guide. After a two-hour drive, we'll reach Landeyjarhöfn for a quick ferry hop to Heimaey, all in just 30 minutes. Get ready for a day filled with laughter and island delights!
As soon as we arrive, get ready to be amazed by the breathtaking Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)! Carved from basalt rock during Eldfell's volcanic outburst, it's a sight to behold. With its unique silhouette resembling an elephant dipping its trunk into the water, it's like nature's very own sculpture garden.
Next up on our adventure, prepare for an enchanting session of puffin watching at Stórhöfði cape! Get your cameras ready because there will be plenty of opportunities to snap delightful photos of these charismatic birds as they go about their daily antics. Puffins, with their comical waddle and vibrant beaks, are the true VIPs (Very Important Puffins) of the Westman Islands. Nicknamed “sea parrots” or sometimes “clowns of the sea", Puffins spend 8 months at sea hunting for fish in the winter, returning to land only for mating and nesting from mid-April to August.
After our puffin-watching adventure, our next stop is the Eldheimar Museum, fondly known as the 'Pompeii of the North,' where you'll explore the events of the 1973 volcanic eruption and its lasting impact on the region. Following this enlightening visit, we'll head downtown for a lunch break (lunch expenses not included in the tour price).
After lunch, our adventure continues to Skansinn, located by the harbour and named after a historical fortress that once occupied this space. Here, you'll discover Stafkirkjan, a remarkable Norse 'Viking' Wood Church painted in bold black hues. Plus, don't miss the stunning vistas of the cliffs guarding Heimaey's harbour, offering a picturesque backdrop to your island exploration.
Next up, we're embarking on an exhilarating hike up Mt. Eldfell Volcano, known for its dramatic eruption in 1973. Once we conquer the summit, prepare to be dazzled by the breathtaking panorama unfolding before you – a mesmerizing vista of sprawling lava fields, the charming town, and the entire island spread out below like a patchwork quilt. After the hike, you'll have the freedom to leisurely explore the town or opt for a captivating stroll through the captivating lava fields on your way back to the harbor. The choice is yours!
In the late afternoon, we'll regroup at the harbor to hop aboard the ferry back to the mainland, guaranteeing a punctual return to Reykjavik by evening. It's the perfect finale to a day packed with unforgettable adventures in the enchanting Westman Islands!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please note that we only serve the pick-up locations specified in our pick-up list below. Due to traffic restrictions, we are not allowed to pick up from hotels in the city center nor from private Air BnBs. If your pick-up location is not on our pick-up list then we kindly ask you to find the closest pick-up point to your accommodation from our list. BSÍ Bus Terminal – Vatnsmýrarvegi 10. Bus pick up/drop off nr.6 – Safnahúsið (The Culture House) Bus pick up/drop off nr.9 – Snorrabraut N1 Gas Station Selfoss Landeyjahöfn, Landeyjahafnarvegur, 861, (Herjólfur ferry) Pick-up time depends on season and location, please always check your ticket for further details. PLEASE NOTE: Please be ready at your pick-up location at the exact time of the start on your ticket. It may take up to 30 minutes for your guide to collect you depending on your location and traffic conditions. DROP-OFF: You will be dropped off at approximately 20:00 (8:00pm) from your original pick-up location. Times may change depending on weather and road conditions.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We are unfortunately unable to store or transport luggage or suitcases on this tour.
Reviews(9)
Thor was punctual, informative and a lot of fun! He is a really great guide! The trip was easy to sign up for. I would recommend it
Franklin was our guide and he really made this our favorite tour. Westmann Island is enchanting. We got to see several puffins, had an excellent lunch at Tanginn, visited the beluga whale sanctuary and climbed the dormant volcano Eldfell. Great tour!!
I took the Westman Islands Tour with "Your Day Tours" in July 2025. We had Rebecca as our guide/driver. There were 19 people on our tour. I had a little confusion on the pickup time. My paperwork said pickup was from 8-8:45am, but the driver said pickup starts at 8:45am. So I waited at my bus stop for over an hour. I was picked up at 8:55am. Rebecca was a very fun, energetic and funny guide. You could tell she loved her job and loved showing us what Iceland had to offer on this tour. She was also very informative on what we were seeing on the tour. The big draw for me on this tour was the puffins. I will say the walk/hike to see them was somewhat difficult with the narrow trails zig zagging around puffin nests. I am glad I brought my trekking pole. As a suggestion, the company should note this on "things to bring". The hillside was very steep. Older folks with balance issues, would not be able to do it. Luckily, we had magnificent weather, to make everything easier. If that hillside would have been wet, it would have been extremely difficult to walk. It was a little confusing on where to get the best views of the puffins. At some point, people started to split off and go further down, but I stayed where we first saw some puffins. We also went to the Beluga Whale Museum (admission was not included in tour price). We saw Eldheimer which is the volcanic eruption museum from 1973. That was very interesting. We also hike around the volcanic crater rim of Mt Edfell. We saw Skansinn which is a church gifted to Iceland from Norway. The ferry ride to and from the island was smooth and faster than I expected. It was only about 35-40 minutes each way. The only thing we didn't have time to see was the Elephant Rock. It was mostly because we voted to stay a bit longer at the puffins. Great tour and I'd highly recommend getting to the island.
