Heimaey Island Volcano & Puffin Colony Tour: 1.1 Million Puffins

Stand at the edge of a million-bird colony and walk through the lava that buried a town

A 2.5-hour guided tour of Heimaey Island in the Westman Islands explores the world's largest Atlantic puffin colony, the 1973 Eldfell volcano eruption site, and Elephant Rock, a basalt sea cliff sculpted by waves into an elephant's head. An experienced English-speaking guide leads small groups through the island's history and birdlife, with pickup included and children welcome from age 2.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Heimaey Island highlights

• Visit Elephant Rock for photos
• Walk coastal path to see puffins
• Explore Eldfell Volcano and learn eruption history
• Visit replica settlement era church

The experience

Elephant Rock is the first stop: a massive basalt cliff face carved by millennia of crashing waves into the unmistakable shape of an elephant's head, complete with ear and trunk. It's the kind of landmark that stops you mid-step, and the photos are worth the climb to the viewpoint.

The puffin colony comes next. You walk the coastal path by the lighthouse where roughly 20% of the global Atlantic puffin population nests and breeds during summer: over 1.1 million birds going about their daily lives on the southern tip of the island. The guide points out the nesting burrows and explains the rhythms of the colony. You get the vantage without the scramble.

Eldfell volcano dominates the eastern half of the island. In 1973, the eruption destroyed over 400 homes and forced a two-year evacuation. The lava fields still cover much of the landscape, and your guide walks you through what happened and how the town fought back: the geology and the human story tangled together in the black rock underfoot. The replica stave church, a gift to the island in 2000 to mark 1000 years of Christianity in Iceland, sits framed by the harbor cliffs to the north.

What’s included

• An experienced English-speaking guide who knows the island's history and birdlife.
• pickup from your ship or meeting point.
• an air-conditioned vehicle.
• and WiFi on board.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 11 Apr 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 59

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by BusTravel Iceland

Is this one for you?This is a guided group tour on a fixed 2.5-hour schedule, which is what makes it work for cruise passengers. The timing is built around ship departures, so you get the volcano, the puffin colony and the historic sites without missing your boat.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (2 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many puffins actually nest on Heimaey Island during summer?

Over 1.1 million Atlantic puffins breed and nest on the southern tip of the island during the season, making it the world's largest Atlantic puffin colony. The coastal path by the lighthouse is where you spot them going about their daily lives.

What happened to Heimaey Island in 1973?

Eldfell volcano erupted and destroyed over 400 homes, forcing the evacuation of the island for around two years. The lava fields now cover much of the eastern part of the island, and your guide explains both the eruption itself and how the town rebuilt afterward.

What is Elephant Rock and how did it form?

Elephant Rock is a massive basalt sea cliff on the island's coast, sculpted over millennia by crashing waves into the shape of a giant elephant's head, complete with ear and trunk. It's the first stop on the tour and a major photo landmark.

How long is the tour and does it fit a cruise ship schedule?

The tour runs 2.5 hours and is specifically designed to fit cruise ship schedules, so you can explore the island and return to your ship without rushing.