Vestmannaeyjar (The Westman Islands) lie 10 kilometres off Iceland’s south coast and consist of 15 islands and several sand rock pillars. Heimaey is the largest island and the only one with a permanent population.

Vestmannaeyjar came very close to being permanently uninhabited. The townspeople of Heimaey had to temporarily evacuate to the mainland in 1973 when a volcanic eruption destroyed houses and changed the shape of the entire island. Quick-thinking locals, fearful of the lava destroying their harbour, used cold water to divert the lava flow. Thanks to their brave actions, not only was their crucial lifeline to the sea preserved, but the harbour is now even better than before. The eruption rumbled on for five months, but against all odds, the island’s population was able to return.

The population of Vestmannaeyjar has taken three large blows over the centuries. First, the population was halved when about 300 people were captured in the Turkish invasion in 1627. The second was due to a wave of infant deaths in the 18th century. Then in the 20th century, the Heimaey eruption of 1973 led to a mass evacuation, and for a period of six months the population dropped from 5,100 people to a mere 200. Today, Vestmannaeyjar is home to around 4,300 people,

Visitors can still feel the warmth of the lava running below the ground in certain places, and a fascinating project is underway to excavate some of the 400 houses still buried under ash and rock. The project, called ‘Pompeii of the North,’ aims to help visitors appreciate the sheer scale of the event, both from a natural and human perspective. In a previous eruption a decade earlier, the island of Surtsey was born from nothing.

Surtsey is still the world’s youngest island and continues to be carefully monitored and documented by the handful of lucky scientists allowed to visit each year. Its history has provided the first-ever opportunity in South Iceland to chronicle life’s colonisation of a new land. The results continue to be both important and surprising

Boat Tour
A boat tour in Vestmannaeyjar is an absolute must.
Boat Tours in Vestmannaeyjar have all kinds of boats and tours on offer and can fulfil all your wildest boating dreams.
A boat tours in Vestmannaeyjar is the best way to see the puffins, rock formations, wildlife and the amazing archipelago of Westman Islands.
During all our boat tours is Vestmannaeyjar trips a guide will inform you about the wildlife, nature, history and more.

Volcano ATV
Vestmannaeyjar is not only known for the volcanic eruption in 1973, because it is also home to the largest puffin colony in the world.
Hop on an ATV with us and drive around the most beautiful locations on the island.
1-hour ATV tour around the Volcano in Vestmannaeyjar and experience the unique view the volcano, lava fields and its surroundings have to offer.

Bird Watching
Hop on a minibus and explore Iceland's beauty with the legendary local guide, Ebbi! Join us on our Puffin and Volcano tour, a journey that encapsulates the essence of our stunning island.
Witness the majestic puffins in their natural habitat, marvel at the power of the volcano, delve into Viking history at the Viking Museum and so much more.

Rib Safari
Experience Vestmannaeyjar like a local.
On a speed boat.
The archipelago is best seen from the sea and from a boat that goes insanely fast.
Seriously.
But there are also other types of boat trips on offer—fortunately for those who do not want to go insanely fast.

Viking Museum
Unique Viking Museum about the first Viking family that settled in Vestmannaeyjar around the year 900.
The Viking Museum is not only a treasure trove of history but also a fantastic Instagram spot.
Engage with our exhibits taste traditional Viking delicacies and don’t forget to snap a selfie with our Viking displays for the perfect Instagram memory.

The Maritime Museum of Þórður Rafn
An excellent museum devoted to the history of boating and shipping in Iceland.
For over 40 years, Þórður Rafn (Rabbi) has collected maritime artifacts in Iceland and now he has opened the museum to the public.
Visitors to the museum can see what equipment and boats were used in the past at sea and for fishing.
There are also numerous models of fishing boats in the museum.

Eldheimar Museum
Everything you could want to know about the Heimaey eruption (and possibly some things you don’t want to know) is cleverly presented at the Eldheimar volcano remembrance museum.
The exhibition focuses on the 1973 volcanic eruption in Vestmannaeyjar, without a doubt one of Iceland's biggest natural disasters.
Visitors get a glimpse into people’s lives on Heimaey before the eruption that would change their lives forever.
The people of Heimaey had to leave their homes in the middle of the night and evacuate the island, many of them never saw their homes or any of their belongings ever again.

Sagnheimar Folk Museum
The Folk Museum of Vestmannaeyjar is a museum built on old traditions.
In addition to the many artifacts on exhibition, multimedia features give the museum a further depth.
While the adults are learning about the stories of fishing, cliff hunting, the Eldfell eruption of 1973, and the Algerian pirate raid of 1627 and more, the children can dress themselves in pirate costumes and search for hidden treasure in the pirate cave.
Displays and exhibits showing the deep connection with the Mormons, the reconstructed fishing shack from yesteryear or the distinct white tents the islanders put up during the annual “Festival”.

SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary
The SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary was created with the aim of providing beluga whales with a safe and more natural home, advancing knowledge through research and education, and supporting protection of wild belugas.
By leading the way and demonstrating an alternative way of caring for these beautiful animals we want to encourage others to consider sanctuaries as a viable alternative.
This change could potentially transform the lives of not only beluga whales but over 3,000 other whales and dolphins currently housed in traditional facilities under human care or performing in shows around the world.