Bird colony
Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)
Off the coast of South Iceland, Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) is a group of 15 volcanic islands. The main island, Heimaey, known for the 1973 Eldfell eruption, is home to the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colonies, dramatic cliffs and a rich marine ecosystem.
- Region
- South Iceland
- Time to allow
- 8 hours
- Entry
- Free
- Season
- All year
Practical information
- Kind
- Bird colony
- Road
- Paved
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Nearest town
- Hvolsvöllur · 36 km
- Reykjavík
- 114 km (as the crow flies)
- Coordinates
- 63.4300, -20.2700
- On the map
- Open location
Before you go
- The ferry from Landeyjahöfn takes 35 minutes, but in bad weather it switches to Þorlákshöfn (3 hours).
- Puffin season is late May to early August.