We had Franklin as our guide and he was wonderful! Funny, informative, and knowledgeable. His love and excitement about all animals was a very endearing quality. He made our day fun and relaxing. This was a great tour, it is a long day but it went fast. We saw a lot-the puffins and Eldheimer Museum were highlights! Would recommend this tour and this company to anyone visiting Iceland.
Great trip! Excellent puffin viewing. We were able to get close enough for spectacular pictures. The volcano hike and museum were also great! Very fun day!
Our guide Franklin is great. He is entertaining and also punctual. We saw the Beluga whales in the Sealife sanctuary but the cost is extra if you want to see it. There were many puffins but less than I expected since they went out to the sea.
Although it rained (typical Icelandic weather) the tour was fantastic. We saw some incredible sights with a couple of cheeky added bits. Our guide Anastasia was brilliant. Interacting with all of us and parting her extensive knowledge of Iceland onto us. Absolutely would take a tour with her again.
Dear Traveler, Thank you for your wonderful feedback on the Puffins and Volcanoes tour! We're delighted to hear that you had a fantastic experience, despite the typical Icelandic weather. Iceland’s ever-changing conditions can sometimes add an extra layer of adventure, and we're thrilled that you still found the tour to be memorable and enjoyable. It's great to know that Anastasia made such a positive impression. Her ability to interact warmly with guests and share her deep knowledge of Iceland is something we greatly value. We’re proud to have guides like her who can enhance the tour with both insightful information and a touch of personal charm. We also appreciate your mention of the additional surprises during the tour. We aim to create unique experiences for our guests, and it’s rewarding to hear that these extras contributed to your enjoyment. Your feedback is incredibly important to us as it helps us continuously improve and ensures we provide exceptional experiences. We're committed to delivering top-notch tours and your kind words serve as a strong motivator for our team. We would be thrilled to have you join us again on your next trip to Iceland. Should you have any questions, need assistance with planning future tours, or wish to share more feedback, please feel free to reach out to us at info@yourdaytours.is. Thank you once again for choosing Your Day Tours, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future!
The tour was amazing especially the tour leader Franklin he was very helpful and entertaining. We took lots of pictures and we re very happy
Dear Traveler, Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic experience on our Westmann Island, Puffins, and Volcanoes Tour here on TripAdvisor! We sincerely appreciate the time you took to leave such a glowing review. It's wonderful to hear that you had an amazing time, especially with Franklin as your tour leader. We're thrilled that Franklin's helpful and entertaining nature added to your enjoyment of the tour. Providing knowledgeable and engaging guides who create memorable experiences is a top priority for us, and we're delighted that Franklin exceeded your expectations. Capturing lots of pictures and cherishing those memories is what travel is all about, and we're thrilled that our tour provided you with such opportunities. The Westmann Islands are indeed a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural history, and we're glad you had the chance to explore and appreciate them with us. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as we continuously strive to improve our services and ensure that each tour is as enjoyable and enriching as possible for our guests. We will certainly use your comments to inspire and motivate our team to maintain the high standards you experienced. If you find yourself planning another trip to Iceland or if you have friends or family considering visiting, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@yourdaytours.is. Whether it's guided trips, adventurous excursions, or exploring other activities, we would be delighted to assist in creating another unforgettable Icelandic adventure for you. Once again, thank you for choosing Your Day Tours and for sharing your positive experience with us and others on TripAdvisor. We look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable journeys in the future.
Franklin was our host and tour guide. He created a wonderful experience….knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. He made the Westmann Island & Puffin Tour very special. I would recommend him and this tour anytime.
Dear Traveler, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us on TripAdvisor. We truly appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you had a memorable time on our Westmann Island, Puffins and Volcanoes Tour with Franklin as your guide. Franklin is indeed a valued member of our team, known for his knowledge, humor, and passion for creating memorable experiences for our guests. It's wonderful to hear that his enthusiasm and expertise added to your enjoyment of the tour. Your feedback is incredibly important to us as we strive to continuously improve our services and ensure that every guest has a fantastic experience with us. We will certainly pass along your compliments to Franklin and the rest of our team, as they serve as motivation to continue delivering exceptional tours. If you ever find yourself back in Iceland or if you have friends or family planning a visit, we would be thrilled to assist with guided trips, adventures, or any other activities you may be interested in. You can reach out to us directly at info@yourdaytours.is, and we'll be more than happy to help create another memorable Icelandic experience. Once again, thank you for choosing Your Day Tours and for sharing your positive feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future for another adventure.
